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Elite Prospect Showcase: Catcher Analysis

November 6, 2013

By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

The Elite Prospect Showcase showcased 68 talented prospects from four states. The largest group of potential college prospects in attendance was the catchers. Following is a look at the top prospects among the group and a complete analysis of all 17 catchers that participated.


Top Prospects

Wes CarsonWes Carson (Marriotts Ridge HS - MD, Class of 2014)

The switch-hitting backstop made an impression as soon as he walked in the building. Carson put up the top pop times of the day (1.95-2.05) while also showing solid arm strength (77 mph) with carry. From both sides of the plate, he starts from an open, narrow stance and strides to square and slightly more than shoulder width apart. The left side appeared to be his more advanced side and the ball jumped off his bat when he stayed on top. Carson's right-handed swing has a bit more length, but with his sturdy, developed frame, he has a chance to provide some pop from both sides of the plate.

Adam CelidoniaAdam Celidonia (Montour HS, Class of 2016)

The 5-foot-11, 180-pound left-handed hitter showed real offensive promise. Celidonia swings from a slightly open stance and generates barrel whip with an explosive hip turn. He displayed the ability to barrel the baseball routinely and showed gap power potential to both sides of the field with an 85 mph bat exit velocity. Celidonia has a quick release from behind the plate and solid footwork. His 2.09-2.19 pop times will come down as his 70 mph arm strength from the crouch improves.

Michael MeladyMichael Melady (Springside-Chestnut Hill, Class of 2015)

Melady is a physical backstop at 6-foot-1, 225-pounds. He has some work to do to improve his catch and throw skills, but showed enough athleticism to believe that improvement is likely. He showcased pop times of 2.15-2.29 on throws of 72 mph from the crouch. Melady hits from an open stance with a high hands load He displayed some gap power and a 91 mph bat exit velocity without incorporating much use of his lower half. With some adjustments to his swing mechanics Melady projects as a run producer with some legitimate power potential at the next level.

http://www.prepbaseballreport.com/passets/photo/WV/7234509861-ZachMinnick.jpgC/3B/RHP Zach Minnick (Logan HS - WV, Class of 2015)

Minnick is a C/3B that also pitches. The 6-foot, 215-pound West Virginia prospect showcased pop times of 2.00-2.09 with the top arm strength of all catchers at 82 mph from the crouch. We have seen Minnick in the 1.80-1.90 range at past events. Minnick has a very strong lower half that he uses to generate bat speed and power from the right side of the plate. He showcased quick hands and power potential to all fields with a bat exit velocity of 94 mph. Minnick also sat 85-87 from the mound during his bullpen session.

Jake PaeJake Pae (Susquehanna Township HS, Class of 2016)

Pae is the youngest and the slightest of build among the top catchers from the event. His athleticism stood out and his 6-foot-2, 165-pound frame has plenty of room to fill out. Pae showcased pop times of 2.10-2.16 on throws of 77 mph from the crouch. His catch and release time has room for improvement and his arm strength should continue to get even stronger. Pae utilizes a short, flat bat path from a high hands load to create a bat exit velocity of 83 mph. He barreled the baseball routinely and the ball jumps off his bat head. Pae has shown continuous improvements over the past six months and has established himself as a catcher to follow in this class.


Best of the Rest (Alphabetical order)

Ben Burman (Episcopal Academy, Class of 2015)

Burman is a 6-foot-1, 205-pound C/3B with sound receiving skills. He showcased pop times of 2.19-2.28 on throws of 72 mph from the crouch. Burman stood out at the plate. He has very sound mechanics at the plate with a quiet load and an explosive lower half. He creates consistent solid contact and shows the potential for some gap power. Burman turned in a bat exit velocity of 87 mph.

Ryan Ernst (Central Buck East HS, Class of 2015)

Ernst is a 5-foot-11, 170-pound right-handed hitter that hits from a square stance with a lift and replace stride foot. He utilizes a high hands load and limited lower half actions to create a bat exit velocity of 83 mph. Ernst showcased pop times of 2.10-2.19 on throws of 73 mph from the crouch.

Quinn Fulton (Cumberland Valley HS, Class of 2015)

Fulton showcased pop times of 2.19-2.25 on throws of 75 mph from the crouch. As Fulton works to improve his catch and release time his pop times will continue to improve. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound right-handed hitter hits from a narrow, square stance and has a tendency to get to his front side early. He showcased a bat exit velocity of 78 mph and the ability to barrel the baseball often during his round of batting practice.

Steve Furman (Bonner-Prendergast, Class of 2016)

Furman is a 5-foot-8, 165-pound prospect with that receives well behind the plate. He showcased pop times of 2.28-2.40 on throws of 72 mph from the crouch. The right-handed hitter showcased quick hands and a compact swing with a toe tap trigger. He barreled the baseball routinely and showed the ability to make consistent hard contact. Furman displayed a bat exit velocity of 80 mph from the tee.

Nick Jacoby (Shippensburg HS, Class of 2015)

Jacoby is a 6-foot, 150-pound C/OF that showcased an 84 mph arm from the outfield. He turned in pop times of 2.10-2.22 on throws of 75 mph from the crouch. Jacoby has quick feet but utilizes the same long armed throwing motion from behind the plate that he uses in the outfield. With some work to shorten his throwing motion Jacoby will see greatly improved pop times. Jacoby hits from a slightly open stance at the plate and uses a flat bat path to routinely barrel the baseball. He displayed the ability to use all fields and a bat exit velocity of 75 mph.

Robby Korff (Woodland Hills HS, Class of 2017)

Korff is a 5-foot-10, 155-pound right-handed hitter that shows above average offensive skills. He uses a toe tap trigger and a short swing path to make consistent hard contact with a bat exit velocity of 83 mph. Korff will need to continue to work at the defensive side of his game to improve his arm strength. He showcased pop times of 2.22-2.40 on throws of 65 mph from the crouch. The young backstop has the athleticism and the time to develop into a catcher to watch in this class.

Ian Luberti (Northampton HS, Class of 2016)

Luberti showcased pop times of 2.12-2.25 on throws of 71 mph from the crouch. He displayed solid catch and transfer skills, but will need to continue to work to improve arm strength. The 5-foot-10, 175-pound right-handed hitter hits from a square stance and showcased the ability to barrel the baseball often during his round of batting practice with a bat exit velocity of 81 mph.

Kyle Marshall (Pennsbury HS, Class of 2015)

Marshall is a right-handed hitter that hits from a square stance with a compact swing. He demonstrated the ability to utilize the middle of the field well and displayed a bat exit velocity of 76 mph. The 5-foot-6, 150-pound C/3B receives the ball well and showcased pop times of 2.25-2.32 on throws of 72 mph from the crouch.

Derrick McHenry (Octorara HS, Class of 2015)

McHenry is a 6-foot-1, 170-pound two-way prospect that showcased pop times of 2.16-2.22 on throws of 71 mph from the crouch. McHenry utilized a high hands load and a strong lower half to create barrel whip and displayed the ability to square the baseball consistently with some signs of gap power. He showed the ability to drive the baseball to all fields and turned in a bat exit velocity of 80 mph off the tee.

Conor Smith (Easton Area HS, Class of 2015)

Smith showed well in all facets of the game. The 5-foot-9, 165-pound C/OF showcased pop times of 2.09-2.16 on throws of 73 mph from the crouch. He showed quick feet and a clean transition and the athleticism necessary to continue to develop. The right-handed hitter displayed an open stance with a solid hip turn and a flat bat path to the baseball. He barreled the baseball routinely with a bat exit velocity of 83 mph.

Jeremy Sultzaberger (Susquenita HS, Class of 2015)

Sultzaberger is a solidly built 6-foot-1, 215-pound C/OF that hits from the left side. He has a tendency to not clear his front side which prevents him from getting through the baseball. Sultzaberger displayed a bat exit velocity of 80 mph from the tee. He showcased pop times of 2.09-2.22 on throws of 71 mph from the crouch.

Dan Trettel (North Allegheny HS, Class of 2014)

Trettel is a 5-foot-11, 180-pound C/3B with a big upside. He runs a 7.00 60-yard dash and has gotten significantly stronger physically in the past 12 months. Trettel showcased pop times of 2.15-2.25 on throws of 73 mph from the crouch. He blocks and receives well, and has exhibited the ability to play 3B/OF as well. Trettel displayed the ability to use all fields during batting practice, barreling the baseball routinely with a bat exit velocity of 90 mph. The uncommitted senior has a quiet approach at the plate and stays inside the baseball well.

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