Our focus today is directed towards the catchers that attended the Top Prospect Games on June 30th at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, AL. We saw many catchers post some high exit velocity numbers off of a tee and log some low pop times. This group of catchers were very impressive during the workout and gameplay, as they handled all pitchers very well and controlled the running game. 

All of these are uncommitted as of now, but that should soon change in the coming years. It is a very talented group with huge potential. We are really excited to see where all of these backstops end up after high school. 

Let's dive in...

Connor Aderholt: RHP/SS, (2022) Shelby County, AL. 5-foot-11, 180-pound athletic frame. At the plate, Aderholt's 92 mph exit velocity showed his ability to drive the ball with power. Started in an athletic stance with a smooth load, then used a controlled stride just before his swing. Had efficient bat speed. He found some barrels through his rounds. Line drive approach. While catching, displayed his ability to control the run game with a pop time of 1.96-2.06, his best recorded velocity during throw downs was clocked at 75 mph; had smooth footwork, a fluid exchange and consistent hands. Calm setup with some flexibility. Had a short arm action and consistent accuracy to the bag. During the event, recorded a 60 time of 7.41. Confident on the mound, has a ¾ arm angle and quick arm speed. Shows easy effort in his delivery. Displayed a clean finish Sat with his fastball at 80-81 mph with a max of 83 mph; shows running action and up in the zone command. Has a 11/5 curveball (67-69) that shows late action and low in the zone control. Has control around the zone and fading action on his changeup (72-73).

Anthony Bermea: C/OF, (2022) Bob Jones, AL. 6-foot, 170-pound athletic frame. In the box, Bermea clocked an exit velocity of 87 mph. Started in a balanced stance with a smooth load, then used a short stride to initiate his swing. Has average bat speed. Was able to create some loud contact during his round. Line drive approach. While catching, recorded pop times of 2.06-2.12, his best throw downs of the day reached a max velocity of 70 mph; showed fluid feet, a clean exchange and soft hands. Displayed some flexibility. Showed decent accuracy.

Vinnie Bosio: C/OF, (2021) St. Paul's Episcopal, AL. 6-foot, 190-pound athletic frame. During batting practice, Bosio had a max exit velocity of 84 mph. Setup includes balanced stance and a controlled stride. Bat speed was some. Through the round he found multiple barrels with some loud contact. Line drive approach. With a pop time of 1.91-2.00, showed off his quick feet and his ability to control the run game from behind the plate, he recorded a position velocity of 72 mph during throw downs; has sure hands, a fluid exchange and quick feet. A lot of flexibility and quiet setup.Smooth from the outfield, he displayed a position velocity of 84 mph; shows fluid feet, sure hands and a natural exchange. Had decent accuracy to the bag and a quick arm action. Recorded a time of 7.17 in the 60-yard dash. Very athletic 2 way player. 

Luke Fondren: C/1B, (2021) St. Clair County, AL. 6-foot-1, 190-pound athletic frame. At the plate, the right-handed hitter had an exit velocity of 87 mph. Setup consists of a smooth load and balanced stance. Had efficient bat speed. He Barreled up multiple balls with some loud contact. Line drive approach. Behind the plate, had a pop time of 2.00-2.17, his best recorded throw to second was clocked at 70 mph; has sure hands, quick feet and a clean exchange. Some flexibility and narrow setup.Had consistent accuracy to the bag with a consistent arm action. In the 60-yard dash, recorded a time of 7.49.

Pierce Hanna: OF/C, (2022) Vestavia Hills, AL. 5-foot-10, 180-pound sturdy frame. During batting practice, the right-handed hitter had an exit velocity of 93 mph, showing his ability to drive the ball with power. Began in a balanced stance with a smooth load, then used a quick stride to initiate his swing. Bat speed was explosive, showed uphill swing plane and good extension on his finish. Found lots of barrels with loud contact. Pull side approach. While catching, had quick feet and transfers on his throw downs, recording a 1.91-2.07 pop time, he produced a position velocity of 72 mph during throw downs; has soft hands, quick feet and a natural exchange. Showed some flexibility. Had a quick arm action and consistent accuracy to the bag. Recorded a 60 time of 7.36 at the event.

Jackson Hirschler: C/RHP, (2021) Madison Academy, AL. 6-foot-2, 185-pound physical frame. At the plate, the right-handed hitter had an exit velocity of 87 mph. Starts in a tall stance with a compact load. Bat speed is some, has simple swing plane and level finish. Found multiple barrels with some loud contact. Pull side approach. Recorded a time of 7.27 in the 60-yard dash. A catcher that has continued to add strength to his game. 

Eli Langlands: C/2B, (2022) Smiths Station, AL. 5-foot-10, 160-pound solid frame. During batting practice, the right-handed hitter recorded an exit velocity of 83 mph. Setup includes athletic stance and a compact load. Bat speed is some, exhibits uphill swing plane and good extension on his finish. In his round he found a couple of barrels with some loud contact. Pull side approach. While catching, he had a pop time of 2.07-2.22, throw downs to second were maxed at 73 mph; showed average feet, firm hands and a clean exchange. Some flexibility and narrow setup.Showed decent accuracy to the bases. In the 60-yard dash, he clocked a time of 8.13.

Drew McBurnett: C, (2022) Southside, AL. 5-foot-9, 160-pound solid frame. In the box, the right-handed hitter had a max exit velocity of 83 mph. Started in a balanced stance with a controlled stride. Bat speed was efficient, showed simple swing plane and good extension on his finish. Found some barrels through his round. Line drive approach. Behind the plate, recorded a pop time of 2.05-2.29, his best recorded throw to second was clocked at 70 mph; showed sure hands, smooth feet and a clean exchange. Showcases some flexibility. Clocked a 60 time of 7.78 at the event.

Bailey Mott: C/RHP, (2021) Daphne, AL. 6-foot, 165-pound athletic frame. At the plate, Mott's best exit velocity was 86 mph. Begins in an athletic stance with a controlled load, then uses a leg kick. Bat speed was some, and showed uphill swing plane. Found some barrels during his round. Pull side approach. Behind the plate, recorded a pop time of 2.07-2.16, best position velocity throwing to second was registered at 75 mph; had a fluid exchange, quick footwork and consistent hands. Uses average flexibility. Showed decent accuracy to the bases. During the event, ran the 60-yard dash in 7.41. On the mound, had a short arm action and a ¾ arm angle. Showed some effort in his delivery. Has athletic balance point. Sat with his fastball at 79-81 mph and topped out at 82 mph; showed around the zone control and running action. Had a 11/5 curveball (66-67) that showed tight action and around the zone command.

Michael Pfeiffer: C/RHP, (2022) Huntsville, AL. 6-foot, 200-pound physical frame. During batting practice, Pfeiffer showed power in the box with an exit velocity of 91 mph. Began in a balanced stance with a smooth load, then used a controlled stride before his swing. Had uphill swing plane, and his bat speed was quick. Had loud contact and found multiple barrels. Line drive approach. While catching, consistently had pop times of 2.04-2.09, his best throw downs of the day reached a max velocity of 75 mph; showed a quick exchange, consistent feet and soft hands. Showcases some flexibility. Had a quick arm action with decent accuracy to the base. During the event, ran the 60-yard dash in 7.67. On the mound, throws from a ¾ angle. Used easy effort in his delivery. a clean finish. Sat with his fastball at 81-82 mph and topped out at 83 mph; has running action and in the zone control. Had a sharp curveball (72-74) that showed in the zone control. His changeup (77-78) showed fading action and around the zone command.

Ryan Revera: C/OF, (2022) Bob Jones, AL. 5-foot-9, 160-pound athletic frame. At the plate, Revera recorded an exit velocity of 88 mph. Begins in an athletic stance with a smooth load, then uses a controlled stride before his swing. Bat speed was quick, and had uphill swing plane. Through the round he found multiple barrels with some loud contact. Line drive approach. With a pop time of 1.94-2.16, showed off his quick feet and his ability to control the run game from behind the plate, his best throw downs of the day reached a max velocity of 76 mph; had soft hands, a fluid exchange and quick footwork. A lot of flexibility and flexible setup.Showed a quick arm action with consistent accuracy to the bag. During the event, clocked a 60 time of 7.51.

Tucker Stockman: C/RHP, (2022) Athens, AL. 6-foot-2, 220-pound mature frame. At the plate, Stockman showed his power in the box with a strong exit velocity of 92 mph. Began in a crouched stance with a quick load, then used a small leg kick. Bat speed was quick, and used uphill swing plane. In his round he found lots of barrels with tons of loud contact. Gap to gap approach. While catching, recorded pop times of 2.00.2.07, throw downs to second topped out at 75 mph; showed a natural exchange, quick feet and sure hands. Showcased some flexibility. Had consistent accuracy. During the event, clocked a 60 time of 7.47.

Lawson Stricklin: C/3B, (2022) Decatur, AL. 5-foot-11, 185-pound sturdy frame. At the plate, the right-handed hitter showed his power ability with an exit velocity of 91 mph. Started in a balanced stance with a smooth load, then used a small leg kick to initiate his swing. Bat speed was some, and he had good extension on his finish. He found multiple barrels with some loud contact. Pull side approach. While catching, had quick feet and transfers on his throw downs, recording a 1.94-2.15 pop time, his best recorded throw to second was clocked at 77 mph; showed quick feet, a natural exchange and consistent hands. Quiet setup with some flexibility. Had consistent accuracy to the base with a quick arm action. Clocked a 60 time of 7.19 at the event.

Miles Thomas: C/3B, (2022) Hillcrest, AL. 6-foot, 185-pound solid frame. During batting practice, the right-handed hitter had an exit velocity of 95 mph, showing his ability to drive the ball with power. Starts in an athletic stance with a smooth load, then uses a small leg kick just before his swing. Bat speed is raw and has uphill swing plane. Through his round he found multiple barrels with a lot of loud contact. Pull side approach. While catching, recorded pop times of 2.16-2.20, best position velocity throwing to second was registered at 71 mph; had quick footwork, a clean exchange and sure hands. Calm setup with some flexibility. Had decent accuracy. During the event, ran the 60-yard dash in 7.09. Raw on the mound, had a quick arm action with a ¾ arm angle. Uses some effort in his delivery. Threw his fastball 80-81 mph with a max of 82 mph; shows sinking action and arm side control. Threw a 11/5 curveball (65-69) that showed control around the zone and tight action. His changeup (69-70) showed fading action and arm side control.

Walker Zapp: C/3B, (2022) Auburn, AL. 5-foot-10, 190-pound physical frame. During batting practice, Zapp showed power in the box with an exit velocity of 95 mph. Began in a crouched stance with a quick load, then used a short stride before his swing. Bat speed is efficient, uses simple swing plane and good extension on his finish. He found lots of barrels with loud contact. Line drive approach. While catching, had quick feet and transfers on his throw downs, recording a 1.87-1.94 pop time, he produced a position velocity of 76 mph during throw downs; has soft hands, consistent feet and a quick exchange. A lot of flexibility and athletic setup.Showed consistent accuracy to the base with a very quick arm action. The athletic recruit showcased his speed with a sub-seven 60 time of 6.81.

 

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