Class of 2017 Showcase: Catching Analysis

November 9, 2015

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor – Illinois/Wisconsin

Catching in the state of Illinois has typically been strong and the 2017 class is shaping up well behind the dish. This week we begin rolling out the Class of 2017 Showcase analysis starting behind the plate. Jackson Petersen has continued to improve and impress our staff with a quick release out of the chute and a big arm. Downers Grove North backstop, Matt King put himself on the radar with his switch hitting abilities and possibly the best pure receiver in the group. Look for this crop of catchers to make an impact on the next update of 2017 state rankings.

Top Catching Prospects

1. Jackson Petersen, C, Libertyville, 2017
Strong sturdy physical build, typical catchers make up, 6-foot-1, 195-pound left-handed hitting catcher. Wears the gear well, showed advanced catch and throw skills, quick transfer and release with strong arm, highly efficient out of the crouch. Soft hands and blocks well. Arm carries well and on line to target, short over the top slot, 80 mph. Posted best pop times of the event, 1.97-2.01. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, leg kick trigger, starts it early and stays on time. Attacks the baseball with aggressive swing, gap to gap guy with slight uphill path. Flashed pop, 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.58 runner in the 60. Peterson continues to improve his game and looks to be one of the top catch and throw guys in the state.

2. Matt King, C, Downers Grove North, 2017
6-foot-1, 180-pound switch-hitting catcher, average athletic shape, loose build. Defensively uses a traditional catcher’s arm action, short lose over the top, flashed some carry, 73 mph out of the crouch. Hands played well, good catchers actions, popped 2.03-2.15. Soft receiver, active blocker. Offensively hits from both sides, similar setups, open stance, loose hands, good rhythm pre pitch. Showed an ability to repeat swing from both sides, looked slightly stronger from the right side. Loose hands, slight uphill path, occasional pop. 87 mph exit velocity from the left, 82 mph from the right.

3. Kellen Sarver, C/INF, Champaign Central, 2017
Loose athletic frame, 6-foot-1, 185-pound left-handed hitting catcher/infielder. Profiles as a primary catcher with the ability to play third base. Defensively showcased advanced actions behind the dish, ability to block, hands work, athletic out of the crouch. Big arm played with carry, 80 mph behind the plate and across the infield, athletic short arm action with accuracy. Pop time ranged 2.01-2.08. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with open stance, smooth rhythmic loading action, short leg lift stride, on time and balanced through contact. Path is short flashing extension through contact, showed an ability to backspin baseballs, strong upper half with bat speed. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.63 runner in the 60.

4. Yaki Lee, C/INF, Harlan, 2017
5-foot-10, 167-pound catcher/infielder, athletic shape. Left-handed hitter, hits from a slightly open crouched stance, short stride, good balance through contact. Hands work well in swing, can get more out of lower half. Short path, line drive type hitter, oppo contact in BP. 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed good arm strength all over the diamond, short over the top arm action, played accurately with carry. On the infield, plays the baseball out in front, quick exchange, showed body control. Behind the plate posted pop times at 2.00-2.08, similar abilities to transfer the baseball. 7.02 runner in the 60.

5. Nickolas Strysik, C/OF, Lockport, 2017
6-foot-1, 180-pound catcher, physical athletic frame, advanced physical make-up. Offensively hits from a tall open stance, longer stride back to even, lower half works, excellent pre pitch. Aggressive swinger, advanced bat speed with pop, hits with rhythm. 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Advanced bat will play well at the next level. Defensively showed in the outfield and behind the plate, arm action is long, 80 mph from the outfield, 75 mph out of the crouch. Pop times 2.19-2.33. Showed athleticism in the outfield. 7.26 runner in the 60.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Nicholas Becker, RHP/C, Plainfield South, 2017
6-foot-3, 218-pound right-handed hitting catcher, large frame. Hits from a slightly closed stance, short leg lift stride. Showed bat strength, occasional hard contact, 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays short and over the top, 68 mph out of the crouch. 2.25-2.33 pop times. Ran the 60 at 8.51. On the mound delivery has some effort, squared landing and stays on line. Arm action has length, ¾ slot. Fastball has slight action, 74-76 mph, topped at 78 mph. Curveball has 12/6 action, 63-65 mph, gradual action. Slider has 10/4 action, sweeps, 68-73 mph. Straight changeup is firm off of fastball, 71-74 mph, showed feel of the zone.

Luke Calabrese, C/INF, Kaneland, 2017
5-foot-11, 175-pound catcher/infielder. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride. Bat path is uphill, average bat speed, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee, flashed hard contact. Defensively arm played over the top out of the crouch, 71 mph from behind the plate, 72 mph across the diamond. Hands showed an ability to play, solid exchanges. Pop times ranged from 2.14-2.26. 7.93 runner.

Lino Figueroa, C, Nazareth, 2017
5-foot-9, 160-pound right-handed hitting catcher. Hits from a slightly closed stance, short stride. Long uphill path, late timing, registered 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively pop times ranged 2.36-2.47 with a 70 mph arm out of the crouch. Short over the top slot, gains ground out of the chute with long deliberate footwork. 7.58 runner in the 60.

Anthony Gutierrez, C, Plainfield South, 2017
5-foot-11, 182-pound left-handed hitting catcher, average frame. Hits from a closed setup, short stride. Path has some length on uphill plane, opposite field contact. 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays short and over the top, average arm strength, 71 mph out of the crouch. Pop times ranged 2.28-2.32 Ran the 60 at 7.42, laser timed.

Caleb Jacobs, C, Normal West, 2017
Strong athletic build, advanced physically, 6-foot-2, 190-pound catcher. Offensively hits from a wide setup, loads back with leg kick stride, lower half works. Showed bat strength, strong upper body, short uphill path, gap-to-gap type approach. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays from a high ¾ slot, showed arm strength at 78 mph. Footwork can get out of the chute faster, ran a 7.25 60. Pop times played at 2.17-2.29.

Juan Pablo Meza, C, Metea Valley, 2017
Lean frame, athletic shape, 5-foot-11, 150-pound right-handed hitting catcher. Defensively showed a live loose arm, short over the top slot, 74 mph out of the crouch. Hands are soft, athletic defender, mechanically sound blocking the baseball. Pop times ranged 2.08-2.16. Adding strength could see his defensive stock rise significantly. Offensively hits from an open setup, wider stance, lengthy stride hangs to hit. Path showed some bat speed, short uphill, hits off front foot, can get more out of lower half. 76 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.65 runner in the 60.

Jack Naal, C, Joliet Catholic, 2017
Large frame, 6-foot-4, 210-pound catcher. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, lower half works, average balance. Flat path through the zone with length, occasional uphill sweeping action, has bat strength, occasional pop. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played short and over the top, 73 mph. Tall transfer out of the chute, pop times ranged 2.11-2.26. 7.64 runner in the 60.

Gabriel Panza, C, Oswego, 2017
5-foot-9, 175-pound catcher, solid strong build. Defensively showed well above average arm strength out of the crouch (77 mph), short over the top slot, flashed carry. Pop times ranged 2.01-2.04, quick catch and throw skills, quick release. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, short stride, smooth loading action to back side. Showed bat strength, shorter path, hard opposite field gap contact, flashed pop. 89 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Colin Rebenstorf, C, Marian Central Catholic, 2017
6-foot-3, 195-pound catcher, carries some strength. Right-handed hitter, tall setup, loads hands back, with short stride. Showed bat strength on lifting path, flashed ability to barrel baseballs, slight uphill path, 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.53 runner in the 60. Defensively played tall out of the chute, pop times at 2.08-212. Short over the top slot, 75 mph arm strength out of the crouch.

Daniel Reed, C, Edwardsville, 2017
5-foot-10, 180-pound catcher, solid stocky build. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, 72 mph out of the crouch, showed occasional accuracy. Exchange is efficient and clean, directional footwork, pop times ranged 2.07-2.11. Ran the 60 at 7.66, laser timed. Offensively flashed occasional bat strength, 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, short stride, quiet loading action. Path works slightly uphill, mostly mid-oppo contact with occasional top spin pull.

Class of 2017 Showcase: Catching Analysis

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

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