Inside the Rankings: Top 10 Class of 2021 Catchers

Quick Hits: The 6-foot-2, 175-pound catcher utilizes a lean frame with next level athleticism raising eyebrows in all facets of the game. At the plate, the right-handed hitter has shown present pop to all fields with a 91 mph bat-exit velocity yielding natural carry to both gaps. A true leader behind the plate, Sullivan can shut down the run game with 1.90-1.98 pop times and an 80 mph arm-strength from the crouch showing off advanced quickness in the hands coupled with impressive straight-line footwork. The only knock on Sullivan was the occasional inconsistency of blocking technique which he seems to have shored up with soft walls and quality angles on both sides of the plate. Runs well (6.96 60-yard dash) demonstrating the overall feel he possesses for his body. 

First Glimpse: 6/21/18 Eastern PA Top Prospect Games - 2.02 pop time, 76 mph arm-strength from the crouch. 

Breakout Performance: 7/31/19 PBR Future Games - 1.90 pop time, 80 mph arm-strength from crouch, 91 mph bat-exit velocity, 6.96 60-yard dash. Recorded two hits for Team PA in three games while throwing out one attempted base stealer.  

The Future: The Binghamton recruit possesses a high baseball IQ to go along with athleticism and projectability in the frame. That combination usually leads to playing time early in the career, and that should be the same expectation for Sullivan. A high ceiling prospect who continues to develop more physicality each time we see him, the impressive backstop could eventually become a middle of the order run producer as well.

Quick Hits: The 6-foot-1, 195-pound backstop features a solid blend of athleticism and physicality in the frame giving him advanced barrel whip at the plate allowing for an impressive 93 mph bat-exit velocity. Uses noticeable weight shift to generate pull-side pop and has shown a quality approach at the plate in game action with a knack for staying behind the ball extremely well. Pop times range from 1.97-2.03 recording accurate 80 mph arm-strength from the crouch and has shown advanced blocking & receiving abilities. Runs well for his size (7.06 60-yard dash) and should project as a middle of the order run producer at the next level. 

First Glimpse: 2/11/19 PA Shockers Scout Day - 2.03 pop time, 77 mph arm-strength from the crouch, 88 mph bat-exit velocity

Breakout Performance: 2/27/20 Preseason All-State Southeast - 90 mph bat-exit velocity, 1.98 pop time.

The Future: Currently uncommitted, Butler possesses a similar skillset to Evin Sullivan with slightly more physicality and power projection. With advanced receiving and blocking ability, it would be wise to look in this direction if there is a need for an early contributor to lead the pitching staff. An extremely hard worker who has kept improving each time we’ve seen him, the Quakertown product will have a herd of schools hot on his trail entering a busy summer and could very well explode.

Quick Hits: The 6-foot-2, 200-pound catcher is a gap to gap power threat with a sweet and athletic left-handed swing which caused scouts to be heavy on his trail throughout the recruiting process. Generates easy hand speed through the zone, running into barrels consistently in games we’ve scouted while showing advanced pull-side pop. The backstop is a quiet receiver with quick transfers allowing for pop times hovering around 2.0. Features above average feet behind the dish and has the intelligence to command a pitching staff at the next level. The bat projects extremely well and should offer him plenty of opportunities to enter the lineup early into his collegiate career.

First Glimpse: 6/13/18 Western PA Top Prospect Games - 84 mph bat-exit velocity, 2.14 pop time, top performer. 

Breakout Performance: 2/23/20 PA/NY/NJ Procase - 89 mph bat-exit velocity, 2.02 pop time, one of the top rounds of batting practice.

The Future: The Kent State commit has shown all the signs of being a future impact bat at the next level with the ability to get even better. Some extra power should be on the way as he matures to pair with an already advanced approach for his age. Defensively, Klotz is well-rounded in two of the most important areas for young catchers; he can receive the ball with minimal glove hand movement at the catch point and moves very well laterally during blocks creating soft walls on either side of the plate. With all the boxes checked, the Central-Martinsburg product looks primed to explode once baseball activities resume.

Quick Hits: The 6-foot-2, 190-pound catcher is extremely physical and showcases above-average, raw power in a fluid right-handed swing. Hands work well through the ball with a gap to gap approach at the plate yielding a 90 mph bat-exit velocity. Demonstrates quality bat to ball skills and more power should be on the way evidenced by the easiness in the swing and ability to reasonably add 10-15 pounds onto the frame. The primary backstop is a solid receiver and moves athletically behind the dish on both sides of the plate while blocking. Pop times have been down as low as 1.97 and he has recorded a 6.83 60-yard dash showing off the athleticism he possesses in that frame. 

First Glimpse: 4/08/19 Dallas Area vs. Berwick - Hit a big three-run triple helping Dallas win 5-1. 

Breakout Performance: 2/09/20 Baseball U Scout Day - 6.83 60-yard dash, 4.01 home-to-first, 1.97 pop time, 90 mph bat-exit velocity, top performer. 

The Future: Currently uncommitted, Luksic is well seasoned in all facets of the game with potential to be a middle of the order run producer at the next level. There is natural power in the swing with little effort which points to a high ceiling and high power potential. Defensively, he looks like he is ready for the next level with advanced blocking ability and an accurate 77 mph arm-strength from the crouch. Add onto that quality feel around the bag at first base and you have multiple ways to get that bat onto the field. Watch for this athletic and physical catcher to be a close follow throughout the summer with a chance to blow up.

Quick Hits: The 5-foot-11, 205-pound backstop is incredibly physical with noticeable pull-side pop and barrel whip into the hitting zone. The right-handed hitter uses advanced strength in the lower half to create violent hip rotation yielding an impressive 89 mph bat-exit velocity with natural loft. Defensively, Horton’s pop times hover around 2.0 on accurate throws of 75 mph from the crouch with smooth straight line footwork. The right-handed pitcher can then step up on the mound and run it up to 86 mph with a legit three pitch mix suggesting two-way prospect potential at the next level. 

First Glimpse: 4/23/19 Souderton vs. North Penn - Was a key cog in the lineup with two hits and one RBI in a 2-0 victory. 

Breakout Performance: 2/27/20 Preseason All-State Northeast - 86 mph FB velocity, 2.0 pop time, 89 mph bat-exit velocity, top performer. 

The Future: Currently uncommitted, there should be a list of schools on his trail heading into the heat of summer. The body looks ready for the next level now and strong wrists at the plate coupled with a solid approach has all the makings of an impact bat down the line. The catcher has shown solid receiving skills with lateral quickness on blocks which should make coaches feel comfortable he can lead a pitching staff. With an advanced repertoire on the mound featuring quality pitchability and an 86 mph fastball, Horton would be a solid get for any program.

Quick Hits: An uber-physical, 6-foot-4, 240-pound mauler at the plate, Zambito is no stranger to the weight room. A threat to do damage each time up with a quality approach at the plate and bat exit velocities nearing 100 mph, the right-handed hitter makes for a can’t miss middle of the order bat at the next level. Likes facing velocity, as the RHH crushes fastballs early in counts while adjusting to offspeed with noticeable strength in the lower half. Moves athletically for his size behind the dish with above average lateral quickness and pop times as low as 1.95 on accurate throws of 79 mph from the crouch. Demonstrated fluidity and comfortability around the bag at first as well, giving multiple options to get that bat onto the field.  

First Glimpse: 1/05/18 PBR Evaluation & Measurables Showcase - 84 mph bat-exit velocity, top performer. 

Breakout Performance: 3/01/20 Pittsburgh Outlaws Scout Day - 99 mph bat-exit velocity, 1.95 pop time, 79 mph arm-strength from the crouch, top performer. 

The Future: Currently uncommitted, Zambito took a meteoric rise up our rankings with an overall impressive day at the Pittsburgh Outlaws Scout Day in early March. One of the harder workers off the field, it would be no shock to see him improve even more behind the dish as he continues refining his game. An instant jolt of offense to any lineup, the physical catcher should command a large following entering the summer.

Quick Hits: The 5-foot-10, 180-pound primary catcher showcases some physicality in the actions in an extremely athletic frame. The right-handed hitter utilizes a short, easy stroke through the hitting zone creating natural backspin to the pull-side gap while recording an 86 mph bat-exit velocity. Demonstrates advanced barrel awareness and can adjust to pitches down in the zone with athleticism in the lower half. With ability to add 10 pounds or so onto the frame, there should be even more power expected in the near future. Showed off quality blocking and receiving skills with pop times in the low 2.0’s hovering around 1.97. Can also play middle infield with a solid throwing arm (80 mph) and quick first step creating advantageous hops with regularity during routes. 

First Glimpse: 6/14/18 Western PA Top Prospect Games - 86 mph bat-exit velocity, 2.07 pop time, top performer. 

Breakout Performance: 2/23/20 Preseason All-State Southwest - 6.96 60-yard dash, 1.97 pop time, 86 mph bat-exit velocity, top performer. 

The Future: Currently uncommitted, Colwell is intriguing in that he is uber athletic and can impact the game in a variety of ways. Offensively, the RHH works gap to gap and could be a table setter at the next level that can give you solid all-around defense behind the plate. If that’s not enough, the primary catcher is a good runner (6.96) with ability to steal bases on quality jumps. Overall, Colwell will command a close look this summer in the ‘21 class and should be expected to continue improving across the board.

Quick Hits: The 5-foot-10, 190-pound backstop is an advanced defender showing off a quiet glove hand while receiving and can block pitches on either side of the plate with smooth lateral quickness. Couple that with a pop times that get down in the 1.97 range and 77 mph arm-strength from the crouch and you can shut the running game down while limiting free-90’s. The right-handed hitter can swing it as well, recording a 92 mph bat-exit velocity with significant backspin to all fields. The strength in the lower half is real yielding above average hip-shoulder rotation at the plate with present pull-side pop. 

First Glimpse: 2/23/20 Preseason All-State Southwest - 2.05 pop time, 89 mph bat-exit velocity, top performer.

Breakout Performance: 3/01/20 Keystone State Bombers Scout Day - 1.96 pop time, 92 mph bat-exit velocity, top performer. 

The Future: Currently uncommitted, Pilewski offers one of the better defensive options in this class and can lead a pitching staff from day one. The bat has the ability to be a quality option, but the glove is currently more next level ready. With more refinement offensively, the Central Catholic product will command legitimate interest entering the summer and should expect to see his needle continue to point north heading into his senior campaign.