On Aug. 6, the PBR Illinois staff hosted its annual Senior Games showcase at Triton College in River Grove, Ill., where over 55 of the top uncommitted players in Illinois’ 2020 class gathered to participate in a workout and live game action. Immediately following this event, we broke down the day’s bright spots in our Quick Hits post and our Statistical Analysis.

Today, however, we begin rolling out our position-by-position analysis, beginning with the day’s catchers. It was here where Neuqua Valley’s Carter Stubitz broke out as a high-upside left-handed-hitting catcher to follow. He swings with twitchy hands, generating a quick bat, with gap-to-gap contact. He is still uncommitted.

Then there’s Lake Zurich’s Matthew Flaherty, who put together what was arguably the best round of batting practice at the event. He committed to Triton JC recently and has a long swing with easy pull-side pop.

Continue on below for reports on each of the catchers who made it out.

CATCHERS (Listed Alphabetically)

Michael Aragon, Marian Central Catholic, 2020 (Lake Land JC commit)
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-foot-11, 170-pounds.
Hit: SH. Tall, balanced stance with a short stride. Maintains balance through contact and fluid rhythm throughout. Level bat path, occasional lift and works the middle of the field.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Consistent, hard contact from both sides of the plate.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Short arm action, works from an over the top slot.
Defense: 2.11-2.25 pop times. Sure handed behind the plate. Clean exchange out of the chute.
Run: 7.94 runner in the 60. 

Joe DeHaan, Andrew, 2020
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-foot-2, 183-pounds. Athletic, wide-shouldered frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, minimal load and leg-lift timing trigger. Short bat path, strong wrists, present bat strength and works gap-to-gap.
Power: 90 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Short arm action, releases from an over the top slot. Arm played accurate out of the crouch.
Defense: 2.11-2.19 pop times. Soft hands behind the dish, quiet, steady receiver. Clean exchange out the crouch.
Run: 6.80 runner in the 60. Well-above average runner for his position.

Matthew Flaherty, Lake Zurich, 2020 (Triton JC commit)
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-foot, 200-pounds. Strong, durable frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, open setup with leg-lift stride. Long swing path through the zone. Pull side tendencies at the plate with occasional pop in the bat.
Power: 94 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Short and loose arm action, works from an over the top slot. Throws showed some accuracy.
Defense: 2.07-2.19 pop times. Soft hands behind the dish, fluid footwork, quick and clean transfer out the crouch.
Run: 7.94 runner in the 60. 

Johnny Hernandez, Plainfield South, 2020 (Black Hawk JC commit)
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-foot-11, 165-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, long stride.  Short, uphill bat path and works the middle of the field.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Short arm action, throws from an over the top arm slot. Arm played with some accuracy, carry on throws.
Defense: 2.09-2.22 pop times. Soft hands behind the plate. Clean, athletic transfer behind the plate.
Run: 7.51 runner in the 60. 

Ryan Janssen, Nokomis, 2020
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-foot-11, 190-pounds. Physical build with a defined lower half.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, arm bar load, short stride.  Fast bat speed, level swing path with gap-to-gap abilities.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. His bat speed paired with present bat strength will generate power.
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. Short arm action from an over-the-top slot.
Defense: 2.06-2.25 pop times. Reliable hands behind the dish.
Run: 7.42 runner in the 60. 

Caleb Sjordal, Wheaton Warrenville South, 2020
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-foot, 185-pounds. Physical frame.
Hit: RHH. Narrow, open setup, smooth minimal load and short stride. Long bat path with lift in swing.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Short and loose arm action from a high 3/4 slot. Arm played accurate across the diamond.
Defense: 2.18-2.26 pop times. Sure handed behind the dish. Clean exchange.
Run: 7.82 runner in the 60. 

Carter Stubitz, Neuqua Valley, 2020
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-foot-2, 175-pounds. Lank, athletic, projectable frame. Room for continued physical development.
Hit: LHH. Crouched setup, smooth load, leg-lift trigger and maintains balance through contact. Twitchy hands, creates bat speed, short bat path, lift in swing and gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Short and loose arm action, works from an over the top slot. Arm played accurate, consistently around the second base bag.
Defense: 2.07-2.28 pop times. Steady and reliable hands behind the dish. Clean exchange out the crouch.
Run: 7.63 runner in the 60.

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