Fall Upperclass Games: Catcher Analysis

PBR Georgia hosted its second annual Fall Upperclass Games on Sunday, November 8th at LakePoint Sports in Emerson, Ga. The event brought together just over 100 uncommitted prospects from the 2021 and 2022 class. Prospects participated in a pro-style workout before splitting up into teams for simulated gameplay. Today, we will start the player report analysis with the catchers who attended.

The top catching prospect at the event was uncommitted C Ryan Martin (Lassiter, 2022). Martin really stood out during the offensive workout with arguably the best round of batting practice. He routinely created hard contact to the left-center gap, elevating the ball. There is aggression and intent behind the swing as he looks to tear the laces off the ball each time. Over his 15 or so pitch round of batting practice, he averaged an exit velocity of 92.46.

Following Martin is a prospect who was one of the biggest statistical winners of the day, C J.R. Fordham (Bleckley County, 2022). Fordham posted the top pop times at 1.96 and top catcher velocity at 81. He also ranked at the top of the leaderboards in Max TrackMan Exit Velocity (95.18), Blast Max Hand Speed (27.10), and Blast Max Barrel Speed (80.00). Fordham is a muscular athlete, standing 5-foot-9, 175-pounds.

Keep reading to see reports on the rest of the top catchers along with reports on the remaining catchers, listed alphabetically.

Top Catcher Prospects

Ryan Martin, Lassiter (GA), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-foot-9, 180-pounds. Physical build, wide frame, strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Tall, open setup, hands start low and load back smoothly, rhythm throughout, long stride to a balanced position. Power hitter, aggressive swing, intent, looks to do damage with each swing, middle/pull approach, quick, strong hands, explosive lower half.
Power: 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Big power potential, sent a number of balls out of the park to the pull-side. Averaged 92.46 exit velocity via TrackMan over a 15 pitch bp.
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph. Traditional catcher's arm action, short and quick, over-the-top slot, kept throws around the bag.
Defense: 2.01-2.07 pop times. Plays through the ball, clean receiver, good hands, quick exchange, uses large frame well to block.
Run: 7.32 runner in the 60.

J.R. Fordham, Bleckley County (GA), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-foot-9, 160-pounds. Sturdy, muscular build, wide frame, athletic.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, low hands load back as he cocks the barrel, loads weight onto back-side with a short leg kick timing trigger, keeps weight on back-side. Barrel path is somewhat uphill through the zone, quick, strong hands flick the barrel through the zone, create hard line drive contact, when he gets extension he can drive the ball with force middle/pull.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. 27.10 max hand speed, 80.00 max bat speed via Blast.
Arm: RH. C - 81 mph. Short, arm action to a low 3/4 slot, kept throws low, utilized a short hop off the turf to second.
Defense: 1.96-2.08 pop times. Short, quick footwork, gets around at-times, soft hands receiving, exchanges can work long.
Run: 7.15 runner in the 60. Clean gait.

Will Beckham, Bainbridge (GA), 2021 Young Harris commit
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-foot-10, 185-pounds. Athletic build, lean, muscular build, room for more strength.
Hit: RHH. Keeps it simple, balanced setup, short, smooth hand load, short stride, great balance through finish. Hit path is short to the zone, level through, easy effort swing, when he gains extension the ball jumps off bat to pull-side.
Power: 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Pull-side power, 24.50 max hand speed and 76.00 max bat speed.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Short arm action to an over-the-top slot, front side leaks out early at-times, throws are true.
Defense: 2.04-2.11 pop times. Plays through the ball, clean footwork, good receiver, quick exchange, gets to release quickly.
Run: 7.44 runner in the 60.

Jacob Tolson, Calhoun (GA), 2022
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-foot-0, 180-pounds. Muscular build, proportional frame.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, low hands load back into a near arm bar,short leg lift stride, finishes on back-side. Hit path is long to the zone, short through, mostly level through the zone, creates hard line drive contact with strong hands/wrists, used the entire field.
Power: 92 mph exit velocity from the tee. Generated a max exit velocity of 99.51 via TrackMan.
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph. Traditional catcher's arm action, short and over-the-top, throws are true and accurate.
Defense: 2.03-2.11 pop times. Quick, clean footwork, works through the ball, good receiver, short, smooth transfers.
Run: 7.52 runner in the 60.

Jacob Cooper, South Paulding (GA), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-foot-11, 190-pounds. Physical, thick frame, wide base, strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Wide, open setup, starts with barrel wrapped, hands load back, good balance through finish. Smooth swing, barrel path somewhat uphill through the zone, pull-side hitter, ball jumps off bat when he gets extension.
Power: 97 mph exit velocity from the tee. Power potential.
Arm: RH. C - 68 mph. Arm plays short to a high 3/4 slot, accurate on throws.
Defense: 2.02-2.08 pop times. Quick footwork, plays through, short, clean on transfers, gets to release quickly.
Run: 7.90 runner in the 60.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Jacob Ashley, Model (GA), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-foot-3, 225-pounds. Thick, physical build, strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, deep, smooth hand load, strides open with a leg lift.  Barrel path is level through the zone, gap-to-gap type hitter, generates hard contact with physical frame.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Power potential.
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. Short, pie action on the back-side, over-the-top slot, kept throws on-line.
Defense: 2.19-2.29 pop times. Creates a large target, heavy feet, competent receiver, clean transfers.
Run: 8.25 runner in the 60.

Dominic Elam, Union Grove (GA), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-foot-10, 185-pounds. Strong, sturdy build, physical lower half.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, hands load back smoothly, some barrel wrap, short stride, finishes over the plate. Power, pull-side approach, quick hands, early timing, barrel path is long to level through, gets hands extended.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Pull-side power.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Arm works longer on the back-side than traditional, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.07-2.15 pop times. Flexible lower half, soft hands receiving, clean footwork and exchanges.
Run: 7.68 runner in the 60.

Hutch Ezell, Mill Creek (GA), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-foot-2, 190-pounds. Long, lanky frame, lots of room to fill out.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, athletic crouch in knees, low hand hands, good rhythm, smooth load, leg kick timing trigger, good balance.  Swing path is short to the zone, mostly level through, generates hard contact with his long levers, especially when he gets extension, power middle/pull.
Power: 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Big power potential as he fills out his lanky frame. 94.91 max exit velocity via TrackMan, 26.30 max hand speed via Blast.
Arm: RH. C - 68 mph. Short arm action to a 3/4 slot, kept throws around the target.
Defense: 2.12-2.22 pop times. Competent receiver, has a tendency to stand up out of crouch, clean on transfers.
Run: 7.75 runner in the 60.

Jackson Forrester, Clarke Central (GA), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-foot-2, 175-pounds. Lean, lanky frame, room for fill out.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, loads weight and hands back, short stride, good balance, lower half collapses. Barrel path is mostly level, looks to lift and elevate the ball, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot, cocks hand on draw.
Defense: 2.19-2.32 pop times. Flexible hips and knees, creates a low target, clean footwork, long on transfers.
Run: 8.31 runner in the 60.

Easton Harrison, Northgate (GA), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-foot-8, 160-pounds. Proportional, medium sized frame, growth left to do.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, smooth hands load back, low sweeping stride, finishes on back-side. Swing path is level through the zone, some length to, line drive type hitter, middle/pull approach.
Power: 72 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. Short arm action, some pie action, slot varied between 3/4 and high 3/4, kept throws around the target.
Defense: 2.18-2.29 pop times. Solid receiver, clean footwork, keeps momentum on-line, clean on transfers.
Run: 8.03 runner in the 60.

Nicholas Hong, Mountain View (GA), 2021
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-foot-9, 180-pounds. Strong, sturdy build.
Hit: RHH. Wide, balanced setup, high back elbow, loads back into an arm bar, short stride. Hit path is level through the zone, power, pull approach, gains extension through contact.
Power: 90 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Short, quick arm action to an over-the-top slot, kept throws around the bag.
Defense: 2.07-2.11 pop times. Consistent, quick, clean footwork, carries momentum on-line towards second, clean exchanges.
Run: 7.75 runner in the 60.

Tyler Jackson, North Springs Charter (GA), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-foot-10, 155-pounds. Long, lean frame, wiry strength
Hit: RHH. Open setup, hands load back smoothly, reverse toe-tap stride, finishes with heavy rotation. Barrel path is uphill through the zone, some lift, looks to elevate to the pull-side.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Short arm action to a high 3/4 slot, quick arm speed, kept throws on target to the first base side of the bag.
Defense: 2.08-2.17 pop times. Plays through the ball, clean footwork, carries momentum on-line, clean on transfers.
Run: 7.50 runner in the 60.

James Lipsey, Grayson (GA), 2021
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 180-pounds. Proportionally built, strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, short hand load, leg kick timing trigger, good balance through finish. Swing path works with some length to the zone, leve through the zone, able to produce back spin, flashed pull-side power when he gains extension.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. Short, quick arm action to an over-the-top slot, kept throws around the bag..
Defense: 2.06-2.14 pop times. Plays through the ball, good hands receiving, clean on transfers, can get long at-times.
Run: 7.51 runner in the 60.

Chris Maddeaux, Ridgeland  (GA), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-foot-10, 180-pounds. Physical, thick build, strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, weight preloaded on back-side, hands smoothly load back, short stride. Barrel path is uphill through the zone, early timing, looks to elevate and build, gets good extension.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Pull-side power.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. Short arm action to an over-the-top slot.
Defense: 2.18-2.25 pop times. Plays through the ball, at-times stabs on reception, clean footwork, inconsistent on transfers.
Run: 7.44 runner in the 60.

Jackson Norris, The Darlington School (GA), 2021
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-foot-0, 190-pounds. Strong, athletic build.
Hit: LHH. Tall, open setup, hands start high, pronounced barrel wrap on load, long stride to a balanced position. Hit path is long to the zone, mostly level through, pull-side approach, hard line drive contact.
Power: 93 mph exit velocity from the tee. Bat strength.
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. Short arm action, slot varied between over-the-top and high 3/4, kept throws around the target.
Defense: 2.11-2.19 pop times. Flexible lower half, keeps upper half upright, clean on receiver, smooth transfers, stays low through release, at-times can get around the ball.
Run: 7.30 runner in the 60.

Nat Taylor, North Cobb Christian (GA), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-foot-0, 165-pounds. Lean, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, hands load back smoothly, muscles up on load, short leg lift stride, good balance through finish. Gap-to-gap type hitter, barrel path is mostly level through the zone, inconsistent timing.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. Short, loose arm out of an over-the-top slot, throws are true with back spin, kept throws on-line.
Defense: 2.12-2.20 pop times. Plays through the ball with fluid footwork, clean on exchanges, at-times will tab on reception.
Run: 7.16 runner in the 60.

Related Content