On Sunday, August 26th, Triton JC played host to the annual Chicagoland Open. The Chicagoland Open was the final summer Showcase of 2018 and has a rich history of unveiling top prospects from around the state. This year’s event was no different, as a number of players emerged as high-follows in their respective classes.

After previously publishing our Statistical Analysis and Quick Hits from the showcase, we begin our position-by-position roll-out of the event with a look at the catcher’s 

One of the top defensive catcher’s was LHH unsigned senior Evan Orzech. Orzech was quick out of the crouch, has a short loose arm action, registered pop times of 2.01-2.10 and was 75 mph from the crouch.

Another unsigned senior catcher to keep an eye on is Jake Bergquist. Bergquist made hard contact to the pull-side in his round of BP, was 77 mph from the crouch and registered a low pop time of 2.05.

Below is a look at all of the catcher’s from the Chicagoland Open (listed alphabetically):

Catching Prospects

David Andolina, RHP/C, Oak Park-River Forest, 2022
5-foot-10, 170-pound, strong, well-proportioned, two-way prospect. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, methodical, repeatable, drop and drive delivery, rides his front hip down the mound. Delivery works on-line, lands square and regular effort throughout. Long, loose arm action, out of a ¾ window. Fastball, slight arm-side-run action, thrown for strikes, sat 77-78 mph, touched 80. Curveball, 11/5 shape, tight spin at times, 66-67 mph. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, arm-side-run and fade action, feel, 71-74 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, short stride, long, uphill bat path; 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, open setup behind the plate, long arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate throws, topped at 73 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.29-2.36. Ran the 60 in 8.45.

Jake Bergquist, C, Tinley Park, 2019
6-foot, 180-pound, strong, well-proportioned, right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, pre-pitch movement, balanced setup and leg-kick trigger. Aggressive swing, present bat speed, level bat path, pull approach and strength through contact. 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, clean out of the crouch, short arm action, ¾ slot, accurate throws, topped at 77 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.05-2.15. Ran a 7.44 laser-timed 60.  

Jose De Hoyos, C, Andrean (IN), 2019
5-foot-10, 185-pound, right-handed hitting catcher, solid lower half. At the plate, balanced, slightly open setup, leg-kick trigger. Uphill bat path, looks to pull the baseball and registered an 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, sits low in the crouch, sure hands, clean release. Arm works short and out of a high ¾ window. Topped at 70 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.14-2.27. Ran a 7.78 laser-timed 60.

William Higgins, C, Lincoln-Way Central, 2020
5-foot-11, 165-pound, athletically-built, right-handed hitting catcher. At the plate, balanced, tall, quiet setup, smooth load, toe-tap stride, fluid rhythm and maintains balance throughout. Simple swing, short bat path, occasional lift and line-drive approach; 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, flexible hips in the crouch, quiet receiver, soft, sure hands, strong wrists, sticks and presents pitches well. Directional out of the crouch, gains ground, short arm action, over-the-top slot and throws clocked at 74 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.10-2.20. 7.47 runner in the 60, laser-timed.  

Evan Orzech, C, Homeschool, 2019
6-foot, 160-pound, left-handed hitting catcher, lean, projectable build. Defensively, soft, receptive hands, quick feet out of the crouch, early at times, clean, fluid transfer and actions. Short, loose arm action, ¾ slot, throws consistently around the second base bag. Throws topped at 75 mph from the crouch and pop times ranged between 2.01-2.10. Ran a 7.28 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced, closed setup, drops during load and short stride. Short, level bat path, line-drive approach and 85 mph exit velocity from a tee.

Josh Reifsteck, C, Yorkville, 2019
5-foot-10, 160-pound, wiry, right-handed hitting catcher. At the plate, quiet closed setup, minimal pre-pitch load and short stride. Short to the ball, handsy swing, level through the zone, line-drive, opposite field approach; 76 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, clean out of the crouch, works on-line, long arm action, over-the-top slot. Throws were around the bag at second base, topped at 71 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.22-2.29. 8.05 runner in the 60.  

Jose Troche, C, Lincoln Park, 2020
5-foot-11, 205-pound, thick, right-handed hitting catcher. At the plate, narrow, closed setup, quiet load and short stride. Long, uphill bat path and 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, short arm action from a high ¾ slot and throws topped at 63 mph from a crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.50-2.60. Ran an 8.54 60.

Noah Wenberg, C, Stillman Valley, 2019
5-foot-9, 140-pound, lean, right-handed hitting catcher. 7.24 runner in the 60, laser-timed. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth load and leg-kick timing trigger. Long bat path, pull approach and registered a 75 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, directional out of the crouch, fundamentally sound blocker. Short arm action, over-the-top slot, throws topped at 73 mph out of the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.09-2.19.

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