2017-2018 Prospect Showcase: Catchers Analysis

October 1, 2014

By Phil Wade
Indiana Executive Director

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On Sunday, September 21st PBR Indiana hosted the 2017-2018 Prospect Showcase at Grand Park in Westfield, Indiana. A total of 10 catchers participated in the event. Below we analyze each catcher.

CLICK HERE to view the full statistical breakdown from all players who participated in the event.

Jonathon Anderson, C, Roncalli HS, 2017: A 5-foot-9, 165 pound catcher, Anderson was 2.36-2.55 with his pop times and 65 mph from the crouch. Possesses a skinny frame with high effort behind the plate. Needs to continue to gain experience which will help improve his stance and receiving ability as he’s still raw. Actions are slow with some stiffness, but will improve as he matures and gains experience. Offensively, starts open and uses a short stride. Hands drop during his load. Gets average use of his lower half. Swing path is long. Pull-side hitter.

Zyon Avery, C, Ben Davis HS, 2018: A 5-foot-11, 175 pound catcher, Avery registered pop times between 2.29-2.40 and was 68 mph from the crouch. He possesses a strong frame with athletic actions and tons of upside. Shows soft hands while receiving with a good base. Needs to improve upon his flexibility and the ability to control pitches. Switch hitter at the plate. Better from the right-side. Starts in a balanced setup. The load is smooth and uses a short stride. Shows good bat speed with a level path to the ball with some pull-side power.

Noah Brown, C, Blue River Valley HS, 2017: 6-foot, 170 pound catcher was 2.15-2.33 with his pop times and 68 mph from the crouch. Overall defensive actions are raw. Shows lots of movement behind the plate and the arm is stiff. At times showed good actions, just needs more experience. At the plate starts tall. No Stride. Tends to wrap during the load. Swing path is long with average speed (78 mph exit velo).

Jacob Christie, C, Batesville HS, 2017: A 5-foot-10, 175 pound catcher, Christie was 2.18-2.30 with his pop times and 69 mph from the crouch. Possesses soft hands. Needs to improve his overall athleticism, strength and agility. Average defender. At the plate hits from an athletic setup with a smooth load. Stride is short with average bat speed. Swing path is long. Pull-side hitter.

Bryce Frederick, C, North Montgomery HS, 2017: A 5-foot-11, 185 pound catcher, Frederick was 2.43-2.57 with his pop times and 63 mph from the crouch. Possesses a big, strong frame and shows flexibility in his hips but is stiff with his hands. Needs to soften up his hands and let the ball travel to his glove. Fairly quiet receiver. Will need to continue to improve his posture in order to improve his receiving skills as well as improve keeping corner pitches in the zone. At the plate starts balanced but opens up during his stride. Does not load. Bat speed is average with a long path. Pull-side hitter.

Alex Hornaday, C, Cardinal Ritter HS, 2017: A 5-foot-9, 165 pound catcher, Hornaday was 2.33-2.39 with his pop times and 66 mph from the crouch. Shows good flexibility and actions behind the plate but will need to improve on his posture and setup to be more free and improve his receiving. Gets stiff at times causing him to lock up. Does show the ability to catch with improved mechanics and setup. Offensively, hits from a crouch setup while using a short stride. Hands drop during the load. Displayed a long swing path. Makes hard contact. Will over-rotate at times.

Evan Hylek, C, Andrean HS, 2017: 5-foot-10, 145 pound catcher was 2.11-2.22 with his pop times and 70 mph from the crouch. Possesses a lean, athletic frame with flexibility and the ability to work around the plate. Receives well with good hands for a 2017. Projectable catcher if he continues to add strength. Offensively, the LHH hits from a crouch position and loads back. Stride is short and displayed good bat speed (80 mph exit velo). Gets to extension and showed the ability to drive the gaps. Ran a 7.12 60.

Will Klein, C, Bloomington North HS, 2017: 6-foot-3, 200 pound receiver was 2.15-2.34 with his pop times and 67 from the crouch. Big, strong frame. Actions are stiff with raw receiving skills. Needs to improve his range of motion and agility. At the plate hits from a crouch position and uses a short stride. Lacks use of the lower half. Long swing path, consistently pulls the baseball. Exit velo was 82 mph.

Alec Saulman, C, Corydon Central HS, 2017: 5-foot-10, 192 pound catcher registered pop times of 2.07-2.19 with good feet and a clean exchange. Possesses a strong arm at 74 mph from the crouch. Possesses a good frame for a catcher with flexibility and strength. Possesses soft, quiet hands while receiving. Overall above average receiver for a 2017. As he gains experience and continues to grow should continue to improve. Offensively, starts open with a smooth load back. Stride is short with above average bat speed (82 mph exit velo). Gets to extension well with pull-side power. Fluid rhythm throughout his swing.

Drew Stanton, C, Carmel HS, 2017: A 5-foot-10, 155 pound catcher, Stanton registered pop times between 2.15-2.28 and was 67 from the crouch. Displayed some flexibility with average footwork. Overall actions are raw, but shows potential to be a successful receiver. Will need to improve handling pitches out of the zone, just needs more playing time and experience. At the plate starts balanced with a smooth load. Stride is short with average bat speed. Will get to extension, driving the ball to his pull-side. Good rhythm throughout.