2018 Top Prospect Games: Catcher Analysis
August 20, 2018
On Monday August 6th, at Campbell’s Jim Perry Stadium PBR held one of the must-see events of the year in North Carolina. In its second year, the Top Prospect Games have become a marked event for college coaches and pro scouts. This year’s event saw 66 players perform in front of over 25 evaluators from North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
Divided into four teams, position players were able to go through a complete pro-style workout, followed by an 8 inning controlled scrimmage. Pitchers threw two controlled innings. This format allowed coaches and scouts to see players take BP, run a 60, workout at their defensive position, and still evaluate them in game situations.
We continue our deep dive into the players that took part in the PBR Top Prospect Games. The catchers presented a cross section of offensive and defensive minded players. The ten catchers in attendance represented a nice cross section of players representing many of the different regions of the state. The full evaluations include a look at each player's statistics from the day as well as a link to their profile and PBR video.
CLICK HERE for the complete roster from the 2018 PBR Top Prospect Games
CLICK HERE for the complete statistical look at the 2018 PBR Top Prospect Games
PBR Top Prospect Games: By The Numbers
+ 66 of the Top Players in NC attended the 2018 Top Prospect Games
+ PBR received over 120 request for invite to the event, working with the state’s high school coaches, area scouts, and PBR’s staff to limit it to players that received a recommendation
+ 27 players ran a sub-7.25 sixty… 16 sub-7.10… 9 sub-7.00
+ The top infield velocity was 88 mph across the diamond… 12 players were 80 mph or better
+ The top outfield velocity was 89 mph… 13 players were 80 mph or better
+ All 10 catchers posted a workout pop time under 2.10
+ 21 hitters had an exit velocity of 90 mph or better with the high getting to 99 mph
+ 20 arms threw with 1 above 90mph… 9 above 85 mph… 16 above 81 mph.
Top Prospect Games: Catcher Analysis
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Jacob Bebber C / 3B / Alexander Central, NC / 2020Rankings StateRank: 73 / POS: 11
Strength is present in an average 5-foot-9, 170 pound frame. Exit velocity of 88 mph from above average bat speed. Projects well in the box. Right handed hitter starts balanced and athletic. Slight waggle to set rhythm. Short stride. Excellent head discipline. Works for extension with looseness and quickness. Gap to gap approach with backspin to all fields. Good approach with strike zone awareness at the plate. Behind the dish, presents well and has looseness in the hands. Exchanges across the chest with some length in the arm action and feet working to an over-the-top release. Average carry at 72 mph from the crouch. On-line throws to the bag. Pop times ranged 2.09-2.15. Secondary infielder works to find effort on the infield. Tends to catch balls off his right inside hip. Cautious exchange with medium arm swing to an over-the-top release. Average carry with accuracy at 74 mph across the diamond. Ran a 7.88 sixty. |
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Bryce Stober C / 2B / Hickory, NC / 2019Rankings StateRank: 146 / POS: 17
5 feet 8, 160-pound athletic build. Potential true utility with the ability to catch and play on the infield. Hits from the right side using a balanced setup, with a smooth load and short stride. Good approach looking to line balls in the gaps with above average bat speed. Quick hands and keeps his barrel in the zone. Exit velocity recorded at 82 mph. Athletically plays through balls in the outfield, with average hands, fluid feet, and clean exchanges leading to a long arm action, throwing from a high ¾ slot. Some accuracy to his throws peaking at 79 mph. Quick feet on the infield, playing through the ball and transferring to his midsection after catch. Some accuracy, with carry to his throws topping at 79 mph across the diamond. Accurate arm from behind the plate, with a short arm action and quick feet with pop times recorded at 2.07-2.19. Arm peaks at 76 mph from behind the plate. Really competes in game and shows the ability to get his barrel to the ball and get hits. Plays the game hard. Recorded a 4.35 home to first time and 7.06 in the 60-yard dash. |
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CJ Martin C / 1B / Martin Homeschool, NC / 2019
6 feet 1, 165-pound athletic build. Lanky with the ability to continue to add strength to the frame. Right hand hitter works from an open stance with a smooth load and long stride. Fluid swing with above average bat speed. Works mostly middle to pull side during batting practice with his barrel working level through the zone. Good barrel awareness. Exit velocity recorded at 91 mph. Athletic defender behind the plate with quick feet. Quick, clean exchanges with a short arm action throwing from a high ¾ slot. Some accuracy with carry to this throws and pop time recorded at 2.08-2.16. Positional velocity recorded at 77 mph. Raw, athletic player with upside as a hitter and catcher. Recorded a 7.19 in the 60-yard dash. |
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Austin Gilley C / OF / Southern Alamance , NC / 2019Rankings StateRank: 232 / POS: 31
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Bo Rusher III C / OF / Salisbury, NC / 2019Rankings StateRank: 48 / POS: 4
Athletic frame with length in the limbs at 6-foot-1, 190 pounds. Strength and quickness are present with a potential high ceiling. Exit velocity of 90 mph off the barrel. Left handed hitter is tall and balanced. Loose with feel for the barrel and quickness. Ball jumps off the barrel. Toe tap load and average stride length. Works for extension and has a slight pull tendency. Some stiffness in his setup behind the plate. Average hands received arms well at the showcase. Aggressive demeanor and feet on throws working to gain ground. Above average carry with a positional velocity of 78 mph out of the crouch. Pop times ranged 2.00-2.08 in the workout with accuracy to the bag. Athletic behind the dish controlling block and recovers as well as bunts. Ran a 7.45 sixty. |
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Nathan Nygaard C / 1B / Sun Valley, NC / 2020Rankings StateRank: 48 / POS: 7
6 feet 1, 195-pound frame. Strength is present. Right hand hitter with a balanced setup. Smooth back in his load with a short stride. Gets his lower half through the ball with strength in his swing. Looks to get extension with a line drive approach working mostly middle to pull side. Stiff hands cause the barrel to work in and out of the zone to quickly at times. Above average bat speed with an exit velocity at 87 mph. Quick feet behind the plate, with quick, clean exchanges. Short arm action, throwing from a high ¾ slot with some accuracy to his throws. Pop times recorded at 2.05-2.18. Positional velocity peaked at 76 mph. Plays hard in game and bounces around behind the plate, making some athletic plays. Aggressive approach in game looking to drive the ball. Recorded a 7.91 in the 60-yard dash. |
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Cambell Conard C / 3B / T C Roberson, NC / 2020Rankings StateRank: 59 / POS: 9
Average frame at 5-foot-11, 175 pounds. Still maturing and adding strength to the frame. Strength is present with high exit velocities from both the left and right side. Left side peaked at 91 mph with an 89 mph exit on the right side. Balance on both sides of the plate with batspeed. On the left side uses a small leg kick to load from a quiet setup. Good head discipline and direct path with some uphill leverage. Similar setup on the right side with a little more waggle. Better bat speed on the left side. Good approach in game situations with an understanding of the strike zone. Barrel awareness with gap to gap approach from both sides. Wants extension and has pull side power. Behind the dish narrow setup with good bend in the hips. Hands are average. On throws, uses clean exchanges across the chest to a short arm swing and high-¾ release. Average carry at 76 mph from the crouch. Accurate throws produced pop times ranging 2.04-2.20 in the workout. Advanced feel for blocking with a willingness to allow pitchers to expand. Ran a 7.53 sixty. |
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Sullivan Newsome C / 1B / Weddington, NC / 2020Rankings StateRank: 30 / POS: 3
Projectable frame with length at 6-foot-2, 195 pounds. Will continue to add strength to the frame. Athleticism is present. Raw at times in game situations, but tools stand out in the workout. Should continue to climb towards his ceiling in the near future. Exit velocity of 89 mph off the bat. Arm has carry at 78 mph out of the crouch. Offensively, the right handed hitter is slightly open and tall, using a short stride back to even. Simple load to the launch position. Some bat waggle but seems to work from a consistent base. Good bat speed, with strength, working for extension. Ball jumps when on the barrel. Pull tendency but shows pop to all fields. Some swing and miss in game situations and lacks the barrel awareness shown in the workout. Should continue to improve with maturity. Behind the plate, presents a big frame with good bend in his hips. Tends to sway through the pitch process causing some receiving issues at times. Average accuracy and good carry on throws ranging 2.00-2.15 in the workout. Clean exchanges across the chest with a strong arm action and high-¾ release. Good extension on throws. Ran a 7.54 sixty. |
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Caleb Miles C / OF / West Wilkes, NC / 2019
6 feet 2, 155-pound build. Still maturing. Working back from a high ankle sprain at the Top Prospect Games. Offensively he works from the right side with a tall, open setup. Smooth load with a small leg kick, getting his lower half through the ball. Barrel works level through the zone and looks to get extension, getting long at times. Works mostly middle to pull side during batting practice. Exit velocity recorded at 79 mph. Behind the plate he shows fluid feet with a quick transfer and short arm action, throwing from a high ¾ slot. Some accuracy to his throws with his arm topping at 71 mph from a crouched position. Pop times recorded at 2.08-2.18. Plays through balls in the outfield with fluid feet and average hands. Clean transfers with a short arm action, throwing from a high ¾ slot. Arm peaked at 75 mph from the outfield with some accuracy to his throws. Recorded a 7.58 in the 60-yard dash. |
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Carter Merrill C / 3B / Stuart Cramer, NC / 2020Rankings StateRank: 63 / POS: 10
Physical 6 feet 2, 198-pound frame. Strength is present in the build. Offensively he works from the right side using an open setup. Dives back in to the plate using a short stride during his load. Average bat speed with his barrel working level through the zone, getting long at times. Works gap to gap with a line drive approach and exit velocity recorded at 90 mph. Strength over quickness in swing. Strength translates when on the barrel. Behind the plate, narrow stance with good bend in his hips. Average hands receiving. Quick feet, with clean transfers and short arm action, throwing from an over the top slot. Works to a vertical base in the transition. Some accuracy to his throws with pop times recorded at 2.00-2.09. Positional velocity peaked at 77 mph. |