Jeff Markle
Assistant State Director

The Prep Baseball Report’s 2nd Annual Unsigned Senior Games was held August 13th and 14th at Metro State University. Prospects completed a pro-style workout and games for the PBR Colorado's Scouting Staff, several of whom were new to the staff. 

Click Here to view complete statistics from the event in PDF format. 

Let’s take a look at the catching position for this year's USG.

TJ Barnes, Chatfield High School (2017)
A 6-foot-0, 170-pound right hand hitting catcher who ran a 7.10 60.  At the plate he stands balanced with a short stride for timing.  He showed quick hands and good extension on the swing.  He showcased an 80 MPH exit velocity.  Behind the plate he handled pitchers well.  He has a 71 MPH arm and delivered several accurate balls to the bag during evaluations.  Pop-times were 1.95-2.00. 

Russell Cruz, Columbine High School (2017)
A 6-foot-0, 190-pound right hand hitting 3B/C who ran a 7.20 60.  At the plate he starts with a wide set up and uses a high lift and place leg kick for timing.  Strong weight transfer and quick hands produced a 91 MPH exit velocity.  Bat stays in the zone with a slight uphill path.  Behind the plate, Cruz is a take charge player with soft hands and good framing.  Arm velocity was 79 MPH and pop-times were 2.11-2.15.  In the field he moves well and uses a quick release to deliver and accurate ball across the diamond.  Very versatile player.

Beau Hawley, University High School (2017)
A 6-foot-1, 190-pound right hand hitting catcher who ran a 7.50 60.  At the plate he stands balanced with a high lift and place leg kick on the pitch.  Barrel is quick through the zone, could use more extension at contact.  Exit velocity was 82 MPH.  Behind the plate he sets up low in the zone with a quiet body and soft hands.  He shows good transfer from the glove and throws from a high ¾ arm slot.  Arm was 71 MPH with pop-times of 2.09-2.12.

Ethan Leech, Natrona County High School (2017)
A 5-foot-9, 165-pound right hand hitting catcher/RHP who ran a 7.70 60.  At the plate he stands slightly open with a short stride to square up.  Hands explode through the zone as weight rotates on his back side.  Exit velocity was 84 MPH.  In the field he moves well on balls to his glove side.  Transfer out of his glove is quick with a 70 MPH arm.   Behind the plate he sets up hitters well, uses soft hands to frame and throws from a high ¾ arm slot.  Pop-times were 2.24-2.30.  On the mound he gets to a balanced position and falls to the plate.   He lands in-line with the plate and falls off to the right side on delivery.  Fastball was 66 MPH and he added a 59-61 MPH curve.

Matthew Maddox, Natrona County High School (2017)
A 6-foot-1, 175-pound right hand hitting catcher/3B who ran a 7.6 60.  At the plate he hits from a slightly open stance with a short stride to come square.  Weight gets hung up on the back side on the swing.  He showed quick hands and power to the pull side.  Exit velocity was 79 MPH off the tee.  Behind the plate he has a quiet body and soft hands when receiving pitches.  Arm velocity was 66 MPH with some accuracy.  Pop-times for this event were 2.28-2.30. 

Brett Newman, Highlands Ranch High School (2017)
A 6-foot-1, 165-pound right hand hitting catcher/RHP who ran a 7.50 60.  At the plate he stands tall and slightly open.  Slow weight transfer to his back side on the pitch.  Hands drop slightly on the swing creating an uphill swing path.  Exit velocity was 82 MPH for this event.  Behind the plate he moves well on balls in the dirt and did a good job of framing pitches.  He throws from a high ¾ arm slot with a 77 MPH arm with accuracy.  On the mound he works quickly and efficient.  Wind up is simple and he gets to balance before driving tot he plate.  He lands in-line and his delivery is from a high 3/4 slot.  He threw 3 innings never needing more that 15 pitches to complete an inning.  Fastball was 77 MPH and he added a 67-69 MPH 11/7 curve ball. 

Casey O’Neill, Lakewood High School (2017)
A 5-foot-10, 170-pound right hand hitting catcher/3B who ran a 7.80 60.  At the plate he starts with an open stance with a long stride to come square.  Swing path is uphill with good power to the left center gap.  Exit velocity was 81 MPH.  Behind the plate he showed good command of the pitchers and working hitters.  He throws from a high ¾ arm slot and showcased a 75 MPH arm.  Pop-times were 2.02-2.05. 

Quinn Smith, Legend High School (2017)
A 6-foot-0, 160-pound right hand hitting catcher who ran a 7.49 60.  At the plate he hits from a wide stance with a short stride for timing.  He showcased quick hands on the inside pitch and showed good bat control to all fields.  Exit Velocity was 83 MPH.  Behind the plate he sets up well on pitches and uses a quiet body and soft hands to frame.  Arm velocity was 73 MPH with some accuracy to the bag.  Pop-times were 2.06-2.09.

Connor Smith, Strasburg High School (2017)
A 6-foot-3, 180-pound right hand hitting catcher/3B who ran a 7.70 60.  At the plate he stands tall with a slow load on to his back side.  Hands and weight sweep through the zone and swing path is slightly uphill.  Exit velocity was 83 MPH.  Behind the plate he showcased good feet and a quick over the top arm.  Arm velocity was 79 MPH with pop-times of 2.17-2.20 with some accurate.  In the field he moves well at 3^rd base, he shows good balance and accuracy across the diamond.

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