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Preseason All-State Showcase Catcher Analysis: Class of 2015

February 28, 2013

By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

slonigerThe pool of 23 catchers who showcased their talents at the Preseason All-State Showcase was largely comprised of prospects from the class of 2014. While only four catchers were from the Class of 2015, those sophomores in attendance did nothing but impress. In Part Two of our analysis of catchers at the event we take a look at the catchers in the Class of 2015

  1. Ryan Sloniger, C/RHP, Punxsutawney HS

    Sloniger came in with the proverbial monkey on his back, ranked as the No. 1 catcher in the Class of 2015. He lived up to his billing and then some. The athletic 5-foot-10, 175-pound backstop turned in an impressive 4.07 home-to-first time. Defensively he showed comparative talent to the top catchers in the junior class with pop times of 1.97-2.04 on throws of 78 mph out of the crouch. Offensively he turned in an impressive round of batting practice. Hitting out of a slightly open stance, Sloniger created good barrel whip with solid lower half action and quick hands. He consistently barreled baseballs with a bat exit velocity of 78 mph.

  2. Jonny Smith, C, Red Lion Area HS

    Smith turned in an impressive showing in all facets of the game. The 5-foot-11, 155-pound sophomore showcased pop times of 1.97-2.09 on throws of 75 mph out of the crouch. Smith had an excellent round of batting practice using a flat bat path through the zone to barrel baseballs with good pop. Smith has quick hands and a solid lower half that led to an 84 mph bat exit velocity. Smith will be an interesting follow over the next three years to see his further development.

  3. Jeremy Sultzaberger, C, Susquenita HS

    Sultzaberger has worked extremely hard this winter on all facets of his game and the hard work is paying off. The 6-foot, 195-pound left-handed hitter had a much improved round of batting practice squaring the baseball consistently and lining pitches to the pull side of the field. He has made some adjustments in his lower half to free up his hands and the result was an improved 80 mph bat exit velocity. Sultzaberger has made dramatic gains defensively that led to pop times of 2.04-2.12 on throws of 73 mph out of the crouch. With his frame, and work ethic, it is not hard to imagine continued improvements from the sophomore over the next three years.

  4. Ben Carter, C, Wyomissing Area HS

    Carter is a 6-foot-1, 175-pound prospect who ran a solid 4.15 home-to-first time. Unfortunately he stumbled in the process which cut his day short. Carter went on to showcase a 77 mph bat exit velocity during his round of batting practice before passing on the defensive workout due to the earlier stumble. He has the athleticism and the frame to be a highly recruited catching prospect in this class.

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