By Rob Allison
Iowa Scouting Director

The Class of 2015 Prospect Games brought almost 50 uncommitted prospects to showcase themselves to colleges in attendance in the one day event held at the University of Iowa. Over the next week we will unveil our analysis of the top players at their respective positions.

Leading off with the catchers, 2015 Kyle Snuttjer (Dowling Catholic), took the top stop in this category.  Snuttjer showed the most well rounded skill set amongst the catchers in attendance at this event.

TOP CATCHING PROSPECTS

1. Kyle Snuttjer, C, Dowling Catholic, 2015
6-foot-1, 200-pound catcher.  4.94 home to first time.  86 mph exit velocity off tee.  Right handed hitter, high hands, good load, some bat speed, loud extra base hit to gap during game.  Keeps hand inside baseball well.  Defensively, receives balls out front, proper blocking mechanics,  excellent glove to hand exchange,  feet in proper throwing position, arm slot and release are above average.  All throws consistently on bag.  Throwing velocity of 75 mph. Pop times of 1.98-2.2.

2. Christian Rozeboom, C, Sioux Center, 2015
6-foot-2, 200-pound catcher.  4.39 home to first time.  85 mph exit velocity off tee.  Right handed hitter, physically most impressive player at event, has some bat speed, deeper load, toe tap stride.  Flat line drive swing with pull side pop.  Defensively, ok hands with strength, above average arm strength throwing 81 mph from low ¾ slot.  Pop times of 2.06-2.1.  Overall very gifted physically and athletically.  Multi-sport player in Iowa who has raw tools.  Needs mechanical adjustments and repetitions.  

3. Stephen Jensen, C/RHP, Clear Creek Amana, 2015
5-foot-10, 190-pound catcher/ right handed pitcher.  4.69 home to first time.  Right handed hitter, hands back and strides into contact.  Hands tend to drop effecting bat speed and causing uphill swing plane.  Short finish after contact.  77 mph exit velocity off tee.  Defensively, soft hands receiving, ok blocking skills, quick release on throws to second.  Open front side effects accuracy.  Shows good release and arm strength.  Top pop time of event with 1.92.  Arm strength of 77 mph.

4. Brok Hopwood, C, Ottumwa, 2015
6-foot-1, 185-pound catcher.  5.16 home to first time.  Right handed hitter, pre-set load, heel turn trigger, line drive swing plane, good separation after contact, hit a lot of balls hard to middle of field.  Exit velocity of 78 mph off tee.  Defensively, ok receiving skills, first movement is up to block, solid footwork when throwing, good throwing slot, struggled with exchange.  76 mph throwing velocity.  2.12-2.3 pop times around the bag.  Good core tools to catch; needs polish.

5. Ryan Zimmel, C/OF, St. Thomas Academy (MN), 2015
5-foot-11, 175-pound catcher – outfielder.  4.44 home to first time.  82 mph exit velocity off tee.  Left handed hitter, high back elbow, easy load, strides slightly across body, uphill swing plane with minimal weight shift through contact.  Solid contact with barrel throughout B.P.  Defensively, easy actions behind the plate, puts body in good position to block, good footwork and transfer on throws, gets square to target with feet and front side.  Velocity of 74 mph and pop times ranging from 2.16-2.19.

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Zack Hamilton, C/RHP, Southeast Polk, 2015
6-foot, 220-pound catcher/ right handed pitcher.  5.1 home to first time.  Right handed hitter, starts open and strides to closed.  Minimal weight shift through ball at contact.  High back elbow with uphill swing plane.  Exit velocity of tee 85 mph.  Defensively, strong hands, narrow base while receiving, stays open on throws to second, stands straight up.  Arm strength of 72 mph.  Pop times of 2.1-2.18.

Sam Lizarraga, RHP/C, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 2015
6-foot-4, 195-pound 2 way player.  4.62 home to first time.  Right handed hitter, long levers, active hands in load, ball jumps on contact, stays gap to gap.  87 mph exit velocity off tee.  Due to summer work load took BP and pitched.  Did not catch during event.  Good flexibility. Long arm action to second with strength. Moves well for size. Upside is on mound. Enough projection to be 2 way player due to athleticism and size but would necessitate move to alternate position to save arm.

Zachary Roberts, C, Perry, 2015
5-foot-10, 180-pound catcher.  4.84 home to first time.  81 mph exit velocity off tee.  Right handed hitter, wide base, small load, minimal weight transfer through swing, flat contact oriented swing.  Defensively, soft hands receiving, shows some foot quickness blocking,  ok exchanges glove to hand,  stays in crouched position, low ¾ arm slot,  front side stays open on throws.  Has some ability- needs mechanical adjustments.  76 mph arm strength, pop times of 2.1-2.18.

Parker Schutt, C, Dallas Center Grimes, 2015
5-foot-9, 170-pound catcher.  4.72 home to first time.  81 mph exit velocity off tee.  Right handed hitter, easy load and stride, good extension through contact, consistent solid contact.  Clean swing.  Defensively, strength in hands, softens ball well blocking, clean throwing mechanics, feet in good closed position to throw.  Online throws to the bag consistently.  71 mph throwing velocity.  Pop times 2.22-2.4.

Matt Turcotte, C/IF/OF, Cedar Falls, 2015
6-foot-1, 180-pound utility player.  4.36 home to first time.  79 mph exit velocity off tee.  Right handed hitter, high back elbow with cocked wrists, restricted swing.  Has strength and good hand eye coordination.  Would benefit with refinement of set-up.  Defensively, has physical strength and tools to work with.  Good flexibility behind plate receiving and blocking.  Feet are inconsistent but has quality exchange and release on throws.  When everything is in line shows above average catch/throw ability. Overall interesting athlete that needs refinement.

Christian Whitehill, RHP/C, Manson Northwest Webster, 2015
5-foot-8, 215-pound 2 way player.  4.93 home to first time.  82 mph exit velocity off tee.  Right handed hitter, deep load, front heel turn stride and trigger, out and around, some pull side pop, pull approach.  Defensively, average receiving and blocking skills, low exchange from glove to hand, low ¾ release on throws, 70 mph arm strength, 2.1-2.22 pop times.

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