Follow @pbrpennsylvania

The 2019 Preseason All-State Showcase took place February 16th and 17th at Keystone State Baseball Academy in Manhiem. Today we continue a series of articles analyzing the prospects in attendance with a look at those players that participated as primary catchers.

+ COMPLETE RESULTS for all prospects in attendance: DAY ONE  /  DAY TWO

Top Prospects

Jaxon Dalena, Montoursville HS, Class of 2020, C
6-foot-3, 195-pound left-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and initiates his swing with a controlled lift-and-replace stride. Showcased above average rhythm to his swing with advanced feel for the barrel. A flat barrel path through the zone allows him to stay in the hitting zone for an extended period of time. Ball jumps of his barrel. Registered a 96 mph bat exit velocity and ran a 6.95 60-yard dash. Receives out of a narrow base and shows a long arm throwing motion behind the plate, but has a wealth of athleticism. Showcased 79 mph arm strength out of the crouch and a top pop time of 2.12. Potential to develop into an every day back stop at the next level with the athleticism to also slide to the outfield.

Damaurys Rodriguez, Wilson West Lawn HS, Class of 2020, C
5-foot-9, 165-pound switch hitter showed advanced abilities from both sides of the plate. His dominant swing from the left side of the plate starts with a square setup and is initiated with a heel-raise stride. The swing works to all fields and he is able to create backspin with gap power. The right-hand swing is similar with a bit shorter stroke. Registered a bat exit velocity of 92 mph and ran a 6.98 60-yard dash. Best receiver of the baseball at the event. Funnels baseballs back to the center of the plate and shows a soft wall when blocking. Showcased a clean transition and efficient footwork with 70 mph arm strength out of the crouch and a top pop time of 2.15.

Gavin Zavorski, William Penn Charter HS, Class of 2020, C
6-foot-1, 205-pound right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and initiates his swing with a controlled leg-hang stride. Utilizes the middle of the field well while staying behind the baseball routinely. Registered a 90 mph bat exit velocity and ran a 7.38 60-yard dash. Polished defender has a quiet glove hand and funnels the baseball well while presenting a soft wall when blocking. Showcased quick feet and a clean transition with above average 78 mph arm strength out of the crouch. Top pop time of 2.08 will come down with work to shorten his arm circle during his takeaway.

Additional Catchers (in alphabetical order)

Cole Casamento, Spring-Ford HS, Class of 2021, C
5-foot-11, 190-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a heel-raise stride. Fails to get a full hip rotation at times limiting the ability for his hands to work freely through the baseball. Displayed barrel awareness with a bat exit velocity of 84 mph. The 2018 PBR Junior Future Games Team Pennsylvania participant showcased the top pop times among catchers at the event. Quiet receiver had a very efficient transfer and quick feet with good carry on throws of 75 mph from the crouch. Showcased a top pop time of 2.02 and ran a 7.59 60-yard dash.

Aidan Duda, Avon Grove HS, Class of 2020, C
5-foot-11, 160-pound right-handed hitter starts from an open stance and initiates his swing from a leg-hang stride. Displayed a feel for the barrel with the ability to create back spin during a solid round of batting practice. Registered an 84 mph bat exit velocity and ran a 7.14 60-yard dash. Extremely quiet receiver showcased a soft glove hand and above average blocking abilities. Showcased quick feet and a clean transition with 77 mph arm strength out of the crouch, Top pop time of 2.07 could drop quickly with an effort to release his backside at the end of his throwing motion.

Gehrig Fleming, West Chester Rustin HS, Class of 2021, C
5-foot-11, 185-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a lift-and-replace stride. Showcased balance throughout with a compact swing and the ability to use all fields. Registered a 79 mph bat exit velocity and ran an 8.39 60-yard dash. Showcased a top pop time of 2.32 on throws of 69 mph from the crouch.

Rocco Frisco, Brownsville Area HS, Class of 2020, C/RHP
5-foot-8, 180-pound right-handed hitter starts from an open stance and utilizes a leg-lift stride to initiate his swing. Displayed a solid feel for the barrel with a line drive approach. Registered an 85 mph bat exit velocity an ran a 7.63 60-yard dash. Showcased a very quick transition and active feet on throws from the crouch. Showed 71 mph arm strength and a top pop time of 2.08. Righty also sat 73-76 from a high 3/4 arm slot on the mound with sink to his fastball. Curveball with 12/6 rotation sat 64-65 and changeup was thrown at near fastball arm speed at 67-68.

Jack Giovenco, Parkland HS, Class of 2021, C
6-foot, 165-pound right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and initiates his swing with a toe-tap stride. Demonstrated a feel for the barrel with the ability to create backspin while using the middle of the field routinely. Registered a bat exit velocity of 73 mph and ran a 6.94 60-yard dash. Quiet receiver shows active feet and a clean transition on throws. Turned in a top pop time of 2.15 on throws of 72 mph from the crouch.

Jackson Kozlovac, Portage Area HS, Class of 2021, C
5-foot-8, 160-pound right-handed hitter starts from an open stance and utilizes a leg-hang stride to initiate his swing. An arm bar creates some length but displayed barrel awareness and the ability to use all fields. Registered a bat exit velocity of 81 mph and ran a 7.34 60-yard dash. Showcased 69 mph arm strength out of the crouch with a top pop time of 2.22.

Erik Molinaro, Marple Newtown HS, Class of 2020, C
5-foot-11, 185-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a toe-tap stride. A barrel wrap in the load leads to some length in the swing. Showed balance and a feel for the barrel. Registered a bat exit velocity of 88 mph and ran a 7.43 60-yard dash. Showcased sound receiving technique with a clean transition and a top pop time of 2.15 on throws of 74 mph from the crouch.  

Nick Patterson, Kennett HS, Class of 2021, C
5-foot-9, 150-pound right-handed hitter starts from a wide, square stance and utilizes a knee-to-knee stride to begin. Showcased balance and rhythm to his swing with a feel for the barrel while using all fields in his batting practice round. Registered a bat exit velocity of 86 mph and ran a 7.20 60-yard dash. Showcased 73 mph arm strength out of the crouch with a top pop time of 2.26 defensively.

Kaden Peifer, Red Land HS, Class of 2022, C/RHP
5-foot-11, 195-pound right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and initiates his swing with a lift-and-replace stride. Displayed an above average feel for the barrel and developing gap power with a bat exit velocity of 85 mph. Ran a 7.62 60-yard dash and showcased a top pop time of 2.15 on throws of 72 mph from the crouch defensively. The righty sat 79-83 from a sidearm delivery with sink and arm-side run to his fastball. Repeats his delivery well and showed balance throughout. Also showed a curveball with frisbee rotation at 66-70 and a changeup with sink at 73-74. Solid looking young prospect with definite two-way abilities. Peifer will be a player to watch in this class.

Trent Pierce, Archbishop Carroll, Class of 2020, C
5-foot-10, 175-pound right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and initiates his swing with a lift-and-replace stride. Showed some lower half drift, but manages to keeps hands back and works well through contact. Registered a bat exit velocity of 89 mph and ran a 7.38 60-yard dash. Sound receiver has a bit of a pause in his transition that could be easily remedied. Showcased a top pop time of 2.20 on throws of 73 mph from the crouch.

Nicholas Plank, Bellwood-Antis HS, Class of 2021, C
5-foot-11, 185-pound right-handed hitter starts from a wide, square stance and utilizes a lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing. Stays behind the baseball well, but shows some front side leak that limits his power potential. Registered a bat exit velocity of 88 mph and ran a 7.01 60-yard dash. Showcased a top pop time of 2.18 on throws of 72 mph from the crouch.

Aaron Posey, North Allegheny HS, Class of 2022, C
6-foot-1, 185-pound right-handed hitter starts from a wide, slightly open stance and initiates his swing with a lift-and-replace stride. Showed a flat barrel path through the hitting zone and an ability to use all fields. Registered a bat exit velocity of 88 mph and ran a 7.54 60-yard dash. Showcased 71 mph arm strength out of the crouch with a top pop time of 2.15. Athletic, projectable frame with room to add strength. Player to watch in this class.

R.J. Rickabaugh, Coatesville Area HS, Class of 2022, C
5-foot-10, 175-pound left-handed hitter starts from an open stance and initiates his swing with a leg-hang stride. Displayed a strong hip turn and some lift to his swing with some barrel wrap that cause some length. Registered an 86 mph bat exit velocity and ran a 7.65 60-yard dash. Showcased advanced 79 mph arm strength out of the crouch with a top pop time of 2.10. Solid all-around skill set with a chance to be a premier defender behind the dish. Definite follow in this class.

Joseph Rossi, Holy Cross HS, Class of 2020, C/RHP
6-foot, 220-pound right-handed hitter starts from an open stance and initiates his swing with a toe-tap stride. Displayed a strong lower half with balance and rhythm to his swing. Registered a bat exit velocity of 90 mph and ran a 7.98 60-yard dash. Sound defender with a quiet glove hand showcased 73 mph arm strength out of the crouch with a top pop time of 2.08. Righty also sat 72-76 off of the mound from a high 3/4 arm slot and from a sidearm delivery. Curveball showed frisbee rotation at 70-71 and changeup sat 69-70.

Dean Sioutis, Great Valley HS, Class of 2020, C
6-foot-3, 200-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a toe-tap stride. Some lower half drift creates some issues with barrel consistency, but he showed some barrel whip and gap power with a bat exit velocity of 82 mph. Showed capable actions behind the plate with active feet and 75 mph arm strength out of the crouch with a top pop time of 2.15.

Evan Smith, Mifflin County HS, Class of 2020, C
5-foot-8, 175-pound right-handed hitter starts from an open stance and initiates his swing with a lift-and-replace stride. Displayed a strong lower half and attacks the baseball with intent routinely. Registered a bat exit velocity of 86 mph and ran a 6.93 60-yard dash. Showcased quick feet and a clean transition on throws of 77 mph from the crouch while falling hard to the third base line. Additional work to stay directional out of the crouch would significantly lower his top pop time of 2.06.

Brett Stewart, Easton Area HS, Class of 2020, C
Stewart was involved in a car accident the day prior to this event limiting his ability to perform at 100%. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and utilizes a lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing. Displayed balance and rhythm to his swing while utilizing the middle of the field extremely well. Registered a bat exit velocity of 87 mph and ran a 7.28 60-yard dash. Showcased solid 75 mph arm strength out of the crouch with pop times of 2.31-2.45. Additional work to shorten his transition will lower his times quickly.

Asa Wilson, Exeter Township HS, Class of 2021, C
6-foot-3, 170-pound right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and utilizes a leg-lift stride to initiate his swing. Displayed balance throughout with a middle of the field approach. Loses some power potential from his swing by not staying upright in the upper half of his swing. Registered a bat exit velocity of 90 mph and ran a 6.97 60-yard dash. Quiet receiver shows quick feet and a clean transition on throws of 74 mph from the crouch. Stays directional with a short throwing motion. Arm strength should continue to improve in time with additional room to add strength to his athletic frame.

UPCOMING ANALYSIS SCHEDULE 

• 2.19.19  Complete results and top performers
• 2.20.19  Outfield analysis
• 2.21.19  Middle infield analysis
• 2.22.19  Corner infield analysis
• 2.23.19  Catcher analysis / "Rounding the Bases" - Day One Highlights
• 2.24.19  Right-handed pitcher analysis
• 2.25.19  Left-handed pitcher analysis
•   3.2.19  "Rounding the Bases" - Day Two Highlights

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE	STATE	DATE	LOCATION
2019 Pennsylvania Junior Future Games Trials (Session One)	PA	03/10	Keystone State Baseball Academy
2019 Pennsylvania Junior Future Games Trials (Session Two)	PA	03/24	Keystone State Baseball Academy
2019 Western PA Top Prospect Games	PA	06/11	Seton Hill University
2019 Eastern PA Top Prospect Games	PA	06/18	Millersville University
Play for Team PBR 16U (PBR Limited Series)	PA	06/29	Lebanon Valley College
2019 Eastern PA College Prospect Showcase	PA	07/09	Millersville University
Play for Team PBR 17U (PBR Limited Series)	PA	07/20	University of Scranton
2019 Western PA College Prospect Showcase	PA	07/23	Historic Pullman Park (Butler, PA)
2019 Fall Kickoff Showcase	PA	08/15	Millersville University
Play for Team PBR 17U (Fall Kickoff Showcase Tournament)	PA	08/17	Millersville University