Underclass Games: Catcher Analysis

On Tuesday, June 2nd, PBR Georgia hosted the second annual Underclass Games for the top 2022-204 prospects. Approximately 110 uncommitted prospects from around the state descended upon LakePoint Sports in Emerson, GA for a pro-style workout and simulated game.

We begin our positional breakdown with a look at the catchers in attendance. Despite being one of the youngest prospect in attendance, C/RHP Ariston Veasey (Starr’s Mill, 2024) came away as the top catcher at the event and quickly committed to Georgia following the event. Veasey is equipped with a big arm behind the plate at 77 mph, especially considering his age. Couple his arm with quick, athletic actions and Veasey was able to post pop times between 1.94-1.97. Behind Veasey are four catchers that all received invites and participated in the 2020 PBR Future Games.

C/1B Will Plattner (Glenwood, 2022) stood out as an offensive minded backstop who showed power to all fields during batting practice, and posted a 94 mph exit velocity. In-game, the swing played as he made hard contact, including a loud double. C/RHP David Bell (Greenbrier, 2022) is a true two-way prospect. Bell has a big arm behind the plate and on the mound, and uses a simple line drive approach at the plate. Another 2024 who made his mark was C/RHP Luca Perriello (Greenbrier, 2024). Perriello is an advanced athlete behind the plate, and swings a whippy barrel from both side. Rounding out the top-5 is C Daniel Kerrigan Jr. (Lowndes, 2022). Kerrigan is a defensive minded catcher with a physical lower half.

Top Catcher Prospects

Ariston Veasey, C/RHP, Starr’s Mill, 2024
Georgia commit. 5-foot-11, 160-pound right-handed hitting catcher and right-handed pitcher, lean, projectable build with plenty of time and room to continue physically maturing, ran a 7.82 laser-timed 60. An elite defensive catcher, short, loose arm, quick speed, throws are true and accurate down to second, keeps them on a low trajectory, 77 out of the crouch. Flexibility throughout lower half, quick on transfers and with footwork, pop times ranged 1.94-1.97. Offensively, open setup, hands drop and comes to a near arm bar on load, comes to a balanced position on stride. Whippy barrel works in a slightly uphill path, gap-to-gap approach, showed the ability to use the whole field with line drive contact, 85 exit velocity, much more to come as he physically fills out. On the mound, arm works quick with a short stab on the back-side to a ¾ slot. Tall and fall delivery, short at balance point, works on-line, lands square, finishes square to home. Fastball sat 77-79, touched 80, running action. Curveball, 12/6 shape, depth, 60-62.

Will Plattner, C/1B, Glenwood (IL), 2022
6-foot, 185-pound right-handed hitting catcher, strong build, medium frame, offensive minded. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth pre-pitch rhythm, short leg lift stride, high hands load back smoothly, good balance throughout. Simple approach, gap-to-gap type hitter with developing power to all fields, good hand eye and feel for the barrel, drives the ball routinely, 94 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, short, quick arm, over-the-top slot, accurate throws to the bag, big arm, 76 out of the crouch. Flexible lower half allowing him to sit deep in his stance, soft hands receiving, gets the ball out of glove quickly on transfers, clean footwork, pop times ranged 1.95-2.02. At first base has good feel around the bag,

David Bell, C/RHP, Greenbrier, 2022
6-foot-1, 193-pound right-handed hitting catcher and right-handed pitcher, strong, athletic build, a legitimate two-way prospect,  ran a 7.40 laser-timed 60. Offensively, keeps it simple, balanced setup, short stride, hands load back smoothly, maintains good balance throughout. Takes a line drive approach using the middle of the field, level barrel path through the zone, flashed pull-side pop, consistently barrel pitches up during BP, 88 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, short, quick arm out of a high ¾ slot, accurate throws to the right-side of the bag, got the ball there in a hurry, 79 out of the crouch. Quick, clean actions behind the plate, flexible lower half, pop times 1.93-2.00. On the mound, arm works clean on the back-side with quick arm speed to a ¾ slot, at-times will drop down to a low ¾ slot. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands square to home, finishes with a leg sweep and some lower half recoil. Fastball sat 84-86, running action. Curveball, 12/6 shape, depth and some late bite, 72-74. Changeup, fade action, 75-77.

Luca Perriello, C/RHP, Greenbrier, 2024
5-foot-11, 152-pound switch-hitting catcher and right-handed pitcher, lean, athletic build, a ton of time to physically mature and continue to develop, added strength will benefit entire skill set, ran a 7.38. Offensively, similar setup from both sides of the plate, tall, open setup, long leg kick timing trigger, finishes balanced. Pull-side approach from left and right, whippy barrel and advanced hand speed, able to drive the ball with significant force for age, good feel for the barrel, 81 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, short, loose arm, quick arm speed, over-the-top slot, 72 out of the crouch. Athletic behind the plate, advanced actions, soft receiver, quick hands and feet, pop times 2.07-2.21.

Daniel Kerrigan Jr., C, Lowndes, 2022
5-foot-11, 170-pound right-handed hitting catcher, strong build, physical lower half, ran a 7.73 laser-timed 60. A defensive first back-stop. Defensively, short, quick arm out of an over-the-top slot, quick release, throws are true and accurate to the bag, 76 from the crouch. Sits in stance with good posture, athletic hands receiving, quick with transfers getting the ball out and fundamental footwork working towards second, pop times ranged 1.97-2.04. Offensively, open stance, hands start back, uses a short load, good balance. Swing path works long to the zone, level through, gap-to-gap type hitter, 84 exit velocity off a tee, more power to come as he continues to develop upper half.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Preston Bonn, C, Brookwood, 2024
5-foot-8, 145-pound right-handed hitting catcher, lean frame with plenty of time to continue to grow and add, ran an 8.43 laer-timed 60. Offensively, open setup, hands start near ear and load deep, strides to a balanced position, good balance on finish. Line drive type hitter who with more time and physical development will be a gap-to-gap type with the ability to drive the ball to all fields, good feel for the barrel and hand-eye, 76 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, short arm action to a ¾ slot, put throws low on second base, 69 out of the crouch. Sits in stance with good flexibility in knees and ankles, clean on transfers and footwork, pop times ranged 2.32-2.47.

Will Cawthon, C, Loganville, 2022
6-foot-3, 175-pound right-handed hitting catcher, long, lean frame, high waist, projectable, ran a 7.32 laser-timed 60. Offensively, tall, open setup, high hands drop and load back, shallow leg kick timing trigger, good balance. Swings the bat aggressively, gap-to-gap type hitter, generates hard contact, uphill barrel path, 86 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, short arm action out of an over-the-top slot, throws are true and accurate to the bag, 74 out of the crouch. Flexible in his lower half, receives the ball well, clean transfers, can get long at-times, clean footwork, pop times ranged 2.02-2.19.

AJ DeMastrie, C, River Ridge, 2023
5-foot-10, 170-pound switch-hitting catcher, proportional build, strong frame, continues to add to frame with more to come as he physically matures, ran a 7.29 laser-timed 60. Offensively, wide base, hands start near center of body and load back smoothly, good balance on finish. Swing works short to the zone, level through from both sides of the plate, displayed a similar gap-to-gap approach, can drive the ball from the left and right, 91 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, short, quick arm, quick to release from an over-the-top slot, kept throws low on the target, 74 out of the crouch. Flexible in the hips, soft receiver, quick on transfers allowing for him to get the ball out in a hurry, clean footwork, pop times ranged 2.00-2.10.

Hutch Ezell, C, Mill Creek, 2022
6-foot-2, 185-pound right-handed hitting catcher, large frame with strength throughout and plenty of room to fill out, ran a 7.80 laser-timed 60. Offensively, simple setup, wide base, short hand load back couple with short stride, good balance throughout. Middle/pull hitter, flashed ability to drive the ball, looks to elevate, more power to come as he adds strength, 83 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, arm works short from a high ¾ slot, put throws on target, 69 out of the crouch. Sits in stance with flexible knees, quick hands, clean footwork, pop times ranged, 2.13-2.25.

Matthew Glass, C, Jeff Davis, 2022
6-foot-3, 215-pound left-handed hitting catcher, large, physical frame, room for more strength in frame, ran an 8.01 laser-timed 60. At the plate, open setup, long stride, hands load back into a near arm bar, finishes balanced. Takes a power approach, uses the pull-side of the field, keeps hands inside, with more extension in swing would see increased use of power, 85 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, short arm action, can lengthen out at times, out of a high ¾ slot, 71 out of the crouch. Sits in stance, receives with both hands out, clean on transfers and footwork, pop times ranged 2.08-2.22.

William Greene, C, Buford, 2022
6-foot-3, 185-pound right-handed hitting catcher, projectable frame, long and strong with more to come as he physically matures, ran a 7.85 laser-timed 60. Offensively, wide setup, smooth load back of the hands and weight, short strides, finishes on back-side. Uphill barrel path, gap-to-gap type approach, gets to the ball out front with extension, pulls off times, 81 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, arm works short out of a high ¾ slot, used the turf to put the ball on target, 72 out of the crouch. Competent receiver, long on transfers, footwork works around the ball, pop times ranged 2.27-2.39.

Jon Holcomb, C/RHP, Parkview, 2024
5-foot-10, 145-pound right-handed hitting two-way prospect, long, lean frame, has not even begun to tap into his physicality as he continues to mature, ran an 8.39 laser-timed 60. Offensively, open setup, high hands drop and load deep, reverse toe-tap, long stride, finishes balanced. Barrel works mostly level through the zone with a flick of the wrist, line drive type hitter, uses the middle of the field, 76 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, short arm action, over-the-top slot, 69 out of the ctouch. Some fluidity in actions, sits up stance, long on transfers, clean footwork, pop times ranged, 2.32-2.45. On the mound, arm works clean on the back-side to a ¾ slot. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands open, finishes upright. Fastball sat 72-73, touched 74. Curveball, 63-64, 12/6 shape, some depth. Changeup, 68-69, fade action.

Daniel Jackson, C, North Springs, 2023
5-foot-11, 160-pound right-handed hitting catcher, proportional build with strength, more to come as he continues to physically mature. Defensively, arm works short through an over-the-top slot, hit the target with each throw, putting some right on the bag, 73 out of the crouch. Flexibility in the hips allowing for him to sink in his stance. Hands work well, makes quick transfers, has tendency to stand up first and then work towards second, would benefit from working through the ball, pop times ranged 2.06-2.20. Offensively, balanced setup, toe-tap stride, short hand load back, finishes on back-side. Looks to elevate the ball at the plate, gap-to-gap approach, at-times top spins the ball, hard contact up the middle, 86 exit velocity off a tee.

Ashton Kehren, C, Buford, 2023
6-foot, 185-pound right-handed hitting catcher, strong build with a physical upper half, vocal leader on the diamond, ran a 7.92 laser-timed 60. Offensively, tall, narrow setup, hands load back, strides out to a balanced position, finishes heavily on back-side with one hand. Uphill barrel path, looks to elevate the ball to the middle/pull, emerging pull-side pop, 83 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, arm works somewhat longer than a traditional catcher's, over-the-top slot, 73 out of the crouch. Good flexibility in hips, leans at the waist with chest over knees, competent hands, can be long with transfers, clean footwork, pop times 2.15-2.25.

Noah Kuhaneck, C/RHP, Long County, 2022
6-foot, 210-pound right-handed hitting catcher and right-handed pitcher, physical frame, strength throughout, room for firming up, ran a 7.65 laser-timed 60. Defensively, short arm action out of an over-the-top slot, kept throws on line and on target at second, 70 out of the crouch. Soft glove-hand, clean on transfers and footwork, gains ground towards second out of the chute, pop times ranged 2.03-2.22. Offensively, open setup with weight displaced on back-side, short hanging leg stride, short hand load back, finishes balanced. Power approach the plate, meets te ball out front, generates hard contact, 94 exit velocity off a tee. On the mound, arm works short with above-average arm speed, high ¾ slot. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands square, finishes upright. Fastball sat 78-80 with some sink. Slider, downer action, 66-68. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 68-70.

McDonald McCommons, UTL, Lake Oconee, 2022
6-foot, 185-pound right-handed hitting utility, strong build, continues to add strength throughout frame, ran a 7.68 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup with an athletic bend in his knees, hands load back early, short stride, good balance throughout, uses lower half well. Takes a gap-to-gap approach with pull-side pop, barrel works in a slightly uphill path, 88 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, worked out at all three positions, best fit behind the dish or at third base. Arm works short and quick with considerable arm strength, 89 across the infield, 89 from the outfield, 81 out of the crouch. Showed fluid actions on the infield and in the outfield, competent glove-hand, transfers the ball cleanly. Behind the plate, gets in a low position with flexible knees, quick on transfers, capable of making accurate throws from his knees, 2.05-2.20 pop times. On the mound, arm works ultra short out of a high 3/4 slot, quick hand speed. Tall and fall delivery, stays tall throughout, works on-line, finishes upright. Fastball sat 81-84, touched 85. Curveball, 71-72, 11/5 shape, depth. Changeup, fade and sink, 70 mph.

Charlie Siegel, C, North Paulding, 2022
6-foot-2, 200-pound right-handed hitting catcher, physical build, strength throughout, ran an 8.04 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, hands load back quickly, short hanging leg stride, finishes on his back-side. Powerful swing at the plate, generates hard contact with each swing, elevates the ball with force to the pull-side, 84 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, traditional catcher’s arm action, short and over-the-top, kept throws on target, strong arm, 78 out of the crouch. Creates a large target behind the plate, sits in his stance, clean on transfers and with footwork, pop times 2.00-2.06.  

Jack Wise, C, Westside, 2022
6-foot-1, 180-pound right-handed hitting catcher, strong build that will carry much more as he continues to develop, ran a 7.33 laser-timed 60. Offensively, simple setup, balanced with a short stride, hands load deep onto back-side, good balance. Swing works uphill as he looks to elevate the ball and do damage, aggressive with above-average barrel speed, 90 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, arm works short to the ear, quick arm speed out of an over-the-top slot, 72 out of the crouch. Competent glove-hand, clean on transfers and with footwork, pop times ranged 2.10-2.18.

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