Underclass Trials: Catcher Analysis

August 19, 2020
PBR Louisiana Staff
PBR Louisiana

The Underclass Trials took place over the summer at Northlake Christian School. The event hosted many of the top underclass talent from around the state in a pro style workout including defensive positional workouts, batting practice and 60-yard dash. To wrap up event coverage, we will release a position analysis of all in attendance beginning first with catchers.

Hunter Azemar C / 3B / Southside, LA / 2023

Rankings StateRank: 62 / POS: 12

Strong 5-foot-10, 175-pound frame. Right-handed hitter hits from a balanced upright stance with a simple up and down load working from slightly open to even. Hands starting high with a small load into a simple, slightly uphill path with quality extension through contact producing an exit velocity of 86 mph. Defensively, uses a balanced setup behind the dish with solid receiving ability. Uses clean exchanges and simple footwork to produce a positional velocity of 74 mph and a 2.01-2.10 pop time from behind the dish. Ran a 7.97 second 60-yard dash.

Cooper Devall C / 1B / Sulphur , LA / 2023

Physical 5-foot-10, 180-pound frame. Right-handed hitter hits from a balanced, upright stance using fluid rhythm and a knee-to-knee load. Lays the barrel down into an on-plane path with quality bat speed an solid strength, producing an exit velocity of 85 mph. Defensively, uses a balanced setup behind the dish. Average receiver with clean exchanges and solid footwork into a high release producing a positional velocity of 68 mph. 2.18-2.25 pop time. Ran a 7.72 second 60-yard dash.

Sam Eppinette C / 1B / Fountainebleau , LA / 2023

Rankings StateRank: 60 / POS: 11

Strong 6-foot, 190-pound frame. Right-handed hitter hits from a wider, closed stance with a minimal stride loading into the back hip. Hands start and stay high with a slight bat wrap into a rotational swing that can get a little steep at times. Creates quality bat speed with extension through contact, produced and exit velocity of 87 mph. Strong defender behind the dish. Catches from a balanced, strong position, receives well with clean efficient transfers into a high-¾ release with a positional velocity of 74 mph and a 2.00-2.03 pop time. Ran an 8.01 second 60-yard dash.

Gavin Jacobs C / OF / Benton, LA / 2023

Rankings StateRank: 45 / POS: 9

Solid 6-foot, 195-pound frame. Right-handed hitter hits from a wide, slightly open stance. Uses a small leg lift for timing and to initiate a slightly uphill swing, matching the plane of the pitch with solid bat speed and strength at contact, produced an exit velocity of 91 mph. Solid defender with solid hands and clean exchanges into a high-¾ release with a positional velocity of 73 mph and a 2.09-2.13 pop time. Ran a 7.60 second 60-yard dash.

Blake Lobell RHP / C / Springfield , LA / 2022

Rankings StateRank: 37 / POS: 5

Long 6-foot-2, 170-pound frame. Right-handed hitter hits from a tall, slightly open stance with a fairly narrow base using a simple load and moderate reach step to initiate the swing. Flashed athleticism and looseness in a slightly uphill swing with quality bat speed and extension, producing an exit velocity of 89 mph. Long frame folds up well into a wide, balanced setup behind the dish. Takes a small cheat step on throw downs receiving the baseball well with quick transfer into a high-¾ release with quick arm speed and carry on throws, producing an 82 mph from behind the dish. 1.97-2.06 pop time. On the infield showed solid actions with clean exchanges into a clean arm action and big arm strength, posting a positional velocity of 91 mph. Ran a 6.81 second 60-yard dash.

Mason Morgan C / OF / Walker, LA / 2022

Smaller 5-foot-7, 155-pound frame with a lean, muscular build. Right-handed hitter hits from a balanced stance using a simple, shifty load into a handsy swing. Middle of the field approach with an ability to hit to all fields producing an exit velocity of 86 mph. Defensively, showed solid outfield actions with clean exchanges into a high release producing a positional velocity of 82 mph from the outfield. Solid defender behind the dish with quality balance, soft hands and quick exchanges into high release with a 72 mph positional velocity and 2.07-2.17 pop time. Average runner turned in a 7.18 second 60-yard dash.

James Reina SS / C / St. Louis , LA / 2023

Rankings StateRank: 69 / POS: 13

Athletic 5-foot-7, 145-pound frame. Right-handed hitter hits from a balanced, athletic stance using a knee-to-knee load with a medium stride. Flashes average bat speed with developing strength to produce an exit velocity of 78 mph. On the infield, actions are continuing to progress, moves well with athletic feet, solid actions and clean exchanges into a high-¾ release producing a positional velocity of 75 mph. Developing catcher, high setup, solid receiver with quick exchanges into a longer arm action and high-¾ release resulting in a 73 mph positional velocity from behind the dish and a 2.05-2.11 pop time. Quality athlete ran a 6.81 second 60-yard dash.

Henton Roberts C / OF / Neville, LA / 2022

Rankings StateRank: 15 / POS: 4

Medium 5-foot-10, 190-pound frame that has added some strength since our last look. Right-handed hitter hits from a taller, upright stance using a knee-to-knee load with an average stride. Flashes bat speed with improved strength at contact to produce an exit velocity of 91 mph. Behind the dish, works from a solid setup but hips and glove action can stiffen up at times. Average receiver with clean exchanges using solid footwork to deliver accurate throws producing a positional velocity of 77 mph with a 2.06-2.11 pop time. Solid athlete, ran a 7.13 second 60-yard dash.