IA Underclass Prospect Games: Catching Analysis

September 9, 2015

By Rob Allison
Prep Baseball Report Iowa

The Prep Baseball Report Iowa's Underclass Prospect Games took place on August 4th, 2015 at Duane Banks Field on the campus of the University of Iowa. The showcase featured prospects from the 2017 and 2018 class who showcased their talents in front of our scouting staff, college coaches, and professional scouts.

Today we start our position by position analysis with catchers. This group had a variety of talent including catch and throw guys, strong receivers and blockers, and offensive oriented players. When we create this list we evaluate the overall package of abilities along with future projection at the college level.

The top catching prospect at this year's IA Underclass Prospect Games is Alta-Aurelia's Jordan Wendel. Wendel jumps to the top of the list bases on the power potential in his left-handed swing; along with possessing good arm strength and improving mechanics behind the plate.

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Top Catching Prospects

1. Jordan Wendel, C/3B, Alta-Aurelia, 2017
6-foot, 190-pound left-handed hitting catcher/third baseman. 7.81 runner in 60. Knee to knee trigger with in-line stride to pitcher. Mid/pull approach. Level swing plane with lift at finish. Stays on and through baseball well at contact. Flashes power to pull-side of field. 87 mph exit velocity off tee. Good flexibility in lower half. Throws have above average carry and velocity to second base. Solid accuracy and online. Clean repeatable release with momentum on throws. Also shows ability to receive. 77 mph arm strength with 1.95 pop time.

2. Nick Hagen, C, Burlington, 2017
5-foot-11, 185-pound right-handed hitting catcher. 7.25 runner. Leg kick trigger. Good extension through contact. Loses barrel underneath hands occasionally. Shows ability to drive ball. Gap to gap approach. 86 mph exit velocity off tee. Solid exchange. Feet are good. Follows throws to target with direction. Consistent release point. Ability to receive. 76 mph arm strength with 2.09 pop time. Follow in 2017 class.

3. Tony Barreca, C, North Scott, 2018
5-foot-10, 155-pound right-handed hitting catcher. Ran 7.09 60. Deeper load. Front heel turn trigger with no stride. At times load was inconsistent/ hurried at this event. Flashes solid contact to gaps with 83 mph exit velocity off tee. Good receiving skills. Flexible behind the plate with quickness. Solid blocker. Exchanges are quick and clean. Very good at staying low with quality direction to second base. Throws were consistently on bag with 72 mph arm strength and 2.09 pop time.

4. Brett Swalve, C, Camanche, 2018
5-foot-11, 180-pound right-handed hitting catcher. 7.94 60. Open stance to start. Some length to contact. Shows pop to pull-side of field. Front foot hitter. 81 mph exit velocity off tee. Above avg. accuracy to bag. Good momentum and timing with lower half. Quick exchange and release. 72 mph arm strength with 1.97-2.15 pop times.

5. Ross Hingst, LHP/C, Waukee, 2017
5-foot-8, 165-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.62 runner. Active set-up and load. Shows some pop in bat to pull-side of field. Arm bar and some length to contact. Has good hand-eye coordination and gets barrel to baseball. 86 mph exit velocity off tee. Clean exchange with quick release. Good feet behind plate. Shows accuracy to bag. 72 mph arm strength with 2.03 pop time.

6. Clay Emhoff, C, West Fork, 2017
5-foot-11, 180-pound right-handed hitting catcher. 7.38 runner. Strong follow in 2017 class with his ability to hit. Open stance at plate and gets back to square. Shows gap to gap approach with ability to drive balls to opposite field. Bat stays through zone for good length of time. 87 mph exit velocity off tee. Clean exchange and feet are sound. Long release effecting pop times. Ability to receive. 70 mph arm strength with 2.28 pop time.

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Bryan Berg, C, Iowa City, 2017
5-foot-11, 155-pound right-handed hitting catcher. 7.9 runner in the 60. Balanced set-up at plate. Uses middle of field. Limited use of lower half. Needs additional strength. 74 mph exit velocity. Length to exchange. Stands up to throw losing momentum with lower half. Low arm slot. Tailing action on throws. 70 mph arm strength with 2.38 pop time.

Joseph Boehler, C, Saydel, 2017
5-foot-8, 155-pound right-handed hitting catcher. 7.51 runner. Tilt in set-up. Solid balance in swing. Inverted barrel plane to contact. Underneath at contact consistently. Uses whole field. 75 mph exit velocity off tee. Length to exchange. Tall position on release; loses lower half strength. Falls off to third base side effecting accuracy. 70 mph arm strength with 2.22-2.43 pop times.

Brayden Logan, C, Sioux City Heelan, 2017
5-foot-7, 145-pound right-handed hitting catcher. 7.25 runner. Athletic set-up with good balance throughout swing. Slightly closed stance. Short to contact and stays on ball well to gaps. Flashes solid pop in bat for size. 76 mph exit velocity. Catches ball out front; creating length to exchange. Short arm action with repeatable release. Consistently on the bag with 69 mph arm strength and 2.31 pop time.

Jalen Stafford, C, Albia, 2017
6-foot-5, 175-pound right-handed hitting catcher. 7.57 runner. Closed stance. Drops hands in load. Minimal use of lower half in swing. Negative weight shift at contact. Uses whole field. 75 mph exit velocity off tee. Upright set-up behind dish. Low arm slot on release. Falls off to third base side on throws. Inconsistent accuracy to bag. 68 mph arm strength with 2.34 pop time.

Luke Trondson, C, Rock Island Alleman, 2018
6-foot, 155-pound right-handed hitting catcher. 7.47 runner. Low hand slot. Solid balance in swing. Short to contact with short finish. Gap to gap approach. 79 mph exit velocity off tee. Some length to exchange. Stands up to throw. Lower slot creating tail and sink on throws effecting accuracy. 68 mph arm strength with pop times ranging 2.22-2.42.

Mateo Varese, C/RHP, Moravia, 2018
6-foot, 145-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.72 runner. Stiff legs in swing. Off-balance to contact. 67 mph exit velocity off tee. Length to exchange. Quick release from low ¾ slot with limited carry to bag. 69 mph arm strength with 2.25 pop time to second base.

IA Underclass Prospect Games: Catching Analysis

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