On Deck ProCase Preview: 2021 C Justin Butler (Quakertown Community)

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Recent Showcase History

Call to the Hall (July 21,2020)

Physical: Solid combination of athleticism and strength in a sturdy 6-foot-1, 195-pound frame with advanced feel for his body. 7.25 runner in the 60-yard dash. Lehigh University commit. 
Offensively: RHH. Wide, open stance with the hands showing slight rhythm above the shoulder as the barrel points over the backside. Utilized a leg-hang stride to initiate a slightly uphill barrel path into the hitting zone. Stays relatively high with the posture throughout the swing, slots the bat head early while matching the plane of the pitch and jolts the hands through extension. Showed a mostly pull-side approach to the LCF gap but let the hands work with authority at the front of the plate. Generated natural backspin to the left side of the field showing the ability to hit for extra bases / RBI potential in the middle of a batting order. Athleticism in the lower half allowed for adjustability on offspeed pitches in game action. Recorded a peak bat-exit velocity of 96 mph according to Trackman Baseball / maximum batted ball distance of 372 feet (a bomb to LCF). 
Defensively: The primary backstop featured advanced receiving abilities from a low setup with a soft glove hand at the catch point / sticks the low strike well, pop times ranged from 1.94-2.02 showing powerful/quick straight line footwork towards the target with a low center of gravity out of the crouch, demonstrated high level catch and throw skills out of an accurate high ¾ slot. The icing on the cake was the ability to block with ease on both sides of the plate, long frame but quick and rangy actions behind the plate and worked hard for his pitchers. C - 78 mph

Strengths

One constant that we've seen with Butler's approach at the plate is that he keeps his timing simple and works a similar angle into contact swing-to-swing. Creates some backspin and is able to find the gaps. His 6-foot-1 195 pound frame has added some bulk over the last calendar year and expect his line drives to work the gaps with more authority with a continued upward trend within the power department. Respectable footspeed and above average arm strength from behind the plate could also allow for flexibility at the corner OF spot if the bat continues to progress. From a pro stand point down the road his athleticism, frame and consistent hard contact coupled with present arm strength behind the plate will help keep eyes on Butler.

What we'd like to see

Defensively being able to hold a compact setup behind the plate along with some shortening of his transfer through the center to upper chest will continue to help his catch & throw skill set. Transfer occasionally can dip down to the belt line before working back up into a throwing position. Offensively there is already present pop to the pull side, being able to show some juice to right center will only help build that portfolio. 

Player Comparison

*Player comps historically help coaches/scouts envision a player's projection. A deep dig into our archives led us to:

2017 C Steven Kokoski (Lakeview HS / Niagara University)