Deep South Invitational Positional Breakdown: Catchers

October 3, 2019
Blake Davis
State Director

There were five catchers from the Peach State that showed up at Auburn University to participate in the Deep South Invite. All of the catchers present were talented as they ranged from the 2020 to the 2022 classes. It was an impressive group that went through the morning workout and played in a game in the afternoon. Let's look at those catchers.

Orlando Santiago-Martinez C / 3B / Dalton, GA / 2022

Rankings StateRank: 64 / POS: 8

At 5-foot-9, 165-pounds Santiago-Martinez is compact and athletic in everything he does. Offensively he has good bat-speed (88 mph exit velocity) and balance at the plate. He made consistent hard contact and shows gap type power to the pull side with projectability to his game. Defensively he is also a very interesting prospect. For a young catcher he shows solid arm strength for the position (70 mph) and while his pop times (2.29-2.32) will improve with maturity, the coordination and feet are all there to make a jump as he gets stronger. This is very interesting young prospect to keep and eye and he has all the ingredients of a next level catcher that has a chance to be offensive and reliable.

Jackson Norris C / RHP / The Darlington School, GA / 2021

Norris is a strong kid at 6-foot, 190-pounds. Offensively his strength stands out showing the ability to elevate the baseball for gap type power (82 mph exit velocity). Defensively Norris moves well behind the plate and shows adequate arm strength (70 mph). His transfers where quick and throws were accurate, allowing him to post solid (2.17-2.23) pop times. Norris is an interesting prospect behind the plate with solid pop times and strength to a left-handed bat.

Tyler Jackson C / 2B / North Springs Charter , GA / 2022

Jackson has a well proportioned frame at 5-foot-9, 145 pounds. He has not yet started to get into strength, but has good actions and a solid foundation behind the plate and in the batters box. As a hitter he is balanced and on time, making consistent contact (77 mph exit velocity). Behind the plate Jakson's athleticism shows up, as he moves well and is able to be quick and accurate (2.11-2.23 pop times) with his throws. Doing so mostly we good footwork. Plenty of upside to this young, projectable and athletic backstop.

Mahkai Pelzer C / SS / Chapel Hill, GA / 2021

Pelzer is a good looking athlete behind the plate at 6-foot, 170-pounds. He shows smooth fluid actions in the box and behind the plate. Offensively Pelzer gets nice easy extension out of a upright open stance. He stays narrow throughout and never really engages his legs and leaves intrigue as to how much more is in there (79 exit velocity). Defensively he does things pretty easy and is light on his feet. Probably the most accurate thrower at the event, Pelzer pop times were also impressive (2.06-2.21). Will have a close eye out for Pelzer going forward.

Brycen Jewell C / RHP / Jefferson , GA / 2020

Rankings StateRank: 66 / POS: 9

Jewell was the elder of the group, but only by grade. The young 2020 showed plenty of next level talent behind the plate Sunday, and wasted no time committing to Lee University following the event. His arm strength stood out with a 76 mph velocity from behind the plate. Jewell matched those numbers up with good feet to achieve pop times in the range of (1.93-2.07). A the plate Jewell was balanced and showed good feel for the bat-head, both in bating practice and in live game action. Jewell solidified his desires to get an opportunity to play both ways in college at this event.