OK Fall Underclass Prospect Games: Catcher Analysis

October 2, 2019
Andy Urban
Oklahoma Scouting Director

PBR OK hosted the fourth annual OK Fall Underclass Prospect Games at beautiful Oral Roberts University. Nearly 75 invite-only players showcased their skill in front of the PBR OK staff and ORU staff. The talented event saw five sub 7.00 60s, 6 90+ exit velos, 6 infield velos of 80+, 5 outfield velos of 85+, 5 sub 2.00 second pop times, and 5 max fastballs at 85 mph. Today, we take an in-depth look at the fifteen catchers from the event, below.

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Brody Briggs C / OF / Tulsa Union, OK / 2023

A 5-foot-11, 155-pound lean frame; C/OF. At the plate, the left-handed hitter shows average actions in the box and his best exit velocity was 82 mph. Started in a balanced stance, had a quick load and used a short stride to initiate his swing. Has an upward swing plane and average bat speed finding some barrels in BP. Defensively shows mostly clean actions that will play up with strength,, his most efficient throw to second came in at 74 mph for showcase pop times of 2.07-2.15 with some accuracy; showed soft hands, developing footwork and a clean exchange. Showed decent accuracy to the base with a short arm action and a ¾ slot. In the 60-yard dash, he recorded a time of 7.31.

Ethan Gillespie C / 3B / McAlester, OK / 2023

A 5-foot-8, 165-pound solid frame; C/3B. At the plate, the right-handed hitter had a max exit velocity of 80 mph with above average swing mechanics for his age. Begins in a balanced an open stance, has a smooth load and uses a leg kick just before his swing. Exhibits quick bat speed, an upward swing plane and a high finish. Found mostly barrels in BP. Defensively, Gillespie showed overall advanced actions for his age. He displayed a plus arm with strong throw downs to second that hit 75 mph for showcase pop times of 1.97-2.07; had a quick exchange and firm hands. In the outfield, his throws to the bases were maxed out at 82 mph. In the 60-yard dash, he recorded a time of 7.63.

Jaxon Gless RHP / C / Blanchard , OK / 2022

A 5-foot-11, 165-pound athletic frame; RHP/C. During batting practice, the right-handed hitter’s best exit velocity was 83 mph. Has a wrapping load then uses a hanging leg kick before launching his hands. Exhibited an upward swing plane and above average bat speed, and he ended his swing with good extension on his finish. In BP, he found mostly barrels. His strong arm produced efficient throws to second at velocities up to 75 mph for showcase pop times of 2.06-2.14; showed quick feet, a clean exchange and firm hands. Showing consistent accuracy to the bag, he used a compact arm action with an-over-the-top slot. During the event, he clocked a 60 time of 7.59.

Braden Harper C / SS / Noble, OK / 2022

A 5-foot-9, 165-pound athletic frame; C/SS. At the plate, the right-handed hitter had an exit velocity of 83 mph. Began in a balanced a tall stance, had a smooth load and used a short stride just before his swing. Shows a flat swing plane and average bat speed, and he ends his swing with a level finish. Found some barrels in BP. His throw downs to second were maxed at 71 mph for showcase pop times of 1.95-2.22; showed consistent hands, a clean exchange and quick feet. From the outfield, he displayed a position velocity of 76 mph . Showing decent accuracy to the bag, he used a high ¾ slot with a short arm action. He clocked a time of 7.43 in the 60-yard dash.

Bryce Henderson C / RHP / Sapulpa, OK / 2021

A 5-foot-5, 125-pound; C/RHP. At the plate, the right-handed hitter recorded an exit velocity of 70 mph. Starts in a balanced stance with a smooth load, then uses a short stride to start his swing. Bat speed was average, exhibited a flat swing plane and a high finish. His most efficient throw to second came in at 61 mph for showcase pop times of 2.38-3.72; had developing feet, firm hands and a natural exchange. In the infield, his position velocity was registered at 64 mph; showed consistent hands and a natural exchange. Showing consistent accuracy to the bag, he used a high ¾ slot and a short arm action. He clocked a time of 8.5 in the 60-yard dash.

Hunter Jones C / RHP / Norman North, OK / 2021

A 6-foot, 195-pound solid frame; C/RHP. During batting practice, the left-handed hitter recorded an exit velocity of 84 mph. Begins in a crouched a wide stance, has a small load and uses a short stride. Shows explosive bat speed, a flat swing plane and a high finish. In BP , found mostly barrels. His best recorded velocity during throw downs was clocked at 74 mph for showcase pop times of 2.12-2.15; displayed quick footwork, firm hands and a quick exchange. Showed decent accuracy to the bag with a high ¾ slot and a compact arm action. During the event, he recorded a 60 time of 7.65.

Zane Knell C / OF / Bixby, OK / 2023

A 5-foot-9, 125-pound slim frame; C/OF. During batting practice, the right-handed hitter had a max exit velocity of 68 mph. Starts in a balanced stance with a wrapping load, then uses a leg kick to initiate his swing. Has below average bat speed, as well as a level swing plane and a high finish. From the outfield, his best throws to the bases were registered at 72 mph. He made throws to second at velocities up to 69 mph for showcase pop times of 2.26-2.39. Showed a loose arm action and a high ¾ slot with consistent accuracy to the base. He clocked a time of 7.39 in the 60-yard dash.

Jerson Martin C / OF / Norman North, OK / 2023

A 6-foot, 190-pound athletic frame; C/OF. During batting practice, the right-handed hitter had an exit velocity of 89 mph, showing his ability to drive the ball with power. Begins in a tall stance with a wrapping load, then uses a toe tap to initiate his swing. Shows a flat swing plane and electric bat speed, and he ends his swing with a high finish. He showed off his arm strength with 77 mph throws to second base for showcase pop times of 1.91-2.08; displayed quick footwork and a quick exchange. From the outfield, he showed the ability to throw at velocities up to 82 mph;showed consistent hands, a fluid exchange and rhythmic feet. Showing decent accuracy to the bag, he had an-over-the-top slot and a loose arm action. He clocked a time of 7.22 in the 60-yard dash.

Riley Matheson C / OF / Cushing, OK / 2023

A 5-foot-10, 165-pound athletic frame; C/OF. During batting practice, the right-handed hitter had a max exit velocity of 77 mph. Began in an open stance, had a small load and used a long stride just before his swing. Showed above average bat speed, as well as a flat swing plane and a high finish. Uses an easy effort swing. His best recorded velocity during throw downs was clocked at 71 mph; had a natural exchange and quick footwork. In the outfield, his best throw of the day was clocked at 76 mph;showed a clean exchange and quick footwork. Showing very consistent accuracy to the bag, he had a high ¾ slot with a short arm action. In the 60-yard dash, he clocked a time of 7.94.

Brett McComas C / RHP / Deer Creek , OK / 2022

A 5-foot-9, 152-pound lean frame; C/RHP. At the plate, the right-handed hitter had an exit velocity of 85 mph. He bats from an upright, even and slightly wide set before crouching over and launching his hands on a slightly uphill plane with a pull side approach. Found some barrels in BP He made throws to second at velocities up to 73 mph for showcase pop times of 2.07-2.18; showed a quick exchange, quick feet and firm hands. Showing consistent accuracy to the bag, he used a compact arm action with a high ¾ slot. In the 60-yard dash, he recorded a time of 7.58.

Brody Rexroad C / 3B / Mustang, OK / 2021

A 6-foot-1, 200-pound sturdy frame; C/3B. At the plate, the right-handed hitter showed his power in the box with a strong exit velocity of 91 mph. Began in an open stance with a wrapping load, then used a long stride to initiate his swing. Exhibits a level swing plane, as well as above average bat speed and a high finish. In BP, found mostly barrels, flashing big pop. He showed off his arm strength with 77 mph throws to second base for showcase pop times of 1.99-2.22. Showing very consistent accuracy to the bases, he had a ¾ slot with a short arm action. He recorded a time of 7.96 in the 60-yard dash.

Kane Springer C / OF / Washington, OK / 2023

A 5-foot-11, 145-pound slim frame; C/OF. During batting practice, the right-handed hitter had an exit velocity of 74 mph. Started in an athletic stance, had a choppy load and used a short stride right before his swing. Found some barrels in BP. Exhibits average bat speed, a level swing plane and a high finish. From the outfield, he made throws to the infield at velocities up to 70 mph;displayed a fluid exchange and quick footwork. He produced a position velocity of 66 mph during throw downs and showcase pop times of 2.15-2.28. Using a short arm action, he showed consistent accuracy to the base from a high ¾ slot. He recorded a 60 time of 8.45 at the event.

Conner Thompson C / 1B / Sharon-Mutual, OK / 2021

A 6-foot, 180-pound athletic frame; C/1B. During batting practice, the right-handed hitter recorded an exit velocity of 80 mph. Begins in an athletic stance, has a big load and uses a toe tap to start his swing. Shows an upward swing plane and quick bat speed, and he ends his swing with a high finish. Displayed a pull side approach and an average effort swing. Found some barrels in BP. His throw downs to second topped out at 74 mph for showcase pop times of 2.32-2.43; showed quick footwork, a quick exchange and firm hands. In the infield, his best throw was recorded at 70 mph across the field; displayed quick feet and consistent hands. Used an-over-the-top slot and a compact arm action while showing consistent accuracy to the base. He recorded a time of 7.63 in the 60-yard dash.

Brock West C / SS / Choctaw , OK / 2023

A 5-foot-10, 165-pound athletic frame; C/SS. At the plate, the right-handed hitter clocked an exit velocity of 85 mph. Starts in a balanced an open stance with a smooth load, then uses a leg kick to initiate his swing. Had above average bat speed, a straight-to-the-ball swing plane and a high finish, found mostly barrels in BP. He made strong throws to second and produced an efficient position velocity of 75 mph for showcase pop times of 2.06-2.19; displayed sure hands, rhythmic feet and a clean exchange. Showed a short arm action and a high ¾ slot with very consistent accuracy to the bag. During the event, he ran the 60-yard dash in 7.27.

Jackson Young C / 3B / Stillwater, OK / 2021

A 6-foot-1, 190-pound solid frame; C/3B. During batting practice, the switch hitter showed power in the box with an exit velocity of 92 mph. Setup was comprised of a wrapping load and a balanced an athletic stance. Bat speed was quick, used a level swing plane and a high finish. His swing is stronger from the right side with some steepness, still developing from the left-side. He displayed a plus arm with strong throw downs to second that hit 77 mph for showcase pop times 1.98-2.02; had a fluid exchange, firm hands and rhythmic footwork. Shows advanced receiving with soft hands. Using a compact arm action, he showed consistent accuracy to the bag from an-over-the-top slot. In the 60-yard dash, he clocked a time of 7.63.