You may recognize the last name as the Wildcats star is the younger brother of former catcher Andrew Susac. Daniel is 11 years younger than his brother and was a good High School prospect coming out of Northern California. However, the abbreviated five-round draft in 2020 didn’t do him any favors as he went undrafted. Instead, Daniel went to Arizona University and has been hitting in his two seasons there. Let’s see what the 21-year-old brings to the field.
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Daniel Susac, Catcher, Arizona University
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 218 lbs.
DOB: 05/14/2001
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
2021 Stats: 61 G, .335/.393/.591, 12 HR, 48 R, 65 RBI
2022 Stats: 60 G, .367/.432/.598, 12 HR, 49 R, 61 RBI
Hit: 55
Power: 55
Run: 40
Arm: 60
Field: 50
After heading to the Arizona campus, Susac ditched his switch-hitting and went exclusively right-handed. It seems to have paid off as he won Pac-12 Freshman of the Year honors along with being an All-American. He has been killing the ball ever since. With almost identical stats between 2021 and 2022, Susac has showed consistency. His brother was a second-round pick back in 2011 out of Oregon State University. Daniel should go even higher.
Strengths
The bat is the first thing anyone notices about Susac. He has excellent power and can drive the ball to all fields. Susac loads up quickly and doesn’t have much of a leg kick. His load allows him to stay back and keep his hands in proper position to attack the ball. He has been able to barrel the ball up this season as well as in 2021 which shows his consistency. His pitch recognition has improved, and Susac’s quick bat should help him going forward.
Defensively, he receives quite well, and his arm is above average. His height worries some scouts if he can stick behind the plate, but his pop time is solid, and his arm is good. The movement at catcher has improved as well. Susac has concentrated on his skills behind the dish and worked on being more agile.
Weaknesses
The only thing that worries anyone about Susac is his defense. The bat will play but being a big kid along with the wear and tear at the position can hurt him sticking behind the plate. Teams will likely want his bat in the lineup, and he could wind up as a third baseman with a plus arm and quick reflexes that should play well at the hot corner..
Pro Comparison: Salvador Perez
Susac is 6-foot-4 like Perez and has deficiencies in his defense. However, Salvy has stuck behind the plate and has played an integral role in a World Championship. The same may be said for Susac. He is big for a backstop, but he has the bat to make it work and be serviceable behind the dish. With an example already set in place having success like Perez, Susac should follow in the footsteps.
Draft Prediction: Los Angeles Angels, Round 1, Pick 13
Although the Angels have Edgar Quero in the system and he sits seventh overall, there is a push to grab a future catcher. Quero is struggling in Single-A ball this season and is a glove-first catcher. Getting a bat who could be decent defensively would be a huge play for the Angels. Quero likely isn’t the answer, but Susac could be. With the 20 pitchers that Los Angeles took last season in the MLB Draft, they could use a guy who could work with them and also provide some offense.
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