PBR OK Top Senior Games: Catcher Analysis

August 17, 2019
Andy Urban
Oklahoma Scouting Director

PBR OK hosted the third annual Top Senior Games at the beautiful and fully turfed Wendell Simmons Field at the University of Central Oklahoma. Nearly 50 players showcased their skill in front of the PBR OK staff and 15 colleges including 11 jucos, 2 Ds, and a D1.

Complete Roster: Click Here

Complete Pitching Stats: Click Here

Complete Position Stats: Click Here

Today, we take an in-depth look a the catcher from the event.

Russell Beard C / 3B / Dickson, OK / 2020

Displayed a 5-foot-11, 208-pound stocky, filled out frame behind the dish. The right-handed hitter starts from an even, bent stance with weight heavier on the right side. Utilized a quick lift-and-replace stride to initiate an uphill swing-path that pulls through the zone. A strong lower half allowed for adequate barrel awareness and 85 mph bat-exit velocities. Registered a 7.35 60-yard dash. Displayed average receiving skills. Recorded pop times ranging from 1.98-2.15 on smooth transfers, with 76 mph arm-strength out of the crouch. Demonstrated a low center of gravity during blocks allowing for soft shields around both sides of the plate.

Ethan Boyer C / OF / Deer Creek, OK / 2020

The catcher showcased a 5-foot-7, 165-pound compact, athletic frame. Right-handed hitter starts with an even, slightly bent stance with bat-wiggle at the shoulder. The righty initiates his swing utilizing a leg-kick to hit into a stiff front-side that eventually gives way. Displayed ability to drive the ball gap to gap with a positive attack angle, registering a 78 mph bat-exit velocity. The backstop flashed soft hands behind the plate with ability to stick the low strike consistently. Recorded pop times ranging from 2.12-2.19 on accurate throws of 71 mph. Featured solid ability while blocking, shielding balls on both sides of the plate. Ran a 7.19 60-yard dash.

Ryley Cross C / RHP / Tuttle, OK / 2020

A primary catcher, the 6-foot, 198-pound backstop displayed a physical frame. The right-handed hitter starts with high hands above the shoulder with weight heavier on the right side. A bent, square stance is triggered with a bat-wiggle into load position mixed with a toe-tap to initiate his swing. Demonstrated solid hip-shoulder separation with a flat-barrel path, evidenced by a solid 85 mph bat-exit velocity that carried to both gaps. Recorded pop times of 1.98-2.21 during defensive evaluations with an 81 mph arm-strength behind the dish. Showed smooth actions while receiving with soft hands and solid blocking ability to both sides of the plate. Ran a 7.70 60-yard dash.

Conner Hooper C / 1B / Mt St. Mary , OK / 2020

Displayed a 6-foot-1, 170-pound long and lean frame with room to fill out. The switch hitter is a natural lefty and begins from an even stance utilizing a short leg-lift to initiate his swing. Hands start high at the shoulder with a slight barrel-wiggle upon load. Pulls a flat bat-path through the zone with some length while hitting into a soft front-side. The right-handed hitter mirrors the opposite side with the exception of a slightly-lower hand placement near the shoulder. Registered a 72 mph bat-exit velocity. Demonstrated long actions behind the plate with adequate receiving skills. Flashed consistent 2.31-2.41 pop times utilizing a long transfer and high ¾ arm-stroke. Recorded accurate throws of 69 mph from the crouch and improving blocking skills.

Jonathan Johnson C / 1B / Dale, OK / 2020

Displayed a physical 6-foot-1, 195-pound frame, which certainly looks the part of a college catcher. The right-handed hitter begins with square, bent stance utilizing a leg-hang stride to initiate his swing. Ability to sink into a strong, advanced lower half allowed for easy, consistent backspin to all fields. Registered an impressive 94 mph bat-exit velocity with present barrel-awareness. Recorded a 7.78 60-yard dash. The backstop showcased a soft glove hand while receiving. Flashed 1.91-2.02 pop-times yielding accurate 78 mph throws from the crouch. Showed solid transfers with a quick, high ¾ arm stroke coming forward. Demonstrated the confidence to block balls with regularity creating soft walls on both sides of the plate.

Peyton Messenger C / 2B / Broken Arrow, OK / 2020

Displayed a 5-foot-10, 165-pound lean, athletic frame with room to add more. The right-handed hitter starts from an open stance with the back-knee angled towards the pitcher. Hands featured slight bat-wrap while starting by the ear. Demonstrated a lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing. Hits to a soft front-side with a feel for a solid lower-half through the zone. Registered an 83 mph bat-exit velocity showing a flat bat-path to the baseball upon impact. Showcased adequate receiving skills behind the plate with a soft glove-hand. Recorded a 7.06 60-yard dash. The primary catcher flashed 1.90-2.02 pop times on throws of 79 mph from the crouch. Smooth transfers and solid leg-drive assisted a quick, high ¾ arm-stroke in commanding accurate throws on the bag. The infielder showed quick, rhythmic movements during defensive evaluations while playing low to the ground. Soft hands and a quick high ¾ arm-stroke yielded accurate throws of 80 mph across the infield.

Cole Resetar C / 1B / Bishop McGuinness, OK / 2020

The backstop displayed a 6-foot, 195-pound stocky, filled-out frame. Left-handed hitter starts with a slightly open stance and utilizes a quick lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing. Hands rotating in a circular motion at the ear move back upon load. Demonstrated a negative attack angle to the baseball on with a strong top hand through the zone. Registered a 77 mph bat-exit velocity while hitting line-drives consistently to the middle of the field. Recorded a 7.89 60-yard dash. The catcher flashed a soft glove-hand behind the dish with solid receiving skills. Pop times varied from 2.09-2.22 on throws of 68 mph from the crouch. A short throwing motion was used with a quick, high ¾ arm-stroke on the way forward. Displayed adequate blocking skills with a need to create softer walls.

Jack Roubik C / 3B / Oklahoma Christian School, OK / 2020

Displayed a 5-foot-11, 185-pound stocky frame with feel for his body. The right-handed hitter starts from a square set-up utilizing a slow knee-knock stride to initiate his swing. Hands move from rested on shoulder to straight-up upon load. Took consistent, athletic swings in the box with hips that rotated fluidly through the baseball. A strong-lower half and flat bat-path allowed for a multitude of hard barrels to both gaps. Registered an 85 mph bat-exit velocity. Recorded a 7.31 60-yard dash. The backstop displayed a soft-glove hand while receiving. Pop times varied from 2.12-2.33 on throws of 73 mph from the crouch. A moderate takeaway was followed by a high ¾ arm stroke on the way forward.

Blake Scott C / OF / Tonkawa , OK / 2020

NOC Enid commit. Featured a 5-foot-11, 200-pound physical, stocky frame. The left-handed hitter starts with an even, bent stance and utilizes a quick lift-and-replace stride. Hands waggle around head-level with bat facing the pitcher. A load back between the ear and shoulder initiates his swing. Hit to a stiff front-side with some hip-drift utilizing a flat bat-path upon impact. Displayed adequate barrel awareness yielding an 83 mph bat-exit velocity. The backstop displayed solid receiving skills with a soft glove-hand. Pop times ranged from 2.01-2.12 on throws of 76 mph from the crouch. Demonstrated a moderate takeaway with a quick, high ¾ arm stroke resulting in accurate throws on the bag. Showed solid range blocking both sides of the plate while creating consistent, soft walls.

Braedan Warwick C / Broken Arrow, OK / 2020

Northeastern State University commit. Displayed a 6-foot-2, 175-pound long, athletic frame. The left-handed hitter starts from a square, bent stance utilizing a quick toe-tap stride to initiate his swing. Demonstrated a small twitch upon load and attacks the ball using a flat bat-path. Hits to a soft front-side registering an 82 mph bat-exit velocity. Recorded a solid 7.18 60-yard dash showcasing feel for his frame. The backstop flashed solid receiving skills beating the ball to each spot with a soft glove-hand. Pop times ranged from 2.01-2.09 on throws of 75 mph from the crouch. Featured a moderate takeaway and a high ¾ arm-stroke forward to assist accurate throws on the bag.

Drew Williams C / OF / Miami, OK / 2020

Cowley County CC commit. The primary catcher featured a 6-foot-2, 200-pound long, physical frame. Left-handed hitter starts from a tall, slightly-open stance utilizing a short leg-lift stride to initiate his swing. Hands start in front of the shoulder while a strong lower half drives down and forward to enter the zone. Demonstrated a positive attack angle through the ball with present backspin to both gaps. Registered an 89 mph bat-exit velocity . Recorded a 6.96 60-yard dash. The backstop flashed 1.99-2.16 pop times on throws of 81 mph from the crouch. Showed a soft receiving hand with repetitive sticks at the bottom of the zone. Featured a moderate takeaway utilizing a quick, high ¾ arm-stroke on the way forward. Showcased comfortably while blocking, evidenced by easy movements to both sides of the plate creating consistent, soft walls. Displayed long, easy actions in the outfield with feet that played through the baseball. Used a long takeaway with a quick high ¾ arm-stroke on accurate throws of 86 mph from the outfield.