Name: Andrick Nava
Position: C
Born: October 6, 2001
Country: Venezuela
Bats/Throws: S/R
Height/Weight: 5’11” 175lbs
How Acquired: International Free Agent (2018 Class)
Signed: July 2, 2018
Bonus: $400,000
Options Remaining: 3
Rule 5 Eligible: 2022
MiLB Free Agency: 2025
Stats
Prospect Rankings
Nava has a reputation as a bat first catcher, unfortunately outside of his trip to Australia that hasn’t involved much power. He is a switch hitter who will take a walk, but he has just 13 extra base hits with the Blueclaws in 64 games. He has stuck behind the plate so far, but his bat has been at a level where he will actually need to provide defensive value.
Nava was a big money signing in 2018, and hit at his first two pro stops in 2019 and 2021. He is a contact oriented switch hitter, who has struggled to hit for power (and average in 2022). There are questions about his ability to stick behind the plate.
Role: Bat First Second Catcher
Risk: Extreme – Nava doesn’t have defense to fall back on and has missed two years of development.
Summary: Nava hit very well as a 17 year old in the GCL in 2019, but then due to injuries he made only 6 trips to the plate as a 19 year old at the same level. He is a switch hitter with good contact abilities and moderate power. He is not a great defensive catcher, and the missed time has certainly not helped that.
2022 Outlook: He was slated for Clearwater before missing the year to injury, so an actual attempt at the level seems in order. Overall, staying healthy for a full season is the top priority.
Nava has the most offensive upside of the Phillies young catchers with an advanced hit tool (he hit .314 in the GCL at age 17), but he is not a lock to stay behind the plate and doesn’t have a ton of power.
Role: Average Regular
Risk: Extreme – Nava hit extremely well for a 17 year old in the GCL regardless of position. He is a teenage catcher, so his developmental timeline is still extremely long, and he already has worries about his ability to stick behind the plate.
Summary: The Phillies have opted to send their top July 2 catchers to the Dominican Summer League for a season of seasoning before bringing them stateside. However, Nava forced the issue and proved to be one of the best pure hitters in the GCL at age 17. A switch hitter, Nava shows an advanced feel for contact, and while he doesn’t show much game power now, he shows raw power, and it will translate to games as he matures. He is not a great defender yet, but he shows enough tools to possibly stick behind the plate long term. Given the catching depth in Lakewood, it is likely that Nava will start in Extended Spring Training before being one of the top players for the Williamsport Crosscutters.
2020 Outlook: Nava’s offensive output in the GCL might lead the Phillies to push him to Lakewood, but the level is already going to have multiple of his similarly ranked catching prospects. The more likely outcome is that the Phillies will keep him back in Extended Spring Training and then send him to Williamsport.
Nava has a reputation as a bat first catcher, unfortunately outside of his trip to Australia that hasn’t involved much power. He is a switch hitter who will take a walk, but he has just 13 extra base hits with the Blueclaws in 64 games. He has stuck behind the plate so far, but his bat has been at a level where he will actually need to provide defensive value.
Nava was a big money signing in 2018, and hit at his first two pro stops in 2019 and 2021. He is a contact oriented switch hitter, who has struggled to hit for power (and average in 2022). There are questions about his ability to stick behind the plate.
Role: Bat First Second Catcher
Risk: Extreme – Nava doesn’t have defense to fall back on and has missed two years of development.
Summary: Nava hit very well as a 17 year old in the GCL in 2019, but then due to injuries he made only 6 trips to the plate as a 19 year old at the same level. He is a switch hitter with good contact abilities and moderate power. He is not a great defensive catcher, and the missed time has certainly not helped that.
2022 Outlook: He was slated for Clearwater before missing the year to injury, so an actual attempt at the level seems in order. Overall, staying healthy for a full season is the top priority.
Nava has the most offensive upside of the Phillies young catchers with an advanced hit tool (he hit .314 in the GCL at age 17), but he is not a lock to stay behind the plate and doesn’t have a ton of power.
Risk: Extreme – Nava hit extremely well for a 17 year old in the GCL regardless of position. He is a teenage catcher, so his developmental timeline is still extremely long, and he already has worries about his ability to stick behind the plate.
Summary: The Phillies have opted to send their top July 2 catchers to the Dominican Summer League for a season of seasoning before bringing them stateside. However, Nava forced the issue and proved to be one of the best pure hitters in the GCL at age 17. A switch hitter, Nava shows an advanced feel for contact, and while he doesn’t show much game power now, he shows raw power, and it will translate to games as he matures. He is not a great defender yet, but he shows enough tools to possibly stick behind the plate long term. Given the catching depth in Lakewood, it is likely that Nava will start in Extended Spring Training before being one of the top players for the Williamsport Crosscutters.
2020 Outlook: Nava’s offensive output in the GCL might lead the Phillies to push him to Lakewood, but the level is already going to have multiple of his similarly ranked catching prospects. The more likely outcome is that the Phillies will keep him back in Extended Spring Training and then send him to Williamsport.