Born: October 12, 1986
Height: 6-4
Weight: 220
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Drafted: 2nd round, 2005
Egan got his career backon track last season after some off-the-field troubles (including an arrest for cocaine possession) threatened to derail him. He posted an impressive .959 OPS for the Gulf Coast Red Sox in the Rookie League, earning a late-summer promotion to Lowell, where he went 1-12 in 4 games.
Although he's a long way from the majors, he's one of the most promising of Boston's catching prospects. He's begun the year as the starting catcher, and clean-up hitter, for the Greenville Drive in Low-A. Egan is off to a slow start at the plate this year, hitting .136 with 6 Ks in 22 ABs so far for Greenville.
Scouting report from SoxProspects.com:
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Egan has shown terrific power potential for a high school catcher. Catching tools were originally called into question, but he impressed with his arm and his glove in his debut season. Still has room to improve defensively.
Commenting on his defense in an interview with Cambridge last August:
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RSN: You surprised some people last year with the quality of your defensive play. Where do you feel you are this season?
JE: I think I’m receiving better, and my blocking and pitch-calling are both improved. My throwing has maybe been a little down, though. Last year I was coming off my high school season when I got to the GCL, so I felt ready to go. This year, with the late start, I didn’t feel as quick when I came in. I had been working out with my old high school coach and some of the guys back home, but it’s not the same when it’s not game-speed. Now that I have more games under my belt, I'm getting back to where I want to be.
JE: I think I’m receiving better, and my blocking and pitch-calling are both improved. My throwing has maybe been a little down, though. Last year I was coming off my high school season when I got to the GCL, so I felt ready to go. This year, with the late start, I didn’t feel as quick when I came in. I had been working out with my old high school coach and some of the guys back home, but it’s not the same when it’s not game-speed. Now that I have more games under my belt, I'm getting back to where I want to be.