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Underclass Showcase: Catching Analysis

November 20, 2014

By Ryan Quigley
Illinois Scouting Director

The Prep Baseball Report Underclass Showcase featured 89 prospects in the 2017 and 2018 classes on October 26th indoors at the MAX in McCook, IL. Over the next several days the PBR Scouting staff will roll out position-by-position rankings of the event, culminating with the Top Ten Overall Prospects from the showcase.

Click Here to view the article on top statistical performers from the event.

Today we’ll take a look at the top catching prospects from the event. Leading off our top catching prospects is Harlan’s Tommie Washington. Washington impressed in the middle infield, but projects behind the plate thanks to his arm strength, and pop times, both of which were the second highest recorded at the event.

Kaneland’s JP Norman is a left-handed hitting catcher, something collegiate programs value, and impressed with is accurate throws to second.

Yaki Lee gives Harlan HS another option behind the plate, impressed with his switch hitting ability, and possessed the top receiving skills out of any prospect during pitcher bullpens.

A pair of 2018 switch-hitting prospects also stood out in Geneva’s Josh Rose and New Trier’s Anthony Calarco.

Let’s take a look at the top catching prospects from this October’s Underclass Showcase.

Top 2017 Catching Prospects

1. Tommie Washington, INF/C, Harlan, 2017
5-foot-9, 155-pound infielder/catcher, athletic frame. Offensively hits from a tall open stance, smooth loading action, short stride. Showed bat speed, has a presence/approach in the box. Short path to the baseball, line drive hitter with gap to gap approach. 74 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively looks to be presently more advanced as a catcher, quick footwork out of the chute, exchange is quick and gets rid of it well, athletic receiver. Posted 2.09-2.18 pop times Arm action is short, high ¾ slot, accurate arm. 73 mph out of the crouch, 81 mph across the diamond. Infield actions will play, suited more for a corner spot, clean soft hands. 7.49 runner in the 60.

2. JP Norman, C, Kaneland, 2017
6-foot, 185-pound strong left-handed hitting catcher hits from a balanced setup, hands move back and drop to load, minimal stride, above average bat speed, long path, mostly pull with 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively, threw 71 mph from the crouch from short, over-the-top arm slot, quick release, hands were soft receiving during pens, pop times ranged from 2.12-2.22. Ran a 7.87 60. On the mound showed confident approach pitching. Fastball sat 78-80 mph from short, loose, high ¾ arm slot, easy effort, tall-and-fall type delivery, some rhythm, shoulders level throughout, lower half stride direction stays in line with home plate, lands closed, cuts down leg kick from the stretch, athletic finish. 67-68 mph curveball flashed 12/6 rotation, backed up at times. 73-75 mph changeup flashed plus sinking action for his age, thrown for strikes.

3. Yaki Lee, C/MIF, Harlan, 2017
5-foot-7, 157-pound switch hitting catcher/middle infielder, natural right-hander, but more fluid swing from the left side. From the left side uses an open stance, short stride, hands load back smoothly, balanced swing, 76 mph exit velocity, pulled the baseball more from the left side. Same approach from the right-side, not as open in stance, short path, line drives from gap-to-gap with 77 mph exit velocity. Defensively, threw 76 mph across the diamond from short, 72 mph from the crouch. Impressed more behind the plate thanks to quick hands on the transfer, pop times ranged from 2.16-2.29 seconds. Flashed a short, high ¾, clean arm slot in the infield with some accuracy, average hands fielding. Ran a 7.46 60.

4. Kellen Sarver, C, Champaign Centennial, 2017
6-foot-1, 165-pound lanky left-handed hitting catcher hits from an open setup, raises hands back to load, short stride, long, uphill bat path produced 74 mph exit velocity off the tee. Impressed defensively behind the plate throwing 74 mph from the crouch from short, over-the-top arm action with carry to second. Soft hands receiving, quick footwork, pop times ranged from 2.18-2.29 to second. Ran a 7.88 60.

5. Daniel Reed, C, Edwardsville, 2017
5-foot-11, 175-pound right-handed hitting catcher with a strong lower half. Hits from a balanced setup, short stride, high back elbow setup, uphill bat path with pull tendencies and power potential. Produced above average for age 80 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 71 mph from the crouch from short, over-the-top arm slot with pop times to second ranging from 2.18-2.28 seconds with accuracy on the bag. Ran a 7.76 60.

Top 2018 Catching Prospects

1. Josh Rose, C, Geneva, 2018
5-foot-10, 165-pound switch-hitting catcher hits from a balanced setup from both sides. Dives slightly with lower half stride direction from the left side. Natural right side swing produced 77 mph exit velocity, left-handed swing shows fluidity with 78 mph exit velocity. Legitimate chance to continue switch hitting. Defensively. Threw 74 mph from the crouch from short, over the top arm slot, with carry to second base on a line. Soft hands receiving, loses some time on the transfer, pop times ranged from 2.36-2.51, arm strength present. Ran the 60 in 7.38 seconds.

2. Anthony Calarco, C/RHP, New Trier, 2018
6-foot, 160-pound lanky and athletic switch hitting catcher/right-handed pitcher impressed as one of the top 2018’s in attendance at October’s Underclass Showcase. Natural right-handed hitter, but more whip and exit velocity with left handed swing. Balanced, spread out approach from both side, hands load smoothly, short stride, front foot turns in to create torque more in left-handed swing, long and uphill from both sides, aggressive finish (smacks barrel against his back making an audible sound), future power potential from both sides of the plate. 80 mph exit velocity from the left side, 75 mph from the right side. Defensively behind the plate, threw 73 mph from the crouch from short, ¾ arm slot with some carry, but two-seam action due to arm slot. Pop times ranged from 2.25-2.40 to second. Ran an 8.42 60. On the mound, fastball sat 79-80 mph from long, loose, high ¾ arm slot, wraps wrist in back of arm swing, still gets extension and finish with some arm side run. 12/6 breaking ball with gradual break, backed up at times from 60-62 mph, better out of the stretch. Threw sinking changeup 69-72 mph. High follow with the bat and on the mound.

Best of the Rest

Rick Acevedo, C, Oak Creek (WI), 2017
5-foot-10, 210-pound strong right-handed hitting catcher hits from a balanced setup, hands load back smoothly, short stride, short, compact bat path showed power from gap-to-gap during batting practice with solid approach, 82 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 65 mph from the crouch from short, over-the-top arm slot, average hands receiving, pop times ranged from 2.33-2.50. Ran a 7.57 60.

Bill Blank, C, Cary-Grove, 2018
6-foot, 175-pound physical and athletic right-handed hitting catcher hits from a balanced, wide base, short stride, hands load back smoothly, short, level bat path produced 76 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 67 mph from the crouch from short, high ¾ arm slot, pop times ranged from 2.29-2.41 to second base. Ran an 8.20 60.

Jeremy Fischer, RHP/SS/C, Normal West, 2018
5-foot-8, 135-pound two-way player. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride. Path has length, pull side approach, short low finish, 69 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively played with a long arm action, showed some accuracy, high ¾ slot. Worked out both at catcher and shortstop. Uses slightly shorter arm action when behind the plate. Arm played at 67 mph across the infield and 62 mph out of the crouch. Pop times posted at 2.37-2.57. Tall and fall delivery on the mound, high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 66-68 mph. Curveball showed some control, gradual action, 12/6 plane, 51-52 mph. Changeup has sink, 56-58 mph.

Michael Hawthorne, C, Morgan Park, 2017
5-foot-11, 175-pound right-handed hitting catcher hits from an open setup, hands load back smoothly, short stride, long, inside out swing, contact approach with 73 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 68 mph from the crouch from short, high ¾ arm slot. Athletic arm action, quick release, pop times ranged from 2.39-2.48. Ran a 7.49 60.

Guillermo Herrera, C, Elgin, 2017
5-foot-9, 170-pound right-handed hitting catcher hits from an open stance, short stride, above average bat speed, path is fluid, works slightly uphill, several line drives from gap-to-gap during batting practice, with right-center field approach. Defensively, threw 67 mph from the crouch from short, high ¾ arm slot, quick transfer, pop times ranged between 2.04-2.18 seconds. Ran a 7.52 60.

Will Pudik, C, Peoria Notre Dame, 2018
5-foot-11, 180-pound right-handed hitting catcher with a strong lower half. Hits from a crouch setup, slightly open, hands load back, short stride, some feel for barrel, long, level path with pull tendencies, 78 mph exit velocity. Defensively, threw 71 mph from the crouch from long, over-the-top arm slot. Pop times ranged from 2.11-2.28. Ran a 7.97 60.

Ethan Sund, C/RHP, Huntley, 2017
5-foot-11, 160-pound two-way player, average build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, slight leg lift. Path works uphill, hits off back side, 68 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 63 mph out of the crouch. 8.39 runner in the 60. Posted pop times at 2.51-2.65. On the mound arm plays with regular effort, high ¾ slot. Fastball is mostly straight, 67-71 mph. Breaking ball has 11/5 shape, gradual action, 61-64 mph. Changeup has fading action, 57-62 mph.

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