San Diego Open Scouting Reports: Catchers

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At The Yard Podcast

SAN DIEGO, CA. - The first annual San Diego Open showcased the type of energy, talent and positive vibes that make San Diego one of the best baseball cities in the world. With the state of California granting full return to youth sports you could see an extra burst of energy from the Open participants with the looming high school season just around the corner. Open showcases are unique in that there are always players that participate that have yet to be seen and make their mark. Everyone came out a winner at the Open with camaraderie, leadership, and satisfaction seen throughout the day. 

Mizuno Baseball set up shop in the left-field batting cages showcasing their 2021 line of gloves and bats, with Fernando Tatis Jr, Andrelton Simmons and Mike Soroka model gloves receiving the most interest. Technology once again dominated the event with TrackMan, Blast Motion, Twitter, Instagram, video production, live stream and scout eyes working non-stop to showcase each player. 

Scouting reports continue to be an integral part of PBR - CA events. Hit, Power, Arm, Defense, Speed being the focal points of the reports. Please note Blast Motion scores are graded on a 20-80 scale. Today we take a look at the catching position. 

CLICK HERE FOR SORTABLE PLAYER TRACKMAN AND BLAST MOTION DATA

catchers

Haden DeAnda, Cathedral Catholic (CA), 2023
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-11, 175-pounds. Long limbed, developing with strength, more to come.
Defense: 1.97-2.12 pop times. Quality pop-time average, feet work quickly, good projectability behind the plate with arm strength being the key to next level ability.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Quick release, short arm swing, lacking velocity needed at next level, increasing arm swing could increase velocity now.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, toe tap into load with an even wider hitting position, two-hand finish. Blast Motion scores of 24-57-29 show needed swing plane and rotational improvement. High grade ability to get aligned and in a good position to hit.
Power: 90 mph exit velocity.
Run: 8.09 runner in the 60. 

Aaron Garcia, Olympian (CA), 2021
Positional Profile: 1B
Body: 5-11, 230-pounds. Large, sturdy frame that has slimmed up since our last viewing allowing for more athletic movements.
Defense: 1.97-2.04 pop times. C - Wide base with quick, clean exchanges on throwdowns. Footwork is much improved. 1B - Footwork improvements are very noticeable as he plays light on his feet with very good instincts.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. INF - 80 mph. C - Short, whippy arm action with improved quickness in the release. 1B - strong, accurate throws across the diamond.
Hit: RHH. Starts slightly open before rocking onto back leg and exploding through contact. Active hands; quick to the ball with power behind it.  Slight uphill path creates backspin. Pull side approach.
Power: 100 mph exit velocity. Power continues to develop and show more consistently.
Run: 7.66 runner in the 60.

Nate Norman, Fullerton (CA), 2023
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-9, 175-pounds. Strong, physical build with pronounced strength in the lower half.
Defense: 1.97-2.12 pop times. Sticks it; Catches balls out front often beating ball to the spot. Works low-to-high with soft hands.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph.  Arm strength is present with accuracy to the bag; Clean exchanges with fast release; No wasted movements.
Hit: RHH. Neutral, upright setup before rocking back onto back leg with slight leg lift trigger. Knob to the ball, maintains barrel plane consistently through extension; full swings - doesn't get cheated.
Power: 95 mph exit velocity. Hit 6 HR's during BP all of them clearing the 40 foot net over the fence.
Run: 7.04 runner in the 60. 

Morgan Strong, Ramona (CA), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-0, 210-pounds. Strong and sturdy build, flexibility seen catching, speed development needed.
Defense: 2.11-2.19 pop times. Works hard behind the plate; sneaky flexibility that helps his blocking and receiving significantly.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Arm works from a consistent arm swing and release point, accurate throws, added velocity needed for next level catchability.
Hit: RHH. Relaxed in the box, leg kick into base, 78.10 bat speed max something to watch, one-hand finish. Improved his TrackMan hitting distance average from 208 ft in October 2020 to 251 ft in March 2021.
Power: 91 mph exit velocity.
Run: 7.64 runner in the 60. 

Marcus Galvan, Ruben Ayala (CA), 2023
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-9, 160-pounds. Smaller frame but present athleticism.
Hit: LHH. Wide athletic stance that is slightly closed. Not much movement with load as the front leg lifts slightly up as the barrel works into a good early connection position. Gets into a slight lean over the plate and turns tight and quick. Compact stroke that works on an upward path. Consistent LDs up the middle throughout his BP round. 
Power: 88 max exit velocity, 23 gs average rotational acceleration is way above average for his level which points to a high power ceiling if bat speed can increase.  
Arm: LH. C - 69 mph. INF - 74 mph. Similar arm actions from both positions. Short arm action that is quick to release. ⅘ accurate throwdowns at C and ⅘ accurate throws from SS. Arm strength probably plays better at 2B.        
Defense: 1.97-2.15 pop times. Showed proper quick footwork behind the dish. Light feet at SS allowed for good range. Fields it centered and out in front. Got to his spots with decent glove skills.  
Run: 7.16 runner in the 60.

Joey Wittig, Maranatha Christian (CA), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/C
Body: 5-9, 160-pounds. Medium athletic build. Projectable size and strength
Hit: RHH. Stands tall and upright with low hanging hands. Uses a simple forward stride. Not much of a negative move as hands simply drift back as he moves forward. Smooth simple stroke as bat works on a flat-upward path. Nice high extension through at finish. Plenty of LD’s up the middle throughout his round.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, Some present gap to gap pop. Rotational acceleration #’s of 15gs average and 18 gs max show potential for good power ceiling.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Above average arm strength for level. Short compact arm action. Slower to release. ⅘ accurate throwdowns.   
Defense: 2.11-2.26 pop times. Flashes of athleticism at C. Two part footwork behind the dish. Throwdown movements need to become more fluid. 
Run: 7.03 runner in the 60.

Brady Bucky, Santa Fe Christian (CA), 2022
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-10, 158-pounds. Medium athletic build. Room to add strength gains.
Hit: LHH. Is relaxed in stance. Stands slightly open with rhythmic hands. USes a simple forward stride as hands work into a solid launch position. Smooth simple stroke that works on a level path. Middle of the field approach with plenty of LD’s throughout his round. 
Power: 85 max exit velocity, Potential gap to gap power.    
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. Short and quick arm action out of a higher slot. ⅘ accurate throwdowns.
Defense: 2.15-2.20 pop times. Showed some of the better footwork for C’s at this event. Quickly set up feet for throws. Also showed solid receiving and blocking skills during the bullpen session.  Soft sure hands and consistent in the pocket.
Run: 7.58 runner in the 60.

Isaac Salazar, Mater Dei (CA), 2023
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-10, 168-pounds. Athletic build. Projectable size and strength.
Hit: RHH. Stands in an athletic stance with higher set hands. Uses a simple forward stride as hands work into a lower early connection position. Bat path works steep-flat to the ball. Middle of the field approach throughout his bp round with plenty of LDs back at the pitcher. 
Power: 85 max exit velocity, Current singles hitter with some gap potential.
Arm: RH. C - 65 mph. INF - 69 mph. Shorter arm action from both positions. Below average arm strength.  ⅘ accurate throwdowns. All accurate throws from SS.
Defense: 2.22-2.34 pop times. Proper footwork on throwdowns and showed average receiving and blocking throughout the workout and bullpens. Average actions at SS. Got to his spots and fielded every ball. Fielded deep into his body. Slower in getting to release.
Run: 7.8 runner in the 60.

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