OK Summer Open: Catcher Analysis

Hunter Brown C / 1B / Yukon , OK / 2020

The 6-foot, 165-pound primary catcher displayed a stocky, athletic frame with some strength. The right-handed hitter begins from an even, slightly-open stance with his backside shaded slightly towards the third base line. A controlled leg-lift and late stretch in the hands allowed for some barrel-whip through a flat bat-path upon impact. Generated an 82 mph bat-exit velocity   showcasing advanced barrel awareness while utilizing fluid hips to hit into a front side with late give. Ran a 7.82 60-yard dash. The backstop featured adequate receiving skills with a soft glove hand at catch point. Registered accurate 74 mph throws from the crouch due to solid straight line footwork and smooth transfers into a fluid, high ¾ arm-slot. Showed advanced blocking skills with ability to deaden balls on each side of the plate consistently. The first baseman displayed feet that arrived on time to the baseball while playing with a low center of gravity. A soft glove hand was able to play through the short hop and give when necessary. Recorded accurate throws of 76 mph across the diamond. 

Spencer Duncan RHP / C / Unknown, OK / 2024

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

Primary backstop featured a typical catchers build in an athletic, solid 5-foot-11, 180-pound frame with present strength. The right-handed hitter starts with an even, balanced stance utilizing a controlled lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing. Generated barrel whip through a slightly uphill plane upon contact using an advanced lower-half. Created backspin to both gaps on bat-exit velocities of 86 mph. Showcased a solid feel for his hands with ability to adjust to pitches in any zone. Recorded a 7.51 60-yard dash. The primary catcher showed adequate receiving skills with a soft glove hand at catch point. Pop times ranged from 2.14-2.22 on smooth transfers coupled with a quick and moderate, high ¾ arm-slot generating accurate 71 mph throws from the crouch. Demonstrated ability to deaden the baseball by creating soft shields on both sides of the plate. 

Duncan Key C / OF / Homeschool, OK / 2022

The 5-foot-9, 150-pound primary catcher displayed feel for a lean frame with room to add strength as he matures. The right-handed hitter begins from a narrow, open stance utilizing a leg-hang with some upper half stretch to initiate his swing. Created some glide to the baseball with the lower half allowing for slight barrel-whip through a flat bat-path in the zone. Registered an 83 mph bat-exit velocity with consistent feel for his hands. The primary backstop showed adequate receiving skills with a soft glove hand at catch point. Generated accurate 77 mph throws from the crouch out of a quick, high effort, high ¾ arm-slot coupled with quick transfers. Demonstrated advanced blocking skills behind the dish allowing for downhill chest angles that softened the baseball with consistency. Recorded a 7.00 60-yard dash further evidencing his feel for his current body.

Zane Knell C / OF / Bixby, OK / 2023

Featured a lean 5-foot-9, 125-pound frame with long actions and room to add strength in a projectable, young body. The right-handed hitter begins from a balanced, even setup with rhythm in his hands prior to initiating his swing utilizing a short lift-and-replace stride. Sink into a long lower-half generated a flat barrel path through the baseball registering a 64 mph bat-exit velocity. Recorded a 7.34 60-yard dash that will only improve with added strength in his frame. The primary backstop showed average receiving skills with a semi-stiff glove hand at catch point. Demonstrated adequate straight line footwork and transfers yielding accurate 69 mph throws from the crouch. Displayed long, easy actions in the outfield arriving to the ball on time with regularity. A fluid, high ¾ arm-slot allowed for accurate 74 mph throws from his position. 

Colton Lunger C / Owasso , OK / 2020

Demonstrated feel for a strong 5-foot-8, 180-pound frame with present physicality and some fluidity in his movements. The right-handed hitter begins with a balanced, even setup utilizing a controlled leg-hang to initiate his swing. A load at the ear coupled with a strong lower half allowed for some easy bat-speed through a slightly uphill path generating backspin to the pull-side gap. Registered an 88 mph bat-exit velocity using a simple, repeatable swing with loud pop out in front of the plate. Recorded a 7.29 60-yard dash. The primary catcher displayed advanced receiving skills with a fluid glove hand. Demonstrated adequate transfers on pop times ranging from 2.08-2.22. A short, high ¾ arm-slot with solid straight line footwork allowed for accurate 74 mph throws from the crouch. Showcased advanced blocking skills creating soft shields on both sides of the plate with athleticism in his actions. 

Jackson Newman C / OF / Bixby, OK / 2020

Displayed a lean, athletic 6-foot, 165-pound frame with projectability and room to add more strength onto an already solid frame and he matures. The right-handed hitter begins with a square stance with knees pointing in, utilizing a lift-and-replace stride into a heel-raise upon foot strike. Generated a flat barrel path   yielding an 81 mph bat-exit velocity. Demonstrated some fluidity in the lower half eventually hitting into a soft front side with give. Recorded a 7.68 60-yard dash. The primary backstop showed adequate receiving skills with a fluid glove hand. Featured 75 mph arm-strength from the crouch out of a fluid, high ¾ arm-slot with smooth transfers. Generated controlled straight line footwork with a feel for his lower half. Flashed athleticism while blocking allowing for range to both sides, softening impacts by creating soft walls with regularity. 

Preston Petty C / 3B / Union, OK / 2022

Showcased feel for a solid 5-foot-10, 170-pound with some strength and athleticism. The right-handed hitter displayed a wide, even stance utilizing a short lift-and-replace stride to initiate a flat barrel into an eventual tall front-side finish. Registered an 82 mph bat-exit velocity   while showcasing feel for the barrel. Sprayed line drives towards the middle of the field with a simple gap to gap approach. Recorded a 7.90 60-yard dash. Demonstrated average receiving skills with a semi-soft glove hand upon catch point. Pop times ranged from 2.09-2.25 on accurate throws of 73 mph from the crouch out of a fluid, high ¾ arm-slot. Flashed average blocking skills that can be cleaned up by getting down into blocking position earlier. Created downhill angles with the chest when arriving on time to the spot. 

Kaden Rapp C / 1B / Hennessey , OK / 2021

Demonstrated a physical, filled-out 5-foot-11, 195-pound frame with present strength and a feel for his body. The right-handed hitter begins from an even, balanced setup utilizing a controlled toe-tap stride to initiate his swing. Generated advanced sink into a strong lower-half creating a slightly uphill barrel path through contact point yielding backspin on 83 mph bat-exit velocities to the pull-side gap. Showcased some barrel whip with loud contact when getting the ball out in front. Hits behind the baseball well allowing for the lower half to be fluid into a stiff front-side. Recorded a 7.69 60-yard dash. The primary backstop flashed adequate receiving skills using a soft glove hand and compact crouch upon catch point. Pop times ranged from 2.14-2.28 on accurate throws of 70 mph from the crouch out of a short, high ¾ arm-slot.

Brody Wicker C / 3B / Ponca City, OK / 2024

Demonstrated an ultra-lean 5-foot-5, 125-pound frame with obvious room to add strength as he matures. The right-handed hitter featured a balanced, open stance utilizing a lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing. Displayed some fluidity in his hips while hitting into a stiff front-side upon contact. Generated a flat barrel path to the baseball yielding a 66 mph bat-exit velocity  . The primary catcher showcased a soft glove hand upon receiving coupled with an accurate 59 mph arm-strength from the crouch out of a fluid, high ¾ arm-slot. Flashed adequate blocking skills with a feel for movement to both sides of the plate with comfortability during recovery. 

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

Displayed an advanced 6-foot, 190-pound frame with present strength and athleticism. The switch-hitter mirrors from both sides of the plate utilizing a bent, even setup coupled with a controlled leg-kick to initiate his swing. Fluid lower-half and stretch in the hands allowed for barrel whip generating an 87 mph bat-exit velocity through a slightly uphill path. Showcased advanced barrel awareness with feel for all fields, staying inside the baseball consistently. Recorded a 7.48 60-yard dash. The primary backstop showed a soft glove hand at catch point with limited body sway. Pop times ranged from 1.97-2.03 on accurate throws of 76 mph from the crouch out of a quick transfer and short, high ¾ arm-slot. Demonstrated athleticism behind the plate while blocking creating soft shields and downhill chest angles.