Junior Catcher Carapellotti Features Strong Bat

Owen Carapellotti C / 3B / U of D Jesuit, MI / 2021

CANTON - It seemed like just another game at the time. But in retrospect, that is not the case.

“I was a shortstop/third baseman up until 12U,” Owen Carapellotti said. “But my team needed me as an emergency catcher one game. I did better than I thought I’d do and I absolutely loved it.”

Now the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy junior is a Division I college baseball recruit as a catcher.

“I love being part of every play,” Carapellotti related about what stands out most behind the plate. “I like being put in a leadership position back there.”

Scouts have taken notice.

The lone visit to date was to Eastern Michigan in the fall, but there has been recent talk with Western Michigan and Ball State and in the past with Michigan State and Michigan. There has also been conversation outside the midwest with Yale and Pepperdine.

“Western had me come for a camp,” the fifth-rated uncommitted 2021 in the state noted. “They liked my athleticism behind the plate. Pepperdine asked for videos. Aaron Wilson was talking with coach (Danny) Worth there and he reached out to me that day. He liked how I was able to control my body at my size, yet able to flex my body behind the plate.”

Getting in better shape helped in that regard.

“From a physical aspect I lost about 30 pounds in the offseason and put muscle on,” pointed out the 6-2 195-pounder about how his game has improved of late. “I also started working with an old catcher of mine and he helped me with my pop time.”

That is an area that stood out with Carapellotti at the PBR Preseason All-State earlier this month where Carapellotti had the best showing at the event with a 1.89 pop.

“He has quick feet behind the plate and should be able to stay behind the dish at the next level,” noted Wilson, PBR Michigan Director of Scouting. “He has shown a work ethic that will allow him to succeed at the next level. He’s a left-handed hitting catcher that swings with authority. He’s one of the top bats available.”

A good stick is only part of what Carapellotti brings to the table.