On Saturday, February 10th, our staff hosted the McHenry Preaseason ID at the Pro Player Academy in McHenry, IL. This event hosted just over 130 players, and allowed our staff to get an in-depth look at a number of prospects in the area prior to the spring season. 

Below you'll find scouting reports on every single catcher that was in attendance, as well as a Top-10 listing of who our staff deemed as the top catching prospects from the group. 

TOP CATCHING PROSPECTS

1. Benjamin Mitchell, Harvest Christian (IL), 2025; Bellarmine University commit
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-1, 205-pounds. Strong-bodied, durable frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall, narrow setup, open stance, high leg lift, minimal stride. Hands rock back into a steep path, flat path on balls up in the zone, looks to stay on top of the ball, pull-side approach. 78.8 mph bat speed with 18 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 104 max exit velocity, averaged 97.1 mph. 342’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Accurate throws around the bag, short, high 3/4 arm action.
Defense: 1.97-2.07 pop times. Works under the baseball while receiving, soft hands, clean transfer and glove to hand, works in-line out of the chute.
Run: 4.04 30-yard dash.

2. Calen Scheider, Hampshire (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: RHP/C
Body: 6-0, 155-pounds. Lean, trim frame, projectable with room to fill out his frame.
Hit: RHH. Simple setup, slight crouch, minimal leg lift, short stride. Loose, whippy barrel through the zone, athletic with a controlled finish, worked up the middle of the field, stays through the ball. 67.7 mph bat speed with 12 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 83.6 mph. 277’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 82 mph. Short, over the top release, plays with easy life out of the hand.
Defense: 1.83-1.97 pop times. Quick hands, works to present pitches around the zone for strikes, clean glove to hand, works in-line on throws.
Run: 4.05 30-yard dash.

3. Brady Klepfer, Huntley (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-0, 175-pounds. Trim build, athletic with room to fill out, sloped shoulders.
Hit: RHH. Tall, narrow setup, toe-tap stride. Quick hands through the zone, controlled aggression, flat path, on the barrel up the middle. 70.6 mph bat speed with 12 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 82 mph. 291’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. INF - 89 mph. INF: Short, fluid arm action with arm-speed out front. Accurate throws from a 3/4 arm slot. C: Short to the ear, high over the top release, throws played around the bag with accuracy.
Defense: 1.87-2.01 pop times. INF: Athletic actions, feel for the infield, clean release and advanced body control. C: Quiet, steady hands while receiving, quick glove to hand, works in-line out of the chute, deadens the ball out front on blocks.
Run: 3.96 30-yard dash.

4. AJ Foley, Lake Zurich (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-1, 195-pounds. Strong frame, broad/round shoulders with a developed lower-half.
Hit: RHH. Taller setup, hands start high, high up/down leg kick. Rotational through impact, hands start high and work into a steep path, looks to stay on top of the ball, 65.7 mph bat speed with 6 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 84 mph. 254’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph. Accurate throws that play on the bag, high 3/4 release.
Defense: 1.97-2.07 pop times. Soft hands while receiving, subtle frames, quick/clean transfer from the glove, controlled operation.
Run: 3.99 30-yard dash.

5. Jake Johnson, Burlington Central (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-4, 215-pounds. Strong-bodied, durable frame, long levers.
Hit: RHH. Crouched, athletic setup, small toe-tap stride. Creates extension with the hands at footstrike, intent to lift, strong hands, uphill path. 65.2 mph bat speed with 7 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 85.7 mph. 311’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Throws play on target, high 3/4 release, short to the ear.
Defense: 1.94-2.07 pop times. Works to present pitches around the zone for strikes, soft hands, quick/clean transfer, gains ground on throws, quick glove to hand.
Run: 4.24 30-yard dash.

6. Keenan Krysh, Cary-Grove (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-11, 175-pounds. Trim build, some strength in the lower-half.
Hit: RHH. Slightly crouched setup, open stance, high leg lift with minimal stride. Flat path, rotational through impact, one-handed finish. 62.6 mph bat speed with 7 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 82.9 mph. 288’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 80 mph. Loose arm action, some life out of the hand, short out of the glove into a high 3/4 release.
Defense: 1.93-2.01 pop times. Soft hands while receiving, works to present pitches around the zone, clean glove to hand, controlled out of the chute.
Run: 4.14 30-yard dash.

7. Francis Panko, Cary-Grove (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-10, 182-pounds. Athletic build, strength in the lower-half, trim look.
Hit: RHH. Crouched setup, small leg lift with short stride. Downhill path, stays through the ball at times the other way, loose arms. 67.3 mph bat speed with 8 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 84.2 mph. 262’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph.
Defense: 1.93-2.04 pop times.
Run: 3.86 30-yard dash.

8. Mason Willis, Antioch (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-0, 205-pounds. Some physicality throughout, durable.
Hit: RHH. Slightly crouched setup, open stance, minimal leg lift and stride. Mostly short to the ball, flat path with extension out front, line-drive approach, balanced finish. 66.2 mph bat speed with 23 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 89.9 mph. 273’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph.
Defense: 2.03-2.15 pop times.
Run: 4.07 30-yard dash.

9. Beckett Breseman, Prairie Ridge (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-9, 145-pounds. Compact, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Crouched, open setup, small leg lift, minimal stride. Stays on top of the baseball, some elevated contact up the middle, loose arms. 62.6 mph bat speed with 14 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 84 max exit velocity, averaged 79 mph. 269’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. INF - 77 mph. INF: Short, quick, fluid arm action. Strong throws with some carry from varied slots. C: Throws play on the bag for his pop-times, high over the top release.
Defense: 2.01-2.15 pop times. INF: Fields into body, plays low to the ground at times, shuffles through release, comfortable and bouncy on the move. Athletic actions and above-average double play turn. C: Soft hands while receiving, quick transfer, quick out of the chute, works in-line.
Run: 4.33 30-yard dash.

10. Conner Pollasky, Prairie Ridge (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-1, 185-pounds. Athletic build, sloped shoulders, some strength in the lower-half, high waist.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, small, up/down leg lift. Short, direct path, stays balanced through impact, flat path with a line-drive approach, looks to stay up the middle. 67.4 mph bat speed with 9 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 88 mph. 341’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Short arm out of the glove, 3/4 release.
Defense: 2.07-2.15 pop times. Strong hands, works to present pitches around the zone for strikes, clean transfer, works in-line with second on throws and gains ground, deadens the ball out front on blocks.
Run: 4.08 30-yard dash.

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Cade Adrian, Harvest Christian (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-1, 187-pounds. Sloped shoulders, lean and athletic frame, projectable.
Hit: RHH. Tall, open setup, small leg lift with minimal stride. Loose, flat path, loose arms, elevated contact up the middle. 66.8 mph bat speed with 13 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 83.9 mph. 310’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph.
Defense: 2.11-2.19 pop times.
Run: 4.03 30-yard dash.

John Dollinger, Grant (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-1, 195-pounds. Some strength throughout, evenly proportioned.
Hit: RHH. Narrow setup, weight-shift load back, toe-tap stride. Flat path, looks to keep the ball up the middle, on the barrel with some authority. 64.3 mph bat speed with 19 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 84.1 mph. 271’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. Compact arm action, high 3/4 release. Accurate throws.
Defense: 2.19-2.37 pop times. Clean transfers, works towards the bag.
Run: 4.42 30-yard dash.

Luke Flaskamp, Jacobs (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: SS/C
Body: 5-6, 140-pounds. Trim, lean look, room to add on strength.
Hit: RHH. Crouched setup, toe-tap stride. Hands drop slightly into an uphill path, looks to elevate the ball. 67.2 mph bat speed with 15 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 83 max exit velocity, averaged 71.2 mph. 285’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. INF - 75 mph. INF: Short, loose arm action. 3/4 arm slot. C: Short, quick arm action. High 3/4 arm slot, one-hop to target.
Defense: 2.15-2.29 pop times. INF: Steady hands, clean back hand and quick release at times. C: One-knee setup, clean transfers, works in-line.
Run: 4.18 30-yard dash.

Max Geske, Crystal Lake Central (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-11, 152-pounds. Athletic build, trim, lean look.
Hit: RHH. Simple, crouched setup, small up/down leg lift. Flat path, rotational through impact, line-drive approach that looks to stay up the middle. mph bat speed with G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 79 max exit velocity, averaged 64.1 mph. 221’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 67 mph.
Defense: 2.28-2.40 pop times.
Run: 4.29 30-yard dash.

Ashton Jones, Huntley (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-9, 170-pounds. Some strength in the lower-half, athletic build, evenly proportioned.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, minimal leg lift and stride. Short, direct path, downhill to the ball, maintains balance through impact. 62.4 mph bat speed with 14 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 81 max exit velocity, averaged 75.2 mph. 279’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. INF - 74 mph. INF: Short arm action, 3/4 arm slot. Accurate. C: Short out of the glove, high 3/4 release.
Defense: 2.29-2.50 pop times. INF: Active feet, secures baseball into body, body control on the move. C: Deliberate transfer, works in-line with second, gains ground.
Run: 4.14 30-yard dash.

Spencer Kim, Huntley (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-9, 155-pounds. Skinny, evenly proportioned frame, high waist.
Hit: RHH. Crouched setup, slightly open, quick up/down leg lift. Flat path, intent in the swing, recoil finish, looks to stay up the middle of the field. 61.9 mph bat speed with 12 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 80 max exit velocity, averaged 71.7 mph. 220’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. OF - 77 mph. OF: Clean, shorter arm circle, some acceleration into a high 3/4 release. C: Short, high 3/4 release.
Defense: 2.18-2.33 pop times. OF: Active feet, plays through in rhythm and with steady hands. C: Soft hands work to present the ball around the plate, clean transfer to his ear, works in-line to second.
Run: 4.36 30-yard dash.

Rocco Lentine, Huntley (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-10, 155-pounds. Lean, high-waisted frame.
Hit: RHH. Slightly crouched setup, small leg lift, minimal stride. Downhill path, one-handed finish, looks to stay on top of the ball, line-drive approach. 59.9 mph bat speed with 14 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 85 max exit velocity, averaged 80.6 mph. 228’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph.
Defense: 2.11-2.26 pop times.
Run: 4.25 30-yard dash.

Sonny Marsalla, Woodstock (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-7, 160-pounds. Evenly proportioned frame.
Hit: SH. Tall, narrow setup, toe-tap trigger into long stride. RH: Rhythm in the hands, flat path, controlled finish, worked on the barrel up the middle. LH: Flat path, one-handed finish, line-drive approach. 61.5 mph bat speed with 7 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 76.1 mph. 309’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 67 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 release.
Defense: 2.22-2.37 pop times. Works down-up while receiving, strong hands, controlled operation from the chute, clean transfer, works in-line.
Run: 4.39 30-yard dash.

Jacob Ostrowski, Hampshire (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-0, 170-pounds. Athletic build, some strength throughout, evenly proportioned.
Hit: RHH. Tall, open setup, high leg lift, medium stride. Quick hands, flat path, rotational through impact, looks to keep the ball on a line, balanced finish. 66.9 mph bat speed with 19 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 80.4 mph. 280’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 67 mph. OF - 73 mph. OF: Short arm action, 3/4 arm slot. Accurate. C: Short arm path, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.19-2.33 pop times. OF: Active feet for size, secures the baseball and gets behind it at times. C: Lets ball travel, clean, quick transfer with aggression on throws, feet work in-line. Clean block.
Run: 4.37 30-yard dash.

Eltan Powles, Harvard (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-9, 155-pounds. Athletic build, sloped shoulders.
Hit: RHH. Slightly crouched setup with slightly open stride, medium up/down leg lift. Creates some separation in the hands, flat path, line-drive approach, worked up the middle. 63.8 mph bat speed with 10 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 87 max exit velocity, averaged 81.5 mph. 263’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. OF - 73 mph. OF: Long arm action, over-the-top slot. C: Longer in the back, aggressive, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.36-2.47 pop times. OF: Gets behind the baseball and works to play through on-line. Secures the baseball through transfer. C: Steady hands, quick transfer, works in-line on throws.
Run: 4.21 30-yard dash.

Nicholas Sherry, Central High School (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-0, 160-pounds. Evenly proportioned build, wiry with room to fill out.
Hit: RHH. Tall, open setup, small leg lift with minimal stride. Loose arms work into a flat path, one-handed finish, rotational through impact. 60.6 mph bat speed with 6 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 84 max exit velocity, averaged 75.3 mph. 280’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph.
Defense: 2.05-2.19 pop times.
Run: 4.47 30-yard dash.

Matthew Simek, Central (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-11, 185-pounds. Evenly proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, small leg lift with minimal stride. Hands drop into a flat path, line-drive approach,. 70.5 mph bat speed with 14 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 87.4 mph. 245’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Quick, whippy arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: 2.25-2.30 pop times. One-knee setup, comfortable framer, soft hands, works up through the baseball. Clean transfers, works in-line with the target.
Run: 4.70 30-yard dash.

James Tatroe, Prairie Ridge (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-0, 172-pounds. Evenly proportioned build.
Hit: RHH. Slightly crouched, open setup, small leg lift with minimal stride. Relaxed hands, uphill path, stays through the ball the other way. 64.3 mph bat speed with 9 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 85.8 mph. 323’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 68 mph. Loose, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: 2.11-2.22 pop times. Works up through the baseball, steady hands. Quick transfers, works in-line.
Run: 4.43 30-yard dash.

For a full look at the event page, click HERE. 

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