2019 Preseason All-State Showcase Analysis: Catchers
March 11, 2019
The 2019 Preseason All-State Showcase took place February 24th at Pro Performance RX in Morgantown, WV. Today we begin a series of articles analyzing the prospects in attendance beginning with a look at the catchers that participated.
+ CLICK HERE for complete results for all prospects in attendance.
CATCHERS
Parker Redden, Shady Springs HS, Class of 2021
Offensively, Redden initiates his swing out of an open, neutral position with his hands set higher. Swings the bat with confidence and a line-drive, level swing. Continued to show ability to drive the ball with consistency. Registered a 83 mph bat exit velocity, up from 82 at his last event.
Defensively, Redden displayed an advanced defensive skill set to go along with a 2.00-2.06 registered pop time. A 71 mph velocity out of the crouch was recorded. He displayed soft, confident hands that work well. A 7.53-laser timed 60 was recorded. Overall, Redden continues to be a player to follow in the 2021 class.
Drake Mullins, Bluefield HS, Class of 2019
Offensively, Mullins initiates his swing from a neutral stance. He displayed good weight balance and shift through his swing which resulted in a 89mph exit velocity. Showed ability to find the barrel and drive the ball gap to gap with consistency. A 7.30-laser timed 60 was recorded.
Defensively, Mullins displayed strong, confident hands with resulted in a 1.94-1.96 pop time, an event best. He is a solid defender, displaying confidence in his blocking ability and defensive ability. He's has the ability and body to contribute at the next level. Mullins recently committed to Pikeville University in Kentucky.
Aidan Johnson, George Washington, Class of 2019
Offensively, the well-built Johnson displayed an advanced skill set from the right side of the batters box. He starts in a controlled, mostly straight up and down stance and uses a leg lift as a timing mechanism. Shows the ability to lift and drive the ball well. A event best, 96 mph exit velocity was recorded. A 7.15-laser timed 60 was recorded.
Defensively, Johnson showed overall control of his body. Utilizing a solid upper body to keep balls in the dirt in front of him, he rarely lets balls get outside of his body. A 74 mph velocity out of the crouch was recorded, along with a 2.00-2.03 pop time. He also worked out at 3B, displaying solid footwork and balance playing from his feet up. A 82 mph positional velocity was recorded. Johnson is the best overall uncommitted prospect left in the 2019 Class in West Virginia.
Coleson Titus, Jefferson, Class of 2021
Offensively, Titus starts in a slightly open, neutral stance. He utilizes a leg kick as a timing mechanism. He displayed a balanced, line drive swing with solid control of his upper half. His frame shows room to continue to put on mass. A 81 mph exit velocity was recorded. A 7.53-laser timed 60 was recorded.
Defensively, Titus displayed quick feet and a solid arm, resulting in a 1.96-2.06 pop-time. A 70 mph velocity out of the crouch was recorded. He shows solid fundamentals and ability to block the ball in the dirt. His overall athleticism and skill set behind the plate makes him a high follow in the Class of 2021 in West Virginia.
Caleb Taylor, Morgantown, Class of 2019
Offensively, the 6-foot, 215-pound primary Catcher starts in a slightly open, neutral stance. He displays a power stroke and uses the whole field when in the box. A true gap-to-gap threat. His quick hands allow him to turn on inside pitches that some can't get to. A 91 mph exit velocity was recorded on this day, along with a 7.49-laser timed 60.
Defensively, Taylor displays a longer throwing motion, but makes up for the time with a strong, accurate arm. A 74 mph velocity out of the crouch was recorded. He showed a strong ability to keep balls in front of him. He doesn't let much get outside of his frame. Overall, the Potomac State College signee looks to be a solid addition to their roster.
Isaac Bittinger, Northern Garrett, Class of 2021
Offensively, the 6-foot-1, 165-pound primary Catcher starts in a spread, open stance. He displayed a line drive swing with the ability to hit to both sides of the mound. His hands are move freely, and are in sync with his body. A 74 mph exit velocity was recorded. On this day, a 7.09-laser timed 60 was recorded.
Defensively, Bittinger showed solid footwork and release point. A 72 mph velocity out of the crouch was recorded. He displayed a solid core, with room to add additional mass as he matures. Overall, Bittinger looks to be a player to watch in neighboring Western Maryland.
Joel Beattie, Point Pleasant, Class of 2021
Offensively, the 6-foot, 200-pound primary Catcher starts in a slightly open, athletic position with his hands lower and wide of his body. He displayed a line drive swing with the tenancy to be pull heavy. A 84 mph exit velocity was recorded on this day. A 7.02-laser timed 60 was also recorded.
Defensively, Beattie displayed solid footwork and a quick release. A 71 mph accurate arm was also shown. He uses his upper body well when squaring balls in the dirt. Overall, Beattie has the tools to become a player to follow in the 2021 Class in West Virginia.
Leewood Molessa, Williamstown, Class of 2021
Offensively, the 6-foot-2, 240-pound primary First Baseman starts in a athletic, compact stance with his front knee turned in. He displayed a predominantly pull side approach, and found the barrel more times than not with loud contact. His hand work well within his swing. A 88 mph exit velocity was recorded. On this day, a 7.81-laser timed 60 was also recorded.
Defensively, Molessa demonstrated a quick transfer and release, with the ability to gain ground towards the second base target. A 70 mph velocity out of the crouch was recorded. During the blocking portion, he did display solid lateral movement for his size and the ability to keep the ball in front of him.
Hayden Stang, Jefferson, Class of 2020
Offensively, the 5-foot-11, 165-pound primary Catcher starts in a slightly open, controlled stance with his hands low. He displayed a quick, compact stroke from the left side of the plate. He showed the ability to drive the ball to both sides of the field. A 79 mph exit velocity was recorded. A Catcher's best, 6.85-laser timed 60 was recorded on this day.
Defensively, Stang displayed adequate hands. A 2.19-2.21 pop time was recorded. He has the tendency to get outside of his body a little when making his throws to second. If he corrects this, his times will continue to improve. A 72 mph velocity out of the crouch was recorded. Overall, Stang displayed solid athleticism.
Brent Robinson, Notre Dame, Class of 2020
Offensively, the 5-foot-8, 170-pound primary Catcher starts in a open, spread stance with his hands near his chest. He uses a leg kick as a timing mechanism. On this day, he showed the ability to drive the ball predominantly to the pull side. A 81 mph exit velocity was recorded.
Defensively, Robinson displayed adequate hands. His transfer was solid but did have the tendency to fall off to the third base side on his throws down to second. A 61 mph velocity out of the crouch was recorded, along with a 2.25-2.28 pop time.
Eli Kirkendoll, Lincoln County, Class of 2020
Offensively, the 6-foot-4, 225-pound primary Catcher starts in a spread, open stance with his hand high. He showed an advanced skill set at the plate as evident with a 92 mph exit velocity that was recorded. He also displayed the ability to drive the ball to all fields. A 7.62-laser timed 60 was recorded.
Defensively, Kirkendoll has gotten better since the last time that we saw him. He consistently blocked ball outside of his frame work utilizing his core strength. A strong, 74 mph arm was also recorded. A 2.25-2.31 pop time was also recorded. Kirkendoll will be a player to follow in the 2020 Class in West Virginia.
Jacob Kidd, Hurricane, Class of 2021
Offensively, the 5-foot-11, 170-pound primary Catcher starts in a fully spread, open stance with his hand close to his chest. On this day, he displayed solid rotational torque, along with quick suttle hands. He displayed a mostly pull side approach, but did make a lot of loud contact. A 81 mph exit velocity was recorded. A 7.46-laser timed 60 was also recorded.
Defensively, Kidd displayed quick feet and a accurate, strong arm. He would benefit from not "rounding" the ball when receiving it on his throws to second. A 71 mph arm velocity out of the crouch was recorded, along with a 2.25-2.34 pop time.
Ian Donohoe, Hurricane, Class of 2020
Offensively, the 5-foot-8, 180-pound primary Catcher starts in a athletic, straight up stance with his hands above his waist. He displayed the ability to drive the ball to both sides of the mound and found many barrels on this day. A 82 mph exit velocity was recorded. A 7.12-laser timed 60 was also recorded.
Defensively, Donohoe displayed a solid footwork and fundamentals. There is room within his frame to gain more arm velocity. He did a sound job of keeping the ball in front of him, not letting much get outside of his frame. A 2.31-2.50 pop time was recorded.
POST EVENT ANALYSIS
- Monday, March 11th - Preseason All-State Showcase Analysis: Catchers
- Tuesday, March 12th - Preseason All-State Showcase Analysis: 3B
- Wednesday, March 13th - Preseason All-State Showcase Analysis: MIF
- Thursday, March 14th - Preseason All-State Showcase Analysis: 1B
- Friday, March 15th - Preseason All-State Showcase Analysis: OF
- Saturday, March 16th - Preseason All-State Showcase Analysis: Pitchers
UPCOMING EVENTS
| SHOWCASE | STATE | DATE | LOCATION |
| 2019 West Virginia Top Prospect Games | WV | 06/11 | Frank Loria Field |
| Central West Virginia Summer Kickoff Showcase | WV | 06/26 | Sue Morris Complex |
| Parkersburg College Prospect Showcase | WV | 07/09 | Bennett Stump Field - City Park |
| Eastern Panhandle College Prospect Showcase | WV | 07/16 | Potomac State College |
| West Virginia Deep South College Prospect Showcase | WV | 07/24 | Linda K Epling Stadium |
| Junior Future Games | NATIONAL | 07/30 | LakePoint |