The Summer Trials took place on Sunday, May 20th at Sunrise Mountain HS in Peoria. The event featured prospects from the 2019-2022 classes and provided an opportunity to be evaluated by PBR and considered for future invite-only events like the 2020 Games, 2021 Games and 2019 Top Prospect Games in June. Today, we continue the event coverage with our Catching Analysis. This list was nearly impossible to put in order with five solid catchers at the event standing out above the rest, but all similar level prospects at this time. Spallina was far and away the top defender, earning him the top spot on the list with Stewart and Olson showing more projection and offensive upside and Hall the most physically developed of the group.

Complete video, data pictures and scouting reports have been posted to players' individual profiles. As always contact [email protected] or direct message @PBRArizona on Twitter with any questions and/or information.

TOP Catching PROSPECTS

Tanner Spallina C / OF / Verrado, AZ / 2020 5-foot-11, 174-pound frame with present, proportional strength. Stands out defensively behind the plate where his throws show on-line carry and solid footwork allowed him to post a best pop time of 1.96 with 75 mph velocity. Advanced blocker and quiet receiver could catch at the college level early in his career. Offensive rhythm is somewhat inconsistent, at times using a toe tap and other just a traditional stride to post 81 mph exit velocity. Hits from somewhat narrow base and could benefit from starting slower and earlier with a more solid, athletic lower half. Shows enough strength and bat speed to be offensive contributor, especially when considering potentially high-end defense. Turned in 7.45 60-yard dash.

Steven Stewart C / RHP / Centennial, AZ / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 25 / POS: 6 6-foot, 135-pound frame with high-waist and long limbs. Remains very thin but should add significant strength/mass at some point.  Starting to show signs of making a physical jump, lowering his 60 time to 7.53, raising his catcher velo to 73 mph and hopping on the mound to touch 80 mph with his fastball. The right-handed swing remains well behind the left-handed version, where he does an excellent job of getting on plane and keeping the barrel in the zone with some natural loft. RH swing leaves the zone quickly and doesn’t create the same solid base. Turned in 2.09 best pop time with solid mechanics and could project to a number of positions, including pitcher, depending on physical development. Secondary offerings are still developing on the mound, but 63-66 mph breaking pitch did show proper rotation at times.

Garrett Olson C / RHP / Mountain Ridge, AZ / 2020 5-foot-10, 155-pound frame. Shows the ability to be a contributor at a number of positions. He has significantly lowered his 60 time, down to a 7.19 and receives and throws well behind the plate, posting a best pop time of 2.02 with 72 mph velocity. Shows solid flexibility when receiving and good footwork on throws to second. Also moves well in the outfield and made accurate 79 mph throws, but has highest ceiling behind the plate. Shows advanced mechanics in the box, keeping the barrel in the zone for a long time with an easy rhythm and solid lower half with advanced adjustability. Posted impressive 86 mph exit velo for current level of physical development. Olson also ran his fastball up to 80 mph on the mound with a clean arm action from a ¾ slot. Showed some pitchability and feel, with a tight 11-5 curveball in the zone at 63-65 mph. 66-68 mph changeup tended to miss up to arm side and needs to be thrown with FB arm speed.

Matthew Hall C / 3B / Cactus Shadows, AZ / 2019 6-foot, 195-pound frame with a strong lower half. Starts hands deep, loading them even deeper, creating some length through the zone with high one-hand finish. Looking to lift and pull. Tends to hit out over his front side. Posted 86 mph exit velocity and made louder contact than that indicates during his round of BP. Athletic tools fit best behind the plate, where he showed very impressive arm strength, posting a best pop time of 1.97 with 78 mph velo from the crouch and on-line carry. Also worked out at third base where he threw 82 mph across the diamond. 7.77 60-yard dash.

Sebastian Laguna C / OF / Chaparral, AZ / 2020 5-foot-6, 140-pound frame. Very advanced defender behind the plate, providing a low target for pitchers with good flexibility and quiet hands. Laguna posted a best pop time of 2.02 with 75 mph velocity and should develop into a college-level defender behind the plate, despite not having ideal size. Surprising athlete posted 6.99 60-yard dash. Offensively Laguna made most of his contact with the bottom half of the baseball as he tended to wrap the barrel behind his head, creating a longer path to the baseball. If he is able to shorten his bat path and make more consistent contact out front, Laguna has the athletic ability to be an offensive contributor; 80 mph exit velo.