By Doug Freeman
Florida Scouting Director

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Kissimmee, FL—This past Saturday, 50 talented unsigned seniors came to Osceola County Stadium to play in Florida’s first Unsigned Senior Games. The players ran through a pro-style workout, which included throws from the outfield, ground balls at shortstop and first, pop times from the catchers and batting practice. Following the pro-style event, the players were split into four teams playing two games in which each primary pitcher was able to throw two innings.

Let's round out our positional breakdown by taking a look at the catchers from the event:

Josh Rulli. C. Riverview HS, FL.
The strong 5-foot-10, 185-pound right-handed hitting catcher was one of the most impressive performers in the event. In the pro-style workout he proved to be an average to above catcher with a quick release and best pop time at 2.0. In the game he also showed the ability to receives well with present strength in his forearms and block well to both sides with some flexibility. Offensively, he took two solid rounds of batting practice, showing his ability to drive the ball gap-to-gap and also show some aggressive pull side power. With a wide set-up and leg kick trigger, he creates a lot of rhythm while staying on time and generating significant torque with his lower half. This resulted in a lot of bat speed through the zone and an exit velocity of 92 mph off of the tee. The swing translated well into the game, resulting in two singles, a triple, and a deep fly ball to center. Every at-bat he had during the game he found the barrel. He showed his athleticism and hand eye both offensively and defensively in the game. With the toolset he showed today, there is no reason he should not be able to play at a high level at the next stop in his career.

Joe Kelly. C. Park Vista HS, FL.
The 6-foot-1, 210-pound catcher is built for the position. He has a strong, thick lower half and defensively is a little stiff, but has a quick transfer with his best pop time being 1.94. He also blocked and received the ball well in the game. Offensively, the right-handed hitter hits from an upright stance and with a slight weight shift and leg kick trigger, when he is in rhythm and on time the ball jumped in batting practice especially to the pull side. He has quick hand and a good slightly uphill path through the zone. This resulted in an exit velocity of 87 mph off of the tee and a single in the game.

Riley Wash. C. Lake Brantley HS, FL
The broad-shouldered 6-foot-1, 175-pound catcher looks like there is a lot of room to continue to fill out and get stronger. Being one of the more projectable guys, he also showed multiple present tools. Defensively, he was consistently sub 2.0 with his pop times with his best being a 1.95. He shows a strong arm and can continue to shave time as he improves his footwork and transfers. Offensively, the right-handed hitter shows quick hands through the zone with a level line drive path. When he utilized his lower half he showed some gap-to-gap power with much more to come. The hand eye is very good and the hands worked well, producing two singles and a double in the game. The kid seems to be an extremely hard worker with some present tools and projectability which all makes him very interesting at the next level.

Giovany Lorenzo. C. Canterbury HS, FL.
The stocky 5-foot-10, 185-pound switch hitting catcher has a strong lower half and was solid all the way around again. Behind the plate, he shows a strong arm with his best pop time being 1.96 while showing  a 2.08 in game on the bag to catch a runner stealing. He can continue to improve this time with improved transfer and quicker footwork. Offensively, the switch hitter is strong and has quick hands but is noticeably more stiff from the right side. From the left side, there is much more fluidity with a good feel for the barrel. During the game he showed the tendency to leak open early and get around the ball at times from the left side, but when he stayed closed he drove two singles the other way.

Isaac Quinones. C. West Broward HS, FL.
The 5-foot-9, 183-pound catcher was impressive in the pro-style workout. He showed a very quick transfer and a strong arm making accurate throws to second with his best pop time being a 1.94. At the plate, the right-handed hitter has a strong lower half, but tends to hit off of a weak front side. His hands work quickly through the zone with a level, line drive path. He has a bit of a shouldered load, but stays in rhythm and on time. In the game, he showed the ability to stay stronger on his front side with a single and a hard flyout to center driving in a run.