2016 MLB Draft Profile: Cavan Biggio, 2B/3B, Notre Dame

Information

Height: 6' 2"

Weight: 185 lbs.

B/T: L/R

Classification: Junior

College: Notre Dame

Summary

Yes, first of all...THAT Biggio.

Brother of Conor.  Son of Craig.

Let's get that out of our system now, because there's a lot more to the specter of drafting Cavan Biggio than "just" who his dad is.

Biggio is a player who checks a lot of boxes commonly associated with attributes that Jeff Luhnow and company look for in hitters.  His bloodlines are obviously legitimate, as is his baseball IQ.  He has clear instincts on the diamond, and an ability to make consistent, hard contact.

He was well regarded enough even out of High School to be drafted in the 29th round by the Phillies in the 2013 draft despite a very, very strong commitment to Notre Dame.  In his college career, he's made some noticeable strides in a couple of areas - especially in plate discipline.

Consider that, among ACC players with 40 or more plate appearances, the following points are all true with regards to Biggio:

• Cavan Biggio had a 21.09% walk rate
• The ACC as a whole had a 10.67% walk rate
• Biggio had the 46th-best walk rate compared to conference-average

Add to that that Biggio met considerable success in the Cape Cod League - another check mark for the Luhnow regime, who value such performances in that particular league relatively highly - and the picture starts to make more sense for the Astros to draft the son of franchise legend Craig Biggio, perhaps as early as the third or fourth round.

His college numbers are not gaudy, but they did improve significantly in most areas every season.  Biggio's power is real, but not necessarily of the home run variety yet.

Biggio's primary question mark is a defensive one, and it's a considerable one.  He's drawn praise for aspects of his defense, like a smooth transition from glove to throwing that has led him to be dubbed a "double play machine", and he won defensive awards both in college and in the Cape Cod League.  However, he has been a bit error prone and, like dad, doesn't exhibit plus range at second base and there have been some questions from evaluators as to whether he has enough arm for third base.

A move to the outfield might be in the cards for his future, but the loud contact and plate discipline Biggio brings to the table are valuable, and if he can stick at second base, a 6'2" tall left-handed hitter who projects to add some power (particularly if his swing adds a bit more loft) could be quite the attractive second day draft selection for the Astros.

Cavan Biggio is a player who does a lot of things well, but lacks one standout, elite skill.  He's not Craig Biggio, and no one should expect him to be.  But he can be Cavan Biggio, and that might be a very valuable thing for the Astros in its own right.

Ceiling

Biggio's ceiling is probably an above average regular in the Major Leagues, and his pedigree, blood lines, and baseball IQ make it more likely that he'll reach his ceiling than other comparable players who didn't grow up in Major League Clubhouses (and Minute Maid Park) with a Hall Of Fame Coach for a father...and who also coached his son in High School.

Floor

It seems reasonable to think that Biggio's floor will be at least as a utility player who gets a couple of years in the Major Leagues.

Projected Draft Round

Could possibly go as high as the end of the second round, thanks mostly to the overall weakness of the infield at the collegiate level in the 2016 draft class.  More likely a third to fifth round guy.

Will he sign?

It seems exceedingly likely that Biggio will sign.

Bibliography

Prospect Junkies:

"While I tend not to care about what a player does before he starts his swing, it’s hard to ignore Biggio’s exaggerated bat wiggle.  He does, however, lower his hands to a load position in plenty of time and he’s short and quick to the ball without a hitch in his swing.  Biggio shows great strike zone recognition and a propensity for taking walks.

Biggio has some natural loft to his swing and uses a strong lower half to generate gap to gap power.  Biggio does a good job of barreling the ball and has the potential to develop average power.

An above average runner, I had Biggio at 4.1 to 1st base on two occasions.  This type of speed will make him the an occasional threat on the base baths and will be easily playable at whatever defensive position he calls home.

From the infield, the arm is playable at 2nd, but it could also profile in left field.

Biggio displays soft hands and sound footwork around the bag making all the plays he’s supposed to make.

Biggio has the pedigree, track record and talent to garner attention.  Biggio doesn’t do anything poorly but he doesn’t have a stand out tool either.  I view him as a 3th-5th round talent with a chance to become an MLB regular."

- Burke Granger, 4/22/2016