Lockport Preseason I.D.: Catcher Analysis
April 8, 2019
On Feb. 18, the PBR Illinois staff made its way back to Bo Jackson’s Elite Sports Dome in Lockport, the site of the annual Lockport Preseason I.D. showcase. Every year, this event is one of the most heavily attended on our showcase calendar, with 200 prospects in attendance this time around.
We began the instant analysis of the Lockport Preseason I.D. a few weeks ago with our Quick Hits post and our Statistical Analysis. Today we continue the breakdown of the event by taking a look at all catchers in attendance.
Ben Hartl (Springfield, 2021) claimed the top spot showcasing his uber athletic ability on all sides of the ball. The switch-hitting Hartl has multi-positional abilities as well, so make sure to keep an eye out when the infielders get rolled out this week.
Another multi-positional player that sees his name in the top-five is John-Michael Scumaci (Sandburg, 2021). We saw Scumaci at last years Lockport event and he seems to have tacked on present muscle, while also honing in on his craft at the plate.
Ryan McCoy (Lincoln-Way East, 2020) and Jason Volpe (Lakes Community, 2019) are both left-handed hitting backstops that have upside at the dish.
Sam Holtz (2021) is a player who could have made an argument for a top-rank, however he did not partake in the defensive portion of the showcase. Keep an eye out for the right-handed hitting Lake Zurich product who swings the stick with present bat speed and intent.
Clay Billadeau (Metea Valley, 2020), Benji Ries (Stevenson, 2021), Jake Rybka (Providence, 2021) and Timothy Whitfield (Crossroads Christian, 2021) are all right-handed hitting catchers that just missed the cut all possessing physicality in their game.
To see how the top-five list played out along with analysis on all other backstops at the event in Lockport, continue on below.
TOP CATCHING PROSPECTS
1. Ben Hartl, C/INF, Springfield, 2021
5-foot-10, 170-pound switch hitting multi-positional prospect, well-proportioned, athletic frame. From the right side of the plate, sets up balanced, smooth load, short stride, simple and controlled. Loose and athletic hands, short, fluid path, works uphill, repeated line drive contact to all fields. More open setup on the left with more pull tendencies, repeated from both sides. Fast bat speed, exit velocity topped 89 mph from a tee. Smooth actions on the infield, fluid footwork, plays through with soft hands, steady and clean all around. Long to release, arm plays short and quick, over the top slot, accurate throws carried 84 mph across the diamond. Behind the plate, pop times ranged 1.90-2.10, an event best. Quiet setup, rhythmic hands, athletic feet out the chute, quick and clean transfer to release. Arm plays short and loose, high ¾ slot with arm speed, throws topped 77 mph from the crouch. 7.31 runner in the 60.
2. John-Michael Scumaci, C/INF, Sandburg, 2021
5-foot-5, 150-pound right-handed hitting catcher, athletic frame and actions. Able runner, 7.03 in the 60. Clean actions on the infield, active feet work in rhythm, soft hands, clean exchange, plays through with ease. Arm plays short and loose, over the top slot, true ball with accuracy, topped 79 mph across the infield. Behind the dish, pop times ranged 2.09-2.26. Low setup, athletic out the chute, fluid feet, clean and quick to release. Soft hands, loose arm action, high ¾ slot, throws topped 72 mph from the crouch. At the plate, sets up even, bar load, short toe lifted stride, maintains balance through contact. Feel for the barrel, aggressive swing with some twitch, line drive hitter to all fields with fluid rhythm through contact. Quick bat speed, exit velocity topped 85 mph from a tee.
3. Danny Nuccio, C, Plainfield North, 2021
6-foot, 187-pound right-handed hitting catcher, athletic build with strength. At the plate, balanced setup, smooth hand load, short toe tap trigger, maintains control throughout. Utilizes lower half, loose hands, short fluid bat path, line drive hitter with a gap to gap approach. Quick bat speed, exit velocity topped 86 mph from a tee. Defensively, pop times ranged 2.11-2.26. Sets up low and stays down through release, feet work quick with rhythm, clean transfer, cushioned block. Steady hands, long to release, loose arm action, high ¾ slot, throws topped 77 mph from the crouch. 7.30 runner in the 60.
4. Jason Volpe, C, Lake Community, 2019
6-foot-1, 190-pounds, left-handed hitting catcher, well-proportioned frame with athleticism. At the plate, tall, open setup, short stride and load, good balance. Strong hands, fluid, uphill bat path, lifted the ball to the middle of the field regularly. Fast bat speed, exit velocity topped 91 mph from a tee. Defensively, pop times ranged 2.13-2.20. Quick actions out the chute, feet work fast and get in position, clean transfers to release. Arm plays short, over the top slot, present arm speed, slight recoil, throws topped 73 mph from the crouch. 7.25 runner in the 60.
5. Ryan McCoy, C, Lincoln-Way East, 2020
6-foot-3, 190-pound left-handed hitting catcher, lanky frame with athletic actions. Present foot speed, moves well, 7.01 runner in the 60. At the plate, open setup, back load, knee lifted stride to even, rhythmic. Loose hands, path is short on an uphill plane, repeated hard contact. Above average bat speed, exit velocity topped 86 mph from a tee. Defensively athletic out the chute, pop times ranged 1.97-2.05. Sturdy hands, fluid feet, quick and clean to release. Arm plays short and clean, high 3/4 slot, ball carried to second with arm speed, topped 79 mph from the crouch, an event best.
BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)
Kyler Arias, C, Antioch, 2021
5-foot-8, 177-pound right-handed hitting catcher, thick build. At the plate, sets up tall, high hands, slight barrel wrap, toe lifted stride. Loose hands through contact, short, fluid bat path, all fields approach. Above average bat speed, exit velocity topped 95 mph from a tee. Defensively, pop times ranged 2.25-2.34. Some rhythm in hands, feet get in position, long transfer to release, deadened blocks. Shorter arm action, over the top slot, throws topped 69 mph from the crouch. 8.14 runner in the 60.
Clay Billadeau, C, Metea Valley, 2020
6-foot, 190-pound right-handed hitting catcher, strength in build. At the plate, balanced setup, smooth load, long knee-knock stride, slight dive over plate. Aggressive hitter, gets separation and repeated hard contact to all fields, can lift the baseball, fluid rhythm. Above average bat speed, exit velocity topped 90 mph from a tee. Behind the plate, pop times ranged 2.00-2.15. Steady hands, clean transfer across chest, effort seems easy. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, ball carried to bag at 75 mph from the crouch. 8.05 runner in the 60.
Ethan Brooks, C, Lincoln-Way East, 2021
5-foot-9, 145-pound right-handed hitting catcher, wiry frame. At the plate, setups up balanced and slightly open, minimal load, short leg lift timing trigger. Quiet hands, path stays level through the zone, some rhythm through contact, exit velocity topped 79 mph from a tee. Defensively, pop times ranged 2.01-2.17. Quick footwork, quick and clean exchange to release, rhythm involved. Arm plays short and loose, high ¾ slot, throws topped 75 mph from the crouch. 7.73 runner in the 60.
Zach Brothen, C, Lincoln-Way East, 2020
5-foot-11, 190-pound right-handed hitting catcher, present lower half strength. At the plate, crouched setup, short toe lift stride, hands load back and down. Path works uphill, some bat strength, exit velocity topped 79 mph from a tee. Defensively, pop times ranged 2.26-2.37. Clean transfer, quick to release, uphill at times, recoils at finish. Shorter arm, ¾ slot, throws topped 65 mph from the crouch. 7.36 runner in the 60.
Joseph Cousineau, C, Nazareth, 2021
5-foot-6, 170-pound right-handed hitting catcher, sturdy frame. At the plate, open setup, back load, short toe-lifted stride, rocks back. Path works short on an uphill plane, exit velocity topped 76 mph from a tee. Defensively, pop times ranged 2.18-2.30. Good catcher footwork, gets in position to throw, quick to release. Short arm out of an over the top slot, throws topped 66 mph from the crouch. 7.77 runner in the 60.
Jake Dagys, C, Lockport, 2020
5-foot-11, 174-pound right-handed hitting catcher, chiseled and athletic. Hits from an open stance, short stride to even, hands load back, some rhythm throughout. Shorter path, aggressive swing with strength in hands, all fields approach. Above average bat speed, exit velocity topped 98 mph from a tee. 7.34 runner in the 60. Defensively, pop times ranged 2.06-2.11. Steady hands, transfers are quick, funnels ball below the waist, quick to release. Short arm action, ¾ slot with arm strength, throws had some carry to the bag, uphill at times, 73 mph from the crouch.
Jaxson Elliot, C, Mount Vernon, 2020
6-foot-2, 230-pound right-handed hitting catcher, thick build. At the plate, sets up open and relaxed, hands load down with barrel wrap, long foot lifted stride, dives over plate. Strong hands, path works uphill with length, exit velocity topped 84 mph from a tee. Defensively, pop times ranged 2.10-2.19. Gains ground, funnels ball low, arm plays long with some arm strength, ¾ slot, throws topped 77 mph from the crouch. 8.06 runner in the 60.
Gino Gazzillo, C, Mt. Carmel, 2021
5-foot-11, 175-pound left-handed hitting catcher, athletic frame with strength. At the plate, sets up even with slight crouch, minimal load, quick knee lift stride, slight dive over plate. Path works on a level plane with some quickness, some rotational through contact point, exit velocity topped 87 mph from a tee. Defensively, pop times ranged 2.18-2.29. Athletic setup, hops out the chute into throwing position, clean transfer. Arm plays long out of an over the top slot, some looseness out front, throws topped 74 mph from the crouch. 7.52 runner in the 60.
Aidan Herrick, C/INF, Richmond-Burton, 2021
5-foot-10, 155-pound right-handed hitting catcher/infielder, well-proportioned, athletic frame. At the plate, balanced, even setup, back load, toe lifted stride, slight rock back. Looseness in hands, path works uphill with some length and rhythm, exit velocity topped 79 mph from a tee. Defensively, pop times ranged 2.18-2.30. Athletic setup and actions out the chute, clean transfers, works through. Arm action has length, high ¾ slot, throws topped 74 mph from the crouch. On the infield, ball gets deep, clean transfers, long to release. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate throws topped 72 mph across the diamond. 8.03 runner in the 60.
Sam Holtz, C, Lake Zurich, 2021
5-foot-10, 175-pound right-handed hitting catcher, chiseled and athletic build. At the plate, balanced setup, bar load, short, toe lifted stride. Short bat path, gap to gap hitter with line drive ability, fluid rhythm through contact. Fast bat speed, exit velocity topped 92 mph from a tee. Did not take defense. 7.13 runner in the 60.
Connor Janik, C/INF, Peotone, 2022
5-foot-9, 155-pounds, right-handed hitting catcher/infielder. At the plate, sets up even, top wrap load, short toe lifted stride. Path works uphill and short, high elbow, ball gets deep, exit velocity topped 78 mph from a tee. Defensively, pop times ranged 2.50-2.69. Clean transfer, long to release, funnels ball low. Arm plays long out of an over the top slot, throws topped 63 mph from the crouch. On the infield, fast, choppy feet, fields out front, clean transfer. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, throws topped 72 mph across the diamond. 7.66 runner in the 60.
Louis Johnson, C, Minooka
5-foot-11, 200-pounds, right-handed hitting catcher, thick, sturdy build. At the plate, crouched setup, pre-bar load, inverted stride. Bat path works uphill, ball gets deep, exit velocity topped 73 mph from a tee. Defensively, pop times ranged 2.36-2.50. Clean transfer, short, muscled arm action, ¾ arm slot, throws topped 62 mph from the crouch. 8.25 runner in the 60.
Jayden Lobliner, C/INF, St. Charles North, 2022
5-foot-5, 145-pound right-handed hitting catcher/infielder. At the plate, even setup, back load, short toe lifted stride. Hands work loose, level path with some length, some rhythm involved, exit velocity topped 79 mph from a tee. Defensively, pop times ranged 2.10-2.20. Steady hands, feet work quick, clean transfer, gets shoulders turned, some effort. Arm action has length with recoil, high ¾ slot, throws topped 68 mph from the crouch. Flashed athletic actions on the infield, quick footwork, steady hands, bends at waist, packs at exchange. Long arm action, loose out front, high ¾ slot, throws topped 77 mph across the diamond. 8.13 runner in the 60.
Preston Matson, C, Lake Park, 2020
6-foot-2, 180-pound right-handed hitting catcher, large frame with strength. At the plate, sets up tall and open, slight bar load, knee to knee leg kick stride. Strength in hands, path works uphill with length, present rhythm, exit velocity topped 80 mph from a tee. Defensively, pop times ranged 2.14-2.29. Clean transfer, funnels low, slight uphill with recoil. Arm plays short, high ¾ slot, throws topped 70 mph from the crouch. 8.26 runner in the 60.
Michael Parmigiani, C, Mount Carmel, 2021
6-foot, 175-pound right-handed hitting catcher, athletic build. At the plate, tall setup, wraps at load, short toe tap trigger. Path is short on an uphill plane, cuts off at finish, some stiffness, exit velocity topped 83 mph from a tee. Defensively, pop times ranged 2.22-2.29. Wide setup, clean transfer, long to release, shoulders uphill. Arm plays long, high ¾ slot, throws topped 72 mph from the crouch. 7.47 runner in the 60.
Andrew Petsche, C, Oswego East, 2020
6-foot-2, 175-pound right-handed hitting catcher, thin and athletic frame. At the plate, balanced at setup, smooth load, short toe tap trigger. Line drive hitter, whippy bat path stays level through the hitting zone, aggressive approach with pull tendencies. Quick bat speed with rhythm, exit velocity topped 95 mph from a tee. Defensively, pop times ranged 2.00-2.12. Steady hands, gains ground and follows through. Short and high arm action out of a high ¾ slot, throws topped 76 mph from the crouch. 7.17 runner in the 60.
Benji Ries, C, Stevenson, 2021
6-foot, 180-pound right-handed hitting catcher, durable build. At the plate, sets up open, smooth load, long leg lift trigger with weight shift, slight dive. Strength in hands, path is short on a fluid uphill plane, flashed power potential, exit velocity topped 92 mph from a tee. Defensively, pop times ranged 2.12-2.25. Steady hands, gains ground to second, funnels transfer at chest. Shorter arm action, uphill some, high ¾ slot, throws topped 73 mph from the crouch. 7.93 runner in the 60.
Lorenzo Rios, C/INF, Joliet Catholic, 2022
5-foot-7, 140-pounds, left-handed hitting catcher/infielder. At the plate, balanced setup, smooth load, short stride, simple actions pre-pitch. Hands work loose, fluid path with some length, flashed line drive ability, rhythm involved, exit velocity topped 70 mph from a tee. Defensively, pop times ranged 2.22-2.36. Low setup, quick transfer to release, uphill some. Arm plays short, ¾ slot, slings it, throws topped 63 mph from the crouch. On the infield, steady hands, quick transfer, long to release, ¾ slot, throws topped 69 mph across the diamond. 8.51 runner in the 60.
Jake Rybka, C, Providence Catholic, 2021
6-foot, 190-pound right-handed hitting catcher, sturdy build. At the plate, balanced, open setup, smooth load, short stride. Quiet hands, has an approach, flashed extension through zone, line drive ability. Present bat speed, exit velocity topped 89 mph from a tee. Defensively, pop times ranged 2.04-2.15. Arm plays long with carry to the bag, high ¾ slot, throws topped 75 mph from the crouch, some rhythm throughout. 7.91 runner in the 60.
Sean Sajdak, C, Plainfield North, 2020
6-foot, 195-pound right-handed hitting catcher, well-put together build with strength. Sets up even at the plate, quick knee lift stride, slight bat wrap at load, head occasionally dives over plate. Path works uphill, bat strength potential uses all fields, exit velocity topped 84 mph from a tee. Behind the dish, pop times ranged 2.18-2.32. Steady hands, arm works long out of a high, over the top slot, throws topped 73 mph from the crouch. 7.52 runner in the 60.
Harrison Scroggins, C, Lincoln-Way West, 2022
5-foot-10, 190-pounds, right-handed hitting catcher, athletic frame. At the plate, tall setup, back/drop load, quick toe lifted stride. Bat path works uphill, high elbow, lifts the baseball, all fields approach, exit velocity topped 84 mph from a tee. Defensively, pop times ranged 2.12-2.26. Steady hands, transfers are clean, athletic out the chute. Arm plays short, high ¾ slot, throws topped 73 mph from the crouch. 7.12 runner in the 60.
Cade Turner, C/RHP, Lincoln-Way West, 2020
5-foot-11, 160-pound, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Hits from a balanced, crouched setup, short toe tap trigger, smooth load. Path is short to the ball, showed line drive ability with rhythm through contact, present bat speed, exit velocity topped 86 mph from a tee. Defensively, pop times ranged 2.03-2.18. Clean transfers, plays through into a short arm action, high ¾ slot. Accurate throws on top of the bag, topped 75 mph from the crouch. 8.21 runner in the 60. On the mound, stretch only, tall and fall delivery, high-knee balance, works in-line, stays in the doorway, accelerated actions after release, rhythm involved. Shorter, two-part arm action, looseness out front, regular effort. Fastball played straight in the zone, ranged 80-82 mph, topped 83 mph. Curveball, 12.6 shape, early break, flashed depth, 62-65 mph. Changeup played 72-74 mph.Cutter had slight cut, 80-81 mph.
Lucas Waunn, C, Fenwick, 2021
5-foot-10, 157-pound left-handed hitting catcher. At the plate, wide setup, slight bar load back, toe tap trigger. Path works on an uphill plane, whippy path in and out of the zone, all fields approach, exit velocity topped 81 mph from a tee. Defensively, pop times ranged 2.14-2.26. Two handed receiver, quick transfer, active action. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, some looseness throughout, throws topped 70 mph from the crouch. 7.59 runner in the 60.
Kyle Waxweiler, C, Lincoln-Way West, 2020
6-foot-1, 205-pound right-handed hitting catcher, athletic and strong build. Behind the dish, quick and clean actions, solid catch and release, fluid footwork, stays relaxed, pop times ranged 2.12-2.25. Soft hands, short and clean arm action, high ¾ slot, throws topped 72 mph from the crouch, effort is easy. At the plate, even setup, minimal load, toe twist timing trigger. Path works uphill, middle/opposite field approach, some strength, exit velocity topped 91 mph from a tee. 7.26 runner in the 60.
Timothy Whitfield, C, Crossroads Christian, 2021
5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed hitting catcher, well-proportioned, strong frame. At the plate, sets up even, smooth load, toe lifted, short stride, rocks back with weight shift. Quiet, rhythmic hands, path plays level with some length, easy effort. Exit velocity topped 78 mph from a tee. Defensively, pop times ranged 2.06-2.15. Under control actions, steady hands, fluid footwork, clean transfer to a long release. Arm action is clean with length on back side, high ¾ slot, ball carried at 76 mph from the crouch. 7.70 runner in the 60.