Kyle Farmer -- Prospect Evaluation

Kyle Farmer, a shortstop at the University of Georgia, became a prime candidate for position conversion to catcher despite having virtually no catching experience. Rocco Baldelli, a special assistant for the Tampa Bay Rays with a track record of identifying talent, notably wrote Farmer up as a catcher prospect while scouting another player in 2011. Farmer possessed good athleticism and a solid arm (rated 55 on the 20-80 scale) but lacked the standout individual tools typically desired at shortstop, leading scouts to view catching as his most expedient route to the majors.

Multiple organizations pursued Farmer and conducted catching workouts with him, including the Dodgers, Twins, and Rangers. The Yankees drafted him in the 35th round in 2012, but Farmer returned to Georgia for his final year. The Dodgers selected him in the eighth round of the 2013 draft and formally converted him to catcher. Farmer acknowledged the adjustment was challenging, stating his first experience in rookie ball catching "hurt," but he committed to the position rather than relying on his shortstop backup option. He emphasized that scouts consistently promoted catching as the fastest professional track and expressed his determination to develop as a catcher to reach the major leagues quickly.

James Kyle Farmer was drafted in the 2013 8th round (244th overall) by the Los Angeles Dodgers for $40,000. The 6'0", 205-pound right-handed batter is a native of Atlanta, Georgia, and attended the University of Georgia where he was a four-year starter at shortstop and batted .308 with 18 career home runs. He also represented USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team in summer 2012. Farmer was repositioned to catcher upon being drafted, where his above-average arm strength serves as his best tool, though he is noted as a reliable but limited runner with a solid, unspectacular offensive profile.

Farmer made his MLB debut on 07/30/2017. He was ranked as a top prospect for the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, peaking at #23 in 2018, and was recognized as the #17 prospect in the Midwest League in 2014. Throughout his professional career, Farmer has been assigned to or played for the Atlanta Braves, Colorado Rockies, Cincinnati Reds, and Minnesota Twins organizations.

Most recently, Farmer was traded from the Cincinnati Reds to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for right-handed pitcher Casey Legumina. However, his 2024 season has been impacted by injuries, including placement on the 10-day injured list for a right shoulder strain retroactive to July 11, 2024, and a facial laceration. He has undergone multiple rehab assignments with the St. Paul Saints.

James Kyle Farmer was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 8th round (244th overall) in 2013 for $40,000. Born August 17, 1990, in Atlanta, Georgia, Farmer stands 6'0" and weighs 205 pounds, batting and throwing right-handed. He was a four-year starter at shortstop for the University of Georgia and represented USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team in 2012. Farmer is characterized as a reliable defender with an above-average arm, though he does not run well. His college performance included a .308 batting average with 18 career home runs. Originally drafted as a shortstop, he was announced as a catcher when signed, a position change that took advantage of his strong throwing arm. Farmer was ranked among the Dodgers' top prospects, reaching as high as #23 in 2018, #29 in 2016, and #30 in 2015. He made his MLB debut on July 30, 2017. His professional career has included assignments with multiple organizations, including the Colorado Rockies and Atlanta Braves. Most recently, the Cincinnati Reds traded Farmer to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for right-handed pitcher Casey Legumina. As of July 2024, Farmer was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right shoulder strain and underwent multiple rehabilitation assignments.