By Chris Fuller and PBR Kentucky Staff

More than 70 players convened at Bellarmine University on July 15 for the Kentucky College Prospect Showcase, and some very good performances were turned in.  The following is a look at the group of catchers who participated in the event. Fairdale 2016 catcher Max Cole recorded the top pop time and catcher velocity of the event at 1.88 and 78 mph respectively.

Players are listed in alphabetical order by last name.

Tyler Albert, C, S/R, Dixie Heights HS, 2015
5-foot-8, 180-pound, switch-hitting catcher,  good setup behind the plate, above average receiver, showed 72 mph arm strength from the crouch with pop times ranging from 2.09-2.14.  At the plate, the switch hitter looks more natural from the left side with a slightly open setup and short stride, line drive type hitter with level swing path, ran 7.59 60 yard dash, 73 mph exit velocity from the left side, 70 mph exit velocity from the right side.

Ben Bethay, C/1B, R/R, Oldham County HS, 2016
6-foot-3, 180-pund prospect participated as both a catcher and first baseman at the event.  As a catcher, showed a fairly quick glove to hand exchange with a top velocity of 71 mph from the crouch and pop times ranging from 2.16-2.27. As a first baseman, showed soft hands with average feet around the bag, 69 mph arm strength across the infield. At the plate, hits from a balanced setup with a short stride, incorporates some lower half, longer swing path with a pull approach, ran 7.89 60 yard dash, registered 78 mph tee exit velocity.

Jackson Campbell, C/OF, R/R, Logan County HS, 2017
5-foot-7, 138-pound prospect participated as a catcher and outfielder.  As a catcher, shows good receiving skills and blocks well, has a quick glove to hand exchange with quick feet, showed 68 mph arm strength from the crouch with pop times ranging from 2.08-2.20.  As an OF shows athletic actions, quick feet, and plays through the ball well, showed accurate throws to the third base bag at 75 mph.  At the plate, hits from a balanced setup with a short stride, short swing path with quick hands, consistently squares the baseball, ran 6.96 60 yard dash, 76 mph tee exit velocity, very solid 2017 prospect.

Colton Cobb, C, Model Laboratory HS, 2016
5-foot-8, 165-pound prospect showed 67 mph arm strength from the crouch with pop times ranging from 2.33-2.50, pop times should continue to improve with additional arm strength and quicker release.  At the plate, hits from a balanced stance with a short stride, gets lower half involved in swing, long/uphill path to the ball, ran 7.75 60 yard dash, registered 81 mph tee exit velocity.

Max Cole, C/3B, R/R, Fairdale HS, 2016
5-foot-7,146-pound prospect participated as a catcher and 3B at the event, showed good arm strength at 78 mph from the crouch with pop times that ranged from 1.88-2.00, good setup behind the plate, very good receiving skills, athletic behind the plate.  As a 3B, showed soft hands with good lateral movement, uses short arm action with 79 mph arm strength across the infield.  At the plate, hits from a balanced setup with a short stride, hands are quick and uses lower half torque in swing, likes the ball middle-in with a pull approach, shows some pull-side power, ran 7.07 60 yard dash, 83 mph tee exit velocity.

Zac Collins, C, R/R, St. Xavier HS, 2017
5-foot-11, 150-pound prospect showed developing receiving and blocking skills, pop times ranged from 2.23-2.36 with a top velocity of 70 mph from the crouch.  At the plate, hits from a balanced stance with a short stride, good use of lower half and displays good balance, hands are loose and show some quickness, uses all fields well, line drive type hitter with solid approach at the plate, ran 7.71 60 yard dash, registered 76 mph tee exit velocity.

Tyler Haynes, C, Meade County HS, 2017
5-foot-10, 190-pound prospect showed pop times that ranged from 2.29-2.49 with a top velocity of 67 mph from the crouch, has room to improve pop times with quicker footwork and release, showed solid blocking skills.  At the plate, hits from a balanced setup with a short stride, shows some quickness in hands, line drive type hitter with level swing path, ran 8.13 60 yard dash, registered 75 mph tee exit velocity.

Brian Johnston, C, St. Mary HS, 2015
6-foot, 185-pound prospect showed above average arm strength from the crouch at 77 mph, pop times ranged from 2.09-2.19, showcased good receiving and blocking skills.  At the plate, hits from a balanced setup with a short stride, line drive type hitter with occasional gap to gap power, ran 7.53 60 yad dash, registered 85 mph tee exit velocity, significantly improved every measurable from previous event (Feb 2014).

Jack Kronk, C, St. Xavier HS, 2017
5-foot-9, 178-pound prospect shows developing receiving and blocking skills, good arm strength from the crouch for age at 73 mph, pop times ranged from 2.16-2.31 with fairly quick glove to hand exchange, pop times will improve with quicker release.  At the plate, hits from a balanced stance with a short stride, can incorporate more consistent use of lower half, line drive type hitter, ran 7.58 60 yard dash, 76 mph tee exit velocity.

Isaac Lineberry, C, McCracken County HS, 2016
6-foot, 190-pound prospect shows solid receiving and blocking skills, pop times ranged from 2.00-2.10 (best was 1.97 at previous event), top velocity of 75 mph from the crouch.  At the plate, hits from an open setup with a toe tap, uses strong lower half, shows occasional gap power, ran 8.14 60 yard dash, 81 mph tee exit velocity, solid defensive catcher with power potential.

Jackson Millhollan, C/OF, R/R, Ballard HS, 2017
5-foot-7, 130-pound prospect participated as a catcher and outfielder at the event.  As a catcher, shows good receiving skills and sticks pitches well, pop times ranged from 2.34-2.47 with developing 66 mph arm strength from the crouch.  As an OF, plays through the ball well with athletic actions, long arm action through over the top arm slot, showed some accurate throws with 77 mph arm strength.  At the plate, hits from a balanced setup with a leg kick trigger, line drive type hitter with the ability to use all fields, offensive game will continue to develop with added strength to frame, runs well for age with 7.16 60 yard dash, 77 mph tee exit velocity.

Chandler Rogers, C, Marshall County HS, 2015
5-foot-7, 160-pound prospect shows above average arm strength from the crouch at 77 mph with pop times ranging from 2.04-2.15, good blocking skills.  A the plate, hits from a balanced stance with minimal stride, has a short path to the ball, line drive type hitter, ran 7.57 60 yard dash, registered 67 mph tee exit velocity.

Aaron Smith, C/2B, Trinity HS, 2016
5-foot-9, 153-pound prospect showcased solid receiving and blocking skills, pop times ranged from 2.15-2.27 with a top velocity of 71 mph from the crouch.  As an infielder, shows fluid footwork and soft hands, gets rid of the ball with a quick exchange, short arm action with 70 mph arm strength across the infield.  At the plate, hits from a slightly open setup with a toe tap, line drive type hitter with good balance, ran a 7.58 60 yard dash and registered 75 mph tee exit velocity, improved every measurable from previous event.