2025 Collegiate Division One Hitter Efficiency Ratings

PROSPECT BLUEPRINT SCOUTING REPORT

CASEY KLEINMAN (NOTE: Has a 3 yr. Work Visa)

Japanese Professional Baseball Evaluation

Current Organization: KS Hyogo Bravers — Japanese Independent Baseball

Previous Organization: 2021 Santa Clara U. (Covid redshirt), 2024-25 Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) — NCAA Division I

Previous Colleges: Monterey Peninsula College — JUCO 2022-23
Primary Positions: Catcher / Infielder
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 174 lbs

60 yd. Dash: 6.78

EXECUTIVE SCOUTING SUMMARY

Casey Kleinman is an intriguing professional baseball prospect whose value is built around an unusual combination of elite bat-to-ball ability, exceptional strikeout avoidance, catching ability, defensive versatility, speed and sustained offensive production against quality competition.

Kleinman’s development has followed a consistent upward progression from JUCO baseball to NCAA Division I baseball and now professional baseball in Japan.

MLB INTEREST: ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS / NY METS Both requested footage, Mets scout contacted colleges to recruit Casey 2023 post sophomore year at MPC - he received 15 offers. (Senior Scout Bill Gayton D-Backs, Scout with Mets is now with KC)

KS Hyogo Bravers — Professional Baseball

Kleinman has continued to produce after moving into Japanese professional baseball.

Current statistics:

.327 AVG / .433 SLG (5th in league)

OPS .842

Spray Chart covers entire field without favoring pull side - hits to all fields and demonstrates elite bat control.

DEVELOPMENTAL HISTORY

MONTEREY PENINSULA COLLEGE-2.0

Kleinman established himself as an impact player at Monterey Peninsula College before transferring to VCU.

His JUCO season produced:

.362 batting average
19 doubles
5 home runs

His 19 doubles tied the Monterey Peninsula College single-season record, demonstrating significant gap power in addition to his high batting average.

Behind the plate, Kleinman reportedly threw out approximately 57% of runners attempting to steal, blocked 325 bounced pitches, allowed only 6 PBs.

.986 fielding % 2022, top 5 in the state - 0 errors at 3rd base in well over 100 chances.

This early defensive performance is particularly significant when viewed alongside his subsequent professional catching results.

Catching Progression

JUCO (California) : 57% caught stealing (1st in Cal, 3rd in country) - but had the best offensive/defensive stats minus HRs of any catcher in the Junior College System

Current professional baseball: approximately 50% caught stealing

Current pop time: approximately 1.8 to 2.0 seconds depending on pitcher.

The progression indicates that catching and throwing ability have been longstanding components of Kleinman’s profile.

Following his JUCO season, Kleinman reportedly attracted attention from scouts associated with the New York Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks.

This reported professional scouting interest provides additional context for his development as a prospect.

VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY — NCAA DIVISION I

Kleinman’s performance at VCU further established his ability to hit at a high level against Division I competition.

2024

Second-half batting average: .359

Home runs: 4

NCAA Greenville Regionals and Conference postseason batting average: .430

Kleinman was also selected to the 2024 Greenville Regional All-Regional Team, according to the supplied player information.

The .430 postseason average is particularly noteworthy because it demonstrates his ability to perform at an elevated level during postseason competition.

2025

Second-half batting average: .361

Home runs: 2

OBP: .428

During the 2025 season, Kleinman was recognized as one of the toughest players in NCAA Division I baseball to strike out and was ranked No. 9 nationally in hitting efficiency, according to the supplied player information.

The combination of two consecutive second-half averages above .350 and a .430 postseason performance demonstrates sustained offensive consistency.

OFFENSIVE EVALUATION

HIT TOOL — 70/80

Kleinman’s primary offensive carrying tool is his ability to make consistent contact.

His progression is particularly compelling:

JUNIOR COLLEGE: .362
D-I 2024 second half: .359
D-I 2024 postseason: .430
D-I 2025 second half: .361
Japanese professional baseball: .331

This represents high-level offensive production across three different competitive environments.

The fact that his performance has remained strong following each increase in competition is one of the most encouraging aspects of his profile.

CONTACT / STRIKEOUT AVOIDANCE

CONTACT — 80/80

STRIKEOUT AVOIDANCE — 80/80

Kleinman’s ability to avoid strikeouts is arguably his most unusual offensive characteristic.

He was nationally recognized for strikeout avoidance at the NCAA Division I level in 2025.

He has subsequently struck out only five times in 148 professional at-bats.

That represents a strikeout rate of approximately 3.4%.

The supplied pitch-tracking information indicates:

Approximately 750 pitches seen

Approximately 7 swings-and-misses

This suggests an exceptional ability to recognize pitches and consistently put the bat on the baseball.

Kleinman’s best contact and extra-base production have reportedly come against pitches 90 mph and above, an important factor when evaluating his potential transition to higher-level professional pitching.

POWER

GAME POWER — 50/80

Kleinman should not currently be classified as a traditional home-run hitter.

His power profile is better described as gap power with extra-base ability. NOTABLE: His power has displayed in big games both post season and ESPN

His career progression provides evidence of this:

JUCO: 19 doubles / 5 HR

VCU 2024: 4 HR

VCU 2025: 2 HR

Current professional season: 7 doubles / 3 triples / 1 HR

The three triples in his current professional season are particularly interesting when combined with his speed.

His offensive identity projects more toward:

High average + elite contact + gap power + speed

rather than pure home-run production.

Additional physical development could potentially increase his home-run output.

CATCHING EVALUATION

CATCHER — 65–70/80

ARM — 70/80

Kleinman provides substantial additional value because he is capable of playing catcher.

Reported catching metrics include:

Measured 1.84-1.96 pop time IN-GAME.

57% caught-stealing rate

His JUCO caught-stealing rate was elite , demonstrating that strong defensive performance behind the plate predates his current professional career.

The combination of strong throwing results and a quick pop time suggests that his arm could be a legitimate professional-level carrying tool.

Further evaluation should include:

• Pop time under game conditions

• Transfer mechanics

• Arm strength

• Throwing accuracy

• Receiving

• Blocking

• Pitch-calling

• Handling the running game

• Durability

POSITIONAL VERSATILITY

VERSATILITY — 70/80

Kleinman’s ability to play catcher and infield materially increases his professional value.

A player capable of providing:

Catcher + Infield + High-contact offense + Speed + Strong throwing ability

offers significant roster flexibility.

This is particularly important because a catcher does not necessarily need to produce the offensive power expected from a corner infielder to provide significant overall value.

RUNNING / ATHLETICISM

SPEED — 60–65/80

Kleinman stands 5’9”, 174 pounds and has a compact, athletic build.

Reported athletic measurements include:

• Approximately 6.8 seconds in the 60-yard dash

• 4.15 seconds or faster home-to-first

• Approximately 14.9 seconds home-to-home

His four triples in the current professional season further demonstrate that his speed translates into game production.

His athleticism is particularly notable for a catcher.

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL OUTLOOK

Kleinman’s transition from NCAA Division I baseball to Japanese professional baseball has been encouraging. He projects well for NPB as a consistent contributor with excellent bat control and ability to hit low to mid 90’s with consistent production. His defensive skills, game speed and ability to make athletic plays under the gun with a high fielding percentage makes him a solid candidate for promotion into the NPB and possibly, MLB where there has been historic interest.

Current Stats as of 9/3