The Rise and Uncertain Road Ahead for Kevin Parada: A Catcher's Tale of Triumphs and Setbacks

If you're a fan of college baseball or keep an eye on MLB's top prospects, you’ve probably heard the name Kevin Parada. The power-hitting catcher burst onto the scene with jaw-dropping performances at Georgia Tech, earning accolades, breaking records, and making scouts salivate over his potential. But what happens when the promising road to stardom is met with setbacks and struggles? Let’s dive into the captivating journey of Kevin Parada – a player who has shown flashes of brilliance while battling challenges that could define his future in the majors.

A Meteoric Rise in College Baseball

The spring of 2022 saw Kevin Parada putting up one of the most dominant college seasons for a catcher in decades. Originally from Loyola High School in California, Parada boasted enormous potential as the third-best prep catcher in the country. While he was expected to be a surefire first-round pick in the 2020 MLB draft, his commitment to Georgia Tech rerouted him to college – a decision that proved to be immensely fruitful.

From the moment Parada stepped onto Georgia Tech’s campus, his bat started doing the talking. In his freshman season, he played 52 games, hit .318, and launched nine home runs. His 20 doubles were the most in the ACC during the regular season, and his consistency at the plate earned him Freshman All-American honors. In the offseason, he focused on bulking up and refining his approach, which led to a power surge in his sophomore year. Parada set a program record with 26 home runs, drove in 88 runs, and sported an OPS north of 1.100. His impeccable plate discipline became the envy of every scout, as he struck out only 32 times over 300+ plate appearances.

The accolades poured in. Parada became a First-Team All-American, secured the Johnny Bench and Buster Posey Awards, and was a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award. When the 2022 MLB draft arrived, the Mets grabbed him with their 11th overall pick—adding him to a long legacy of skilled catchers drafted out of Georgia Tech.

From College Star to Pro Ball Reality

Parada’s professional career began with promise. Signing for just over $5 million, he quickly saw action in rookie and Single-A ball. Over 13 games, he hit .275 with an .880 OPS, even contributing to a Florida State League Championship during a standout stint with Low-A St. Lucie. It was the kind of debut Mets fans wanted to see from their top draft pick.

Heading into 2023, expectations were sky-high. Baseball America ranked him as the 50th-best prospect in the game, and Mets fans were excited by thoughts of a Parada-Alvarez catching duo. But the grind of a full professional season soon revealed cracks in the armor.

Assigned to High-A Brooklyn to start the year, Parada initially struggled, hitting .213 in April before rebounding to hit .282 across the next 66 games. However, a late-July ankle injury not only sidelined him but also threw his rhythm completely off. After returning, he hit just .218 across his final 19 games, striking out at an alarming rate.

To make matters worse, his Arizona Fall League performance—a prime opportunity to leave a lasting impression—resulted in a disappointing .186 average with a .611 OPS. Questions about his defense, which dated back to his college days, started to loom larger. His struggles to control the running game were glaring, as he allowed 129 stolen bases in 2023 with just an 18% success rate in throwing out runners. Even for someone with such an undoubtedly valuable bat, these defensive limitations raised red flags.

The Rocky Road Through 2024

If 2023 was a lesson in perseverance, 2024 became a true test of mettle. By this point, Parada had slid outside of many top prospect rankings and found himself relatively overshadowed by Francisco Alvarez, who was solidifying his place in the majors. The start to Parada’s Double-A season in 2024 was, quite frankly, dismal. Over the first three months, he slashed a bleak .208/.300/.363, struggling to make contact and racking up a 33% strikeout rate—five percentage points higher than the previous year.

Parada’s best moments came in July when he found his rhythm for a brief stretch, batting .300 with three home runs and an .880 OPS. But just when fans thought he might have turned it around, his struggles resumed. He finished the season with just 13 home runs and a .214 batting average in 114 games. The Mets, however, remained committed to his development behind the plate, and Parada showed slight improvement in throwing out base runners—raising his caught-stealing rate to 23%.

What's Next for Parada?

As the baseball world looks toward the 2025 season, Parada stands at a crossroads. The Mets still see potential in the young catcher to pair with Alvarez as a dynamic duo, but the path forward is far from certain. The once-imposing bat that terrorized college pitchers has struggled to adapt to professional arms. While defensive improvements are encouraging, they may not be enough to compensate if the offensive woes persist.

For now, Kevin Parada’s journey remains a tale of grit, growth, and an uncertain future. If he can tap back into his college form and refine his approach at the plate, he could still fulfill the promise that once made him a top draft pick. But for that to happen, 2025 will have to be the year he silences the doubters and proves he belongs on the big stage.

It’s a story to watch closely—because in baseball, redemption arcs are always just one adjustment away from becoming reality.