With the 43rd pick of the 2026 MLB Draft, the Minnesota Twins selected Texas catcher Carson Tinney, one of the most patient and powerful hitters at the plate whose above average base running speed and defensive skills give him a chance to move quickly throughout the minor leagues.
Tinney, a 6’4” 240lb. right handed catcher, put together two of the more impressive campaigns by a catcher over the last two seasons. In 2025 as a sophomore at Notre Dame, he led the Irish in average (.348), runs (52), homers (17), RBI (53), total bases (119), walks (34), on-base percentage (.498), and slugging (.753).
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He ranked second among all ACC players in on-base percentage (.491) and OPS (1.322) in conference play and was recognized as a 2025 Baseball America First Team All American.
During this breakout season, Tinney showcased an advanced approach at the plate along with real power. His ability to collect extra base hits and walks while consistently driving in runs put him well above your median college catcher.
For his final season of college baseball, Tinney opted to join the Longhorns as one of the highest rated players in the transfer portal. After a rocky start to the season, Tinney became a lethal weapon in every dimension of the game.
At the plate, he slashed .326/483/.688 with 22 home runs and 58 RBI. He led the SEC with 55 walks and had the third highest OBP (.483).
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On the base paths, he snagged 10 bases and possessed sneaky speed despite a sturdy build and average speed metrics.
Behind the plate, he commanded an excellent pitching staff and caught eight people stealing in 32 attempts. His arm is a weapon and his receiving ability showed improvement while in Austin. He was recognized as a 2026 Rawlings Gold Glover for the best defensive catcher in college baseball.
The rest of his hardware in 2026 included Second Team All SEC, NCAA Austin Regional All Tournament Team, and D1 Baseball Third Team All American.
With the selection of Tinney, his organization will be securing a hitter with raw power and a confident awareness of the strike zone. He isn’t afraid to work deep into counts and draw walks, creating an on base percentage that projects well against big league pitching according to most scouts.
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His power immediately jumps off the page, particularly to the pull side, and is arguably his greatest strength as a prospect.
As he transitions to the big leagues, Tinney will need to continue to improve on his whiff rate. With 66 strikeouts in 2026 and a whiff rate of 30.6 percent in 2025, Tinney is prone to swing and misses.
Behind the plate, his arm strength is another plus. His catch and throw ability stands out in the class and caught the eye of multiple scouts before the draft as did his improvement in framing pitches.
If Tinney continues to develop defensively and improves on his whiff rate, he has a real chance to become a major league catcher down the road.
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