‘No, I Catch, I’m A Catcher’ | IMG Star Catcher And MLB Draft Prospect Zion Rose Has A Refined Sales Pitch From Working In The Family Business

‘No, I Catch, I’m A Catcher’ | IMG Star Catcher And MLB Draft Prospect Zion Rose Has A Refined Sales Pitch From Working In The Family Business

by | Jun 29, 2023 | THE THREE SPOT

IMG Academy’s baseball team just secured its first-ever undefeated season. The Ascenders, 25-0 record capped off a season where they were recently named the 2023 MaxPreps national champions.

 

Led by star pitcher Cameron Johnson, who’s the 24th-ranked according to Prospects Live, and the 41st-ranked prospect on MLB Pipeline. It’s safe to say Johnson, is a very likely first round pick in next month’s MLB Draft.

 

 IMG Academy Stud Pitcher And LSU Commit Cameron Johnson Just Letting The Chips Fall Where They May As MLB Draft Approaches

 

 

But what about the guy catching all that heat from Johnson, the young mound marauder?

 

 

That’s right IMG Academy star catcher, Zion Rose, is definitely a name to remember in next month’s three day festivities in Seattle, Washington at Lumen Field. The Chicago native himself is the 41st-ranked prospects by Prospects Live, and the 144th-ranked draft eligible prospect according to MLB Pipeline’s eligible draftees.

 

 

 

Put On: Several Young Stars Set to Flash MLBbro potential at 2023 MLB Draft Combine

 

 

 

Johnson Raves About 2023 Season: One For The Ages

 

 

Rose, who does all the dirty work behind the plate, was recently asked the Ascenders epic 2023 season. The Louisville commit was short and sweet in his response with this.

 

 

“It’s been an amazing year,” Rose said.

 

And with so much more still to unfold based on next month’s draft, Rose, just like many other prospects, will have a decision to make. If drafted, does he go to college or jump right into the professional ranks of the sport.

 

Rose who was a standout at the MLB Dream Series in January, used that to catapult into a great senior season. In fact, one scout mentioned that Rose is more than a catcher and can affect the game in many positions around the diamond.

 

 

“I like the swing,” the scout said. “He has bat speed, uses the whole field and he has pop. He can run and play multiple positions. I wouldn’t bet against him to catch. He has something to prove.”

 

 

Rose Isn’t Moving From Behind The Plate 

 

 

“People ask me questions, ‘Do you play outfield?” Rose said. “I say, ‘No, I catch. I’m a catcher. ‘But also, I don’t take away from my ability that I can play the outfield. I can still do that. But I’m a catcher.”

 

 

 

 

Johnson Made Sure To Bring Family Business To Florida

 

 

Moving from Chicago to Bradenton, Florida was a huge change for Rose, who admitted it was a difficult being away from his family.

 

 

“Yeah, it’s been a little hard being away from my family.”

 

 

But Rose always had something with him to remind him of the “Windy City.”

 

 

Rose’s family owns a shea butter line called “Nature’s Dezzert,” and Rose reportedly brought some of that with him to Florida.

 

 

Rose has been selling the scents on campus.

 

 

“We have 12 or 13 scents and they all smell amazing.”

 

“I just bring down duffel bags of it and sell it here. They call me ‘Shea Butter Man’ on campus.”

 

 

Rose says the family started the business because his younger brother had really bad eczema, and over-the-counter stuff wasn’t working. He also says as a salesman is like dealing with different pitchers, can’t have the same script.

 

 

Rose is a salesman to the core pitching the product with this line.

 

 

“I’ve been full games of catching, and people are like, ‘How do you smell so good after catching a full game? I’m like it’s the product.”

 

 

Zion is set to get paid on the diamond, but we also know he’s a salesman at heart. That’s an easy sell to MLB teams looking for the first impactful catcher since Charles Johnson. 

 

 

Put On: Several Young Stars Set to Flash MLBbro potential at 2023 MLB Draft Combine

Put On: Several Young Stars Set to Flash MLBbro potential at 2023 MLB Draft Combine

by | Jun 21, 2023 | THE TWO HOLE

On Monday, more than 270 draft eligible players will meet at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona to participate in the 2023 MLB Draft Combine. This unique opportunity combines every aspect of the professional experience and gives these kids a true look at the early stages of being a professional.

Future MLBbro Antonio Anderson Is A Two-Way Dynamo Who Could Be No.1 Overall Pick In 2023 MLB Draft


Antonio Anderson is one of the highly-touted Bros who will be at the Combine.

Let’s take a look at a few other young guys looking to flash MLBbro potential.

 

Duce Robinson – OF/RHP 

 

Easily one of the best two-way athletes in the country, Duce Robinson has options. Slated to go early in this year’s MLB Draft, Robinson has already committed to play football this season at the University of Southern California. 

 

The 6 ‘6, 225 pound Robinson was the top ranked tight end in his recruiting class, and has already been projected by many to be a 2026 first-round draft pick. He acknowledged that Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley’s history working with two-way star Kyler Murray weighed heavily on his decision to play at USC. 

 

Despite the rave reviews he has drawn as a football player, the comparison he drew from Texas Rangers bench coach and mentor Donnie Ecker will hopefully make him continue his dream of playing both sports professionally.

 

“Aaron Judge is maybe the only other guy we can comp to have the efficiency of Duce’s bat- path and his plate discipline.”

 

Zion Rose – Catcher

 

While most prospects at this point in their development have been given multiple position designations, Rose has made it clear that he wants to play catcher full time. 

 

“The athletic ability, a lot of people think it would be best for me to save that and go to the outfield, but I think it’s given me an advantage behind the plate, given me more athleticism behind the plate,” Rose said. “I love the position so much, that I’m not going to give it up until I literally have to or unless that’s my only way onto the field, play another position.”

 

It’s beautiful to see a young guy commit to a position that has gone decades without a Black everyday starter at the Major League level. 

 

Rose is committed to play catcher at Louisville. 

 

Andrew Wiggins – OF/1B/3B

 

His position going forward may change, but it’s his bat that has the attention of many scouts. The 6 ‘2, 195 pound lefty possesses a lot of power and has stood out and several showcases of the top talent around the country.

 

Wiggins hit .438 with three home runs and 7 RBI at the World Wide Baseball Association (WWBA) 16U, only to follow that up with a .600 three homer, 11 RBI performance at the WWBA 17U.

 

Andrew is committed to play at Indiana University.

 

Andrew Duncan – OF/RHP

 

The 6 ‘1, 190 pound Duncan has received a higher projection as a starting pitcher, but we shouldn’t sleep on his potential as an outfielder. Scouts have said he possesses a compact swing with quick hands through the zone.

 

Duncan’s fastball velocity has up to 88 and sits in the 86-88 range while showing command of both a slider and curveball. That type of velocity at his age is a great sign, as that is something we can expect to improve as his frame grows. 

 

Duncan has committed to play at Florida State University.