Andy Urban
Oklahoma Scouting Director
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On October 29^th, Prep Baseball Report Oklahoma held it inaugural event, the OK Underclass Prospect Games, in Edmond Oklahoma. Nearly 70 players from around the state from the 2018, 2019, and 2020 classes attended the event.

Player profiles have been updated with profile pictures, stats, and videos. In days to come, we will break down the event position-by-position. Today, we will take an in-depth look at the catchers. Good receiving and multiple sub 2.0 showcase pop times make it a very interesting group. Though many of the catchers on this list are two-way players, they will be covered here as catchers.  Click on the player’s name to see their full profile.

CLICK HERE to see the Instant Analysis

*All batters started with a 1-1 count

William Emerson, C, Choctaw HS (2019)
A 5-foot-7, 170-pound thick build. Offensively, right-handed hitter, middle of the field, flat approach. Uses a wide, slightly open, balanced set-up, knee-knock leg kick, flat plane through contact, high abbreviated finish. Produced an 81 mph exit velo.  Defensively,  good receiver and consistent blocker,  throws from a 3/4 slot, footwork takes him around the plate. Position velo of 73 mph with 1.99-2.14 showcase pop times, 2.28 in game pop.  Runs a 7.69 60. One of the best attitudes at the event. Emerson was 0/3 with two walks and three strikeouts.

Cooper Harris, C, Choctaw HS (2020)
A 6-foot-1, 177-pound athletic frame with some length. Offensively, right-handed hitter, middle-pull approach, some pop to the pull gap. Slightly open athletic stance, some rhythm, hands start high, short stride, slightly uphill path, 81 mph exit velo. Defensively, an advances receiver with soft hands a quiet movements, doesn’t drop baseballs. Throws from a high-3/4 slot, fast arm, 81 mph, 1.94-2.01 showcase pops, 2.25 in game pop, flashes improved accuracy. Consistent blocker, moves well laterally, clean exchanges, good footwork and keeps the pitcher in rhythm.  Runs a 7.65 60. Though hitless in the game, Harris didn’t strike out. He was the only hitter to put Olds in play, flying out to right-center.

Jonathan Johnson, C, Dale HS (2020)
A 6-foot, 160-pound slender build, long legs, room to add size and strength. Offensively, right-handed hitter, mostly flat, all fields approach. Quiet relaxed set-up, short stride and late heal plant for timing, flat plane through contact, 79 mph exit velo. Defensively, average blocking and receiving, over the top slot with some stiffness, 74 mph to second base, 2.02-2.08 showcase pops, flashes some accuracy. Ran a 7.78 60. Had a solid in-game single line drive through the middle going 1/3.

Carson Kropp, C, Owasso HS (2018)
A 6-foot-2 , 215-pound muscular, lean, athletic frame. Offensively, right-handed hitter, middle-pull approach, consistently hit balls in the air, created some backspin. Wide athletic stance, some rhythm, short, slightly closed stride, late heal plant, late arm bar, strong hands, aggressive swings, 79 mph exit velo. Defensively, good receiver, consistent feet and exchange,  over the top arm action, some stiffness, 76 mph to second, 1.94-2.01 showcase pops, very accurate arm. Ran a 7.31 60.  Had two walks, two strikeouts, and deep fly to left on the day.

Hank Paden, C, Edmond Memorial HS (2018)
A 6-foot-1, 165-pound frame with room to add strength. Offensively, right-handed hitter, middle-pull, flat approach. Relaxed, upright, slightly open stance, moderate stride, rotational path, 82 mph exit velo. Defensively, quick exchanges, efficient arm action, good feet, flashes some accuracy, 75 mph to second, 1.94-2.02 showcase pop. Runs a 7.08 60. Paden was 0-3, but reached base on an E-6 in the game.  

Blake Scott, C, Tonkawa HS (2020)
A 5-foot-8, 160-pound thick frame. Offensively, left-handed hitter, middle-oppo, mostly flat approach with some hook-pull.  Wide, balanced, slightly open set-up with big barrel tilt towards the pitcher, big leg kick load, uphill bat path, 77 mph exit velo.  Defensively, good receiver, flashes improved exchanges,  69 mph to second, 2.16-2.28 showcase pop times.  Ran a 8.23 60. Scott was 1/3 with a line drive through the 6 hole.

Dalton Smith, C, Norman North HS (2019)
A 5-foot-11, 180-pound lean, strong, athletic build.  Offensively, right-handed hitter, flat, middle of the field approach, aggressive swing. Hits from a relaxed upright stance with some rhythm, flat plane through contact, front foot heavy swing, fast hands out front, 81 mph exit velo.  Defensively, clean and quick exchanges, short, over the top arm action, 72 mph to second, 1.96-2.08 showcase pop times, 2.37 in game pop.  Average reciveing and blocking.  Runs a 7.10 60. Reached on an error, walked, and struck out in the game.

Ryan Walden, C, Edmond Santa Fe HS (2018)
A 5-foot-9, 160-pound lean build with some strength. Offensively, right-handed hitter, middle-pull, line drive approach, some pop, good round of batting practice. Upright, narrow stance, knee-knock load, good timing, found barrel often, 85 exit velo. Defensively, quick feet, very good blocker, short, over the top arm action, 71mph, 2.15-2.27 showcase pop time, camp low in game pop of 2.13. Runs a 7.12 60. Walden went 1/3 with an infield single.  

Collin Wilmoth, C, Midwest City HS (2020)
A 5-foot-9, 150-pound average build. Offensively, right-handed hitter, flat, all fields approach. Balanced stance, some rhythm, moderate stride, short to contact, swings through this front side, 78 mph exit velo. Defensively, good receiver, consistent feet, over the top arm action, 71 mph to second, 2.07-2.28 showcase pop. Runs a 7.59 60.  Wilmoth was 0/3 on the day with a walk. 

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