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PA Top Prospect Games: Analyzing the Catchers

June 27, 2014

By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

The summer rush of PBR events in Pennsylvania and West Virginia kicked into high gear over the past 10 days with the PA Top Prospect Games (June 17-18), Shenandoah Valley College Prospect Showcase (June 23) and the PA Underclass Games (June 24-25) offering college coaches a glimpse at some 175 prospects in a short period of time.

Over the course of the coming week we will analyze the prospects that performed by position. Today we take a look at the catchers that participated in the PA Top Prospect Games.

 

Catchers: PA Top Prospect Games


Top Prospect

Zach MinnickZach Minnick (Logan, WV), 2015

Over the course of the two day event Minnick went 5-for-5 in game play at the pate including a double, two triples and a 385 foot opposite field home run. The six foot, 215-pound catcher ran a 7.01 60-yard dash, and flashed an 87 mph arm from the crouch with pop times of 1.84-1.99 during defensive evaluations. Minnick went on to throw 88 mph across the diamond from 3rd base and 91 mph from the outfield. The right-handed hitter completed his impressive performance by turning in one of the top bat exit velocities of the event at 96 mph.

Minnick remains uncommitted at this point, but based on the rumblings in the crowd from those colleges in attendance, that probably will not last through the summer. The Logan HS backstop will be playing on a number of Division I campuses and in the WWBA National tournament this summer while traveling with the B2B Bombers out of Pennsylvania.


Best of the Rest (alphabetical)

Ben Burman (Episcopal Academy), 2015

Burman turned in a 7.56 60-yard dash and showcased a 76 mph arm from the crouch with pop times of 2.05-2.15. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound uncommitted senior continues to impress with the bat. Burman has a very quiet approach at the plate with a flat bat path through the zone. He exhibits gap power and the ability to make consistent hard contact. The right-handed hitter went 2-for-5 in game play with a bat exit velocity of 86 mph.

Adam Celidonia (Montour), 2016

Celidonia displayed why he will represent Team Pennsylvania this summer in the PBR Future Games. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound left-handed hitter put together an impressive round of batting practice and opened game play for his team with a double. Celidonia has a fluid swing with loose hands that generates an 84 mph bat exit velocity. He displayed good footwork and a quick release with pop times of 2.00-2.08 on throws of 72 mph from the crouch.

Owen Goryl (Phoenixville Area), 2015

Goryl is a 6-foot-1, 180-pound right-handed hitter that ran a 7.64 60-yard dash and registered an 83 mph bat exit velocity. He went 2-for-6 in game play and demonstrated the ability to put the ball in play with regularity. Goryl hits from a square stance with a high elbow load. He showed developing skills behind the plate with pop times of 2.12-2.21 on throws of 72 mph from the crouch.

Ryan Guckin (Avon Grove), 2016

Guckin built on his strong sophomore season with a very solid performance at the Top Prospect Games. The 5-foot-9, 175-pound right-handed hitter utilizes a slightly open stance and flashed very quick, loose hands through the zone with a bat exit velocity of 89 mph. Guckin showcased athletic actions behind the dish with pop times of 2.03-2.10 on throws of 75 mph from the crouch. He ran a 7.42 60-yard dash and served notice that he belongs on the short list of the top catchers in the 2016 class in Pennsylvania.

Billy Krull (Montour), 2015

Krull showed good feet (7.32 60-yard dash) for a 6-foot, 190-pound backstop. He demonstrated well above average receiving and blocking skills while flashing pop times of 1.90-1.98 on throws of 77 mph from the crouch. Krull hits from a slightly open stance with a strong lower half and a flat swing path through the zone. He registered an 86 mph bat exit velocity while 2-for-6 with a double in game play at the plate.

Tanner Lambert (East Fairmont, WV), 2016

Lambert showed promise at the plate going 2-for-5 with a walk and an RBI in six trips during game play. The 6-foot-1, 165-pound right-handed hitter utilized a square stance and flat swing path to produce a bat exit velocity of 82 mph. In an event filled with talented catchers, Lambert held his own. The junior showcased pop times of 2.15-2.23 on throws of 71 mph from the crouch. 

Ben MacDonald (Ridgeway), 2015

MacDonald is physical 6-foot, 190-pound backstop that showcased pop times of 2.01-2.09 on throws of 74 mph from the crouch. The right-handed hitter hits from a square stance with a compact swing that features a direct path to the baseball. MacDonald displayed a strong lower half and a bat exit velocity of 88 mph. The athletic catcher showed decent foot speed turning in a 7.39 60-yard dash.

Shane Muntz (Malvern Prep), 2017

Muntz is a physical 6-foot-3, 240-pound C/3B with an enormous amount of potential. He displayed pop times of 2.03-2.08 on throws of 80 mph from the crouch. His size may eventually necessitate a move from behind the plate, but he is athletic enough to play a corner infield spot and displayed potential to be a highly recruited pitcher in the Class of 2017 as well. Muntz turned in an impressive 97 mph bat exit velocity and showed legitimate power potential during his round of batting practice with a compact swing for a prospect his size. The right-handed hitter went 2-for-6 with a double in game action while barreling several other balls for outs. On the mound Muntz sat 86-88 from a high 3/4 arm slot while also flashing a 76 mph curveball with 11/5 action.

Chase Rogers (Salisbury Township), 2015

Rogers showcased a well-rounded skill set that will make him a very versatile player at the next level. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound C/OF ran a 6.97 60-yard dash, and registered a 4.36 home-to-1st as well as a 4.67 on a turn during game action. He displayed a lift-and-replace stride foot from a square stance with a strong lower half during batting practice. Rogers went 2-for-6 in game action and displayed an 86 mph bat exit velocity. The primary catcher showcased pop times of 2.05-2.12 on throws of 81 mph from the crouch.

Zach Smiley (Spring-Ford), 2015

Smiley is currently making the conversion to the catching position and saw his first taste of game action during this event. The former corner infielder showed promise with a quick transfer and accurate arm. His pop times of 1.98-2.10 on throws of 73 mph from the crouch already play provided the 5-foot-10, 200-pound uncommitted senior continues to develop his receiving and blocking skills. Smiley showcased a very short, compact swing from the left side of the plate with legitimate power to the pull side. The solidly built lefty hits from an open stance and creates a 90 mph bat exit velocity with a strong lower half and an aggressive hip turn.


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