Southern Illinois Prospect Games: Catcher Analysis

August 10, 2015

By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

Listed below we ranked the top two catchers from the Southern Illinois Prospect Games. They are two different style of baseball players but both very deserving and very effective catchers in their own right.

Top Catchers

1) Dalton O’Connor, C, Frankfort, 2016
6-foot, 190-pound, strong build, right-handed hitter. Ran a 4.43 home to first, above average for his position. Hits from a balanced stance, short stride and average balance. Short, level bat path, gap-to-gap approach, 73 mph exit velocity. Behind the plate threw from a high ¾ slot, pop times ranged from 2.1-2.18. Slightly across body, threw 75 mph from the crouch.

2) Andrew Erickson, C/SS, Tuscola, 2018
5-foot-9, 215-pound, strong bodied, right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, hits from an open, tall setup. Early, smooth load of his lower half with a long stride and minimal lower-half involvement. Pull-side approach, top exit velocity was 78 mph and ran 5.19 home-to-first. Behind the plate has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Throws were consistently on the bag. Recorded pop times of 2.10-2.18 and was 75 mph from the crouch.

Best of the Rest (alphabetically)

Cody Bauza, C, Nashville, 2017
5-foot-6, 165-pound, left-handed hitter. Hits from a balanced set up, loads back, average balance. Long, uphill bat path, pull-side approach, 64 mph exit velocity. Behind the plate showed short arm action, high ¾ slot, pop times ranged from 2.25-2.3, 69 mph from the crouch.

Noah Dressler, C/INF/RHP, Mascoutah, 2016
6-foot-2, 175-pound two-way player. On the mound the right-hander throws from high ¾, long loose action, good balance, good rhythm, lands square, closed shoulders, and athletic finish. Fastball was 78-81 mph and touched 83 with some arm-side-run, curveball was 64 mph, and changeup was 71-75 mph with some fade. Defensively the catcher has short arm action from high ¾ with clean exchange and average hands. Threw 78 mph from crouch and pop times ranged 2.11-2.26. In the infield showed long arm action from ¾ slot, accurate, clean exchange, and fluid footwork. Threw 80 mph across infield. Offensively hits from tall and balanced setup, no load, long stride, average balance, and extended level path. Exit velo 77 mph.

Bradlee Fuhrhopp, C, Okawville, 2016
6-foot, 175-pound catcher. Offensively hits from right side with wide setup, loads back, big leg kick, ok lower half, fair balance. Showed fast bat speed, level path, and line drive type. Exit velo 84 mph. Defensively, has short arm action from high ¾, some accuracy, average hands, fluid footwork, and quick exchange. Threw 77 mph from crouch and pop times ranged 2.07-2.18.

Blake Klett, RHP/C, Anna-Jonesborro, 2016
6-foot-2, 185-pound, two-way player, some length. Hits from a tall set up, leg kick, average balance. Line drive, opposite field approach, 78 mph exit velocity. Behind the plate showed short arm action, high3/4 arm slot, pop times ranged from 2.18-2.26, 71 mph from the crouch. On the mound displayed a tall-and-fall delivery, long arm action, high ¾ arm slot, some rhythm, lands square. Straight fastball sat 75-77 mph, touched 79 mph. Curveball showed 11/5 shape, had some feel for the pitch, 61 mph. Changeup sat 67 mph.

Hunter Lodge, C, Trico, 2017
6-foot-1, 220-pound athletic catcher. Offensively hits from right side with balanced setup, loads back, long stride, and average balance. Showed average bat speed, long level and extended path, and gap-to-gap type. Exit velo 80 mph. Defensively the right hander has short arm action form high ¾, accurate, average hands and clean exchange. Threw 73 from behind the plate and pop times ranged 2.25-2.33.

Daniel Reed, C/1B, Edwardsville, 2017
5-foot-10, 175-pound, strong, right-handed hitting catcher. Crouched, balanced stance, with a deep pre-pitch load. Sets his hands low, looks to pull and lift the baseball. 83 mph exit velocity. Hit a ground rule double in game play. Defensively, had pop times ranging from 2.19-2.26. Throws were consistently around the bag. Throws from a high ¾ slot and loose arm action. Was clocked at 72 mph from the crouch. Also, ran a 5.01 home to first.

Robert Wade Haire, C, Anna-Jonesboro, 2016
6-foot-2, 208-pound catcher. Offensively hits from right side with open and tall setup, drops load, long stride, average bat speed, good approach, level path, and line drive type. Exit velocity clocked at 70 mph. Defensively, the right-hander has short arm action, high ¾, some accuracy, average hands, and clean exchange. Threw 73 mph from the crouch and pop times 2.25-2.33.

Southern Illinois Prospect Games: Catcher Analysis

Top Catchers

Best of the Rest (alphabetically)

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