Southwest Suburban Prospect ID: Catching Analysis

November 30, 2015

By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The Southwest Suburban Prospect I.D. took place on November 1^st at Elite Sports Performance in Oswego, IL. We will begin our analysis of the event today with the Catchers.

2018 Chase Stanke (Marmion) continued to improve his stock after posting the lowest pop times of the event, 1.98-2.01 and tied for the strongest arm from the crouch at the event, 79 mph. Left-handed hitting Stanke took one of the best rounds of batting practice as well. Loose swing with present bat speed and registered an 87 mph exit velocity. Should be a high follow 2018 moving forward.

The Southwest Suburban Prospect I.D. produced many other catchers worth noting. Right-handed hitting Kyle McBrady (Providence Catholic, 2017) impressed at the plate. Offensively, advanced approach with fluid rhythm and barrel control. Max Warren (Yorkville, 2017) was 75 mph from the crouch, pop times of 2.05-2.09 and true flight on his throws.

Two other catchers worth mentioning is 2018 Luke Muller (Plainfield North) and Josh Jackson (St. Rita, 2017). Muller was 75 mph from the crouch with carry. Jackson tied with Stanke for the highest velocity from the crouch, 79 mph and had pop times ranging from 1.98-2.08.

Catchers listed in (Alphabetical Order)

Thomas Flisk, C, Andrew, 2017
6-foot, 175-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively hits from a balanced, slightly open stance with hands close to the body. Short, heel lift stride back to even. Opposite field hitter with a short uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.50. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Long, high exchange, with good blocking ability. Popped 2.25-2.33 and threw 67 mph from the crouch.

Kal Fortner, C, Illinois Lutheran 2017
5-foot-8, 140-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Quick footwork, works off back foot on throws. Popped 2.29-2.37 and threw 65 mph form the crouch. Showed flexibility in the lower half receiving in bullpens. At the plate hits from a balanced, open stance. Short leg kick stride with fair balance. Short path, with stiff rhythm. 74 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.61.

Collin Friedsam, C, Sandburg, 2017
Lanky, athletic build at 6-foot-3, 195-pounds, Right-handed hitting catcher. At the plate hits from a balanced, slightly open stance. Smooth load to backside with a short stride and good balance. Good approach with fluid rhythm with a fast bat. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.58. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Soft hands with good blocking ability. Popped 2.25-2.33 and threw 71 mph from the crouch.

Brandon Gonzales, C/RHP, Bartlett, 2019
5-foot-11, 200-pound, right-handed hitting C/RHP. Offensively hits from a balanced, closed setup with a short stride. Hits off the backside with a long uphill swing path. 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 5.25. Behind the plate has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Tall receiver with slower footwork. Popped 2.44-2.51 and threw 65 mph from the crouch. Decent receiving in pens. Also took drills in the infield, slower actions with a short arm action from a ¾ arm slot. Threw 67 mph across the diamond. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, stiff arm action. Tall and fall, slow paced delivery with a closed toe landing. Fastball sat 64-67 mph. Curveball showed no action at 56-59 mph. Maintained arm speed on changeup at 55-59 mph. Also featured a knuckleball at 54-55 mph. Will continue to improve with maturity.

Josh Jackson, C/OF, St. Rita, 2017
5-foot-11, 170-pound, right-handed hitting C/OF. Defensively behind the plate has a short arm action from an over the top arm angle. Accurate throws showed carry throwing 79 mph from the crouch. Raises up early out of crouch during drills. Popped 1.98-2.08. Took drills in the outfield showcasing his raw arm strength throwing 85 mph. Quick footwork, while playing thru the ball. At the plate hits from a tall, open stance. Long, leg kick stride back to even, short, uphill swing path. 74 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.32.

Sammy Jones, C, Plainfield North, 2017
6-foot-1, 175-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively hits from a wide base with a balanced setup. Short toe tap stride with a long, uphill swing path. 73 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.68. Defensively has a long arm action from a ¾ arm slot, throws show tailing action. Tall receiver in drills, raises out of squat early. Popped 2.18-2.27 and threw 75 mph from the crouch.

Nicolas Malik, C, Montini, 2017
Strong, sturdy build at 6-foot, 215-pounds. Right-handed hitting catcher. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Tall receiver in drills. Slower exchange with a quick release. Quick, athletic footwork behind the plate. Popped 2.10-2.19 and threw 72 mph from the crouch. Showed flexibility in the lower half receiving in pens. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and average balance. Short swing path with stiff rhythm. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.28.

Jacob Mason, C/3B, Minooka, 2017
Big bodied 5-foot-10, 225-pound, right-handed hitting C/3B. Offensively hits from a balanced, slightly closed stance. Short stride with a long, level swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.83. Defensively behind the plate has a short arm action from a ¾ arm slot. Quick clean transfer with a slower release. Popped 2.12-2.18 and threw 73 mph from the crouch. Took drills in the infield, moves well for size, threw 76 mph across the diamond.

Kyle McBrady, C, Providence Catholic, 2017
5-foot-8, 170-pound, right-handed hitting catcher with a strong, compact frame. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, smooth load to backside, with a short toe tap stride. Quiet and balanced throughout swing. Advanced approach at the plate with a good eye. Gap to gap hitter with an uphill swing path. Fluid rhythm with good feel for the barrel. 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.72. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Average arm strength with a clean exchange. Popped 2.18-2.29 and threw 73 mph from the crouch. Showed flexibility in the lower half, quiet receiver in pens.

Luke Muller, C, Plainfield North, 2018
5-foot-10, 160-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Defensively has a short, loose arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Accurate throws with carry throwing 75 mph from the crouch. Fluid footwork with a slower exchange. Popped 2.18-2.26. At the plate hits from balanced, spread out stance. Heel lift stride with a long, level swing path. 71 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.43.

Joe Spano, C, Waubonsie Valley, 2016
Large framed right-handed hitting catcher at 6-foot, 195-pounds. Offensively hits from an open stance with a knee to knee load. Stays open thru contact with good balance. Short, uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.68. Defensively has a long arm action from an over the top arm slot with a long exchange. Tall receiver in drills. Popped 2.11-2.19 and threw 74 mph from the crouch.

Chase Stanke, C, Marmion, 2018
Projectable, athletic frame at 6-foot-2, 175-pounds. Left-handed hitting catcher. At the plate hits from a balanced setup. Smooth load to backside with a short stride and good balance. Slight collapse on backside. Looseness in the hands creating a fast, whippy bat. Middle away approach with a short swing path and fluid rhythm. Showed strength thru contact with 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.36. Defensively has a short, loose arm action from an over the top arm slot. Quick footwork with a clean exchange, doesn’t always gain ground towards second. Popped 1.98-2.01 and threw 79 mph from the crouch.

Jake VanGilder, C, Oswego, 2017
6-foot, 205-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a short, leg lift stride. Short, level swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 5.00. Defensively has a short, stiff arm action from an over the top arm slot. Stand up and throw with a long exchange. Popped 2.23-2.33 and threw 68 mph from the crouch.

Max Warren, C, Yorkville, 2017
5-foot-10, 170-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Accurate throws with carry. Threw 75 mph from the crouch. Quick footwork and release. Popped 2.05-2.09. At the plate hits from a tall, narrow setup. Short load to backside, with a long stride and linear lower half. Pull hitter with a short, uphill swing path. Fluid rhythm, showed strength thru contact in BP. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.26.

Southwest Suburban Prospect ID: Catching Analysis

Catchers listed in (Alphabetical Order)

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