On Tuesday, June 23rd, PBR Arizona had the chance to run its Class of 2021- Top Prospect Games, its first event of the summer for uncommitted 2021 graduates. The class has been itching to showcase their skills in front of scouts during the recruiting dead period began. The event proved that there is still plenty of quality 2021 uncommitted prospects out there still looking for a home at the next level. The Top Prospects games is an annual invite only event that features some of the top players across the state of Arizona. This years event took place at Shadow Ridge High School in Surprise, AZ . There were many players in attendance that one will want to follow in the near future. This event featured over 50 players  that took part in a pro style workout followed by live game action. This annual sold out event has become a must attend event for future college prospects looking to play at the next level. 

We began our post-event analysis with our Statistical Analysis, taking a look at the top statistical performers in each category. We also posted a Quick Hits article of our first impressions from the event. This event gave us some good knowledge into some players that we haven't seen before. We also had the chance to see players we haven't seen in a while due to seasons being shut down. 

Today, we continue our post event coverage by starting our positional analysis, starting with the backstops that competed at this 2021 event. Be sure to stay tuned over the next couple weeks for more post-event coverage. 

CLICK HERE to view all event statistics. 

Catcher Analysis

+ 2021 C Joshua Cortez (Westview)- 6-foot-1 190-pounds, rounded shoulders, strong frame with longer limbs, some athleticism. Ran a 7.44 60-yard dash. Sets up in a strong spread out base, using a varied leg lift/ toe tap depending on timing. Accelerates onto the swing plane late at times, creating an opposite field approach. Average hand & bat speed. LD contact to RF, 86mph exit velocity. Starts in a goalie secondary stance on throw downs, gaining ground with a harder step to create direction towards 2B. Transfers out in front of the body. Short OT arm action with minimal extension. Above average accuracy with 72mph arm velocity, recording 2.08-2.19 pop times.

+ 2021 C Antonio Gianni (Cactus Shadows)- 5-foot-11 155-pounds, athletically-built, proportionate frame, some strength & athleticism. Ran a 7.57 60-yard dash. Sets up in a squared athletic base, using a slower leg lift to gain leverage. Loud hands with some extra movement, loading aggressively. High effort swinger with pull approach, getting out in front occasionally. Line drive contact at 87mph exit velocity. Starts in a modified secondary behind plate. Quick clean transfers on the side of the body. Small side step with hoppy actions to create direction to 2B. 73mph arm strength with 2.02-207 pop times. Average receiver, letting baseball take him away from the strike zone at times. Also threw from the outfield with some natural footwork, took some extra steps getting rid of the ball. Threw with 81mph arm strength. Development should be followed.

+ 2022 C/RHP Toby Haarer (Desert Mountain)- 6-foot 165-pounds, lean body, long arms, projectable body, some athleticism. Ran a 7.30 60-yard dash. Hits in an athletic base with some weight in the back leg, using a slightly gathered leg lift to transfer energy. Line drive middle approach with some barrel consistency, 85mph exit velocity. Hit a couple ground balls in live BP in the lower 90’s. Starts in lower secondary with feet straight up. Replaces feet with minimal direction, relying on natural arm strength at 77mph. Quick catch & release. Also worked out on the mound. Slow deliberate delivery with stiff back leg, upper body dominant. Short quick arm action from ¾ arm slot, front side opens up early. FB sat 78-83mph with average spin rate of 1994rpm. Showed some feel for the breaking ball at 72-73mph that had straight side spin.

+ 2021 C Alex Londono (Salpointe Catholic)- 5-foot-10 155-pounds, lean build, balanced frame, strong legs. Sets up in a semi spread out base with back knee inside foot. Leans into back leg more in leg lift. Showed some natural pop and ability to lift at 93mph exit velocity. Releases barrel early with above average bat speed. Starts in lower modified secondary behind the plate with throwing hand near glove. Transfers to side, wrapping wrist. OT arm action opening chest early. 70mph arm strength, 2.0- 2.14 pop times. Also threw from the OF on the day throwing 75mph.

+ 2022 C Victor Londono (Salpointe Catholic)- 5-foot-10 155-pounds, stocky build, strong short limbs, durable lower half, looks to be heavier than listed. Starts in a strong base with noticeably strong legs. Uses a small leg kick, showing some body control. Solid launch position at heel strike getting connected early. Accelerates barrel onto the swing plane quickly. 93 mph exit velocity, hitting balls all over the field. Starts in a modified secondary with staggered stance. Transfer on the side, with long release. Average accuracy to the bag, 68mph throwing velocity with 2.05-2.15 pop times. Also threw from the OF with traditional crow up, 78mph velocity.

+ 2021 C Cole Sheehan (Mountain Pointe)- 6-foot-1 177-pounds, uncommitted, physical body with definition throughout frame, strong lower half, above average athleticism. Switch hitting catcher that shows similar approach from both sides. From his natural right handed side, he gets connected early with good bat speed that is more consistent. Accelerates the bat onto the swing plane faster with quicker time to contact. From the left side side, hits from an athletic squared base with a bit more leg lift. Slower to get on plane but clean swing and has some feel for the barrel. 92 mph exit off a tee, hits some ball in mid 90’s in live BP. Behind the plate, shows above average athleticism & hip mobility. Showed some ability to get underneath the baseball. Wide secondary stands, going up before creating direction to the bag. Naturally strong arm at 79mph with 1.98-2.15 pop times. Average accuracy that will improve with more extension & finish. Sheehan’s switch-hitting bat along with tools & athleticism behind the plate should make a follow.

+ 2021 C Keanu Spenser (Chaparral)- 6-foot 200-pounds, physical specimen, big strong limbs, high waisted, stands out. Starts in a relaxed spread out base with knees inside feet. Picks up heel while turning knee inward to create weight transfer. Gets connected early, acceleration barrel on swing plane efficiently. Downward swing plane with middle line drive approach, 90mph exit velocity off a tee. Hit some balls up to 95mph in live BP with lower launch angles. Some flexibility behind the plate for big strong frame. Starts low in his secondary. Loud slower footwork, using a short step while getting tall on throw. Naturally strong arm at 76mph with 2.0-2.15 pop times that can get better with more lower half. Showed some leadership on the field, taking charge of defense. Player with some upside whose development should be monitored.

+ 2021 C Austin Thomason (Sunrise Mountain)- 6-foot-2 185-pounds, tall, strong-bodied, durable lower half, average athlete. Ran a 7.59 60-yard dash. Sets up in a low crouched stance with a wide base. Uses small pick up opening slightly early, getting tall into contact with soft front knee at times. Long raw swing with high positive attack angle. Above average bat speed. Mid pull approach with varying contact at 84mph & high launch angles. Shows some upside behind the plate. Narrow modified secondary stance, showing some flexibility. Short side step gaining some direction to 2B, tall finish. Easy effort arm with 72mph arm strength, 2.0-2.13 pop times. Get thumb underneath the ball receiving.

+ 2021 C Cade Westerlund (Mountain Pointe)- 6-foot-1 210-pounds, uncommitted, strong physical catcher that shows some durability to build off. Has some tools, showing some big catch & throw arm strength behind the plate at 84mph. He turned in the best pop times of the day, consistently in the 1.87-1.95 range. Works with pitchers well, being able to work out of multiple stances, getting underneath the baseball. He also shows some above average pop at the plate, looking to drive the baseball deep in the air at 93mph exit velocity. Good bat speed for a high schooler. Hit a ball in live BP at 91.8mph with a 32 degree launch angle, 367 feet. His arm strength behind the plate combined with his power potential should make him a strong catching prospect to follow.

+ 2021 C Marshall Williams (Sunnyslope)- 5-foot-9 170-pounds, large, lean build, some defined strength throughout frame, durable lower half. Switch hitter, versatile player that worked out at C and in the MINF. Similar set up from both sides of the plate. Starting in a relaxed base, using a small leg kick trigger. Shows good hand speed from both sides of the plate. Significant more bat speed from the left-handed side. Gets on plane from both sides with quick time to contact. Shows some feel for the barrel with a gap to gap approach. Hard contact at 92mph exit velocity. Above average athlete behind the plate, running a 7.20 60-yard dash. Would be surprised if he caught more in his future, athleticism plays well behind the plate. Shows above average flexibility and mobility. Quick transfer & release with natural arm strength at 79mph, 1.98-2.01 pop times. Shows quick feet with athletic foot work & twitchy hands in the infield. Quick arm with 81mph arm strength.

Related Content