MN Class of 2015 Identification Showcase: Catching Analysis
October 6, 2014
By Rob Allison
Minnesota State Director
The Minnesota Class of 2015 Identification Showcase brought almost 45 prospects to be evaluated by PBR Minnesota and showcase themselves to colleges in attendance in the one day event held at Ames Field located on the campus of Dakota County Technical College. Over the next week we will unveil our analysis of the top players at their respective positions.
Leading off with the catchers, 2015 Charlie Black (Edina), took the top stop in this category. Black showed the most well rounded skill set amongst the catchers in attendance at this event.
TOP CATCHING PROSPECTS
1. Charlie Black, C, Edina, 2015
6-foot-1, 185-pound catcher. 7.32 60 time. Right-handed hitter with high hand set and minimal load. Balanced stride into contact. Minimal rhythm but clean easy swing. Downhill bat plane creating consistent solid contact. Swing is grooved at times. 70 mph exit velocity. Defensively has athleticism behind the plate. Above average receiving ability. Strong hands. Keeps ball in zone. Has quickness in blocking; needs refinement in mechanics. Quick exchange with solid hands. Inconsistent release effecting accuracy. Keeps ball down allowing infielders to make plays. Overall value in ability to catch and control pitching staff. With refinement and development has tools to make impact. 76 mph velocity with 2.01-2.08 pop times.
2. Robert Eckert, C, Farmington, 2015
5-foot-8, 175-pound catcher. 7.41 60 time. Right-handed hitter with balanced setup. Good rhythm and easy load. Narrow stance with inline stride into contact. Looseness in swing. Balls jumps at times after contact. Quiet head to and through contact. Stays in zone with long finish. 77 mph exit velocity. Defensively shows good receiving skills and hand strength. Quality blocking position with mobility. Compact and clean mechanics on exchange and throws. Hurries release. Foot quickness is good; needs to improve on footwork mechanics. Consistently open with feet and front side effecting accuracy. 2.07-2.14 pop times with 72 mph arm strength.
3. Carter Schmidt, C/OF, Chaska, 2015
6-foot-1, 180-pound catcher/outfielder. 7.12 60 time. Right-handed hitter. High hands. Gradual load. Length to swing. Slight arm bar. Flat swing plane with average balance. Stays in middle of field. 82 mph exit velocity. Ok actions in outfield. Ability to make routine plays. High ¾ slot with average carry. 82 mph from outfield. Solid receiver and blocker. Average feet to second base. Slightly open front side. Limited momentum and direction on throws. Gets to proper throwing slot. 2.14-2.28 pop times with 72 mph arm strength.
BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)
Brennan Beese, C/LHP, Elk River, 2015
5-foot-11, 185-pound 2 way player. 7.53 60 time. Right-handed hitter. High hand set with minimal load. Slightly open stance with short stride into contact. Minimal weight shift in narrow base. Unbalanced swing. Downhill swing plane with ability to get on top of baseballs. 77 mph exit velocity. Defensively has good flexibility behind the plate. Is an aggressive receiver with ability to keep balls in the zone. Average blocking ability with below average quickness. Showed above average accuracy to second. Exchange and arm slot were inconsistent. 67 mph velocity with 2.15-2.21 pop times. On the mound uses two piece arm action from high ¾ slot. Tends to travel across rubber effecting balance point. Leaks open early with stiff front side. Stays tall on release with little extension to home. Fastball was straight at 74-76 mph. Curveball was 65-68 mph with early gradual 10/4 rotation and break. Changeup had cutting action 64-67 mph.
Cole Gueningsman, C, Annandale, 2015
5-foot-11, 165-pound catcher. 7.26 60 time. Right-handed hitter. Lays bat flat in load. Front heel turn trigger to swing. All pull approach. Lacks strength. Uphill swing plane. 80 mph exit velocity. Defensively is upright while receiving limiting mobility. Proper blocking mechanics. Simple body turn and exchange throwing mechanics. 2.31-2.51 pop times with throwing velocity of 71 mph.
Tyler Johnson, C/RHP, New Prague, 2015
6-foot-4, 190-pound 2 way player. 7.6 60 time. Right-handed hitter. Open stance. Rotational load with shoulders. High leg kick stride and trigger. Lands open and stays open. Pull approach. 78 mph exit velocity. Has flexibility behind the plate. Receives with thumb underneath and high elbow. Gets to ground quickly; needs refinement in blocking mechanics. Tends to fall backwards away from second base effecting exchange and accuracy of throws. Has arm strength. 2.07-2.24 pop times at 77 mph. On the mound, projectable body. Gets to good balance point. Long arm action to start- begins to shorten before release. Over the top slot with good direction to home. Shows downward plane on fastball. Fastball is straight at 79-84 mph. Slider tended to spin with below avg break at 77-78 mph. Usable changeup at 77-79. Overall with an adjustment in arm slot; present velocity on breaking ball; and long body- would be an interesting project on mound. Chance to be a 90 mph arm.
Daniel Pharis, C/OF, Chanhassen, 2015
5-foot-11, 185-pound catcher/outfielder. 7.49 60 time. Right-handed hitter. Easy load with inline stride. Line drive swing plane. Front foot hitter. Quiet head and short to contact. Minimal finish. 88 mph exit velocity. In the outfield shows average actions. Fields balls cleanly. Stiff over the top throwing action. 73 mph outfield velocity. Behind the dish shows good lower half flexibility. Strong hands and ability to receive. Above average blocking mechanics with deadens balls well. Stiff upper half while throwing with limited velocity and carry on throws. 2.26-2.51 pop times at 69 mph.
Henry Poling, C/IF, Minneapolis Washburn, 2015
5-foot-10, 155-pound catcher/infielder. 7.75 60 time. Left-handed hitter. Pre-set hand position. Small leg kick trigger. Starts and stays in-line. Minimal rhythm. Wide base. Good weight transfer. Pull approach with slashy level swing plane. 79 mph exit velocity. Average actions in outfield. Uses lower half in throws. Limited front side and mid ¾ arm slot. Below avg. carry. 76 mph from OF. Easy receiving and blocking actions behind plate. Narrow stance limits mobility. Good blocking mechanics. Below average footwork on throws. Open front side. ¾ arm slot. Quick exchange and release. 2.03-2.13 pop times. Arm strength of 67 mph.
Tyler Safgren, C, Eden Prairie, 2015
6-foot, 190-pound catcher. 7.53 60 time. Right-handed hitter. Short load. Stays compact and short to contact. Balanced swing. Limited rhythm. Stiff. Line drive swing plane. Middle of the field approach. 66 mph exit velocity. Defensively, shows proper receiving and blocking mechanics. Flexible lower half and solid glove. Throwing wise, low exchange to glove and open feet effected accuracy. 72 mph with pop times of 2.2-2.32.
