Preseason I.D. - Illiana: Catching Analysis

Our first Preseason I.D. kicked off our winter season last week at Illiana and today we begin to roll out our scouting reports and analysis from the event. We will break down the event position by position throughout the week, culminating with our top overall prospects from the event.

CLICK HERE for Quick Hits from the Preseason I.D. - Illiana
CLICK HERE for Statistical Analysis from the Preseason I.D. - Illiana

Here’s a look at the top catching prospects in attendance.

Top Catching Prospects

1. Nathan Sanchez, C/INF, Lakeview, 2019
5-foot-9, 152-pound left-handed hitting catcher/infielder. Defensively showed best behind the plate, arm played strong with some carry, 77 mph. Pop times ranged 2.07-2.19 out of the crouch. On the infield showed some actions and footwork. Arm played 80 mph across the diamond. 7.65 runner in the 60. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, uses short stride and smooth load. Balanced through contact, used loose quick hands. Level path with line drive approach. 77 mph out of the crouch.

2. Derrick Dawson, C, Mishawaka (IN), 2020
Strong build, mature 6-foot, 201-pound catcher. Right-handed hitter, balanced tall setup, short toe tap stride, works to open side. Attacks the baseball with pull side approach, above average bat speed, long uphill path with strength. 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays over the top, firm actions, 76 mph out of the crouch. Showed quicker footwork and exchange, 2.08-2.15 pop times.

3. Jonny Crowel, C/INF, Marist, 2021
6-foot, 160-pound catcher/infielder, lean athletic body that projects. Defensively showed promise behind the plate, arm action is short and over the top, 70 mph out of the crouch, played at 73 mph across the infield. Occasionally showed quick catch and release skills, pop times ranged 2.18-2.33. Right-handed hitter, athletic setup, slight arm bar load, short stride, maintains balance. Path is level showed extension, creates line drive contact. 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.

4. Connor Cassady, C/RHP, Lyons, 2020
6-foot-2, 175-pound catcher, lean athletic frame. Right-handed hitter, open stance, solid balance, occasionally collapses lower half. Path has length and works uphill, flashed pull side approach. 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, 71 mph out of the crouch. Simple actions out of the chute, gets tall, quiet feet, 2.18-2.36 pop times. Ran the 60 at 8.02.On the mound delivery is loose and repeats with some athleticism. Regular arm action, clean separation, high ¾ slot. Fastball flashed arm side action, control of the zone, 76-77 mph, topped at 78 mph. Curveball has 10/4 shape, worked better out of the stretch, 61-65 mph. Changeup had occasional cut action, 64-69 mph.

5. Brandon Lucero, C, Merrillville, 2019
6-foot, 195-pound catcher, solid strong build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, long leg lift stride. Shows bat strength, long flat path, aggressive swing. 92 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is long from a high ¾ slot, 75 mph out of the crouch. Pop times ranged 2.15-2.19. 7.41 runner in the 60.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Zach Brothen, C, Lincoln-Way East, 2020
5-foot-10, 170-pound catcher. Right-handed hitter out of a crouched setup, short stride and quiet load. Average bat speed, path works uphill, firm swing occasionally late to contact. 72 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 62 mph, short arm action. Pop times ranged 2.37-2.61. Ran the 60 at 7.81.

Michael Ciesla, C, Lemont, 2020
6-foot, 175-pound catcher. 7.84 runner in the 60. Right-handed hitter, wide setup, minimal load with short stride. Level path, creates line drive contact to the opposite field. 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Lane Clevenger, C, McCutcheon (IN), 2020
5-foot-11, 210-pound catcher, thick build with strength. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, 72 mph out of the crouch. Deliberate footwork gets up and out of the chute, 2.26-2.68 pop times. Right-handed hitter, weight is balanced, open setup, short stride. 76 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ran a 60 at 7.87.

Mitchell Dollah, C, Stagg, 2020
6-foot-3, 180-pound catcher, long frame, beginning to fill out. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup slightly closed and crouched, slight loading action, short stride. 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is long and plays over the top, occasionally accurate, 67 mph out of the crouch. Posted pop times at 2.51-2.68. 8.03 runner in the 60.

Zachary McKenna, C, Chesterton (IN), 2020
5-foot-11, 170-pound catcher, lean athletic frame. 7.07 runner in the 60. Arm played with length from an over the top slot, 70 mph out of the crouch. 2.25-2.30 pop times, moved well to block and recover. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, hands drop into load, leg kick stride. Flashed some pop in BP, creates bat speed, long uphill path. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Zach Starr, C, Bradley-Bourbonnais, 2021
6-foot-190-pound catcher, strong build. Right-handed hitter, tall open stance, regular stride, average balance. Path showed ability to stay level, creates occasional line drive. 74 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, 69 mph from the crouch. 2.25-2.37 pop times, clean exchange. 8.07 runner in the 60.

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