Uncommitted Upperclass: Catcher Analysis

November 30, 2020
Brett Harrison
Nevada Scouting Director

The PBR Nevada Uncommitted Upperclass Showcase was an event featuring 2021-2022 players with aspirations of playing at the next level. The event consisted of a Pro-Style Workout that included a Laser Timed 60 Yard Dash, Batting Practice tracked by Blast Motion and Trackman, Catcher Evaluations, Outfield Evaluations, Infield Evaluations and concluded with TrackMan analyzed Pitcher Bullpens. The event was designed highlighted each players abilities using the most advanced technology in the game in Blast Motion and Trackman. Following a Prep Baseball Report event, players received unrivaled access to their advanced ball-tracking and swing metrics through the TrackMan and Blast Connect apps as well as the players metrics snapshot uploaded directly to their PBR Player Profiles.

In today's Uncommitted Upperclass Analysis, we look a the catcher position highlighted by Nevada's top uncommitted catching prospect, Ian Graf, who posted an event best 1.85 Pop Time after a batting practice session that showcased his present power to the big part of the yard.

Ian Graf C / 1B / Rancho, NV / 2021

Rankings StateRank: 32 / POS: 5

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Body: 6-foot-3, 205 pounds. Thick, barrel chested build. Wide back. Present, proportionate strength throughout. Athletic with some twitch for his size.
Defense: C. Posted an event best 1.85 Pop Time. Strength in hands and forearms allows him to hand pitches down in the zone. Balanced set up. Easy to throw to. Athleticism allows him to move well behind the plate on his blocks. Top Uncommitted Catcher in the 2021 Class.
Arm: RH. 80 mph. Throws consistent around the bag.
Hit: RHH. Athletic, squared set up with subtle hand rhythm. Simple pick up/put down stride. Mostly upper half in his swing. Some uphill his bat path. Quality barrel awareness with present power. Lived mostly in middle of the yard throughout his round. Solid middle of the order power bat.
Power: 99.31 mph Exit Velocity via TrackMan
Run: 7.35 Laser Timed 60

Alan Gaber C / 1B / Sierra Vista , NV / 2021

Rankings StateRank: 50 / POS: 8

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Body: 6-foot-1, 205 pounds. Proportionate build with present strength. Athleticism evident throughout his game. Utilizes strength well both at and behind the plate.
Defense: C. Improving receiving skills behind the plate. Developing technique on his transfer/throw to second. Feet work behind the plate, but hands need to catch up. Quality blocking skills.
Arm: RH. 73 mph. On-line to target. Improved feet/transfer will help gain velocity and carry.
Hit: RHH. Tall, narrow set up with exaggerated, low hovering stride. Stays in his legs well. Efficient to the ball with some restriction in his finish. Produced mostly line drive/fly ball filled round to the pull side. Middle of the order type bat with some present power to the pull side.
Power: 95.44 mph Exit Velocity via TrackMan
Run: 7.49 Laser Timed 60

Gianni Vallarino C / Reno, NV / 2021

Rankings StateRank: 100 / POS: 15

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Body: 5-foot-10, 145 pounds. Lean build with room for size and strength gains. Some present twitch.
Defense: C. 2.19-2.23 Pop Time. Developing backstop. Balanced set up. Strength gains in the forearms should improve receiving.
Arm: RH. 69 mph. On line. One hop throws.
Hit: RHH. Squared set up. Uphill bat path through the zone. Lived in the middle of the yard. Rotational type swing.
Power: 89 mph Exit Velocity via TrackMan
Run: 7.15 Laser Timed 60

Garren Gledhill C / 1B / Shadow Ridge, NV / 2021

Rankings StateRank: 62 / POS: 9

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Body: 5-foot-10, 195 pounds. Developed frame with present, proportionate strength. Broadness of the shoulders project to allow for more room to fill out.
Defense: C. 2.15 Pop Time. Balanced set up with flexibility. Strength in his forearms. Can handle the pitch down in the zone.
Arm: RH. 68 mph. Throws flash some cut.
Hit: LHH. Spread, opened set up with hands starting head high. Arm bars in his load. Small stride back to square. Efficient to the ball with lift through extension. Mostly middle/pull. Pull side power potential. Found the barrel throughout his round producing some loud contact. Balanced finish.
Power: 93 mph Exit Velocity via TrackMan
Run: 7.75 Laser Timed 60