OK Fall Underclass Games: Catcher Analysis

Aiden Bagwell C / 3B / Roff, OK / 2020

A proportional 6-foot, 180-pound frame with some strength. Offensively, the right-handed hitter bats from a slightly wide and open back leg heavy set-up with rhythm throughout. Uses a slightly rocking load with an arm bar and moderate knee-knock leg kick before launching his hands on a flat path through extension. In BP, shows a middle to pull-gap and very flat approach finding almost all barrels with strength, 93 mph exit velo. Runs a 7.75 60. Defensively, is very capable behind the dish and at the corners of the infield and outfield. With showcase pop times of 2.00-2.07 to go along with above average hands, blocking, and arm strength at 74 mph to second, Bagwell projects best as a catcher first.  In the game, Bagwell was 0-for-2 with a fly out to deep center.

Maddux Byers C / 3B / Putnam City West, OK / 2021

Elijah Collum C / Holland Hall, OK / 2020

A developing 5-foot-8, 150-pound frame. Offensively, the right-handed hitter bats from an open and back leg heavy crouch with some rhythm in his hands. Uses a short and quick stride before launching his hands on a flat path through extension. In BP, shows a middle of the field and flat approach, finding a few barrels, 71 mph exit velo. Runs a 7.51 60. Defensively, shows above average receiving with quiet hands. Shows consistent footwork and clean exchanges with advanced accuracy from a low-¾ slot at 70 mph.

Hayden Barnes C / OF / Collinsville, OK / 2021

A compact and strong 5-foot-5, 140-pound frame. Offensively, the left-handed hitter bats from a wide, balanced, and athletic stance with rhythm in his hands. Uses a smooth load with some arm bar and a short stride before launching his hands through the zone with some quickness on a slightly uphill path. In BP, shows flat and middle of the field approach with some pull on the ground, some barrels, 81 mph exit velo. Runs a 7.44 60. Defensively, shows advanced hands and blocking skills receiving from a narrow base. Throws down to second showing quick feet and an over the top arm slot with some accuracy at 72 mph and showcase pop times of 2.14-2.21. In the game, Barnes went 1-for-3 with a squared up line drive single to center field. Also gunned down a runner trying to steal 3B.

Gunner Evans C / 3B / Rejoice Christian, OK / 2021

A proportional 5-foot-11, 185-pound frame. Offensively, the switch hitter bats from an open stance with a slight crouch and rhythm throughout. Uses a smooth rocking load from both sides before taking a short and soft stride and launching his hands on a flat and efficient path to contact. In BP, shows a middle to opposite field and flat approach, almost all barrels from the right side, 73 mph exit velo. Runs an 8.04 60. Defensively, shows a big and quiet target with average hands. Throws down with deliberate action, throwing from a ¾ slot with some accuracy at 68 mph and showcase pop times of 2.32-2.40. 

Dylan Hammond C / 3B / Jenks, OK / 2021

A long and projectable 6-foot, 170-pound frame. The left-handed hitter bats from a back leg heavy and slightly wide set-up with bend in his waist and rhythm in his hands. Uses a smooth load and short stride before launching his hands on a slightly uphill path through extension. In BP, shows and all field approach with leverage and some lift, some barrels, 79 mph exit velo. Defensively, receives from a quiet set-up with off-set feet showing above average hands. Uses quick footwork, clean exchanges, and a high-¾ arm slot to deliver the ball to second base with some accuracy at 79 mph and showcase pop times of 2.03-2.14.  Also athletic enough to play on the infield.

Wes Hicks C / OF / Edmond Memorial, OK / 2021

A 5-foot-11, 175-pound proportional frame. The right-handed hitter bats from an even and slightly back leg heavy set-up with rhythm throughout. Uses a short stride before launching his hands on an efficient and flat path to contact with a high finish. In BP, shows an all fields and flat approach with mostly barrels, 74 mph exit velo. Defensively, receives from a slightly narrow and quiet set-up with above average hands. Throws down with clean and deliberate actions and an over the top slot and some accuracy.

Trevor Janzen C / 1B / Claremore, OK / 2020

A 5-foot-11, 200-pound frame with strength. Offensively, the right-handed hitter bats from an open and upright stance with rhythm in his hands. Uses a moderate stride with a late heel-plant before launching his hands on flat path to contact with a high finish. In BP, shows a middle to pull and flat approach, finding almost all barrels with strength, exit velo of 87 mph. Runs a 7.84 60. Defensively, shows good flexibility in the crouch, especially for a bigger frame, hands are advanced catching the ball quietly with strength and not tracing the pitch. Clears out wide to the glove side with clean footwork on throw downs while using a short arm stoke coming though an over the top with some accuracy at 65 mph and showcase pop times of 1.99-2.10.

Jaret Johnson C / 2B / Shawnee, OK / 2020

A lean 5-foot-10, 161-pound frame with some wiry strength. Offensively, the right-handed hitter bats from a balanced and slightly knock-kneed set-up with lots of wiggle in his hands. Uses a big leg kick and arm-bar load before launching his hands on an uphill path with some bat speed and surprising pop. In BP, shows a gap-to-gap approach with lift, finding mostly barrels, 87 mph exit velo. Runs a 7.5 60. Defensively, shows excellent flexibility and well above average hands to go along with high-end blocking. On throws down, shows consistent footwork, clearing to the glove side before throwing with a short arm stroke coming through high-¾ slot with some accuracy at 72 mph and showcase pop times of 2.13-2.25. Also athletic enough to play in the infield. 

Jack Jones RHP / C / Bishop Kelley, OK / 2020

A developing 5-foot-9, 150-pound frame with room to add size and strength. Offensively, the right-handed hitter bats from a slightly open and back leg heavy set-up with rhythm throughout. Uses a small reverse toe-tap stride and hand load before launching his hands on a rotational and flat path to contact with a high finish. In BP, shows a middle of the field and flat approach, some barrels, 78 mph exit velo. Runs a 7.69 60. Defensively, sits low in the crouch with a rounded back and recieves with above average hands. Shows above average blocking as well keeping the ball in front and moving well laterally. Shows quick and clean actions on throw downs, using a short arm stroke coming through an over the top slot at 73 mph with some accuracy and showcase pop times of 2.02-2.15. Alos athletic enough to play in the infield. In the game, reached base one and put the ball in play hard on the ground twice.  

Peyton Messenger C / SS / Broken Arrow, OK / 2020

A developing 5-foot-9, 160-pound frame with room to add size and strength. Offensively, bats from an open, quiet, and athletic set-up. Uses a smooth load and short stride before launching his hands on a slightly uphill path through extension. In BP, shows a pull gap approach with lift and occasional pop, some barrels, 75 mph exit velo. Runs a 7.45 60. Defensively, receives with some sway and advanced hands and shows high-end blocking skills. Creeps into his throw downs early with his feet before using a short and quick arm action through an over the top slot with some accuracy and arm strength at 76 mph and quick showcase pop times of 1.97-2.04. In the game, reached base once on a hard hit ball to second base. 

Peyton Roberson C / 1B / Duncan, OK / 2022

A physically advanced 5-foot-11, 185-pound frame packed with strength. Offensively, the left-handed hitter bats forma a slightly wide, open, and quiet set-up. Uses small leg kick before launching his hands on a slightly uphill path through extension. In BP, shows a middle to pull gap approach with pop and some lift, almost all barrels, elite bat speed and barrel strength for his age, 88 mph exit velo. Runs a 7.52 60. Defensively, receives from a sturdy base and shows strong hands and above average blocking. On throws down, shows short and quick footwork and clean exchanges before using a short arm stroke coming through an over the top slot with arm strength, 75 mph, and elite accuracy, all throw on the bag, for showcase pop times of 1.99-2.15.

Ryan Smith C / 3B / Mustang, OK / 2021

A durable 5-foot-11, 180-pound frame. Offensively, the switch hitter bats from almost identical set-ups with a narrow feet, an upright stance, and slight rhythm in his hands. Uses a controlled and moderate stride before pulling his hands through a flat path from both sides. In BP, from the right side he shows a pull and flat approach, some barrels.  From the left side, Smith shows a middle to opposite field approach with occasional lift, some barrels, 84 mph exit velo.  Runs a 7.89 60.  Defensively, receives from a very narrow and flexible offset base hands are advanced with quiet strength. On throws down, comes out of his stance early showing short footwork and a typical catchers arm stroke and over the top slot with some accuracy at 71 mph and showcase pop times of 2.13-2.31. In the game, went 1-for-2 with a base hit through the right side of the infield. 

Logan Vaughan C / 3B / Coweta, OK / 2021

A lean and projectable 6-foot, 155-pound frame with lots of room to add size and strength. Offensively, the switch hitter bats from identical back leg heavy and even stances with some rhythm in his hands. Uses a smooth load and high leg kick from both sides before launching his hands on a flat path to contact. In BP, shows a middle of the field and flat approach with mostly barrels from both sides, more consistent hard contact from the left, 77 mph exit velo. Runs a 7.52 60. Defensively, receives from a strong base with slightly above average hands and blocks well. On throws down, shows very quick hands, footwork, exchanges, and over the top arm action to get rid of the ball with developing accuracy at 69 mph and impressive showcase pop times of 1.95-2.14. In the game, had one of the best offensive days, going 2-for-3 with two line drive singles and a stolen base. 

Parker Whittle C / 3B / Regent Preparatory, OK / 2021

A durable 6-foot, 185-pound frame with some strength throughout. Offensively, the right-handed hitter bats from an open, upright, and relaxed stance with some rhythm in his hands. Uses a small knee-knock leg kick before launching his hands on a flat path through contact with some bat speed and strength. In BP, shows a gap-to-gap approach with lift and pop, some barrels, impressive late in his round, 84 mph exit velo. Runs a 7.71 60. Receives from slight side on crouch. Throws down with consistent, clean, and deliberate actions. Uses a short arm stroke and over the top slot to delivery the ball with some accuracy at 72 mph with showcase pop times of 2.02-2.15. Also athletic enough to play third base. In the game, was 1-for-3 with a hard hit single.

Carson Williams C / 3B / Ponca City, OK / 2022

A developing 5-foot-6, 160-pound frame. Offensively, the right-handed hitter bats from a balanced, even, quiet, and slightly wide set-up. Uses a smooth load and hanging leg kick before launching his hands on a flat and efficient path to contact with a high finish and big extension.  In BP, shows a middle to opposite-gap approach with some bat speed, occasional lift, some barrels, 83 mph exit velo. Runs a 7.71 60. Defensively, shows well advanced receiving and blocking skills with a knack for keeping the ball in the strike zone. Throws down with quick and clean actions using a short arm stroke and over the top slot with some accuracy at 72 mph and showcase pop times of 1.97-2.15.