OK Summer Underclass Games: Catcher Analysis

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

Displayed a long 5-foot-11, 165-pound frame with some projectability. The right-handed hitter starts with a wide, even stance utilizing a heel-raise to initiate his swing. Demonstrated feel for his hands with a slightly uphill barrel-path through the zone registering a 72 mph bat-exit velocity. Recorded an 8.22 60-yard dash. The primary catcher showcased solid receiving skills with a soft glove hand at catch point. Pop times ranged from 2.16-2.26 on accurate 68 mph arm-strength from the crouch. Utilized a repeatable, high ¾ arm-stroke and smooth transfers showing comfortability while throwing. Demonstrated adequate feel while blocking with average recovery skills. 

Carson Lee C / RHP / Yukon , OK / 2021

Colby Lewis C / SS / Heritage Hall, OK / 2021

Demonstrated advanced feel for a lean 5-foot-8, 145-pound frame with some twitch. The right-handed hitter begins with a narrow, open stance utilizing a lift-and-replace stride with present stretch. Sinks into a strong lower half with hands at the shoulder generating a slightly uphill bat-path. Registered an 82 mph bat-exit velocity  with advanced barrel awareness. Recorded a 6.96 60-yard dash. The primary backstop is an advanced receiver with a soft glove hand at the catch point. Pop times ranged from 1.98-2.14 on accurate 74 mph throws from the crouch. Quick transfers coupled with a moderate takeaway on throws out of a high ¾ window allowed for consistent, precise reps. Showcased feel for his body while blocking, creating soft walls on both sides of the plate with comfortability to recover.

Brandon Lowery C / Berryhill , OK / 2021

A 5-foot-9, 172-pound stocky framed catcher, hit from the left side of the plate only at this showcase. Limited load and pre movement to swing, hands stay neutral off the back shoulder. Weight shifts heavy over the back foot and knee, mixed a front foot lift and foot tap to stride. Stiff lower half, bat drug through the hitting zone producing inconsistent contact, hands/barrell worked uphill to try and catch up. Sprayed balls to all fields, ball came off the bat at 76 mph. Ran a 7.53 60-yard dash. Receives the baseball clean, gives big target with big glove and upright chest, gloves works quiet to the baseball. Recorded pop times ranging from 2.15-2.22 with 70 mph arm-strength out of the crouch. Footwork delayed at the catch, uses a jump turn to transfer and throw adding to the pop time. Works up out of the crouch to throw, has more momentum to use behind throw.

Kooper McCoy C / RHP / Coweta, OK / 2021

Reese Ratchford C / RHP / Sulphur , OK / 2022

The 6-foot, 180-pound primary backstop featured an athletic frame with present strength. The right-handed hitter starts with a wide, slightly open stance with weight rocking slowly from frontside to backside. Utilized a controlled leg hang with hands that generated a slightly uphill barrel path to the baseball. Fluid, easy swing with barrel whip was repeated often and a strong lower half allowed for some present power. Demonstrated advanced barrel awareness registering bat-exit velocities of 85 mph. Ran a 7.27 60-yard dash. The primary catcher is an advanced receiver with a soft glove hand. Pop times ranged from 2.02-2.16 with an accurate 76 mph arm-strength from the crouch. Solid hip drive towards the target coupled with adequate transfers allowed for a moderate takeaway to come through a high ¾ arm-slot. Displayed feel for blocking on both sides of the plate evidenced by soft walls created during defensive evaluations. 

Trevor Rowe C / 3B / Shidler , OK / 2023

Young, 5-foot-10, 140-pound framed catcher hits from the right side of the plate using a slightly open right handed stance, sinks into the back side to load and stride. Hands work below the shoulder and away from the body, creates an arm bar before entering the hitting zone. Long uphill path to the baseball, works pull side with most pitches. Some looseness in the lower half, works quick to the baseball with the front hip wanting to escape early. Showed 79 mph bat-exit velocities. Registered a 7.95 60-yard dash. Side saddle set up, narrow feet and setup behind the plate. Late glove movement with each catch, more strength needed. Recorded pop times ranging from 2.19-2.23 ball travelling at 68 mph from the crouch. Low ¾ arm slot with arm side run across the diamond.  

Houston Russell C / 3B / Carl Albert , OK / 2021

A 6-foot-1, 175-pound framed catcher hits from the right side of the plate using a large stride to swing and attack baseball. Even stance to start, weight shifts over the back foot to load, hands stay neutral off the back shoulder. Weight travels with the large stride forward to the baseball, small hands and weight collapse at foot strike, long extension and path through the baseball. Middle of the field approach with bat drag. Showed some athleticism in swing, ball jumped at times, 84 mph bat-exit velocity. Registered a 7.18 60-yard dash. Flexibility and bend in primary stance to catch, added head bob and movement at catch. Quick feet and twitch to throw, works through the baseball and transfer well, good direction to 2nd base. Delivered throws around the bag at 1.90-1.96, ball travelling at 76 mph from the crouch, small hitch in separation. Late to block, dropped to one knee, lack to move side to side.  

Noah Shepherd C / 3B / Bixby, OK / 2021

Displayed a stocky 5-foot-9, 180-pound frame with present strength. The right-handed hitter starts from a wide, even stance utilizing a short lift-and-replace stride. Hands that start high above the shoulder move down and back upon load. Demonstrated a strong lower-half and feel for his hands yielding consistent backspin to the left center field gap. Registered a bat-exit velocity of 75 mph  while generating a slightly uphill barrel path to the baseball. Ran an 8.06 60-yard dash. The backstop featured adequate receiving skills with a soft glove hand. Pop times ranged from 2.22-2.25 utilizing smooth transfers and an accurate 68 mph arm-strength behind the dish. A short, high ¾ arm-stroke was used with easy repeatability. Created soft walls while blocking on both sides of the plate with present comfortability to recover. 

Jared Sleeper C / Jones, OK / 2021

A 6-foot, 175-pound framed catcher hits from the left side of the plate with a slightly wide and open stance to start, uses small reverse toe-tap to load and push weight to backside. Physical frame, hands work quiet off the back shoulder, rhythm and balance throughout the swing. Level line drive bat path, strong lower half and hands through contact. Showed some athleticism in swing, ball jumped off the bat to the pull side 86 mph bat-exit velocities. Ran a 7.25 60-yard dash. Sits low in primary stance, side saddle with left leg bent under stance, glove works across the plate to catch side to side. Athletic to throw, active lower half keeping weight under him to throw to second base, small front side spin to throw. Delivered throws around the bag at 2.03-2.13, ball travelling at 73 mph from the crouch. Ball carries through the bag, good direction, produced clean and quick transfers.   

Grayson Smith C / RHP / Fort Gibson, OK / 2023

Big, 6-foot-2, 185 pound raw framed catcher hits from the right side of the plate using simple move to the baseball. Back foot starts open, struggles to get back side through the baseball with limited lower half. More strength to be developed in large frame and setup, weight glides to the front side with inconsistent front leg to hit against. Barrel loads and enters flat, producing line drives to the pull side of the field, long path. When on time, ball jumps to the pull side in the air. Showed 77 mph bat-exit velocities. Ran a 8.39 60-yard dash. Long delivery behind the plate to throw, footwork and transfer has ability to speed up. Long arm action, recorded pop times ranging from 2.25-2.41 ball travelling at 70 mph from the crouch. More bend and flexibility in hips and lower half to sit and block side to side.

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

Featured a comfortable 6-foot-1, 165-pound frame with lean strength and present athleticism. The switch hitter displayed mirrored setups from both sides of the plate starting with a slightly bent, even stance. Utilized easy rhythm in his hands pre-swing coupled with a controlled leg-kick to initiate an efficient, slightly uphill barrel path through the zone. Fluid hips and solid lower-half drive allowed for 80 mph bat-exit velocities and advanced barrel awareness . Recorded a 7.52 60-yard dash. The primary backstop showcased solid receiving skills with a soft glove hand. Displayed efficient straight line footwork and quick transfers on pop times ranging from 1.87-1.98 utilizing an accurate 75 mph arm-strength from the crouch. Demonstrated advanced blocking skills to both sides of the plate, deadening the ball upon impact. The third baseman showed solid footwork during defensive evaluations while arriving to the ball consistently on time. Athletic actions allowed for adequate range to both sides and smooth transfers, while playing at a fast pace. Registered accurate throws of 78 mph across the infield from a quick, high ¾ arm-slot. 

Jase White C / 3B / Edmond Santa Fe, OK / 2022

Displayed a 5-foot-9, 148-pound frame behind the plate, solid built frame. Right-handed hitting catcher works with quiet load to stride, maintains good rhythm throughout load with barrel load above helmet. More length in the stride, lands on heels, rolls through swing. Stronger lower half and base with more length. Uses simple foot lift, generated consistent barrels with strong hands through hitting zone. Middle to the pull side with some lift and 79 mph bat-exit velocities. Ran a 7.80 60-yard dash. Receives the baseball with limited movement, quiet glove action. Recorded pop times ranging from 2.00-2.14 on smooth transfers, with 71 mph arm-strength out of the crouch. Showed some athleticism behind the plate, sits low in stance to catch the baseball, showed ability to block baseball with quickness to recover. 

Parker Whittle RHP / C / Regent Preparatory, OK / 2021

The primary right-handed pitcher displayed a physical 6-foot, 190-pound frame with present strength. The right-handed hitter begins with an even stance utilizing a knee-knock stride to initiate an aggressive lower half. Sinks into a strong backside generating an 86 mph bat-exit velocity with a slightly uphill barrel-path . The backstop demonstrated adequate receiving skills with a soft glove hand. Pop times ranged from 2.03-2.08 on accurate 70 mph throws out of a fluid, high ¾ arm-slot. Featured advanced feel while blocking with range to both sides. Ran a 7.82 60-yard dash. 

Dalton Williams C / RHP / Canute, OK / 2022

The 6-foot-1, 175-pound primary catcher displayed a projectable long and lean frame with present strength. The right-handed hitter begins with a narrow, even stance utilizing a quick toe-tap to initiate his swing. Advanced sink into a strong lower-half coupled with fluid hips through the zone allowed for consistent barrel awareness. Demonstrated a short, repeatable swing featuring a slightly uphill bat-path through contact. Registered an 86 mph bat-exit velocity. The backstop showcased advanced receiving skills with a soft glove hand at the catch point. Pop times ranged from 2.13-2.26 on accurate throws of 75 mph from the crouch. A long, high ¾ arm-slot was utilized with smooth transfers from the glove hand. Created downward angles with the chest during blocks, softening impact on both sides of the plate. Ran a 7.65 60-yard dash. 

Dayton Wolfe C / 3B / Westmoore, OK / 2021

Displayed a physical 6-foot, 200-pound frame with advanced strength. The right-handed hitter begins with a tall, even stance utilizing a leg-lift to initiate his swing. Hands start at the shoulder and enter the zone with a slightly uphill barrel-path. Created easy backspin to the pull-side gap while registering an 85 mph bat-exit velocity using a strong lower-half. The primary backstop showcased adequate receiving skills with a soft glove hand at catch point. Pop times ranged from 1.94-2.06 utilizing accurate 78 mph arm-strength. Smooth transfers and a fluid, high ¾ arm-stroke yielded consistency allowing for easy straight-line footwork to carry throws. Demonstrated advanced blocking skills creating soft walls on both sides of the plate. The third baseman featured solid footwork during defensive evaluations with feet that arrived on time to the baseball. Played with a low center of gravity and a strong lower-half created carry on 79 mph throws across the diamond.