By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

Catchers have become a rare breed and harder and harder to find these days. The Metro East Open had some young talent to keep an eye on in the coming years. We ranked the top three backstops from the Metro East. Jimmy Obertop an incoming freshman took home the number one spot.

1. Jimmy Obertop, C, Westminster Christian (MO), 2019
5-foot-11, 170-pound, athletic build, right-handed hitter. Hits from a balanced set up, toe-tap stride, average balance. Above-average bat speed for his age. Level swing path through the hitting zone. Registered an 83 mph exit velocity. Defensively pop times ranged from 2.18-2.29, 67 mph from the crouch.

2. Garrett Fritz, C, Okaw Valley, 2018
5-foot-10, 180-pound, average build, athletic behind the plate, right-handed hitter. Defensively, impressed with his pop-times behind the plate, given his age. Pop times ranged between 2.11-2.19 and was 73 mph from the crouch. Offensively, flashed some quick hands and strong wrists. Hits from an open stance, slight load and average balance. Showed a short, quick bat path at times, pull side approach and an 80 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.69 60 yard dash.

3. Mark Hoerner, C/RHP, O’Fallon, 2018
5-foot-9, 150-pond, right-handed hitter. Offensively, hits from a tall, open stance, short stride, average balance. Level bat path with a line-drive approach. Registered a 78 mph exit velocity. Defensively, long arm action, pop times ranged from 2.11-2.19, 73 mph from the crouch. Ran a 7.41 60-time. Also, showcased as a right-handed pitcher. Operates from a high ¾ arm slot, short-arm action and balance throughout delivery. Online, athletic finish. Fastball showed run at times, sat 69-72 mph. Curveball had 11/5 shape, gradual break, 61-63 mph. Changeup 64-69 mph.

BEST OF THE REST (listed alphabetically)

Zachary Bellflower, C, O’Fallon, 2018
6-foot, 198-pound, strong build, right-handed hitter. Hits from a balanced set up, short stride, average balance. Uphill bat path, pull-side approach, 78 mph exit velocity. Defensively pop times ranged from 2.26-2.36, 65 mph from behind the plate. Ran a 7.96 60.

Seth Boschert, C, Alton, 2016
5-foot-11, 180-pound, athletic build, left-handed hitter. Hits from a balanced set up, loads hands back, and a short stride. Average bat speed, level bat path, 77 mph exit velocity. Defensively pop times ranged from 2.32-2.43, 69 mph from the crouch. Ran a 7.95 60.

Charlie Brauch, 3B/C, Fancis North (MO), 2016
5-foot-7, 150-pound, average build, right-handed hitter. Offensively, plenty of separation in his pre-pitch load.  Hits from a slightly open set up and utilizes a reverse toe-tap trigger. Long, level bat path, pull-side approach, 76 mph exit velocity. Defensively, on the infield, long arm action, high ¾ slot, with carry. Registered 77 mph across the infield. Behind the plate pop times ranged from 2.18-2.34, 73 mph from the crouch. Ran a 7.42 60 yard dash.

Lance Chapman, C/1B, St. Vincent (MO), 2016
6-foot-2, 225-pound, large, thick build, right-handed hitter. Hits from an open stance, short stride. Above-average bat speed with an 86 mph exit velocity. Uphill bat path, pull-side approach. On the infield showed average hands. Long arm action and a high ¾ slot. Showed some accuracy, 71 mph from first base. Also worked out behind the plate. Pop times ranged from 2.25-2.44, 71 mph from the crouch.

Richard Dambacher, C, Bellevillle East, 2018
5-foot-9, 140-pound, right-handed hitter. Hits from a tall, balanced set up, smooth load, short stride, average balance and a 69 mph exit velocity. Defensively, pop times ranged from 2.33-2.50, 66 mph from the crouch. Ran a 7.81 60 yard dash.

Boomer Johnson, C, O’Fallon, 2016
5-foot-11, 175-pound, average build, right-handed hitter. Hits from a balanced stance, loads hands back, slight leg-kick and balance throughout contact. Average bat speed, uphill bat path, 81 mph exit velocity. Defensively pop times ranged from 2.25-2.44, 65 mph from the crouch. Ran a 7.94 60 yard dash.

Drew Kirchoff, C, SLUH (MO), 2018
5-foot-10, 185-pound, average build, right-handed hitter. 83 mph exit velocity, which is above average for his age. Hits from a tall stance and uses a leg lift trigger. Above-average bat speed, long, uphill bat path. Defensively, pop times ranged from 2.18-2.29, 67 mph from the crouch.

Anthony LaViola, C, Barat Academy (MO), 2016
5-foot-7, 165-pound, right-handed hitter. Offensively, good pre-pitch rhythm, balanced set up. Utilizes a short stride, above-average balance. Level bat path, 73 mph exit velocity. Defensively, pop times ranged from 2.19-2.33, 69 mph from the crouch.

Jeremy Reno, C, O’Fallon, 2018
6-foot-1, 145-pound, lanky build, right-handed hitter. Hits from a tall, balanced set up, short stride, linear lower half. Long, level bat path, 68 mph exit velocity. Behind the plate pop times ranged from 2.50-2.62, 65 mph from the crouch. Ran a 7.49 60 yard dash.

Blake Sayles, C, Joliet Catholic, 2018
5-foot-10, 190-pound, thick build, right-handed hitter. Hits from an open stance, short stride, above-average balance. Uphill bat path, pull-side approach, 75 mph exit velocity. Defensively pop times ranged from 2.30-2.36, 72 mph from the crouch.

Clayton Stephens, C, De Smet Jesuit (MO), 2017
Strong, 6-foot-4, 205-pound athletic, projectable body, right-handed hitter. Stands out in a uniform. Behind the plate flashed some arm strength. Throws were true and had some carry. Pop times ranging from 2.10- 2.26, 78 mph from the crouch.  Hits from a wide set up, smooth load, short stride, good balance. Average bat speed, level bat path, line drive approach, 82 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.62 60.

Dillon Sunnquist, C, Belleville West, 2018
5-foot-7, 115-pound, right-handed hitter. Hits from a tall, balanced set up, short stride, above-average balance. Level bat path, line-drive approach, 69 mph exit velocity. Defensively pop times ranged from 2.47-2.62, 62 mph from the crouch. Ran a 7.58 60 yard dash.

Justin Wilson, C, Charleston, 2017
6-foot-0, 165-pound, lanky build, right-handed hitter. Hits from slightly open stance, deep pre-pitch load and leg-lift trigger. Level swing, line-drive approach. Registered a 77 mph exit velocity. Defensively, starts with a wide base. Pop times ranged from 2.09-2.15, on the bag. Clocked at 72 mph from the crouch. Ran a 7.79 60 yard dash.

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