By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director 

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The inaugural Preseason I.D. - Lockport took place on Monday, February 20th at the Bo Jackson Elite Sports Dome in Lockport, IL. The event was open to all high school classes and had close to 200 participants from around the Chicagoland area.

Today we begin the analysis from the event with the catchers. Left-handed hitting freshman catcher Trevor Davis (Danville) takes the top spot. Davis showed off a strong, accurate arm from the crouch, clocked at 77 mph.

Not far behind Davis was junior Noah Ernst (Neuqua Valley). Ernst has a quick release from the crouch and a true arm that carries. His low pop time was recorded at 1.94.

Top Catching Prospects

1. Trevor Davis, C, Danville, 2020
5-foot-11, 175-pound, present strength, athletically built left-handed hitting catcher. Defensively, advanced catch and throw prospect for his age. Flexible lower half, quiet receiver, soft hands with ability to stick pitches in the zone. Comes out of the crouch athletic, stays on-line. Advanced arm strength for age, from an over-the-top slot, throws are true with carry and clocked at 77 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.00-2.08. Offensively, left-handed hitter, bat speed, uphill path, pull approach with power potential. Balanced, closed setup, early load, low hands, short stride and active lower half throughout. Registered an 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. 7.86 runner in the 60.

2. Noah Ernst, C, Neuqua Valley, 2018
5-foot-11, 200-pound, thick build, right-handed hitting catcher, possesses a strong lower half. Offensively, balanced setup, leg-timing trigger, hits off front foot at times, fluid rhythm, maintains balance throughout. Line-drive approach, showed strength, drove the ball up the middle, generates bat speed. Recorded a 90 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, works from an over-the-top arm slot with short arm action, regularly hit the target with carry, clocked at 77 mph from the crouch. Works on-line with throws, quick footwork, clean and quick on exchanges, soft blocker, receives well with a strong wrist. Recorded pop times between 1.94-2.01. Ran a 7.55 laser-timed 60.

3. Jacob Schroeder, C, Homewood-Flossmoor, 2019
6-foot-1, 180-pound, lanky, athletically built with room to fill out, right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, athletic approach, balanced, open setup, long stride, fluid rhythm, maintains balance throughout swing. Loose hands, generates bat speed, barrel stays flat through the zone, gets extension, recorded a 78 mph exit velocity. Defensively, over-the-top arm slot with short arm action, kept throws around the bag with carry, clocked at 74 mph out of the crouch. Soft blocker, receives the ball well, works on-line, clean footwork and exchanges, recorded pop times between 2.05-2.12. Ran a 7.24 laser-timed 60.

4. Kyle Waxweiler, C, Lincoln-Way West, 2020
6-foot, 190-pound, athletically built catcher with a strong lower half. Ran a 7.15 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced, tall setup, smooth load, slight heel-lift stride and good balance through contact. Loose hands, creates whip and bat speed in swing, uphill path; 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, clean exchange, stays on-line, short arm action, over-the top slot and throws clocked at 71 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.16-2.25.

5. Max Malley, C, Marist, 2019
5-foot-8, 145-pound, lanky, athletic catcher, projectable body. Defensively, works from a ¾ arm slot with short arm action, consistently made accurate throws down to second, clocked at 75 mph from the crouch. Moves athletically behind the plate, soft hands, quick footwork, quick, clean exchanges, strong receiver. Recorded pop times between 2.00-2.08. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth load, short stride, lower half works, fluid rhythm, maintains balance throughout. Line drive hitter, long path through the zone, recorded an 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran a 7.18 laser-timed 60.

5. Greg Budig, C, Plainfield North, 2019
6-foot, 170-pound, athletic right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, tall, balanced setup, smooth load, short stride, lower half works, fluid rhythm, maintains excellent balance throughout swing. Line-drive approach, generates bat speed, registered an 84 mph exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, throws from a high ¾ arm slot with short arm action, consistently hit second base with carry. Clocked at 75 mph out of the crouch. Quiet receiver, soft blocker. Recorded pop times between 2.01-2.05. Ran a 7.47 laser-timed 60.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Joseph Batusich, C, Joliet Catholic, 2020
5-foot-10, 172-pound, strong, athletically built, catcher. Offensively, switch-hitter, crouched setup, short leg-lift timing trigger and average balance throughout. 77 mph exit velocity from both sides of the plate. Defensively, short, over-the-top arm action, throws consistently around the bag, clocked at 72 mph. 2.26-2.36 pop times. 7.83 runner in the 60.

Charlie Bennett, C, Bremen, 2019
6-foot-1, 220-pound, strong lower half, wide shoulders, left-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, maintains balance throughout. Uphill barrel path through the zone, showed strength at the plate, recorded an 80 mph exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, throws from a ¾ arm slot with long arm action. Clocked at 69 mph out of the crouch. Recorded pop times between 2.25-2.36. Ran a 7.99 laser-timed 60.

Zach Brothen, C, Lincoln-Way East
5-foot-9, 160-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Balanced, crouch setup, short stride and path works uphill; 65 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, long arm action, throws clocked at 65 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.51-2.60. Ran a 7.81 60.

Kyle Czarnecki, C, Minooka, 2020
5-foot-6, 158-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth load, short stride and finishes on his backside. Looks to pull the baseball, path works uphill at times and made consistent hard contact; 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, throws consistently around the bag, high ¾ to over-the-top slot, clocked at 69 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.19-2.27. 7.31 runner in the 60.

Alejandro Del Valle, C, St. Laurence, 2020
6-foot, 170-pound, lanky, right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, wide, balanced setup, short stride, maintains good balance throughout swing, smooth rhythm, good approach. Simple swing, short, uphill barrel path through the zone, generates bat speed. Recorded a 75 mph exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, throws from a ¾ arm slot with short arm action, kept throws around the bag with some carry. Clocked at 71 mph out of the crouch. Recorded pop times between 2.12-2.26. Ran a 7.80 laser-timed 60.

Henry Del Valle, C, St. Laurence, 2018
5-foot-10, 170-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, balanced setup, leg-kick timing trigger, good balance through contact and short, uphill bat path. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, flexible behind the plate, soft blocker, short arm action from an over-the-top slot, clocked at 71 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.18-2.30. Ran a 7.79 in the 60.

Avery Delphey, C, Oswego, 2019
5-foot-11, 160-pound, wide shouldered right-handed hitting catcher. Defensively, throws from a ¾ arm slot with long arm action. Clocked at 77 mph from the crouch. Works on-line, clean exchanges, recorded pop times between 2.18-2.22. Offensively, crouching stance, short stride, lower half works, maintains balance throughout. Uphill barrel path through the zone, recorded a 71 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.28 laser-timed 60.

Ryan Ferguson, C, Romeoville, 2019
6-foot, 175-pound, lanky, right-handed hitting catcher. Defensively, throws from a ¾ arm slot with long arm action. Clocked at 72 mph out of the crouch. Recorded pop times between 2.25-2.35. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, short, uphill path through the zone. Recorded a 74 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.36 laser-timed 60.

Sean Greaney, C, Lockport, 2019
5-foot-11, 160-pound, lean, athletically  built, right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, balanced, quiet setup, minimal pre-pitch movement, short stride and excellent balance through contact. Simple approach, controls the barrel, uses the whole field, hands work on top of the baseball, line-drive approach. 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, open setup, short arm from a high ¾ slot, clocked at 67 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.26-2.32. Also, ran a 7.80 laser-timed 60.

Jared Holt, C, Dunlap, 2018
5-foot-9, 175-pound, catcher with a sturdy lower half. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, minimal pre-pitch movement, short stride, maintains balance through contact and occasionally gets extension through contact. 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, slightly open setup, clean arm action, high ¾ slot and throws clocked at 77 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.12-2.22.

Alec Hranicka, C, Lincoln-Way East, 2019
5-foot-7, 140-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, maintains balance throughout. Line drive hitter, uphill barrel path, recorded an 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, works from an over-the-top arm slot with short arm action. Clocked at 69 mph out of the crouch. Works on-line, recorded pop times between 2.28-2.33. Ran a 7.45 laser-timed 60.

Jack Jonota, C, Stevenson, 2019
5-foot-8, 150-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, slightly open setup, short stride, maintains balance throughout. Line drive hitter, uphill barrel path through the zone, recorded a 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, advanced flexibility, gets extremely low receiving, quiet, soft hands. Arm works from a high ¾ arm slot with a short arm action, clocked at 74 mph from the crouch. Recorded pop times between 2.18-2.21. Ran a 7.63 laser-timed 60.

Sam LaBarbera, C, Metea Valley, 2019
5-foot-10, 145-pound, lanky left-handed hitting catcher. Defensively, works from an over-the-top arm slot with short arm action, clocked at 67 mph from the crouch. Displayed good footwork, worked on-line. Recorded pop times between 2.17-2.30. Offensively, tall, open setup, long leg kick stride towards the plate, early rhythm, maintains balance. Line drive hitter, uphill barrel path through the zone, recorded a 76 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.73 laser-timed 60.

Joshua McArthur, C, Tinley Park, 2019
6-foot, 158-pound, left-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, tall, open setup, short stride towards the plate, lower half works, fluid rhythm, maintains good balance throughout. Line drive hitter, uphill barrel path, gets extension on swing. Recorded a 76 mph exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, throws from an over-the-top arm slot with a short arm action, clocked at 66 mph out of the crouch. Recorded pop times between 2.30-2.40. Ran a 8.46 laser-timed 60.

Jake McKendry, C, Providence Catholic, 2019
6-foot-2, 175-pound, athletically built, right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, balanced setup, maintains balance through contact, loose hands, level path, extension at times, line-drive approach and fluid rhythm throughout. 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, clean transfer, throws from a high ¾ slot, accurate throws, around the bag, clocked at 79 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.19-2.32. 7.38 runner in the 60.

Tyler Oman, C/INF, Faith Lutheran, 2020
5-foot-9, 158-pound, right-handed hitting multi-positional prospect. Worked out on the infield and behind the plate. Defensively, throws from a high ¾ arm slot with firm arm action. Clocked at 60 mph out of the crouch and 65 mph across the infield. Recorded pop times between 2.58-2.75. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride. Uphill barrel path, recorded a 67 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.85 laser-timed 60.

Jake Perkowski, C, St. Laurence, 2019
5-foot-6, 135-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, balanced setup, bar load, short stride, fluid rhythm. Barrel takes a long, uphill path through the zone, recorded a 74 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, works from an over-the-top arm slot with short arm action. Clocked at 63 mph out of the crouch. Recorded pop times between 2.40-2.43. Ran a 8.78 laser-timed 60.

Liam Poe, C, Plainfield East, 2018
5-foot-11, 190-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Defensively, short arm action from an over-the-top arm slot, regularly hit the target with carry, clocked at 73 mph from the crouch. Worked on-line, moved athletically, quick, fluid footwork, clean exchanges. Strong wrist while receiving, soft blocker. Recorded pop times between 2.00-2.08. Offensively, balanced setup, short leg kick stride. Uphill barrel path, has some strength, recorded an 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran a 7.56 laser-timed 60.

Gabe Pulido, C, Griffith (IN), 2019
5-foot-10, 195-pound, wide shouldered, right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, tall, narrow setup, short stride, maintains balance throughout. Short, uphill barrel path through the zone, registered an 81 mph exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, throws from a high ¾ arm slot with short arm action, clocked at 67 mph out of the crouch. Soft blocker, strong receiving wrist, recorded pop times between 2.30-2.40. Ran an 8.03 laser-timed 60.

Vincent Sartori, C, Lockport, 2020
6-foot-3, 205-pound, lanky, right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, tall, balanced setup, short stride, maintains balance throughout swing. Repeatable swing, uphill barrel path through the zone, recorded a 78 mph exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, throws from an over-the-top arm slot with short arm action, clocked at 68 mph out of the crouch. Recorded pop times between 2.38-2.45. Ran a 8.15 laser-timed 60.

Trevor Wagnon, C, Plainfield Central, 2019
5-foot-10, 140-pound, lanky right-handed hitting catcher. Defensively, throws from a ¾ arm slot with short arm action. Clocked at 71 mph from the crouch. Recorded pop times between 2.20-2.33. Offensively, open setup, bar, warp load, toe tap stride. Long, uphill barrel path, recorded an 81 mph exit velocity from out of the crouch. Ran a 7.64 laser-timed 60.

Jakob Wals, C, Plainfield East, 2018
5-foot-8, 175-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, balanced setup, and long, uphill path through the zone. Registered 73 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, throws from a high ¾ slot and clocked at 65 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.40-2.50. 8.21 runner in the 60.

Owen Waunn, C, Fenwick, 2018
5-foot-10, 165-pound, lean build, right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, balanced setup, leg-kick timing trigger and long, uphill bat path. 74 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, stays on-line coming out of the crouch, short arm action, high ¾ slot and clocked at 69 mph from behind the plate. Pop times ranged between 2.42-2.50. 8.23 runner in the 60.

Dominic Zupo, C, Oswego East, 2018
5-foot-11, 178-pound, left-handed hitting catcher. Defensively, slightly open stance, high ¾ arm slot with a short arm action, kept throws around the bag, clocked at 75 mph from the crouch. Moved athletically behind the plate, exhibited quick, clean footwork, quick exchanges. Soft blocker and receiver of the ball.l Recorded pop times between 2.00-2.10. Offensively, slightly open, crouching stance, strides towards plate. Barrel takes a short, uphill path, recorded a 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran a 7.42 laser-timed 60.

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