On Sunday, Oct. 13th the Class of 2021 Showcase took place at The MAX in McCook, IL. The event was open to all high school juniors from across the state and featured close to 70 uncommitted prospects.

Today we begin the positional breakdown starting with the catchers. The catchers were led by Kyle Hayes (St. Charles East). Hayes impressed in multiple facets throughout the day. The physical right-handed hitter showed advanced bat strength, routinely showing off big power potential to the pull-side of the diamond. Hayes also displayed a big arm and athleticism behind the plate. 

Coming in at the No. 2 spot was Hunter Hrycyk (Bolingbrook). Hrycyk swings with controlled aggression from the right side of the plate and showed off a true, accurate arm from the crouch. 

Noah Jouras (Lyons Township), another strong, physical backstop, comes in right behind Hrycyk. Jouras showed a much simpler swing than we had seen in the past but still flashed quick hands and natural lift in his swing. 

Below is a look at all of the catchers from the event.

TOP CATCHER PROSPECTS

1. Kyle Hayes, St. Charles East (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-foot-1, 210-pounds. Physical, strong, barrel-chested frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, slightly open setup, smooth load, short stride and maintains balance. Fast bat, advanced barrel strength, ball jumps off the barrel, uphill path and pull power.
Power: 96 mph exit velocity from the tee. Advanced bat strength, powerful bat.
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot; Throws carry, were true and consistently.
Defense: 2.00-2.18 pop times. Athletic for size. Clean and quick out of the crouch. Plays with bounce and energy. Soft, receptive hands.
Run: 7.47 runner in the 60. 

2. Hunter Hrycyk, Bolingbrook (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-foot-11, 170-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Open, tall setup, smooth load and short stride. Aggressive swing, jumps off the barrel at times, level bat path and work gap-to-gap.
Power: 90 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot, accurate arm.
Defense: 2.18-2.32 pop times. Athletic actions, receptive hands, clean and directional out of the crouch.
Run: 7.7 runner in the 60. 

3. Noah Jouras, Lyons Township (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-foot, 180-pounds. Strong, physical frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, slightly crouched setup, short stride, utilizes lower half and stays balanced through contact. Swings with intent, loose, fast hands, looks to lift the baseball.
Power: 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Present bat strength.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot, flashed carry.
Defense: 2.18-2.25 pop times. Steady hands, firm wrists, length in exchange, stays low and directional out of the chute.
Run: 7.19 runner in the 60. Above-average runner for position.

4. Liam Rossi, Lincoln-Way Central (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-foot, 180-pounds. Compact, strong frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, sits into backside, smooth quiet load and short stride. Simple swing, fluid rhythm, fast bat, natural lift, consistent hard gap-to-gap contact.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Short, over-the-top arm action.
Defense: 2.22-2.35 pop times. Flexible hips, slightly open setup and minimal wasted movement in transfer.
Run: 8.01 runner in the 60. 

5. Chris Akers, Elmwood Park (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-foot, 185-pounds. Strong, well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, pre-pitch load and short stride. Fast bat, strong hands, level through the zone and gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 93 mph exit velocity from the tee. Present bat strength.
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. INF - 76 mph. Arm works short and over-the-top.
Defense: 2.09-2.18 pop times. Worked out on the infield and behind the plate. Profiles best behind the plate. Reliable hands, quick feet, efficient out of the crouch.
Run: 7.41 runner in the 60. 

5. Travis Lutz, Limestone (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-foot-2, 185-pounds. Highly-athletic, strong frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, smooth pre-pitch load, short stride and maintains balance. Quiet swing, athletic hands, direct to the ball, level through the zone and works gap-to-gap.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Arm works short and over-the-top.
Defense: 2.10-2.28 pop times. Hands are soft, receptive.
Run: 7.71 runner in the 60. 

BEST OF THE REST (Listed Alphabetically)

Alexander Brodie, Plainfield North (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-foot-2, 165-pounds. Highly-projectable, long-limbed build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, short leg-lift timing trigger and maintains balance through contact. Simple swing, short, direct hand path, line-drive approach.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 68 mph. Short arm action, works out of an over-the-top slot.
Defense: 2.26-2.40 pop times. Receptive hands, clean release, closes off at times. Willing, active blocker during bullpens.
Run: 7.12 runner in the 60. Above-average runner for position; long, easy strides.

Grant Cameron, Joliet Catholic Academy (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-foot-9, 165-pounds. Athletic build, well-proportioned strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced slightly open setup, minimal load and short stride. Long, level bat path, flashed strong hands, opposite field approach at times.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 68 mph. Short, firm arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: 2.54-2.60 pop times. Clean, directional out of the crouch.
Run: 7.75 runner in the 60.

Noah Kuchler, St. Francis (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-foot-10, 180-pounds. Strong, durable build.
Hit: RHH. Slightly open setup, minimal load and short stride. Flashed bat strength, short level bat path, occasionally backspun the baseball.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.21-2.32 pop times. Steady hands, gets tall out of release at times.
Run: 7.54 runner in the 60.  

Kyle Williams, West Aurora (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-foot-9, 160-pounds. Short, strong build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, minimal loading action and short stride. Strong hands, long path through the zone and consistently worked the opposite field gap.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Short, over-the-top arm action, consistently on the second base bag.
Defense: 2.19-2.30 pop times. Flexible hips, low setup, clean and directional out of the crouch.
Run: 7.22 runner in the 60. 

Samual Wysokinski, Grayslake North (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-foot-10, 195-pounds. Compact, sturdy frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, quiet setup, short stride. Long, uphill bat path, pull approach.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Short, over-the-top arm action.
Defense: 2.32-2.36 pop times. Quick out of the crouch, plays tall.
Run: 8.77 runner in the 60. 

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