By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

The early signing period, has been exciting with 45 players making their college commitments official. After the dust has settled, I would like to step back and look at the top players that are available in the 2017 class at each position. Today we will look at catchers.

Caleb Grace, C, Har-Ber HS
Grace is a 5-foot-11 180-pound athlete with an athletic frame and physical build. Grace showed the ability to play multiple position, flashing the ability to compete on the mound as well. On the mound he pitched two innings recording a strike out with no runs allowed. He pitched from an H ¾ arm slot with a short quick arm. He repeated his mechanics with a distinct balance point maintaining rhythm, he finish tall toward home plate. His fastball worked 82-84 mph with late life through the strike zone, he complimented his fastball with a curveball with 11/5 shape thrown 70-72 mph with some depth. Offensively he starts from an open stance, strides in to gets back online consistently. He attacks the baseball with a line drive swing with fast bat speed. When his approach stays to opposite field he is productive hitter, shows tendency to get around balls at times. Defensively showed the ability to play behind the plate or a corner infield spot. On the infield he played through the baseball with normal actions and strong accurate arm. Behind the plate he is a quiet receiver and shows the technique and effort required to be a sound blocking the baseball. He works through home plate throwing to second with a strong accurate arm. Overall Grace is well-rounded competitor who has the tools required to compete at the collegiate level. 

Tanner Weber, C, Central Arkansas Christian
Weber is a 6-foot-3 200-pound catcher with a large frame and an average build.  Offensively he starts from an athletic stance, with a minimum load and stride. He attacks the baseball with a slight uphill swing and fast bat speed. Defensively he uses a tall stance, he shows adequate skill and technique blocking and receiving. He throws pop times between 2.05-2.11. Overall Weber is a large player with solid defensive skills and an aggressive offensive approach.

Andrew Cooper, C, Greene County Tech HS
Cooper is a 6-foot-1 175-pound catcher with an athletic frame and build. He is an advanced defender. He uses an athletic stance, with above average skill receiving maintaining proper glove angles and showing sound technique and effort blocking. He throws consistently 1.98-2.08 pop time’s accurately on the bag. Offensively he starts with an athletic stance, he load his hands down and pushes his swing through on a line drive swing plane. Overall Cooper is a solid athlete with advanced defensive ability.

Luke Wewers, C, Catholic HS
Wewers is a 6-foot 190-pound catcher with a solid frame and an average build. Offensively he uses a balanced stance with a minimum load. He swings uphill with his hands starting from a lower slot. His swing has some rotation to it. He produces exit velocity up to 86 mph.  Defensively he sets up with an athletic stance. He maintains proper glove angles while receiving. He shows proper technique and effort while blocking. His pop times are 2.07-2.19. Overall Wewers is a solid defender with some pull power potential as a hitter.

Dalton Smead, C, Nashville HS
Smead is a 6-foot 160-pound catcher with a frame and skinny build. Smead has an advanced feel to hit. He starts from a tall stance, he uses a minimum load and stride, and he uses a line drive swing to hit balls to all fields. He uses only part of his low half. He has an advanced feel for the barrel. Defensively he uses an athletic set up, he does a sound job receiving and blocking. He would throw more consistently under 2.0 if he would through home plate instead of standing up. He has the arm strength to be an advanced thrower with some changes to technique, he throws pop times between 1.97 and 2.07. Overall Smead a solid athlete with a feel to hit and a strong arm.

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