Paul McIntosh was one of those guys whose career was affected by COVID. The Angels drafted him in the 34th round of the 2018 Draft and McIntosh felt he could do better by not signing and continuing his education instead. McIntosh set off to play at West Virginia, which made him eligible again in 2020. The onset of COVID saw Major League Baseball cut the draft down to just five rounds. McIntosh had risen in the eyes of scouts since 2018 but not enough to go in the top five rounds.

McIntosh didn’t hear his name called on Draft Day and waited for the phone to ring after the draft, but there was no immediate call from a team.

“At that moment, I didn’t really have any representation, so I had woken up after the draft was over and got nothing. And then two or three days after the draft is when I finally heard something and I thought I was going back to college,” remembers McIntosh. “The scout that actually signed me was Alex Smith, and he called me and said, ‘hey, you want to come play baseball for the Miami Marlins?’ I was, like, yeah, I think I could do that. I’ll go back home and play some baseball.”

The Phillies added McIntosh as part of the deal that brought pitcher Jesus Luzardo to Philadelphia over the winter. He opened the season with Double-A Reading and was moved to Triple-A at the end of August. McIntosh also played at the Triple-A level in 2023 as a member of the Marlins organization, so the experience isn’t completely new to him.

McIntosh, who bats right-handed, has consistently shown above-average power throughout his development. His college stats at West Virginia included double-digit home runs in multiple seasons, with slugging percentages over .470 in both 2019 and 2021. In the minors, he’s maintained strong isolated power, including a standout stretch in 2021 where he posted a .618 slugging percentage across two levels. He’s capable of driving the ball to all fields. McIntosh has also demonstrated solid plate discipline with walk rates in the 15–20% range. Even with the plate discipline, strikeouts can be a bit of a concern, but aren’t overwhelming considering the power he has the potential to produce.

McIntosh has primarily played catcher but has also seen time in left field, although the Phillies have played him exclusively behind the plate this season. Last season, McIntosh played 34 games at Double-A Pensacola in ’24 and played outfield during his college career.

“If you’re athletic, you should be able to move around out there a little bit. I’m blessed enough with the ability to be able to run around the outfield, make some plays, and also play behind the dish,” said McIntosh. “I would have liked a little bit of time in the outfield this year, but I’m just doing whatever they need me to do at the time.”

Defensively behind the plate, McIntosh has shown an average arm and his blocking skills are at about the same level. He has had some injury issues, especially early in his career, that have limited his mobility behind the plate.

McIntosh has been able to fight his way through the injuries, demotions and trades and take it all in stride. He’s fit in well with the other players in the IronPigs clubhouse and still adapting to the new surroundings at Lehigh Valley. So far, he has played in just two games and gone 1-for-7 (.143) as a member of the IronPigs.

Now 27, McIntosh has been given high marks in working with pitchers and calling games from behind the plate.