Class of 2022 Showcase: Catcher Analysis
December 7, 2020
On Oct. 18, the PBR Illinois staff welcomed participating juniors to this open event in the Chicagoland area: the Class of 2022 Showcase. Over 130 players in the state’s 2022 class ventured to The MAX complex in McCook to perform in front of our staff, helping us gain a greater understanding of Illinois’ junior class, and nearly all of these players remain uncommitted.
We previously published analysis from the event in the days that followed, in the form of our Quick Hits and Statistical Analysis posts. We’ll be rolling out our position-by-position scouting reports this week, beginning today with the day’s catchers.
One of the top power bats in the class belongs to Victor Izquierdo (Lockport Township), who produced one of the day’s loudest rounds of BP, in a crowded field. Listed at a highly physical 6-foot-2, Izquierdo generates advanced bat speed and he uses his istrength fluidly through impact, creating a noteworthy power profile to remember, as he remains uncommitted. Despite his size, Izquierdo moves athletically behind the plate, promoting the chance to remain at the position, though he also looks capable of becoming a defensive asset at first base, too.
Colin Horneman (Mount Carmel) and Keegan Connors (Jacobs) ranked next to each other following Izquierdo. Horneman took one of the more advanced rounds of catcher defense, with quick and athletic actions, paired with a quiet and loose right-handed bat. Connors is a high-level athlete who also showed very well in the outfield, and his left-handed swing is especially fast, and it produced some of the event’s hardest and farthest hit baseballs.
From Prospect, Kyle Odeshoo turned in arguably the most complete defensive look at backstop. He’s quiet and athletic on the catch-and-throw, and he’s also a very reliable receiver, as evidenced during the numerous bullpens he caught during pitcher evals.
Continue on below for an in-depth look at the event’s catchers.
TOP CATCHING PROSPECTS
1. Victor Izquierdo, Lockport Township (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 1B/C
Body: 6-2, 200-pounds. Large, muscular build; broad shoulders.
Hit: RHH. Tall/balanced setup, hands set low, bat vertical; quiet, fluid pre-pitch. Maintains balance well through highly aggressive, assertive swings. Natural loft in path, fluid momentum to landing helps sync up hard-hit contact efficiently. Generates advanced bat and hand speed, while his size helps him impact the ball at a substantial rate. Per Blast, averaged 73.1 mph bat speed, 23.3 hand speed.
Power: 98 mph exit velocity from the tee. Inherent strength complements his swing path to produce one of the top power profiles in the class; averaged an exit speed of 95.1 mph at an average distance of 286 feet with a 372-foot max, the day's farthest.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. INF - 77 mph. Short, loose throws from a 3/4 slot from both behind the plate and at first base. Accuracy to the bag.
Defense: 2.01-2.15 pop times. At catcher, moves fluidly for his size behind the plate, which helped him average some of the lowest pop times of the day. Quick and efficient from transfer to release while consistently on target; showed soft blocking skills. At first base, projects to be an asset at the position. Athletic movements, range for the position, feel to become a target. Soft hands, steady feet.
Run: 7.27 runner in the 60. Efficient runner, above-average speed, especially for his size.
2. Colin Horneman, Mount Carmel (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds. Lean, wiry frame that projects to add strength as he matures.
Hit: RHH. Quiet in the box, tall setup, smooth and efficient hand load, steady leg lift trigger, strong lead leg block at footstrike. Loose hands, short and simple stroke, uphill bat path, line drive approach.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Short and loose arm action, high 3/4 window.
Defense: 2.00-2.13 pop times. Athletic lower half, loose hips, feet gain ground in tandem towards the bag. Soft hands, clean exchange, quick to release at times. Smooth, effortless execution throughout.
Run: 7.18 runner in the 60. Above-average runner for position.
3. Keegan Connors, Jacobs (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-7, 150-pounds. Compact, athletic build.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, some knee bend, leg kick, smooth pre-pitch actions. Fluid rhythm, advanced bat speed, gap-to-gap approach, easy effort and consistently on the barrel.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Max exit velocity of 94.75 mph in BP via TrackMan, max bat speed of 77.4 mph, via Blast.
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. OF - 90 mph. Catcher: Short, compact arm action, intent to keep the ball down, 79 MPH from the crouch. Outfield: Over-the-top arm slot, throws carry. 90 mph from the outfield was tied for best at the event.
Defense: 2.10-2.28 pop times. Catcher: athletic from crouch, works towards second base on throw downs, clean exchange and release. Outfield: moves quick, advanced feet, soft hands, plays through the ball.
Run: 6.75 runner in the 60. Well-above average runner.
4. Kyle Odeshoo, Prospect (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-11, 180-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, quiet pre-pitch rhythm, bat wraps at load, stead toe-tap trigger into a long stride. Athletic hands with some bat speed, stays short to the baseball, level bat head through the zone. Steady line drive contact, pull-side approach, flashed juice on the barrel - max exit speed of 92.64 in BP, per TrackMan. Showed exceptional rotational acceleration, averaging 20.44 g and maxing at 25.2 g.
Power: 90 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Short and loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.15-2.20 pop times. Quiet setup behind the plate, athletic posture, feet gain ground towards the bag. Soft hands at gather, clean and quick transfer to release.
Run: 7.53 runner in the 60.
T-5. Jack McNamara, Lyons Township (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-0, 185-pounds. Athletic frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, hands start back, slight bat wrap at load, short stride. Quick hands with loose wrists, averaged 75.09 mph of bat speed per Blast Motion. Simple swing, short and level bat path, elevates the baseball. Knack for the barrel, flashed juice to the pull-side, hits in a smooth rhythm.
Power: 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Max exit speed of 93.32 mph with a max fly ball distance of 342 feet in BP, per TrackMan.
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph. Short arm circle fomes out of a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.08-2.26 pop times. Athletic setup, feet work in line towards target, secure exchange, recoil finish.
Run: 7.24 runner in the 60.
T-5. Owen Ross, Yorkville (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/C
Body: 6-2, 190-pounds. Highly-athletic build with present strength; long, wiry levers.
Hit: RHH. Tall, open setup, back elbow raised; fluid, quiet pre-pitch. Fluid stride to square landing; loose hands generate whippy bat speed. Simple, aggressive approach. Short bat path that utilized a gap-to-gap approach efficiently.
Power: 95 mph exit velocity from the tee. Demonstrated repeated hard-hit barrel feel; averaged an exit speed of 86.7 mph during batting practice, per TrackMan.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. INF - 86 mph. At catcher, short, loose arm action to an over-the-top slot. Similar action on the infield with greater arm strength, throws carried more frequently.
Defense: 2.07-2.26 pop times. From behind the plate, actions were consistently direct, fluid, and efficient; easy athleticism through finish. On the infield, calm/confident on approach; pack through exchange, efficient actions otherwise. Fluid through funnel and transfer. Above-average overall actions at both positions.
Run: 7.17 runner in the 60.
Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)
Tommy Abbatacola, Harvest Christian (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-10, 178-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced slightly crouched setup, quiet and smooth hand load, short stride. Athletic hands, uphill bat path with some length through the zone, repeats well.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. INF - 80 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.15-2.30 pop times. Worked out behind the dish and on the infield. Athletic stance, clean hand transfer, nimble feet that work in line to the bag. Attacks the baseball in the field, hands work out front, sees ball deep into hip.
Run: 7.48 runner in the 60.
Leo Anderson, Lake Forest (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-0, 185-pounds. Strong, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Open stance, hands load straight back at load, high leg kick trigger to footstrike. Strong hands with bat speed, level bat path with an elevated attack angle, pull-side approach. Showed above-average bat strength with advanced raw power to pair; max exit speed of 94.74 mph and max fly ball distance of 340 feet in BP, per TrackMan.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. OF - 76 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot. Accurate throws to the bag from the crouch.
Defense: 2.14-2.32 pop times. Worked out at catcher and outfield. Wide stance behind the plate, quick hand transfer, feet work to the left of the bag at release. Attacks the baseball in a staggered rhythm in the outfield, some length at transfer, plays through the baseball
Run: 7.10 runner in the 60.
Kaden Boyce, Batavia (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-0, 165-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, high hands start back by ear, quick toe-tap trigger. Barrel head stays flat through the zone, simple line drive approach.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Some length at arm stroke, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.21-2.34 pop times. Quiet in the crouch, greets the ball with two hands at gather, clean to release.
Run: 7.66 runner in the 60.
Dylan Brown, Danville (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-1, 170-pounds.
Hit: SH. Tall setup, front foot starts more open from the right side, some pre-pitch rhythm, hands slot back, short stride. Long and uphill bat path, pull-side approach from both sides of the plate.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.35-2.40 pop times. Narrow base, sits back into hips, long to release
Run: 8.09 runner in the 60.
Nathan Conrad, Plainfield Central (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-11, 180-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, bat starts rested on back shoulder, minimal load, quick stride to even. Short bat path, line drive approach, comfortable going the other way.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.10-2.26 pop times. Balanced start, feet shuffle in tandem to the bag, clean hand transfer to release.
Run: 7.74 runner in the 60.
Tyler Dean, Benet Academy (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-11, 200-pounds. Strong lower half.
Hit: RHH. Quiet in the box, balanced setup, smooth hand load into a comfortable hitting position, short stride. Strong hands/wrists with hand speed, short and level bat path, gap-to-gap approach. Max exit speed of 96.38 mph with a max fly ball distance of 343 feet.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.08-2.13 pop times. Athletic base with loose hips, gains ground towards the bag, soft hand transfer to a quick release, adept blocker. Presents the ball well at gather.
Run: 7.86 runner in the 60.
Matt Dworsky, Deerfield (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-11, 195-pounds. Large frame.
Hit: RHH. Crouched setup, hands load back with a slight drop, high leg lift trigger. Quick hands, level bat path, feel to elevate, consistent gap-to-gap approach. Flashed above-average bat strength in BP - max exit speed of 93.86 mph with a max fly ball distance of 354 feet, per TrackMan.
Power: 91 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Short arm stroke, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.05-2.14 pop times. Narrow base, lower half creates forward momentum towards the bag, quick trigger to release.
Run: 7.31 runner in the 60.
Dylan Evans, Plainfield North (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-10, 165-pounds. Athletic, proportionally strong build.
Hit: RHH. Slightly crouched setup, balanced lower half, smooth pre-pitch hand rhythm into load, leg lift trigger. Quick bat, hands stay level through the zone, gap-to-gap approach. Some feel for the barrel, consistently hits in rhythm.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Shorter arm circle, over-the-top slot.
Defense: 2.20-2.33 pop times. Lower half starts balanced, slightly upright at gather, feet work in rhythm towards the bag, clean hand transfer, athletic blocker.
Run: 7.09 runner in the 60.
Dylan Holmes, Libertyville (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-11, 185-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, slight pre-pitch hand movement into a back load, short stride. Simple swing, hands stay short to the baseball, line drive approach, worked the other way.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Short arm stroke comes out of a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.01-2.19 pop times. Starts balanced behind the plate, smooth footwork, quick trigger to release.
Run: 7.29 runner in the 60.
Michael Jeffers, Stagg (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-9, 150-pounds. Athletic build.
Hit: SH. Balanced setup, open front foot, hands start lower from the left side, high elbow at load, quick toe-tap timing trigger. Long and uphill bat path, consistently went towards right field, swings with intent.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Arm plays with some length in the back, finishes from an over-the-top slot.
Defense: 2.21-2.33 pop times. Upright stance, tall at gather, clean transfer, some length to release.
Run: 7.39 runner in the 60.
Tristan Kerr, Lake Forest (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-1, 190-pounds. Strong, broad-shouldered frame.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, heavy weight shift onto back leg, quick pre-pitch bat waggle, hands drop at load, short stride to even. Strong hands/wrists with bat speed; averaged 75.42 mph of bat speed and 24.50 mph of hand speed, per Blast Motion. Short and level path, advanced gap-to-gap power for age. Consistent loud contact on the barrel; average exit speed of 88.08 mph in BP, per TrackMan.
Power: 93 mph exit velocity from the tee. Raw tools of a future middle-of-the-order bat - max exit speed of 97.72 paired with a max fly ball distance of 356 feet in batting practice.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Compact arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.00-2.06 pop times. Wide base, flexible hips, gains momentum towards his target, quick transfer to release.
Run: 7.43 runner in the 60.
Ike Maaske, Glenbard West (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-10, 170-pounds. Muscular frame with some physicality attached to it.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, hands start high above head, quick pre-pitch hand movement, back elbow load, leg lift trigger. Short path, bat head catches the ball out front, steady line drive contact.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. Compact arm stroke, over-the-top slot.
Defense: 2.33-2.44 pop times. Sinks back into hips, lower half stays in line with the bag, chests up the baseball at block.
Run: 7.25 runner in the 60.
James Martin, Fenwick (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-10, 155-pounds. Athletic build.
Hit: LHH. Tall setup, open front foot, hands start high and drop slightly at load, short stride to even. Long and uphill bat path.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.13-2.28 pop times. Balanced base, lower half works direct to target, simple hand transfer to release.
Run: 7.56 runner in the 60.
Jake Merda, St. Laurence (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-0, 170-pounds. Lean strength in levers.
Hit: RHH. Wide, balanced base; quiet pre-pitch with hands set high, bat rests on shoulder. Short, simple load back; long stride even. Short, simple, repeatable bat path that lines up line-drive contact well.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 80 mph. INF - 75 mph. Short, loose throws from a 3/4 slot. Flashed carry, accuracy.
Defense: 2.25-2.30 pop times. Some length in transfer, works on line, direct from the chute; efficient overall. Showed athleticism blocking balls in the dirt.
Run: 7.57 runner in the 60.
Filip Milatovic, Von Steuben (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-11, 190-pounds. Strong, physical build.
Hit: RHH. Quiet in the box, smooth bat wrap load, short stride. Simple swing, long and uphill bat path, elevates naturally through the contact, gap-to-gap approach. Intriguing power potential, max exit speed of 92.95 mph with a max fly ball distance of 317 feet in BP, per TrackMan.
Power: 93 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot. Accurate throws to the bag.
Defense: 2.07-2.20 pop times. Tall start, feet work towards the left of the bag, clean hand transfer funnels into a quick release.
Run: 7.70 runner in the 60.
Niko Neckopulos, Cary-Grove (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-0, 210-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, hands start over center of body and load back quickly, loud leg kick trigger to footstrike. Strong wrists, uphill bat path, favors pull-side, swings with intent.
Power: 79 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 68 mph. Short arm stroke, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.26-2.40 pop times. Tall at hand gather, feet work in line with the bag, occasionally quick to release.
Run: 8.00 runner in the 60.
Ryan O'Farrell, Oak Forest (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-0, 160-pounds. Long frame, room for physical development.
Hit: RHH. Wide, pigeon-toed base; balanced. Loads back in slight wrap, front foot pivot. Bat path can get long to the zone; athletic hands help work the middle of the field at times. Balanced through finish.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. OF - 84 mph. Short arm action to an over-the-top slot. In the outfield, long, loose throws from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.28-2.35 pop times. Works directly toward the target out of the crouch; receives it low, flexible. In the outfield, one-hand gather in careful, fundamental approach. Efficient through funnel and exchange; plays through the ball well.
Run: 7.46 runner in the 60.
Max Oliveira, Loyola Academy (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-2, 175-pounds. Athletic, long-limbed frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, open stance, hands start back at chest height, smooth load, short stride to even. Quick hands, averaged 74.37 mph of bat speed, per Blast Motion. Level bat path with an elevated attack angle at times, gap-to-gap approach, loose feel for the barrel. Max exit speed of 93.27 mph with a max fly ball distance of 332 feet in BP, per TrackMan.
Power: 92 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: 2.12-2.25 pop times. Tall posture at gather, soft hands, quick hip turn out of the crouch, smooth hand transfer to a clean release.
Run: 7.37 runner in the 60.
Brendan Pasquale, Plainfield South (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-8, 150-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, slightly open, crouched, smooth load, short stride. Works slightly uphill, used the middle some
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. INF - 77 mph. High 3/4 arm slot, short action.
Defense: 2.30-2.46 pop times. Catcher: receives from one knee at times, steady receiver, feet work in line to second base on throw downs. Infield: works around, then through the ball, steady hands.
Run: 7.76 runner in the 60.
Tyler Patton, Waubonsie Valley (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-0, 220-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, bat starts rested on back shoulder, hands load back, short stride. Long and uphill bat path.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.30-2.47 pop times. Upright at gather, feet shuffle towards the bag.
Run: 8.64 runner in the 60.
Joseph Perona, Lane Tech College Prep (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-0, 155-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Tall setup, open base, hands start at chest height and load back into a high elbow, short stride to close. Short bat path, line drive approach.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. Quick arm circle finishes out of an over-the-top slot.
Defense: 2.16-2.27 pop times. Quick to release from the crouch.
Run: 6.87 runner in the 60.
Tyler Pflomm, Hersey (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-11, 207-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, slight bend in the lower half, wide base, quiet hand load back, toe-tap timing trigger. Strong hands/wrists, averaged 72.69 mph of bat speed per BlastMotion, stays short to the baseball, flat barrel through the zone, line drive approach. Aggressive hacks, flashed some serious juice on the barrel; average exit speed of 87.33 mph with a max exit speed of 98.91 mph in BP, per TrackMan.
Power: 95 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Short arm stroke, over-the-top slot.
Defense: 2.14-2.28 pop times. Balanced lower half, sinks back into hips, feet gain ground towards the bag, quick hand transfer to release.
Run: 7.46 runner in the 60.
Noah Riley, Cary Grove (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-1, 170-pounds. Athletic frame.
Hit: LHH. Tall, balanced setup, small stride, some fluidity pre-pitch. Simple swing, level path, line-drive approach.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. OF - 76 mph. Over-the-top arm slot, short action.
Defense: 2.22-2.33 pop times. Catcher: confident receiver, athletic out of crouch, works around plate on throw downs. Outfield: sets up behind the ball, works through it.
Run: 7.32 runner in the 60.
Christopher Suchoski, Plainfield Central (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-9, 163-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, quick pre-pitch hand rhythm, bat wraps at load, leg kick trigger to footstrike. Quick hands, short and level bat path, line drive approach, some feel for the barrel.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot. Accurate throws to the bag.
Defense: 2.09-2.20 pop times. Balanced stance, lower half shuffles towards the left side of the bag, clean transfer to a quick release.
Run: 7.29 runner in the 60.
Alexander Tagler, Lemont (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-8, 180-pounds. Strong, compact frame.
Hit: RHH. Wide, athletic base, small stride. Short, compact swing, works inside the ball, uses the middle of the field, line-drive approach, flashed bat speed.
Power: 93 mph exit velocity from the tee. Max exit velocity of 92.25 MPH in BP via TrackMan.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. OF - 85 mph. Catcher: Short arm action, mostly kept the ball down. Outfield: Over-the-top arm slot, some carry.
Defense: 2.09-2.26 pop times. Catcher: works from the bottom-up when receiving, works towards second on throw downs. Outfield: quiet feet, smooth actions, steady hands, plays through the ball.
Run: 7.05 runner in the 60.
Tommy Tepavchevich, G51 Lockport Township (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-11, 163-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Crouched setup, open base, quick bat tip load as hands slot backward, leg lift trigger to footstrike. Level bat path, steady line drive approach.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Short arm stroke, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.16-2.28 pop times. Upright posture at hand gather, lower half plays towards the bag, clean transfer, chests up the baseball on blocks.
Run: 7.55 runner in the 60.
Aidan Van Duzer, LaSalle Peru (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-6, 250-pounds. Large build; some physicality in stature.
Hit: RHH. Tall/open setup; loads onto back leg, lead leg drifts back and hangs in slight coil. Fluid stride to square; generates simple bat speed of a smooth, short path, uphill through impact. Innate strength in size produces some power potential.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Above-average bat strength; averaged an exit speed of 86.7 mph during batting practice and a 97.9 max.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. INF - 69 mph. Short arm action from a high 3/4 slot at both first and catcher.
Defense: 2.37-2.51 pop times. Projects best at first base; fluid feet, feel for the base at first. At catcher, works fundamentally, controlled actions to the target.
Run: 7.96 runner in the 60.
Aydin Wright, b16 Thornwood (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-10, 160-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Quiet in the box, balanced setup, smooth load, steady leg lift trigger, controlled through contact. Simple swing, loose hands, uphill bat path with some length through the zone, comfortable hitting the ball where it's pitched.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Short and quick arm circle comes out of an over-the-top slot.
Defense: 2.06-2.18 pop times. Starts tall out of the crouch, quick hand transfer and hip turn in tandem, feet play through the baseball towards the bag.
Run: 7.13 runner in the 60.
Blake Wulfekuhle, Dunlap (), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-9, 160-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, smooth hand load into a high hitting position, high leg kick trigger, hips fire into a strong lead leg block. Short and level bat path, flashed all-fields feel, occasionally works out front.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 68 mph. Short arm stroke, over-the-top slot.
Defense: 2.22-2.53 pop times. Balanced stance, feet stay in line with the bag, works quick from the crouch to release.
Run: 7.07 runner in the 60.
Michael Zedak, St. Laurence (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-10, 180-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Crouched setup, open stance, active pre-pitch hand rhythm, smooth load into a short stride. Loose hands, short and uphill bat path, some lift through contact, gap-to-gap approach. Smooth/easy actions throughout.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. INF - 71 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.33-2.50 pop times. Worked out behind the plate and on the diamond. Upright posture at gather from the crouch, clean exchange, feet shuffle in line to the bag. Fields low to the ground on the infield, hands work out front, packs to release.
Run: 7.27 runner in the 60.