PBR’s inaugural event in Arizona took place on October 29 at the Kansas City Royals Complex in Surprise. This week we begin our positional analysis from the event, starting with the catchers.

2018 Jack Silverman (Desert Mountain) occupies the top spot on the list after turning in the top pop time at the event and also the best round of BP for any catcher. Since the showcase, Silverman has committed play collegiately at 2016 NJCAA World Series Champion, Yavapai.

Here’s a look at our top four catchers:

Top Catching Prospects

1. Jack Silverman, C, Desert Mountain, 2018
6-foot-2, 215-pound frame with sloping shoulders and proportional strength. Body composition continues to improve. Hits from relaxed setup with good balance, glides forward into contact creating good separation. Generates impressive bat speed for bigger bodied prospect; 88 mph exit velocity. Continues to improve defensively and was the top performing catcher at this event. Turned in a best pop time of 1.94 with a short, quick arm action that generates solid carry. Quiet receiver has a chance to stay behind the plate at the next level.

2. Dylan Skov, C, Cactus Shadows, 2019
5-foot-11, 175-pound frame with some strength in upper body and an athletic lower half; 7.20 60-yard dash. Hits from wide, balanced setup and shows solid bat speed and a path that keeps the barrel in the zone. Front side tends to get soft at times. Made solid contact in BP and will be able to drive the ball more consistently as he learns to firm up his front side through his swing. Athletic receives and blocker showed solid carry on throws turning in a best pop of 1.99 with 78 mph velocity from the crouch. 

3. Tanner Smith, C, Basha, 2021
Stocky 5-foot-9, 170-pound frame shows some present strength. Hits from a balanced, relaxed setup, creating good separation. Easy rhythm with some feel to hit and a slight uphill path. Impressive 87 mph exit velocity for age. Shows good feet behind the plate and receives well. Consistently popped 2.14-2.15; improvement of arm strength with age and development will dictate what level prospect he becomes.

4. Ethan Snodgrass, C, Sunrise Mountain, 2019
6-foot, 190-pound frame with long torso and thick lower half. Relaxed setup with advanced easy rhythm in box. Keeps barrel in zone a long time, making lots of hard contact in his round; 87 mph exit velo. Defensively, shows a quick transfer behind the plate, turning in a best pop time of 2.02 with 75 mph velocity.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Antonio Ficara, C, Corona del Sol, 2019
6-foot-1 185-pound frame with some broadness in shoulders. Right-handed hitter shows looseness in setup. Wide base, leg lift trigger, 79 mph exit velocity. 2.37 best pop time.

Cade Kennedy, C, Shadow Ridge, 2018
5-foot-10 185-pound frame with broad shoulders and a strong lower half. Hits from loose, upright setup and glides forward with long stride into contact. Possesses good physical strength and would improve power hitting against a firmer front side; 81 mph exit velocity. Receives well and throws accurately with adequate arm strength (72 mph) producing a best pop of 2.08. Plays with good energy and effort level stands out.

Nick Modrcin, C, Saint James Academy (KS), 2018
Well-proportioned 6-foot-2, 195-pound frame with present strength. Hits from crouched setup with lots of intent in his swing as he looks to lift the baseball. Can get long at times, but shows solid bat speed. 91 mph exit velocity registered highest at the event. Recorded 7.60 60-yard dash. Defensively, turned in a best pop time of 2.12 with 74 mph arm strength on throws that tended to run to his arm side. Has solid physical tools across the board.

Mason Skaugrud, C, Sandra Day O’Connor, 2019
Lean 6-foot-3, 175-pound frame with room to add strength/mass. Switch hitter, more advanced from left side where he shows a loose, easy rhythm and the ability to consistently barrel the baseball to all fields. Hits from a narrow, relaxed setup with lower hands and a short stride. Hitting ability is evident and raw power should improve with increased physical strength; 86 mph exit velocity. Typically plays 1B and handles the position well, but worked out at catcher on this day as he tries to increase defensive versatility. Turned in a best pop time of 2.12.

Kai Taylor, C, Mesquite, 2020
6-foot, 150-pound frame. Two-way prospect showed best on the mound where his loose arm and clean delivery stand out. Fastball sat 80-81, touching 82 from ¾ slot with occasional late life. Changeup is best secondary pitch, thrown with good arm speed at 73-75. Developing 60-62 mph breaking ball has a bit of a hump in it, but shows consistent rotation. Offensively hits from crouched setup with flat barrel and no stride; 81 mph exit velocity. Turned in a best pop of 2.16 behind the plate with 70 mph arm strength and a quick release, gaining very little ground on his throws to 2B. 7.51 60-yard dash.