PBR FL 2018 ProCase- Catchers

Sunday, May 20, Prep Baseball Report hosted its third annual Florida ProCase at IMG Academy in Bradenton. Since launching in 2016, the invite-only showcase has quickly become one of the most prestigious events for area juniors giving them a platform to perform in front of the scouting community as they head into their final offseason before their senior year. The previous two ProCase events have heralded some of the state’s top prep prospects in the following year’s draft.

Sam McMillan and Freddy Tarnok are two of the five players from the inaugural showcase selected in the 2017 draft, and Mason Denaburg, Andres Antonini, Robby Martin, and Luca Tresh are all examples of last year’s ProCase-ers preparing themselves for next month’s draft. Denaburg, namely, is candidate to be taken in the first round and is presently ranked No. 9 on our PBR Draft Board, that includes both college and high school draft-eligible prospects.

This year may have herald one of the deepest pools of talent in the events short, but very successful, history. Over the course of the next week we will break down every single player as follows: Outfielder, Infielders, Catchers, Two-Way Players, Pitchers. We will then announce the top uncommitted and top overall performers. Today, we take a look at the catchers. 

Christian Pregent C / 1B / Father Lopez, FL / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 81 / POS: 9 Stetson recruit. At 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, he loks longer, leaner and stronger than that. May have had the best all around day from workout to game. Defensively, the catch and throw ability has really improved. Simple, clean, quick transfer and throws had carry ranging in the 1.9-1.96. Offensively, he has a very simple swing, staying in the lower half while clearing the backside and generating above average bat speed. The bat to ball skills have been there, but the power and strength have made big strides. Has leverage in the swing and stayed on the barrel both in BP and in the game. Looks to be a big riser heading into the summer.

Maxwell Romero Jr. C / Pembroke Pines Charter, FL / 2019 Vanderbilt recruit. Standing at 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, he may have the strongest lower half of the day. Defensively, he shows an above average arm, but his natural feel behind the plate is noticeable He moves around and directs traffic with confidence. He is an above average receiver and blocker, working in the 1.9-2.03 range he shows the makings of an above average all around defender. Offensively, he is what you look for in a left-handed hitting catcher. The swing is compact, with natural loft and shows an advanced gap-to--gap approach with pull side power and more to come. Overall, he is an advanced catcher with feel to hit and power potential from the left side, which will make him a big riser and a high follow.

Jake Holland C / Montverde Academy, FL / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 11 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 30 / POS: 1 Miami recruit. He is a physical 6-foot-3, 210 pounds. He has a ton of tools, with one of the best arms from behind the plate. He topped out at 80 mph with 1.9-2.0 pop times, but throws have a ton of carry. Offensively, he can have some length at times, but is balanced in the lower half and when compact he consitently creates leverage and present power. He has a days best 93 mph exit velocity and you can see the present strength and bat speed. There is a huge upside with the abilty to be an above average defensive catcher qwith power.

Ray Torres IV C / 3B / IMG Academy, FL / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 12 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 33 / POS: 2 LSU recruit. A thick-bodied 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, he is strong throughout his frame. Despite being fairly thick, he is very quick twitch and athletic, especially behind the plate. At times he can get sped up too much, but he has very quick footwork and catch to release skills, with a strong arm, topping out at 80 mph and pop times ranging from 1.93-1.96.  Offensively, he is aggressive through the zone. He can get rotational at times and cut himself off, but when he works through the ball and get extended the ball jumps off of the barrel. He has loose, quick wrists and a stronger lower half. The quick twitch and both offensive and defensive tool will have Torres on draft boards early this summer.

Kalvin Alexander C / OF / McKeel Academy of Technology , FL / 2019 Uncommitted, he is very athletic and well-built frame. Standing at 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, he ran a 6.81 60 yard dash and can see having athletic versatility. Overall, he showed a lot of raw tools. Behind the plate, while athletic and flexible, he is raw in his footwork and receiving. The hands work, he’s flexible and athletic, which gives him a very intriguing upside. Offensively, he starts with a wide base and has a toe tap trigger. There is a lot of moving parts and can have length and some  inconsistencies, but overall there is present bat speed and strength. There are a lot of tools and athleticism that will need to continue to develop, but overall the athleticism and tools give him a quality upside.

Parker Aultman C / OF / Newberry, FL / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 103 / POS: 13 Uncommittted, Altman continues to add strength, especially to the lower half. Has grown some and put on solid muscle. Offensively, he continues to improve, showing more consistent pull side power. Defensively, there is still some stiffness, but is  grinder type in game. Pop times ranged from 2.06-2.09 and topped out at 80 mph. Continues to improve and become more consistent offensively and is a hard nose player with strength and athleticism.

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