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The Diamondskills All American Camp was held over three weekends in the month of January. Georgetown Preparatory School was the host is their large indoor facility on campus. Well over 100 players were in attendance to perform in front of the PBR Scouting Staff as well as colleges from across the region.

Today we begin our player evaluation breakdown from the event. Our first stop is the catching position with close to 30 players involved. We will break down the top performers from the event by class, followed by the complete evaluations from every catcher that performed at the event.

We will breakdown our evaluations by position throughout the week and finish up with our top overall performers list on Friday.

Previous Diamondskills Coverage:
Scout Blog: Day 1 / Day 2 Pt. 1 / Day 2 Pt. 2 / Day 3
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Diamondskills All American Camp: Catcher analysis

Top Performers

2019

1. David Giorgis, C, West Springfield (VA) 2019
6-foot-2, 185-pound strong mature frame. Athletic wide setup at the plate. Slightly closed stance with a heel pick up to stride. Hands go back on load and then slightly down creating an uphill bat path with some strength and quickness getting through the zone to a high finish. With the combination of an uphill path and an exit velo of 81 mph there is some ability to hit for power. Behind the plate replaces feet and gains ground on throws making a quick high transfer to a short arm action. Throws from a high three-quarter arm slot and pop times ranging from 1.90-1.97, showing arm strength and carry on throws. Displayed athleticism to go along with strength by posting a 7.38 60.

2. Manoli Athanasakis, C, Rockville (MD) 2019
5-foot-9, 155-pound compact frame. Closed off setup with separation and slight arm bar on load. Small leg lift to stride with a level path to extension. Finishes hips and uses lower half well throughout the swing. Exit velo 80. Pop times ranged from 2.06-2.07 with a 71 mph positional velocity. Steps behind on transfer, but gets back in line for the throw and is consistent around the bag. Average arm strength with a quick exchange and short arm action. 60 time 7.20

2020

1. Davis Kelley, C/OF, Oakton (VA) 2020
6-foot, 180-pound solid frame with some strength and athleticism. Delivered a 7.10 60 time. Athletic open stance with a direct stride in line, hands make a small load back, path is short to the ball with some aggression. Hips and hands fire with some intensity. Shows the capability to be gap to gap with some power and strength in the bat with an 87 mph exit velo. Quick active feet behind the plate, short arm action to a high three-quarter release, and the throw has some nice carry on it. Pop times ranged from 1.94-2.00.

2. Justin Ritz, C, Westfield (VA) 2020
6-foot-1, 185-pound strong athletic frame. One of the more impressive defensive catchers at the event. Showed some athleticism and strength behind the plate. Feet were quick gaining ground with a quick jab step to a clean exchange. Arm action was short and showed arm speed throwing from a high three-quarter arm slot. Throws were consistently in line and on bag with carry. Pop times ranged from 1.95-2.05 with a positional velocity of 78 mph. Stance starts slightly open and landing closed at stride. Gains ground on the pitch with the stride and head stays behind and showed balance. Little hand movement on load, hands are direct to the ball with a slight uphill path showing gap to gap potential. Exit velocity was 78 mph. Ran the 60 in 7.26.

3. Jesse Lacefield, C/RHP, Churchill (MD) 2020
5-11, 150-pound athletic frame. From the windup showed a fluid crossfire delivery. Balance point was slightly rushed, but had a short arm action with arm speed to get on time. Displayed multiple arm angles on the fastball, all of which the fastball had late life and some explosiveness getting through the zone at 78-81 mph. Lands closed at foot strike with pronounced crossfire action. Slider was tight with 10/4 shape and hard break at 61-63 mph. Slider showed as a legitimate swing and miss pitch with feel. Hitting from the left side with some rhythm and an athletic stance. Small stride in line, hands stay close and are quick getting through the zone to contact. Stays through ball at extension with an upright high finish. Exit velo was 81 mph. Behind the plate showed a quick exchange with a short arm action and over the top arm slot. Gains ground on a step through and throws with some carry and a 73 mph positional velocity. Ran a 7.10 60. Ability and versatility make him an interesting prospect to follow going forward.

4. Sean Garvin, C, Loudon (VA) 2020
6-foot, 175-pound strong frame. Showed an upright hands-back stance, in line with a small leg lift and lands in line. Hands were relaxed and loose with some freedom in the load. Had a flat bat path getting through the zone with some strength and an uphill-upright finish on contact. Displayed the ability to hit for power with an exit velo of 84 mph. Behind the plate displays quick short feet working into the throw with a clean high exchange. Uses a short arm action with a high three-quarters release with some arm speed to finish. Pop time ranged from a 2.09-2.19. Ran the 60 in 7.80.

2021

1. Casey Gibbs, C, St. John’s College Prep (DC) 2021
6-foot, 160-pound athletic strong frame. Athletic stance from the right side with a wider slightly open base, simple stride and lands slightly closed. From the left side he takes a similar in line setup with a short stride to a wider base finishing a little more in line. Simple hand load to a strong hitting position with hand speed through the zone and fast bat speed with a short path to an uphill finish. Has an exit velo of 82 mph that will only get better as he adds strength to a strong frame. From behind the plate gains ground well with feet getting in line on throws. Has a quick high exchange to a short arm action with quick arm speed throwing from a high three-quarter arm slot. Was consistently around the bag and had carry on throws with a positional velocity of 78 mph and a pop range of 2.01-2.06. Posted an impressive 60 time of 6.87. Definitely will be a player to watch over the next 3 years as he continues to grow and add strength on an already athletic strong frame.

2. Tim Nicholson, C/1B, Georgetown Prep (MD) 2021
6-foot, 165-pound athletic frame. Posted a 60 time of 7.22. Slightly open athletic stance with hands relaxed. Hands load back and swing has some rhythm to it. Lands slightly closed, bat is short through the zone with some explosion and a high two hand finish. Maintains balance throughout and posted an exit velo of 82 mph. Behind the plate gains ground on the ball with the feet to move into the throw. Makes a clean quick exchange and finishes lower half on release. Showed a short quick arm from a high three-quarter slot maintaining pop times between 2.02-2.09.

2. Jason Schiavone, C/SS, St. John's College Prep (DC) 2021
5-foot-11, 167-pound athletic frame. Open upright stance at the plate, with a small pickup on stride landing slightly closed. Hands are loose in the stance and make a late load, but are in position when the foot gets down. Head stays behind the barrel on contact and gets uphill extension through the ball to finish. Finishes the lower half completely with an impressive exit velo of 87 mph showing some strength to an athletic projectable frame. Behind the plate showed quick active feet with an extremely quick exchange. Ball got out of the hand quick from a low three-quarter arm slot. Pop times ranged from 1.94-1.97 with a positional velocity of 77 mph.

4. Zachary Rogacki, C/OF, Jackson Memorial (NJ) 2021
5-foot-10, 145-pound thin athletic frame. Upright on line stance striding forward landing slightly closed. Hands load back to a strong hitting position before a slightly uphill path through extension. Finishes the lower half with some aggressiveness and maintained balance throughout. Exit velocity was 77 mph. Behind the plate displayed a quick clean high exchange. Arm action was short with average arm speed and throws from an over the top slot. The over the top slot showed minimal arm side run resulting in throws being consistently around the bag. Pop times were 2.12-2.15 with a throw velocity of 67 mph. Ran the 60 in 7.44.

5. Gavin Swaney, C, Walkersville (MD) 2021
5-foot-9, 155-pound athletic frame. Narrow upright on line stance. On line stride forward as hands load back. Showed a quick flat bat path with some explosion in the lower half through contact. Showed the ability to work line drives gap to gap and posted a 81 mph exit velocity. Behind the plate he waited back to give the pops a truer game feel to them. Had active feet gaining ground on the throw. Quick clean exchange and got the ball out of the hand quick with a short arm action from a high three-quarter arm slot. Throws ranged from 2.07-2.09 with a 69 mph throwing velocity. As he adds arm strength times should come down as he has a very quick clean release to throw. 60 time was 7.83.

2022

Michael Sabasteanski, C/1B, Briar Woods (VA) 2022
5-foot-11, 185-pound strong frame. Open athletic setup striding in line. Hands trigger late, but a short quick path allows him to get barrel out front. Bat path has some tilt to it and showed the ability to hit for gap to gap power with an exit velocity of 82 mph. Stayed behind the ball well and finished through extension with balance. Behind the plate was quick on transfer with a high exchange point to a short quick arm action from a low three-quarter slot at 65 mph. Throws were consistent around the bag, but added arm strength and consistently finishing backside through throws will help pop times that ranged from 2.20-2.25. 60 time was 8.10.

Flynn Howard, C, St. John's College Prep (DC) 2022
5-foot-10, 140-pound long lanky frame. Athletic stance from left side. Sets up in line with a short stride closed. Hands start relaxed on the shoulder and load back with a short path to the ball and extension out front. Gets hips through and finishes hands high with balance throughout staying behind the ball well. Exit velo was 72 mph, but should jump as he adds strength to a somewhat thin frame. Gains ground at catch and steps through to throw. Arm action is short with quick arm speed and a high three-quarter release. Pop times ranged 2.18-2.19 and a positional velocity of 70 mph. 60 time was 8.04.

 

Best of the Rest (In Alphabetical Order)

Adam Astacio, C, St. John's College (DC) 2022
5-foot-7, 142-pound athletic frame. Hits with a balanced setup, smooth load, and is short to the ball with extension on the finish. Has a simple pick-up and put-down to stride and finishes the lower half with some aggression. Exit velocity 76. Behind the plate has a quick transfer out of the glove with a short arm action. Balanced and stays through the throw with quick footwork. Positional velocity is 63 to go along with a 2.15-2.22 pop time. 60 time 7.62

Teddy Boss, C, Georgetown Day (DC) 2020
5-foot-10, 180-pound with a solid frame. Athletic setup at the plate with a slight arm bar on load. Displayed a short toe tap to stride with an uphill bat path and some explosive bat speed getting through the zone. Exit velocity of 83 mph with his strong frame and bat speed, should produce some power. Short quick footwork behind the plate, stays in line upon finish, and quick clean exchange with a longer over the top arm slot. Was consistently around the bag on throws to second with a pop time of 2.31-2.34. Ran a 7.78 60.

Trevor Bush, C, Colonial Forge (VA) 2021
5-foot-10, 155-pound solid athletic frame. Posted a 7.44 60 time. Open athletic stance, lands balanced and in line, with an arm bar on load. Has an uphill bat path that will work to the pull side. Finishes the lower half with some aggression and is balanced throughout. Exit velo was 77 mph. Positional velocity was 67 mph with a 2.06-2.18 pop time. Throws from an upright position and uses a high three-quarter arm slot with a quick exchange. Feet are quick and active post catch and lands in line.

Anthony Cirrincione, C, Broadneck (DC) 2022
5-foot-7, 140 pound compact frame. Displayed some physical strength with an exit velocity of 84 mph. Short load back with a direct path to the ball. Starts in line with a simple step to stride and finishes slightly open. Consistently used the middle of the field. Pop times ranged from 2.21-2.25 with a positional velocity of 64 mph. Gains ground from behind the plate, utilizes a quick jab step and steps in line to a wider base. Clean quick exchange with a short high three-quarter arm slot.

Trent Crumback, C, Howard (MD) 2020
5-foot-9, 190-pound solid compact frame. Showed some offensive strength with a 84 mph exit velocity. Stance is upright and relaxed, hands are relaxed and load free with a slight arm bar. Small leg lift to stride, hands are quick and strong through the zone as he displayed some raw power at the plate. Utilizes the lower half well as hips are explosive when finishing. Pop times ranged from a 2.21-2.25 with a positional velocity of 69 mph. Showed a quick jab step replacing the feet and getting in line for the throw. Clean exchange at a low transfer point, short arm action, and threw from a high three-quarter arm slot. Was consistently around the bag on pop times.

Michael DeGirolamo IV, C/3B, Frederick (MD) 2020
Strong frame at 5-foot-11, 185-pounds. Athletic in line setup with hands relaxed and smooth load. Small leg lift and strides to a slightly closed landing. Balanced at foot strike with a flat level path getting to the ball. Lower half rotates and finished with some aggression and swing has a pull side tendency. There is some strength in the frame and swing as it shows in a 85 mph exit velocity. Attacks the ball in the infield and plays a bit high at times. Clean exchange and works to a longer low three-quarter arm slot. Infield velo is 70 mph. Behind the plate has a clean exchange with a deep low transfer point. Feet are quick and gets in line with the throw with a quick jab step. Average arm speed with a low three-quarter release. Hands are strong receiving. Pop times ranged from 2.20-2.22 with a velocity of 68 mph.

Anthony Escobar, C, St. John's College Prep (DC) 2022
5-foot-10, 158-pound long frame with some room to add strength. Stance is relaxed and athletic at setup with a short hand load, strides in line, and has a level bat path to contact. Stays balanced and behind the ball throughout the swing with a complete finish of the lower half. Exit velo was 75 mph. Behind the plate he makes a clean high exchange to the hand and has a short arm action throwing from a high three-quarter arm slot. Positional velocity was 64 mph with a pop time that ranged from 2.37-2.47. 60 time was a 7.60.

Ben-Gruadis Gimbel, C, Friends (Sandy Springs) (MD) 2020
5-foot-8, 150-pound solid frame. Ran a 7.09 60. Athletic stance from the left and right side with small lift to stride, stays in line, load has some rhythm with hands going back at leg lift. Hands are short and quick through the zone. From the left side bat path has some uphill tilt to it staying through extension and the right side is a flat short path to the ball. Lower half gets through and a high finish with the hands. Exit velo was 81 mph. Active feet behind the plate with a replacement jab step to throw. Exchange is deep with a quick arm action and quick arm speed throwing from a high three-quarter slot. Pop times ranged from 2.10-2.18.

Jack Jones, C, St. John's College Prep (DC) 2020
Solid frame at 5-foot-9, 160-pounds. Athletic slightly closed stance, heel pick up to stride staying closed. Hands are back early with a quiet simple load, short level path that shows some line drive tendencies, hands and bat have some quickness and whip getting through the zone. Exit velo was 78 mph. Quick replacement of the feet, high clean exchange to a quick short arm action, arm slot is over the top and gets it out of the hand quick with a 2.10-2.12 pop range and a 68 mph positional velocity. Ran the 60 in 7.34.

William Karis, C, Wootton (MD) 2020
5-foot-11, 150-pound long thin frame. Athletic stance in line with a small pick up and stride to slightly closed. Hands load free with a slight bat wrap, path is short to the ball with a level swing and short through extension, hips and hands are quick and aggressive. Exit velo was 76 mph. Feet are active and replace from behind the plate gaining ground on the throw. Exchange is clean, arm action short with a low three-quarter arm slot. Pop times ranged from 2.19-2.24. Posted a 60 time of 7.66.

Nick Malone, C, South Carroll (MD) 2021
6-foot-1, 175-pound strong projectable frame with broad shoulders. Athletic open stance with knee to knee leg kick landing closed. Hands are relaxed and load with a vertical bat. Path has some uphill tilt to it, finishes high with an upright position. Exit velo was 78 mph. Gains ground with jab step on throwdowns. Quick exchange, short-quick arm, throws from a low three-quarter arm slot, and finishes the lower half into the throw. Positional velocity is 70 mph and pop times ranged from 2.12-2.18. 60 time was 7.65.

Matthew Martinez, C, Bethlehem Catholic (PA) 2021
5-foot-10, 165-pound solid frame. Athletic on line stance, hands close with vertical bat, loads to a slight crouch with hands back, lands on line after a lift to stride. Hands are quick and show some strength through the zone with an exit velo of 84 mph. Lower half is explosive on finish and showed some balance. Behind the plate showed a clean exchange, a short quick arm action to a low three-quarter release with a positional velocity of 67 mph and a pop time range of 2.16-2.18. Ran the 60 in 7.75.

Lleyton McFarland, C/OF, Hayfield (VA) 2021
5-foot-10, 135-pounds athletic makeup with some room to add strength onto the frame. Athletic on line stance with small leg lift to stride. Hands are quiet with minimal load and are direct to the ball with a level line drive path. Exit velo was 73 mph and bat stayed through the zone on extension. Behind the plate feet are quick with a quick glove to hand exchange. Arm action is short, but arm speed slows once it gets back. Throws from an over the top arm slot at 67 mph. Pop time ranged from 2.32-2.34. 60 time was 7.50.

Jonathan Sauls, C, Wilson (DC) 2022
5-foot-6, 145-pound compact frame. Athletic on line stance with a small pick and put down to stride on line. Hands are relaxed and load back to separation before firing forward. Was able to pull hands inside the pitch with a flat bat path that was short through extension. Exit velo was 75 mph. Behind the plate feet worked into the throw with a clean slower exchange. Got the arm up quick and threw from a low three-quarter arm slot at 64 mph with pop times ranging from 2.10-2.19. 60 time was 9.12.

Carson Simmons, C/3B, Southern (MD) 2020
5-foot-10, 140-pound long rangy frame. Ran a 7.06 60. At the plate showed an athletic on line stance. Hands load back to an arm bar, small stride forward to slightly closed, short path to the ball with uphill tilt and a high two hand finish. Exit velocity was 76 mph. Behind the plate gained ground on the throw with the feet, had a clean exchange to a short arm action throwing from a low three-quarter arm slot. Velocity from behind the plate was 71 mph and throws showed carry at times. Pop times ranged from 2.09-2.14.