By Rob Allison
Iowa Scouting Director

The Underclass Prospect Games brought over 30 uncommitted prospects to showcase their stuff to colleges in attendance in the one day event held at the University of Iowa. Over the next week we will unveil our analysis of the top players at their respective positions.

Leading off with the catchers, 2017 Jordan Wendel (Alta-Aurelia), took the top stop in this category.  Wendel showed the strongest arm and most projectable bat for catchers at this event.

TOP CATCHING PROSPECTS

1. Jordan Wendel, C, Alta-Aurelia, 2017
6-foot-0, 180-pound catcher.  5.1 home to first time.  Left handed hitter, flat bat to start, minimal stride, creates bat speed, pull approach, hard pull side contact, level swing, quiet head, took good swings throughout day.  78 mph exit velocity off tee.  Defensively, good flexibility, strength in glove receiving, moves well with pitches.  Has blocking ability.  Tries to load too much while throwing.  Pop times of 2.25-2.4 and velocity of 75 mph.  Release becomes slow and long.  Interesting prospect with small refinement in hitting and throwing.

2. Zachary Scott, C, NE Goose Lake, 2016
5-foot-7, 120-pound catcher.  4.97 home to first time.  Right handed hitter, no load, no stride, swings with upper half only.  Flat bat path.  Makes consistent contact.  74 mph exit velocity off tee.  Defensively, shows flexibility and quickness, blocks well, has strength receiving, quick exchanges, good accuracy to bag on throws, interesting catching prospect if matures physically.  Pop times 2.22-2.53 with velocity of 71 mph.

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Brady Harpenau, C, Remsen St. Mary's, 2016
5-foot-10, 160-pound catcher.  4.69 home to first time.  Left handed hitter, heel lift trigger, bat wrap behind head, circular swing, all pull approach, flat line drive swing plane.  83 mph exit velocity off tee.  Defensively, shows some strength in receiving, ok exchanges, and a 2.25-2.37 pop time with 68 mph velocity.

Brayden Logan, C, Sioux City Heelan, 2018
5-foot-4, 125-pound catcher.  4.86 home to first time.  Right handed hitter, deep load, easy stride, strides slightly across body, uphill swing plane, makes solid contact.  Lacks present strength.  71 mph exit velocity off tee.  Defensively, good flexibility behind plate, feet move well, quality glove to throwing hand exchange.  Needs to mature physically and tools will continue to progress with body. 2.4-2.6 pop time with velocity of 65 mph.

Jalen Stafford, C, Albia, 2017
6-foot-3, 160-pound catcher.  5.57 home to first time.  Right handed hitter, long swing, arm bar, swings upper half only.  Makes consistent contact.  Defensively, throwing velocity of 62 mph and pop times of 2.44-2.8.