MO/IL Junior Future Games Trials: Catcher Analysis
September 2, 2020
Catchers from the early June event, in alphabetical order:
Bryson Kline, Troy, 2024, MO
Position: C/RHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 160-pound projectable frame
Hit: Starts in a balanced stance with a wrapping load, then uses a big leg kick. Quick bat speed. Level finish, short swing.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity. pull side approach.
Defense: Catcher, Sure hands, consistent footwork, fluid exchange. Projectable. Quiet setup with some flexibility.
Arm: 71 Catcher Velocity. 2.18-2.37 pop times. Short arm action, an-over-the-top slot.
Speed: 7.68
Connor Mendell, Fort Zumwalt South, 2024, MO
Position: C/2B
Body: 5-foot-9, 142-pound slim frame
Hit: Began in a wide stance with a small load, then used a leg kick to initiate his swing. Quick bat speed. High finish, level swing.
Power: 74 mph exit velocity. line drive approach.
Defense: Catcher, Consistent hands, average footwork, clean exchange. Average flexibility and calm setup. Infield, Sure hands, consistent footwork, clean exchange. Above average.
Arm: 71 Infield velocity. 71 Catcher Velocity. 2.22-2.39 pop times. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, decent accuracy.
Speed: 7.69
Pitching: Average. Up-tempo delivery, easy effort. High ¾ arm angle, good arm speed, short arm action. Tall balance point, in line shoulders, lands closed, a clean finish.
FB: Straight movement.
CB: Some action, in the zone control.
Caynen Patterson, Troy Buchanan, 2025, MO
Position: C/SS
Body: 5-foot-3, 110-pound slim frame
Hit: Began in a wide crouched stance with a small load, then used a quick stride to initiate his swing. Quick bat speed.
Power: 71 mph exit velocity. up the middle approach.
Defense: Infield, Consistent hands, choppy footwork, clean exchange. Average.
Arm: 70 Infield velocity. 63 Catcher Velocity. 2.22-2.38 pop times. Short arm action, high ¾ slot.
Speed: 8.29
Nicholas Phillips, DeSmet, 2024, MO
Position: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-foot-1, 150-pound lanky frame
Hit: Started in a wide stance with a low load, then used a leg kick before his swing. Above average bat speed. High finish, short swing.
Power: 77 mph exit velocity. line drive approach.
Defense: Infield, Developing footwork, consistent hands, lengthy exchange. Average.
Arm: 74 Infield velocity. 68 Catcher Velocity. 2.55-2.59 pop times. Loose arm action, high ¾ slot, decent accuracy.
Speed: 7.91
Pitching: Average. Up-tempo delivery, some effort. High ¾ arm angle, some arm speed, loose arm action. Strong balance point, even shoulders, lands square, a clean finish.
FB: T75. 72-74 mph. Running action, up in the zone accuracy.
CB: 60-62 mph. 12/6 movement, low in the zone control.
CH: 64-65 mph. Fading action.
Carson Ramos, Holt, 2025, MO
Position: C/3B
Body: 5-foot-10, 155-pound slim frame
Hit: Started in a wide stance with a small load, then used a controlled stride just before his swing. Quick bat speed. Level finish, flat swing.
Power: 70 mph exit velocity. line drive approach.
Defense: Catcher, Quick footwork, sure hands, clean exchange. Average. Staggered setup with some flexibility. Infield, Sure hands, clean exchange, choppy footwork. Fluid.
Arm: 67 Infield velocity. 64 Catcher Velocity. 2.40-2.64 pop times. Short arm action, low ¾ slot.
Speed: 8.25
Xander Schmitt, Lafayette, 2024, MO
Position: C/RHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 160-pound slim frame
Hit: Started in a tall open stance with a big load, then used a long stride to start his swing. Above average bat speed. High finish, upward swing.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity. pull side approach.
Defense: Catcher, Sure hands, quick footwork, fluid exchange. Average. Wide setup with some flexibility.
Arm: 74 Catcher Velocity. 2.08-2.26 pop times. Short arm action, an-over-the-top slot.
Speed: 7.49
Pitching: Average. Feel delivery, some effort. Over-the-top arm angle, good arm speed, short arm action. Tall balance point, even shoulders, lands square, an upright finish.
FB: T77. 75-76 mph. Straight movement, consistent accuracy.
CB: 62-64 mph. Plus action, consistent command.
CH: 64-68 mph. Running action.
Brek Sloan, Grain Valley, 2024, MO
Position: C/SS
Body: 5-foot-9, 140-pound slim frame
Hit: Started in an open stance with a small load, then used a long stride to initiate his swing. Above average bat speed. High finish, level swing.
Power: 77 mph exit velocity. up the middle approach.
Defense: Catcher, Sure hands, developing exchange, average footwork. Average. Some flexibility and narrow setup. Infield, Quick exchange, choppy footwork, sure hands. Above average.
Arm: 70 Infield velocity. 69 Catcher Velocity. 2.29-2.43 pop times. Short arm action, an-over-the-top slot.
Speed: 7.58
Pitching: Projectable. Easy effort. Over-the-top arm angle, good arm speed, quick arm action. Uphill shoulders, lands soft, a clean finish.
FB: T77. 74-76 mph. Straight movement, in the zone accuracy.
CB: 61-63 mph. Some action.
CH: 67-69 mph. Some action.
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