Big-tool catcher with legit pop and a plus arm, but the bat slipped in 2026
Anderson French is a 6-foot-4, left-handed hitting catcher/first baseman whose calling card is impact upside: scouting reports praise plus raw power, a strong throwing arm, and athletic receiving that gave him sub-1.9 pop times in prep evaluations. In the 2025 season at Virginia Tech, he hit .247 with a .416 OBP and .818 OPS in 41 games, then saw his role shrink in 2026 as his bat cooled to .157 in limited action. He’s a high-ceiling fit if a team wants tools, toughness, and defensive versatility, but the hit tool has to rebound.
