When the 2024 MLB Draft kicks off Sunday night in Fort Worth, Texas, a staple of Cotuit Kettleers baseball over the last two summers is likely to hear his name called in the first round.
Catcher Caleb Lomavita (Cal) is the No. 33 prospect in the MLB Pipeline Draft Top 250 rankings, and arguably the best backstop in the class.
“For me, personally, he's my favorite catcher in this year's draft class. He's a really well-rounded player with a lot of exciting tools at the plate,” Baseball America’s Peter Flaherty said. “The hit tool has improved by leaps and bounds and it continues to improve. He's got plus power on the pull side but he can drive the baseball with authority to all fields.”
Lomavita’s first summer in Cotuit came in 2022 after his true freshman season with the Golden Bears, where he took home All-Pac-12 First Team and Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American honors.
However, Kettleers manager Mike Roberts and his staff saw someone who was merely scratching the surface of his potential when he first stepped foot into Lowell Park, despite being the 2021 Gatorade Hawaii Baseball Player of the Year.
“I saw a tremendous athlete in Caleb Lomavita when he showed up. I did not see a tremendous baseball player,” Roberts said. “But what I saw was an elite athlete because he was a 6.5 runner and he's a catcher, so his feet and athletic skills were fantastic.”
Lomavita played in 27 games that summer, emerging as one of the team’s best hitters by batting .316 in 76 at-bats en route to a CCBL All-Star Game selection. He notched a stolen base and legged out five doubles, not showcasing the speed that led him to swipe 15 bags at school that spring as often.
Returning to Berkeley for his sophomore year, Lomavita developed a power stroke in his swing that featured a big leg kick and launch-oriented mechanics. Slugging .612 with 16 homers and 29 extra-base hits, Cal’s catcher improved all areas of his slash line to notch his first .300 season collegiately.
Despite the success at school and a hot start to the 2023 summer, Lomavita saw a five-game slump from June 24-July 2 where he recorded just two hits. Roberts attributed the struggle to his setup in the box and quieted his stride, bringing more balance to the plate.
“I said, ‘If you don't fix it, it'll cost you a million-plus dollars,’ and he listened,” Roberts said.
From there, the ball exploded off his bat consistently, as Lomavita hit safely in nine of his last 11 games, with six being multi-hit performances. His late-season surge secured a second straight All-Star selection and a Co-Player of the Week award, although injury prevented him from participating and ended his second season on the Cape before the playoffs.
Across his college career, Lomavita developed his game as a defender, too. This past spring, his game culminated in his best all-around year.
Posting a career-high in batting average, on-base percentage and RBI, his skills in the field were noticed as he made the All-Pac-12 Defensive Team. Throughout the season, Lomavita found himself on the Golden Spikes Award Midseason Watch List and was a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy and Buster Posey Award.
“Behind the plate, he's a really athletic mover. He calls a great game,” Flaherty said. “The baseball sense really stands out with him, and on top of everything, he's got an above-average throwing arm and for a catcher, he runs really well and he can make an impact with his legs. So with that skill set and those set of tools, he can impact the game night tonight in a myriad of ways.”
As Lomavita eagerly awaits one of the 30 Major League teams to choose his services, whichever club gives him the call can expect a well-rounded player whose tools can translate to other positions if needed. He’s also a workhorse who never missed a game in three years at Cal and spent at least half of both his seasons in Cotuit, which is nearly unheard of in the modern Cape League.
“His leadership was incredible while he was in Cotuit. Caleb is the type of guy that teammates migrate to. He’s got a great personality. He's a fierce competitor,” Roberts said. ”He got better and better as a player, and that's outstanding ingredients to be a high draft choice.”
But above all else, Lomavita has a bubbly personality and a big heart. Paired with his ability on the diamond, he’s everything a team could want in a prospect.
“He's a great guy and he's what you're looking for in a baseball player and a young man, and we're all thrilled that he may have this success,” Roberts said.
Rounds 1 and 2 of the 2024 MLB Draft begin at 7 p.m. Sunday, airing on ESPN and MLB Network.
Photo by Alysa Rubin.
