Class of 2017 Showcase: Catcher Analysis

August 13, 2015

By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

One of the stronger positions at the Class of 2017 Showcase was the catchers. They all brought different attributes to the table led by Jacob Ryan and the way he swung the bat. Listed below we ranked the top five catchers from the event.

top catchers

1) Jacob Ryan, C, Chatham Glenwood, 2017
5-foot-11, 195-pound, strong build, right-handed hitter. Hits from a balanced set up, smooth load, short stride, lower half works, good balance. Fast bat speed, short, level bat path, gets extension, pull-side approach, fluid rhythm, 91 mph exit velocity. Defensively, showed above-average hands, clean exchange, pop-times ranged from 2.18-2.26, 72 mph from the crouch. Ran a 7.55 60-time.

2) Kellen Sarver, C/SS, Champaign Centennial, 2017
6-foot-1, 180-pound, athletic build with some length, left-handed hitter. Hits from an open stance, short stride, above-average balance. Average bat speed, short bat path, line-drive approach, 85 mph exit velocity. Defensively, on the infield displayed average hands, clean exchange, short arm action, high ¾ slot, 77 mph across the infield. Behind the plate showed short arm action, high ¾ slot, pop times ranged from 2.18-2.22, threw 69 mph from the crouch. Ran a 7.53 60-time.

3) Rocco Pascente, C, Plainfield Central, 2017
5-foot-11, 160-pound catcher. Offensively hits from right side with tall and open setup, loads back, short leg kick stride, and good balance. Showed average bat speed, advanced approach, long level extended path, line drive type, and fluid rhythm. Exit velocity clocked at 80 mph off a tee. Defensively, throws from short over-the-top slot, some accuracy, average hands, clean exchange, and fluid footwork. Threw 71 mph from crouch and pop times ranged 2.07-2.18. Ran 7.81 60.

4) Dan Opem, C/1B, Glenbard South, 2017
6-foot-0, 185-pound, right-handed hitter. Hits form an open stance, short stride, lower half can work, average balance. Long, uphill bat path, gap-to-gap approach, 79 mph exit velocity. Defensively, on the infield showed average hands, long arm action, over-the-top arm slot, 71 mph across the infield. Behind the plate showed soft hand, short arm action, pop-times ranged from 2.10-2.18, 69 mph from the crouch. Ran a 8.06 60-time.

5) Peter Pigatti, C, Hinsdale Central, 2017
5-foot-9, 180-pound strong catcher. Defensively showed short arm action from over-the-top, average strength, average hands, fluid footwork, and quick exchange. Threw 73 mph from crouch and pop times ranged 2.10-2.26. Offensively, hits from right side with tall and balanced setup, no load, short stride, and average balance. Showed average bat speed, good approach, long level path, and line drive type. Used the middle of the field. Exit velocity, 78 mph. Ran 7.46 60.

BEST OF THE REST (Alphabetically)

Jeffrey Mitchell, C, Glenbrook South, 2017
5-foot-10, 155-pound catcher. Offensively hits from right side with wide and balanced setup, drops load back, short toe-tap stride, and average balance. Showed Average bat speed, fair approach, uphill path, and pull type. Exit velo 78 mph. Defensively throws from short high ¾, some accuracy, average hands, and plays thru. Threw 68 mph from crouch and pop times ranged 2.36-2.43. Ran 7.26 60.

Zachary Pell, OF/C, Providence Catholic, 2017
6-foot, 185-pound catcher/outfielder, solid build, thick lower half. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, minimal lower half involvement. Path is flatter with some length, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ran a 7.61 in the 60. Defensively arm slot plays over the top, short arm action, played at 73 mph from the outfield, 65 mph from the crouch. Posted pop times at 2.29-2.35.

Timothy Rudolph, C, Monticello, 2017
6-foot-3, 160-pound, wiry left handed hitting catcher. Offensively hits from a tall open stance, drops hands into load, toe tap stride, high back elbow. Path has a length with a pull side approach, 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively uses a short high ¾ arm slot out of the crouch, 68 mph arm strength. Posted pop times at 2.35-2.51. Ran the 60 at 7.51.

Austin Weichman, C, Tri-Valley, 2017
6-foot, 160-pound catcher. Offensively hits from right side with wide and balanced setup, loads back, leg kick, and average balance. Showed average bat speed, good approach, and line drive type. Exit velo 85 mph. Defensively has long arm action from over-the-top, some carry on ball, average hands, and clean exchange. Threw 75 mph from crouch and pop times ranged 2.26-2.33. Ran 7.42 60.

Justin Williams, C, Lyons Township, 2017
6-foot-2, 205-pound catcher, large frame. Right-handed hitter, hits from a balanced stance, short stride, average balance, can get more out of lower half. Path works uphill, 73 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short, over the top slot, 69 mph out of the crouch. 2.14-2.18 pop times. Ran a 7.81 in the 60 yard dash.

Class of 2017 Showcase: Catcher Analysis

top catchers

BEST OF THE REST (Alphabetically)

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