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By Chris Fuller and PBR Kentucky Staff

On Saturday, January 17, prospects from all parts of the state showcased their abilities at the Kentucky College Showcase at Legends Sports Academy in Louisville.  Today we continue our analysis of players who attended the event. 

The following is a look at the group of catchers in attendance.

Clay Slone, C, R/R, Pikeville HS, 2017
5-foot-11, 170-pound prospect with athletic frame, hits from a balanced stance, short stride, stays quiet, short and direct swing path, generates above average bat speed, line drive type hitter with flashes of gap power, 85 mph exit velocity (2 mph increase from previous event), showed good speed with 4.32 home to first base time.  Defensively, shows fairly quick glove to hand transfer, good direction with footwork, feet show some quickness, 73 mph arm strength from the crouch, very accurate throws to the bag with 1.98-2.05 pop times, continues to improve overall game, solid 2017 prospect.

Alex Kennedy, C, R/R, Covington Catholic HS, 2018
6-foot, 190-pound prospect with strong frame, right-handed hitter hits from an open stance, short stride, hands are loose and show some quickness, good lower half torque in swing, shows occasional power especially for a young prospect, ball jumps off his bat when he squares it up, good bat speed, 83 mph exit velocity, 5.21 home to first time.  Defensively, has a quick release, quick feet with good direction, solid fundamental catcher, 71 mph arm strength should continue to develop, pop times ranged from 2.19-2.26, 2018 prospect to watch very closely.

Max Rafferty, C, R/R, Daviess County HS, 2018
5-foot-10, 170-pound prospect with athletic build, right-handed hitter hits from a wide base with minimal stride, cuts off use of lower half occasionally, has made adjustments in shortening swing since previous event, gap to gap approach, showed better bat speed, 80 mph exit velocity (75 at previous event), posted 4.83 home to first base time.  Defensively, shows good direction with footwork, short, over the top release, 74 mph arm strength from the crouch represented a 3 mph increase from previous event, 2.06-2.10 pop times, continues to show solid strides in game, 2018 player to watch closely.

Kelsey Holland, C, R/R, Montgomery County HS, 2016
5-foot-8, 180-pound prospect with strong lower half, right-handed hitter hits from a balanced stance, short stride, hands start high and drop slightly to trigger swing, level swing path, maintains good balance, line drive type hitter with flashes of gap power, posted 4.89 home to first time, 81 mph exit velocity.  Defensively, showed 68 mph arm strength from the crouch, short over-the-top release, blocks well, pop times ranged from 2.16-2.25.

Nathan Brinkman, C/RHP, R/R, Russell HS, 2018
5-foot-9, 155-pound prospect, right-handed hitter hits from a wide base, minimal stride, short swing path, limited extension through contact, average bat speed, line drive type hitter, showed some speed for age with 4.65 home to first time, 72 mph exit velocity.  Defensively, shows some arm strength for young prospect, 70 mph from the crouch that should continue to develop, short high-3/4 release, good direction on footwork, pop times ranged from 2.09-2.19.

Austin Brinkman, C/RHP, R/R, Russell HS, 2017
5-foot-11, 165-pound prospect, long legs with wide shoulders build, hits from a wide base, no stride, flat bat path, line drive type hitter with gap to gap approach, 80 mph exit velocity, 4.99 home to first base time.  Defensively, shows soft receiving hand, high-3/4 release, room for quicker footwork, 69 mph arm strength from the crouch, pop times ranged from 2.20-2.31, pop times will improve with quicker glove to hand exchange and footwork.

Brayden Burch, C, R/R, Beechwood HS, 2018
5-foot-9, 160-pound prospect, right-handed hitter hits from an open stance, slight leg kick trigger with a short stride, collapses some on back side, level swing path, line drive type hitter with gap to gap approach, average bat speed for age, 72 mph exit velocity, posted 5.73 home to first time.  Defensively, showed 67 mph arm strength from the crouch, 2.21-2.27 pop times, tends to come out of crouch early on throws to second base.

Aaron Price, C, R/R, Fairdale HS, 2018
5-foot-8, 131-pound prospect, right-handed hitter hits from a narrow/square stance, mid-length stride, long and level swing path, offensive game will benefit from additional strength, 68 mph exit velocity, posted a 4.95 home to first base time.  Defensively, as a catcher has a long high-3/4 release, room for quicker footwork, developing arm strength at 64 mph from the crouch, pop times ranged from 2.20-2.30. Also participated as an infielder, hands work, decent lateral movement, 61 mph arm across the infield.