IA Top Prospect Games: Catching Analysis

September 22, 2015

By Rob Allison
Prep Baseball Report Iowa

The Prep Baseball Report Iowa's Top Prospect Games took place on August 9th, 2015 at Duane Banks Field on the campus of the University of Iowa. The showcase featured prospects from the 2016 class who showcased their talents in front of our scouting staff, college coaches, and professional scouts.

Today we start our position by position analysis with catchers. This group had a variety of talent including catch and throw guys, strong receivers and blockers, and offensive oriented players. When we create this list we evaluate the overall package of abilities along with future projection at the college level.

The top catching performance at this year's IA Top Prospect Games was by Austin Martin from Southeast Polk. Martin performed extremely well in the showcase and game portions of the event; collecting multiple hits while posting a 1.84 pop time with 89 mph exit velocities off the tee.

The competition was stout in this event; as every catcher present showed the ability and skills required to play in college behind the plate. All of them should be garnering considerable interest from college's at varying levels.

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catching prospects (listed alphabetically)

Greg Anderberg, C, Ankeny, 2016
5-foot-10, 150-pound switch-hitting catcher. 7.59 runner. Short to contact from left-side. Good balance and separation after contact. Gap to gap approach and uses whole field. Some length to contact right-handed. Mid/pull approach. Majority of AB’s from left-side in games. 77 mph exit velocity. One of best catchers in state in ’16 class. 1.98 pop time- consistently on bag with throws. High energy with above avg. skill set. Consistently blocks and receives well. Flexible body. Also skilled as middle infielder. Overall game will improve with added strength.

Carter Eldridge, C, Waukee, 2016
5-foot-11, 180-pound right-handed hitting catcher. 7.43 runner. Strong build. Front heel turn trigger. Some stiffness in lower half of swing. Strength in swing to middle/pull side of field. Good connection in upper half and short to contact. 82 mph exit velocity off tee. Soft hands receiving. Clean exchanges. Good footwork with short release. Accurate arm to bag with 72 mph arm strength and pop times ranging 2.00-2.05. Strong follow behind the plate in 2016 class.

Brady Harpenau, C, Remsen St. Mary’s, 2016
5-foot-10, 175-pound left-handed hitting catcher. 7.38 runner. Active load. Front heel raise trigger with no stride. Pull approach. Solid pop to pull side of field with strength in swing. 81 mph exit velocity. Shows ability to receive and block. Length to exchange and longer release. Has continued to improve in all area’s over past year. 2.06 pop time with 72 mph arm strength. Average accuracy to bag.

Austin Martin, C, Southeast Polk, 2016
6-foot, 180-pound right-handed hitting catcher. 7.53 runner. Physical player behind the plate. Low hand-set. Gradual load into proper hitting slot. Mid-pull approach with solid power. Hit well in game action. 89 mph exit velocity. 75 mph arm strength with event best pop time of 1.84; accurate to bag. Good actions behind plate. Quick release with arm strength. Exchanges are clean with above avg. feet. Will jump considerably in 2016 rankings.

Max McCay, C/RHP, Carlisle, 2016
5-foot-7, 170-pound left-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.34 runner. Open stance. Good rhythm in swing. Front heel turn trigger. Some rotational tendencies. Shifts weight well through contact. Solid approach in box. Avg./ok power in bat to gaps. 82 mph exit velocity. Leadeship qualities behind plate. Plays with energy. Ability to receive. Clean exchanges. Short release. Above avg. accuracy to bag. 1.93 pop time with 72 mph arm strength.

Cody Roush, C, Dubuque Hempstead, 2016
5-foot-10, 200-pound right-handed hitting catcher. 8.19 runner. Solid set-up with line drive swing plane. Deeper load creating length to contact. Strength in swing to pull side of field. 89 mph exit velocity off tee. Flexible lower half behind the plate. Ability to receive. Adequate exchanges. Some hitch in release. Solid arm strength and accuracy to bag. 2.00-2.1 pop times with 75 mph arm strength.

Caleb Stekl, C, Cedar Rapids Jefferson, 2016
6-foot, 190-pound right-handed hitting catcher. 7.56 runner. Physical build. Athletic set-up in box. Avg./ok bat speed. Selective approach; doesn’t chase in game action. Swing can be slightly grooved at times; but shows ability to drive ball in gaps. 81 mph exit velocity. Good actions behind the plate. Strong receiver with blocking ability. Some length to exchange but has a quick release and is very accurate to bag. 71 mph arm strength with pop times in 1.91-2.00 range. Recently committed to U. of Illinois-Springfield.

Colby Van Pelt, C, Winterset, 2016
5-foot-11, 185-pound right-handed hitting catcher. 7.88 runner. Flashes power to mid/pull side of field. Uses whole field in game action. Average balance with short finish after contact. Deep should turn load. Raw hitting mechanics. 81 mph exit velocity off tee. Solid ability to block and receive. Very quick feet and release. Above avg. accuracy to bag. All throws on bag. 71 mph arm strength with pop times consistent in 1.87-1.93 range.

IA Top Prospect Games: Catching Analysis

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