The annual Metro East took place earlier this summer on June 26th. The event, originally scheduled to take place at Blazier Field in O’Fallon was moved indoors to Kings Point Sports Club (Batters Box), due to inclement weather.

Today we begin the breakdown of the event, looking at the catchers in attendance. Luke Paulus, a rising senior, took home the top spot. Paulus has a loose, quick swing and made a lot of hard contact in his round of BP. Paulus should be a high-follow moving forward.

2021 Drew Ezard comes in right behind Paulus. Ezard has an advanced frame and strength for his age and will be one to watch in the coming years.

Below is a look at all of the catchers from the event.

TOP CATCHING PROSPECTS

1. Luke Paulus, C, Wentzville Liberty (MO), 2019
6-foot, 190-pound, strong, durable-build, right-handed hitting catcher. Defensively, short arm action, over-the-top slot, throws carried, clocked at 77 mph out of the crouch. Fields position athletically, quick feet and quick on exchanges, pop times ranged 2.04-2.19. Ran a 7.11 laser-timed 60. Offensively, athletic setup, short stride, lower half works, maintains good balance. Loose, quick hands, power approach, gap-to-gap at-times, 97 mph exit velocity.

2. Drew Ezard, C/RHP, Jacksonville, 2021
6-foot-2, 205-pound, right-handed hitting catcher, strong, XL frame, translates to play. Offensively, balanced setup, back load, short leg kick trigger, maintains balance in swing. Strong, loose hands, long, easy path with extension, gap-to-gap hitter, pop in swing, fluid rhythm involved. Present bat speed, exit velocity topped 86 mph from a tee. Defensively, pop times ranged 2.18-2.26. Feet work in line, clean exchange, slight recoil finish. Long arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate throws topped 77 mph from the crouch. 7.54 runner in the 60. On the mound, toe lift, compact balance point, quick tempo, works in line, lands cross bodied some, athletic finish. Long arm on back side, quick and clean out front, over the top slot, rhythm involved. Fastball worked downhill with tilt, for strikes, topped 82 mph, sat 80-81 mph.Curveball, 11/5 shape, 65-68 mph. Changeup played 66-67 mph.

3. Justin Janssen, C, Princeville, 2019
6-foot-1, 200-pound, strong, left-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, tall, balanced setup, smooth load, short stride, maintains good balance. Athletic hands, easy effort, long, uphill barrel path through the zone, fluid rhythm, 88 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.32 laser-timed 60. Defensively, short arm action, over-the-top slot, clean on exchanges, 72 mph out of the crouch, pop times ranged 2.19-2.26.

4. Sean Cleary, C, Fox Senior (MO), 2019
6-foot, 153-pound, lean, right-handed hitting catcher. At the plate, balanced setup, leg-lift hanging stride, smooth load and fluid rhythm. Flashed loose hands, short, level bat path and 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, behind the plate, flexible low setup, clean transfer and natural catcher actions. Short, loose arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 77 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged from 2.05-2.12. 7.46 laser-timed 60.  

5. Braydon Smith, C, Auburn, 2019
5-foot-10, 155-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. At the plate, wide setup, short stride and maintains balance through contact. Present bat speed, long bat path, gap-to-gap approach, fluid rhythm and made a lot of hard contact. 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, steady hands, clean directional transfer, short arm action from a ¾ slot. Throws topped at 73 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.15-2.29. 7.35 runner in the 60.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Austin Atkins, C/1B, Wesclin, 2020
6-foot, 185-pound, right-handed hitting catcher, athleticism and physicality in frame. At the plate, balanced setup, back bar load, short stride. Short, uphill bat path, favored the pull side, present bat speed with strong hands, exit velocity topped 88 mph from a tee. 7.35 runner in the 60. Defensively, pop times ranged 2.40-2.44. Defensively, clean exchange, shoulders get uphill, arm plays short, high ¾ slot, throws topped 67 mph from the crouch.

Kyle Becker, C, O’Fallon, 2019
5-foot-10, 185-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. At the plate, balanced setup, smooth load and toe-tap stride. Present bat speed, long bat path, line-drive approach and registered an 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, steady hands, short, over-the-top arm action and throws topped at 72 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.25-2.33. 7.86 runner in the 60.

Jeffery Biermann, C/INF, Belleville West, 2019
6-foot, 170-pound, multi-positional, switch-hitting prospect. At the plate, handles the bat well from both sides of the plate. Narrow setup, long leg-lift stride and maintains balance through contact. Flashed bat speed, level path, line-drive approach and fluid rhythm. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee from the right side and 77 mph from the left. Defensively worked out on the infield and behind the plate. On the infield, steady actions, sure hands and throws topped at 73 mph. Behind the plate, short, high ¾ arm action, and throws topped at 73 mph. Pop times ranged between 2.11-2.29. 7.81 runner in the 60.

Samuel Bieser, C/3B, Lindbergh (MO), 2020
6-foot, 188-pound, right-handed hitting catcher, well-proportioned, athletic frame. Defensively behind the plate, natural, athletic actions, fleet footed, soft hands, exchanges are quick and clean. Short, loose arm action, clean, over the top slot, accurate throws topped 74 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged 2.19-2.26. Offensively, open, tall stance, back load, short stride. Strong hands, short bat path, can get uphill, high finish, line drive ability with rhythm involved.  Present bat speed, exit velocity topped 97 mph from a tee. 7.20 runner in the 60.

Joseph Chiesa, C/1B, Francis Howell Central (MO), 2020
5-foot-10, 210-pound, right-handed hitting catcher, thick frame. At the plate, balanced setup, pre-pitch load, short stride. Level bat path, occasional line drive ability, late rhythm, exit velocity topped 80 mph from a tee. Defensively, pop times ranged 2.36-2.43. Agile lower half for size, fluid footwork, clean exchanges. Hands work, short, over the top slot, shoulders get uphill. Throws topped 69 mph from the crouch. 8.09 runner in the 60.

Kodey Kaimann, C, Winfield (MO), 2019
6-foot, 165-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Defensively, long arm action, over-the-top slot, keeps throws around the bag, 70 mph out of the crouch. Competent hands, quick feet, quick on exchanges, pop times range between 2.34-2.44. Ran a 7.40 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, maintains balance. Level barrel path, line drive approach, 81 mph exit velocity off a tee.  

Ryan Loeffler, C/2B, Belleville West, 2021
5-foot-6, 140-pound, right-handed hitting catcher, athletic build, strength in frame. Behind the plate, athletic actions, plays with bounce, fleet footed, exchanges are quick and clean, gets rid of it. Steady hands, short, clean arm action, over the top slot, accurate throws topped 69 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged 2.29-2.43. Offensively, balanced, wide setup, slight drop load, leg kick trigger. Strength in swing, short bat path, line drive capabilities, exit velocity topped 70 mph from a tee. 7.71 runner in the 60.

Spencer Miller, C/OF, Smithville (MO), 2020
5-foot-10, 170-pound, right-handed hitting catcher, well-proportioned, athletic frame. At the plate, balanced, closed toe setup, back load, short leg lift trigger. Loose hands, level bat path, present bat speed with line drive ability, exit velocity topped 86 mph from a tee. 7.08 runner in the 60. Defensively, pop times ranged 2.32-2.41. Quick footwork, clean exchange, hands work, short arm action, over the top slot. Accurate throws topped 74 mph from the crouch.

Cole Niebrugge, C/RHP, Dieterich, 2020
6-foot-2, 200-pound, right-handed hitting catcher, well-proportioned, thick frame. At the plate, balanced, closed stance, minimal load, short stride. Short, level bat path, exit velocity topped 77 mph from a tee. Defensively, stationary out of the crouch, short arm action, high ¾ slot, topped 67 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged 2.54-2.62. 8.41 runner in the 60. On the mound, deliberate to the plate, rocks at balance, tall and fall style, works in line. High front side, long arm swing, high ¾ slot, some effort involved. Fastball worked straight, 76-79 mph. Curveball, 10/4 shape, gradual break, 69-72 mph. Changeup occasionally cut, in the zone, 68-72 mph.  

Zachary Norman, C, Triad, 2019
6-foot, 155-pound, wiry, right-handed hitting catcher. Ran a 7.10, laser-timed 60. At the plate, balanced setup, pre-pitch rhythm and short stride. Long bat path through the hitting zone and registered an 80 mph exit velocity. Defensively, athletic low setup, soft hands, clean release. Throws topped at 72 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.22-2.43.

Jake Radosevich, C/RHP, Triad, 2022
5-foot-8, 140-pound, right-handed hitting catcher, high-waisted frame. Offensively, tall, narrow stance, back load, long toe tap trigger. Long, uphill bat path, high finish, rhythm in swing, exit velocity topped 71 mph from a tee. Defensively, pop times ranged 2.43-2.54. Clean exchange, short arm action, high ¾ slot, slight recoil finish, throws topped 64 mph from the crouch. 8.58 runner in the 60. On the mound, deliberate delivery, works in line and lands square to home, rhythm involved. Long, full arm swing, high ¾ slot, easy effort throughout. Fastball worked straight, topped 69 mph, sat 66-68 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, gradual break with arm speed, ranged 56-60 mph. Changeup played 64-65 mph.

Logan Schweigert, C/SS, O’Fallon, 2020
5-foot-9, 165-pound, right-handed hitting catcher, thin, athletic frame. Behind the plate, plays through the ball, gains ground, quick feet and exchange. Hands work, arm plays short, high ¾ slot, some carry, throws topped 76 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged 2.19-2.27 to second. Offensively, open, tall setup, back load, toe tap trigger. Long, level bat path, flashed line drive ability, exit velocity topped 83 mph from a tee. 7.60 runner in the 60.

Hunter Smith, INF/C, Triad, 2019
5-foot-9, 160-pound, multi-positional prospect. Defensively, worked out on the infield and behind the plate. Natural infield defender, moves well laterally, maintains body control and soft hands. Clean transfer, short, high ¾ arm action and throws topped at 74 mph across the diamond. Behind the plate, sure hands, clean release and pop times ranged between 2.19-2.33. Throws topped at 73 mph from the crouch. At the plate, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, big load and long stride. Long bat path and registered a 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. 7.46 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

Drew Tebbe, C/RHP, O’Fallon, 2021
5-foot-8, 140-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Behind the plate, smooth, athletic actions, works through the ball with quick feet. Hands work in rhythm, short arm action, clean high ¾ slot, accurate throws topped 71 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged 2.19-2.26. Offensively, balanced, open setup, slight bar load, short stride. Short bat path, head down, middle of the field approach, uphill some, exit velocity topped 71 mph from a tee. 7.87 runner in the 60. On the mound, rhythm in delivery, solid balance point, works in line, square landing, easy effort throughout. Short, clean arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball worked straight, 69-72 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, in the zone, 61-64 mph. Changeup played 67-68 mph.

Joey Trupiano, C, Orchard Farm, 2019
6-foot, 175-pound, long, lean frame, right-handed hitting catcher. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ slot, kept throws around bag.  Fluid footwork, clean on exchanges, 69 mph out of the crouch, pop times ranged 2.29-2.46. Offensively, balanced setup, wrap load, short load, maintains balance. Line drive approach, 81 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.77 laser-timed 60.

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