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Unsigned Senior Showcase: Catchers

October 22, 2014

By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

We started off the week by looking at the top overall performers from our Unsigned Senior Showcase on October 19th. Jake Bever from Camden led this group, but the talent didn’t drop off much from there. Here is a look at the other top performers from behind the dish.

 

Zachary Muldoon, C, Lake Hamilton HS
Muldoon is a 6-foot, 195-pound catcher, that blocks and receives well. His pop times ranged from 2.12-2.24, putting balls consistently on the bag. His arm strength is adequate, his time is hindered by the length of his release with an elongated arm circle. He moves fluidly around the plate out of a wide stance and a low base. Offensively, he had an exit velocity up to 86 mph during our testing. He starts with an athletic stance, and has a smooth load and a short stride. The lower half is sufficient, but it could be more explosive, as he has good balance. Muldoon keeps his hands inside the ball well and has average bat speed.

Jake Goodson, C, Vilonia HS
The 5-foot-10, 190 pound catcher had a good day offensively. He barreled balls up on a consistent basis during batting practice and had an 86 mph during our exit velocity testing. Starting from a slightly open stance, Goodson loads back and has a short stride. His load is good on the lower half but his hand load is non-existent making him loose the advantages of his fast bat speed. His swing path is a good line drive approach, the swing would look better if he would have a more fluid rhythm instead of choppy/rushed rhythm he uses now. Defensively, his blocking and receiving is sound. He consistently gained ground on balls in the dirt, keeping them in front. He threw pop times that ranged from 2.15-2.36. His arm was accurate, however his exchange was out in front of his body, limiting his arm strength. If Goodson allows the ball to travel more and moves his exchange closer to his mask, he could consistently throw in the 2.0 range.

Tyler Vernon, C, Benton HS
Vernon had the best pop time throwing a 2.01. His pop times ranged from 2.01-2.26. When he stays in his legs and gains ground toward the bag, his times were good. When he stayed vertical and behind the dish, you saw his times take a dive. Additionally, he tends to curl the baseball to his mask instead of taking it straight back, causing his ball to tail at times. In the scrimmage, he did an excellent job of setting up late and not tipping pitch location on a day where shadows could aid hitters. In the long run, Vernon’s blocking and receiving will benefit from increased hip flexibility and widening his receiving stance. Offensively, he starts from a balanced stance and drops his hands on his load. This causes his bat path to be uphill with bat speed that drags through the zone.

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