By Blake Hibler & Phil Wade
PBR Indiana 

On Sunday September 15th, PBR Indiana hosted the 2016-2017 Prospect Showcase at Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis.  The event consisted of 50 total players from across the Hoosier State.  Below is the analysis of the catchers that attended the event. 

Top 5

1. Zach Britton, C/2B, Batesville HS, 2017: 5-foot-10, 168 pound freshman was was 2.08-2.19 with his pop times and was 72 mph from the crouch.  Solid catch & throw catcher for his age.  Good feet and arm strength.  Overall good actions for a freshman.  At the plate hits from the left side with good bat speed.  Uses a leg kick for timing.  Lower half still needs refined.  Hard contact, line drive type hitter.  Some projectable power.  Good follow in the 2017 class.

2. Tyler Burthay, C/RHP, Western HS, 2017: 6-foot, 180 pound freshman has a projectable frame.  Behind the plate produced pop times between 2.05-2.20.  Was 69 mph from the crouch, with a quick release, with quick feet.  Overall is raw defensively. At the plate starts tall with a high leg kick.  Loads back.  Swing plane is uphill, and gets to extension.  Has some bat speed (84 mph Exit Velo).  A little jumpy in his rhythm.  

3. Andrew Lawvere, C/3B, Eastbrook HS, 2017: 5-foot-9, 160 pound freshman was a 2.15-2.2 with his pop times.  From the crouch was 68 mph.  Arm is quick, but currently lacks overall strength.  His feet are a little slow and heavy at times with raw actions.  At the plate has an athletic, advanced setup and displayed some quick twitch with his hands.  Gets to extension with some projectable power.  Uses his lower half well.  A little violent at times and lower half will spin.  

4. Baylee Adams, C/1B, North Montgomery HS, 2016: 6-foot-1, 190 pound sophomore was a 2.15-2.25 with his pop times behind the plate.  From the crouch was 71 mph.  Above average receiving skills.  Covers a lot of ground on this throws to second base, with accuracy on his throws.  At the plate starts wide with a simple load. Inward turn with the front leg.  Sits on his back side.  Shows good hand speed Possesses athleticism and strong build. 

5. Cole Humphrey, C/1B, Franklin Central HS, 2016: 5-foot-10, 145 pound sophomore was 2.12-2.25 with his pop times and was 75 from the crouch.  Feet are average with a good exchange.  Release is slow, but has good arm strength. At the plate starts really wide with a choppy load.  Lots of activity throughout the swing creating inconsistencies.  Hands work.

Best of Rest (In Alphabetical Order) 

Avery Itamura, C/SS, Lawrence Central HS, 2016: 5-foot-6, 157 pound sophomore was a 2.26-2.36 with his pop times and was 69 mph from the crouch.  Stays low when receiving, enabling his mobility left to right.  At the plate shows low hands from a crouch position.  Bat speed is quick with quick twitch in his hands.  Barreled up most baseballs with short, compact swing.  Finish is inconsistent.

Scott Mosely, C/3B, Union County HS, 2016: 5-foot-8, 165 pound sophomore was 2.20-2.36 with his pop times.  He was 68 mph from the crouch.  Displayed average footwork, with some directional problems.  Average receiving ability.  Works hard behind the plate.  At the plate starts with a balanced setup and simple approach.  Small load and small stride.  Uphill swing plane. Needs to continue to add strength. 

Matthew Owens, C/OF, FW Carroll HS, 2016: 5-foot-7, 145 pound sophomore runs a 7.00 60.  Pop times were 2.14-2.22 and was 72 from the crouch, with a quick arm.  Above average footwork for his age.  At the plate uses a big load stays on back side. Drops hands, uphill swing plane.

Jordan Reeves, C/SS, Tipton HS, 2016: 5-foot-9, 150 pound sophomore that was a 2.20-2.36 with his pop times and was 67 from the crouch.  In the infield possesses a long arm action at 75 mph.  Hard hands with heavy feet.  At the plate uses a balanced approach with a short stride.  Keeps the barrel in the zone.  High contact hitter.