By Brandon Hall
Director of Scouting, PBR NC

Follow us on Twitter: @PrepBaseballNC

 

The Triangle Open Prospect Showcase featured a pro-style workout with players receiving evaluations on offense and defense.  Today we will look at the catchers. 

+10 Catchers participated in Holly Springs
+5 registered pop times of 2.25 or below
+7 showed arm strength of 71mph or better from the crouch
+5 underclass catchers with grad years of 2018, 2019, or 2020
+5 uncommitted 2017 grads

CLICK HERE to view the complete Triangle Prospect Showcase, with links to each player’s profile
CLICK HERE to view all of the statistical results.

 

CATCHER EVALUATIONS:

Rodney Bonilla, C, Apex Friendship, NC (2020)
Offensively worked from an athletic stance, short stride, and downward load producing a short inside-out type swing.  Good feel for working to the opposite field.  Lacked some head discipline and barrel awareness at times as he worked to get the bat through the zone.  Topped at 71 on exit velocity.  Behind the plate, the 5-foot-7, 149 pounder worked 2.41 - 2.65 with his pop times, using a short, hand to ear, exchange.  From the crouch Bonilla's top throw registered 67mph.  He ran a 8.37 in the sixty.    

Brandon George, C, Holly Springs HS, NC (2017)
An average build, at 5-foot-8, 150 pounds, George showed some strength and a feel for catching.  There is some effort in the high-3/4 slot and short arm action, but it creates a whippy action with some arm speed.  Registering 71mph from the crouch, the pop times ranged from 2.25 - 2.40, showing average accuracy and carry.  Offensively, working from a tall setup,vertical bat, and loading back with a long stride, hand strength was evident.  A good approach, with a short, level swing that stayed gap to gap. Exit velocity topped at 79mph.

Nicholas George, C, Northwest Guilford HS, NC (2018)
Well above average accuracy from behind the plate.  Utilized a short arm action and quick transfer.  Pop times ranged 2.25 - 2.38 and measured 74mph from the crouch.  Worked to a vertical throwing stance, standing up after receiving.  Received with some ease.  Offensively, uses a short stride to produce average to above bat speed.  Strength with some quickness.  Low hands led to some barrel awareness issues.  Exit velocity registered at 79mph.  Sixty time checked in at 7.79. 

Joshua Harvey, C, Wake County Home School, NC (2018)
A lean, lanky 6-foot, 145 pound showed carry on a loose whippy arm action from behind the plate.  The short arm action registering a positional velocity of 78mph behind the plate while producing accuracy, Harvey also flashed pop times between 2.18 - 2.32.  Offensively, good head discipline, a flat swing, and decent extension produced a line-drive, gap-to-gap approach.  Exit velocity touched 72mph and will continue to improve as strength is added to the frame.  Sixty time checked in at 7.94. 

Drew Latham, C, Camden County HS, NC (2017)
Standing at a strong 5-foot-11, 180 pounds, Latham produced carry on his throws with accuracy and a good exchange.  Pop times ranged 2.10 - 2.22 with velocity topping at 75 from the crouch and 84 from the outfield.  Offensively, working from a slightly open stance and high hands, a gap-to-gap approach, with extension, and good barrel awareness.  Exit velocity topped at 88mph.  Strength can continue to improve on the frame. 

James Johnson, C, Richmond Sr HS, NC (2017)
Right handed hitter produced barrel contact with a strong, short approach.  Working from a tall setup, minimal stride, and no load, the approach would get uphill at times and produce a pull side emphasis.  Behind the plate, the 5-foot-8, 175 pounder, used his strong build to deliver throws to second in the 2.17 - 2.31 range.  From the crouch, the throws topped at 73mph.  At times the arm looked rushed, with tight feet causing some accuracy issues.  Johnson ran a 7.52 sixty. 

Robert Ramseur, C, Broughton HS, NC (2019)
At 6-foot-1, 165 pounds the body has room to continue to add strength.  From behind the plate, pop times ranged 2.43 - 2.50, measuring 69mph from the crouch, utilizing a long arm and high-3/4 slot.  From the infield the positional velocity was 70mph, with average hands and long feet.  Offensively, starting from an athletic stance and using a short stride to produce a fair approach with early rhythm.  There is a slight load down and in.  The exit velocity measured 68mph.  

Jacob Revels, C, Gray’s Creek HS, NC (2020)
A young player, standing 5-foot-9, 173 pounds and  registering pop times ranging 2.50 - 2.61, with a velocity of 65mph from the crouch.  Sitting slightly side-saddled there is some effort to get the arm up through the slot.  Offensively, a tall setup and no stride created a rotational approach that has a pull emphasis.  The exit velocity topped at 72.  Revels posted an 8.01 sixty.   

Andrew Strawther, C, Southern Alamance HS, NC (2017)
An average build with a strong lower half, the 5-foot-10, 175 pound right handed hitter worked with an athletic stance, short stride, and extremely aggressive lower back side to create good batspeed with extension.  Occasional top spin was created as he got out front early.  Exit velocity registered at 84mph.  From behind the dish, the arm works ahead of the feet, flashing occasional carry, and a top end velocity of 73 from the crouch.  Pop times ranged from 2.31-2.47.  Sixty time came in at 7.58.

Noah Stubbs, C, Richmond Sr HS, NC (2017)
A strong build at 6-foot-2, 190 pounds, and used a positional velocity of 74mph to produce pop times of 2.43 - 2.50.  A long arm action and exchange produced carry and flashed accuracy.  Offensively, began in a tall stance and worked to get extension through his swing.  Pull approach that flashed strength when on the barrel.  Top exit velocity hit 82mph.  Sixty was timed at 7.78.