By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The annual Prep Baseball Report Unsigned Senior Showcase at the Max in McCook, IL took place on Sunday, October 9, 2016. The open showcase saw close to 100 unsigned seniors come out and show off their skills in front of 30 plus college coaches.

Following the event the PBR scouting staff compiled all of the notes from the workout and over the next week we will break down the event position by position. Today we begin the analysis looking at the catchers in attendance.

Eric Kozlowski had one of the better arms at the event, 78 mph from the crouch and a low pop time of 2.11. At the plate his bat stays flat through the zone and he found the barrel consistently.

Left-handed hitting Josh Norman is an offensive-minded catcher with a physical frame. Norman took one of the better offensive rounds in regards to catchers, flashing juice in his bat and a compact swing.

Catcher’s (Listed Alphabetically) 

Jacob Curley, C, Wilmot Union (WI), 2017
5-foot-10, 185-pound, right-handed hitting catcher with a solid lower half. Offensively, path works uphill and exit velocity was clocked at 77 mph from a tee. Wide, crouched setup and short stride. Defensively, short arm action out of a high ¾ slot; throws clocked at 64 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.43-2.68. Also, ran a 8.85 laser-timed 60.

Eric Kozlowski, C, Barrington, 2017
6-foot-1, 170-pound, lean, athletically built, right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, path works long and mostly level through the zone; gap-to-gap, line-drive approach and fluid rhythm throughout. Open, balanced setup, stride works to even and balanced throughout. Exit velocity clocked at 84 mph. Defensively, arm works short and loose from an over-the-top slot; throws flashed carry and clocked at 78 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.11-2.19. Also, ran a 7.46 laser-timed 60.

Kenny Labedz, C, Lincoln-Way Central, 2017
6-foot, 175-pound, strong, athletically built right-handed hitting catcher. Ran an above average laser-timed 60, 7.01. Offensively, bat works level through the zone; registered an 83 mph exit velocity. Balanced setup, no load and short stride. Defensively, athletic actions behind the plate. Soft hands, quick footwork and exchange; short, accurate arm, flashed carry and clocked at 71 mph. Pop times ranged between 2.08-2.16.

Sam Lepper, C, Reed-Custer, 2017
5-foot-10, 155-pound right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, balanced setup, drifts to front foot and a 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, short arm action and clocked at 71 mph from the crouch; pop times ranged between 2.17-2.33.

Andres Liboy, C, Niles West, 2017
5-foot-11, 186-pound, muscular, well proportioned, right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, athletic, balanced setup, pre-pitch rhythm, smooth load and good balance through contact. 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, athletic actions behind the plate and soft receiver. Arm works short, from a high ¾, over-the-top slot and clocked at 74 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.18-2.29. Also, ran a 7.70 laser-timed 60.

Jack Linforth, C, Glenbrook North, 2017
6-foot-1, 160-pound, lean, wiry, right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, tall, narrow setup, short stride and average balance through contact. Exit velocity clocked at 79 mph from a tee. Defensively, throws from a high ¾ slot, short arm action and clocked at 74 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.19-2.27. Also, ran a 8.02 laser-timed 60.

Josh Norman, C, Kaneland, 2017
6-foot-3, 225-pound, thick, strong, left-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, present pop in bat and strength through contact; 94 mph exit velocity from a tee. Compact swing, flashed bat speed and a gap-to-gap approach. Balanced setup, slight load, short stride and good balance through contact. Defensively, gets out of crouch early, short arm action from a ¾ slot; clocked at 78 mph from a crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.18-2.29. Also, ran a 7.84 laser-timed 60.

Hayden Shape, C, Stevenson, 2017
6-foot, 188-pound, strong, durable, right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, stationary, crouched, wide setup, pre-pitch load, short stride, long path and some strength through contact; 88 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, typical arm action, short and over-the-top, clocked at 74 mph from the crouch. Also, ran a 7.69 laser-timed 60.

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