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Preseason All-State Showcase: Class of 2017/18 Catchers

February 22, 2016

By Greg Williams
Pennsylvania Director of Scouting

and Jacob Gill
Pennsylvania Assistant Director of Scouting

Of the close to 100 prospects to showcase their abilities over two days of the 2016 Preseason All-State Showcase 20 worked out as primary catchers. Today we continue our analysis of the prospects in attendance by taking a look at the catchers in attendance. (Note: each player will be listed during the course of this series of articles at their primary position. An evaluation of a secondary position will be included if the player attended as a two-way prospect)

catchers

Michael Beimel, St. Marys Area HS (PA), Class of 2017
5-foot-10, 170-pound switch-hitter displayed similar swing mechanics from both sides of the plate with greater pop and rhythm from the left side of the plate. In both cases Beimel starts from a square stance with a high hands load and utilizes a toe-tap stride to initiate his swing. He flashed an 86 mph bat exit velocity and a feel for the barrel from both sides. The junior ran a 7.74 60-yard dash and displayed 2.10-2.18 pop times with 71 mph arm strength out of the crouch. Beimel has an athletic set up, receives with a soft, quiet glove hand and presents a soft wall when blocking.

Arturo Figueroa, Central Dauphin HS (PA), Class of 2017
5-foot-8, 170-pound switch hitter. Similar swings from both sides of the plate with slightly higher hand load from the left side. Starts from a slightly open stance and utilizes a short leg-lift stride. Showed solid feel for barrel from both sides with a line drive approach on the right and a bit more pop from the left. Registered a top bat exit velocity of 87 mph, ran a 7.06 60-yard dash and flashed pop times of 2.06-2.16 on throws of 71 mph from the crouch. Displayed a wide, athletic set up with advanced receiving and blocking skills. Showcased quick transition and solid footwork. Arm strength should continue to develop.

Michael Haley, Franklin Regional HS (PA), Class of 2017
6-foot-1, 200-pound left-handed hitter. Starts from a square stance and utilizes a high hands load along with a pronounced leg lift stride to initiate his swing. Demonstrated above average barrel whip (89 mph bat exit velocity) and some present power. Solid feel for the barrel and repeated hard contact. Showcased pop times of 2.10-2.19 with 74 mph arm strength out of the crouch. Showed quiet, soft receiving hand with an athletic stance and actions behind the plate.

Ryan Harvey, Pope John Paul II HS (PA), Class of 2017
5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed hitter. Starts from an open stance and initiates his swing with a lift-and-replace stride. Some length in his swing and a tendency to pull the bat head through the zone leads to some barrel drag with a bat exit velocity of 81 mph. Harvey ran a 7.40 60-yard dash and registered pop times of 2.22-2.25 with 71 mph arm strength out of the crouch. Presents a soft wall for blocking and an athletic, wide base to receive.

Steven Kokoski, Lakeview HS (PA), Class of 2017
6-foot-1, 205-pound right-handed hitter. Starts from a slightly open stance with a high hands load and initiates his swing with a short, toe-tap stride. Physical athlete creates advanced barrel whip (95 mph bat exit velocity) with quick hands, a direct swing path and an explosive lower half. Ran a 7.25 60-yard dash and flashed 78 mph arm strength from the crouch with pop times of 1.93-2.00. Tall defensive stance and stays tall to receive.

Jacob Maimone, Bentworth HS (PA), Class of 2018
5-foot-10, 150-pound right-handed hitter. Starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with no stride. Clears hips early losing some of his explosiveness. Registered a bat exit velocity of 77 mph and ran a 7.49 60-yard dash. Showcased pop times of 2.40-2.56 on throws of 63 mph from the crouch. Maimone will benefit from physical maturity and additional strength gains moving forward.

Jared Matte, Bishop McDevitt HS (PA), Class of 2018
5-foot-9, 175-pound right-handed hitter. Starts from a slightly open stance and utilizes a leg-lift stride to initiate his swing. Displayed some length to his swing with a flat barrel path leading to a bat exit velocity of 82 mph. Showcased 68 mph arm strength out of the crouch with pop times of 2.22-2.28. Sophomore showed solid later blocking skills.

Tate Mayes, Nicholas County HS (WV), Class of 2017
6-foot-2, 205-pound right-handed hitter. Starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a heel raise stride. Displayed a 92 mph bat exit velocity with a flat barrel path leading to consistent solid contact. Mayes flashed 75 mph arm strength out of the crouch with pop times of 2.25-2.34 from a 3/4 arm slot. Pop times would benefit from additional work to become more directional. Mayes demonstrated a solid feel for blocking and a tendency to drag the ball out of the zone when receiving.

Luke McNamara, Central Dauphin HS (PA), Class of 2017
5-foot-11, 175-pound right-handed hitter. Starts from a square stance and utilizes a leg lift stride to initiate his swing. Demonstrated some length to his swing and a tendency to pull the bat head through the hitting zone with a bat exit velocity of 85 mph. Ran a 7.14 60-yard dash and displayed pop times of 2.06-2.10 with 71 mph arm strength out of the crouch. Junior showcased quick feet, a clean transition and accurate throwing arm.

Tyler Peters, Lancaster Catholic HS (PA), Class of 2017
5-foot-11, 180-pound right-handed hitter displayed some of the top across-the-board measurables on the day. Demonstrated advanced barrel whip (95 mph) from a square stance with a short stride and a direct swing path. Ran an event best 6.63 60-yard dash and flashed pop times of 2.05-2.25 with 81 mph arm strength out of the crouch. Receiving skills lag behind his present arm strength. Foot speed, arm strength and offensive abilities will allow Peters to potentially play a number of defensive positions at the next level.

Tyler Peterson, Hollidaysburg Area HS (PA), Class of 2017
6-foot-2, 190-pound two-way prospect is a primary catcher. Right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a short leg-lift stride to initiate his swing. Physical athlete displayed advanced barrel whip (96 mph bat  exit velocity) with a feel for the barrel. Flashed pop times of 2.09-2.13 with 76 mph arm strength out of the crouch. Moves well for his size (7.45 60-yard dash). Narrow, tall set-up defensively with developing receiving skills. Potential to be solid run producer and defender at next level.

Good tempo in wind-up that features a long, clean arm action with hook into a three-quarter slot. FB sat 84-85 with baby tail and some life to it. Has the makings of two quality secondary pitches. Tight CB varied in shape some, but was at its best with 11/5 action at 74-75. CH was fairly firm at 75-77, but showed diving action when down in the zone.

Cameron Petruso, McDowell HS (PA), Class of 2017
5-foot-11, 205-pound right-handed hitter. Starts from a slightly open stance with a high hands load and initiates his swing with a toe-tap stride. Tendency to pull the bat head through the hitting zone creates some length in his swing with a bat exit velocity of 85 mph. Moves well for his size (7.21 60-yard dash). Showcased pop times of 2.09-2.22 with 79 mph arm strength out of the crouch. Displayed an open set up defensively and the ability to stay behind the ball well on low strikes.

Luke Piontek, Devon Prep (PA), Class of 2018
5-foot-10, 185-pound right-handed hitter. Starts from a slightly open stance and utilizes a toe-tap stride to initiate his swing. Stays through contact well and displayed a bat exit velocity of 83 mph. Showcased 2.25-2.31 pop times and 67 mph arm strength out of the crouch. Has a chance to be a plus receiver. Demonstrated a quiet body and allows his glove hand to work receiving the baseball. As he develops physically and gains added arm strength pop times should improve as well.

Joshua Rich, Northeastern HS (PA), Class of 2018
5-foot-9, 155-pound right-handed hitter. Starts from a square stance with a high hands load and initiates his swing with a short stride. A deep load leads to some length in his swing but he showed a feel for the barrel and solid extension with a bat exit velocity of 84 mph. Flashed a quick release and active feet with pop times of 2.15-2.28 on throws of 72 mph out of the crouch. Solid receiver allows the ball to work with a quiet body and soft glove hand.

Anthony Rota, Boyertown HS (PA), Class of 2017
5-foot-7, 180-pound right-handed hitter. Starts from a slightly open stance and initiates his swing with a short leg-lift stride. Displayed a flat barrel path, strong upper body and advanced barrel whip (93 mph bat exit velocity). Flashed pop times of 2.09-2.15 with 72 mph arm strength out of the crouch. 7.23 60-yard dash will present defensive options at the next level to get his bat into the lineup.

Casey Rother, Tamaqua Area HS (PA), Class of 2018
6-foot-4, 185-pound right-handed hitter. Starts from a square stance and initiates swing with a short stride and an aggressive move to his front side. A flat barrel path and a feel for the barrel lead to a bat exit velocity of 89 mph. Displayed pop times of 2.19-2.34 on throws of 72 mph from the crouch. Physical size may lead to a move to first base or a corner outfield position at the next level.

Jordan Scott, Lancaster Catholic HS (PA), Class of 2017
5-foot-10, 180-pound right-handed hitter. Starts from a wide, square stance and flat barrel path allows barrel to remain in hitting zone for extended periods of time. Displayed a solid feel for the barrel with the ability to use the middle of the field and a bat exit velocity of 82 mph. Showcased pop times of 2.15-2.25 with 67 mph arm strength from the crouch.

Logan Vietmeier, Montour HS (PA), Class of 2018
5-foot-11, 185-pound right-handed hitter. Starts from a slightly open stance and strides to square. Demonstrated present strength and a feel for the barrel with a bat exit velocity of 87 mph. Registered pop times of 2.19-2.25 on throws of 66 mph from the crouch. Showed solid receiving actions with a low set up and routinely keeps head behind baseball.

Hunter Witters, Eastern Lebanon County HS (PA), Class of 2017
6-foot, 210-pound left-handed hitter. Starts from an open stance and strides to square. Displayed a short swing path and hands that work well through contact with a bat exit velocity of 88 mph. Showcased a developing defensive skill set with pop times of 2.31-2.41 on throws of 71 mph out of the crouch. Showed a soft glove hand and allows ball to work as a receiver.

Previous Preseason All-State News