Undrafted Ian Daugherty's Rise Makes No Sense — And That's What Makes It Amazing

Baseball is full of top prospects and first-round picks.

Ian Daugherty isn't one of them.

And that's what makes his climb through the Minnesota Twins organization so remarkable.

The former Oklahoma State catcher was recently promoted to Triple-A St. Paul, putting him one step away from the major leagues. Normally, that wouldn't be a huge story. But nothing about Daugherty's path has been normal.

After going undrafted, Daugherty signed with the Twins and immediately skipped the Complex League, playing just nine games in Low-A. He never played a game at High-A. He never played a game at Double-A. Earlier this season, he even spent time back in Fort Myers on the developmental list.

Now, suddenly, he's in Triple-A.

How?

That's the fascinating part.

Organizations don't promote catchers like they do outfielders or pitchers. Catchers are often among the slowest-developing players in baseball because teams are evaluating far more than offensive numbers. Receiving, game-calling, leadership, preparation and the ability to manage a pitching staff are all part of the equation.

The injury to one of St. Paul's catchers may have created an opening, but teams don't hand Triple-A opportunities to undrafted players with almost no professional experience unless they truly believe in them.

The Twins clearly do.

And they have reason to.

Daugherty was productive during his time in Stillwater, slashing .264/.366/.475 with 19 home runs and 69 RBIs. He battled through injuries during the 2023 season but continued to establish himself as one of the most reliable catchers in the Big 12.

Baseball has always been part of the family. Daugherty starred at Kingfisher High School in Oklahoma, where his father followed his own professional dreams after being drafted by the New York Mets in 1995.

Now the son is carving out a path all his own.

And it's one few could have predicted.

Triple-A isn't a development league.

It's the waiting room.

It's where organizations place players they believe can help the major league club and get them up to the show as fast as possible.

For an undrafted catcher with barely any minor league experience to reach that level this quickly says everything about how highly the Twins think of Ian Daugherty.

The journey doesn't make much sense but it's awesome. 

And that's exactly what makes baseball one of the most fascinating sports and Daugherty one of the best baseball stories involving a former Cowboy that we've seen in recent memory.