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PA/WV: Top Catching Performances of the Summer

August 21, 2014

By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

With the completion of the West Virginia Top Prospect Games last week the summer schedule of events in Pennsylvania and West Virginia have drawn to a close. In preparation for the start of the Fall College Prospect Program in September we now look back on some of the top performances of the summer.

Today we take a look at the top catching performances of the summer at a PBR event.


#1  2015 C/3B Zach Minnick (Logan, WV)


Over the course of the two day PA Top Prospect Games Minnick went 5-for-5 in game play at the pate including a double, two triples and a 385 foot opposite field home run. The six foot, 215-pound catcher ran a 7.01 60-yard dash, and flashed an 87 mph arm from the crouch with pop times of 1.84-1.99 during defensive evaluations. Minnick went on to throw 88 mph across the diamond from 3rd base and 91 mph from the outfield. The right-handed hitter completed his impressive performance by turning in one of the top bat exit velocities of the event at 96 mph. Minnick went on to commit to Campbell University in July.

#2  2016 C/OF Ryan Hogan (Wyoming Valley West, PA)


Hogan left little doubt as to why he was named to the Team Pennsylvania roster for the PA Future Games this summer. Hogan put on a show during his batting practice round at the PA Underclass Games driving balls to and over the left field wall. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound right-handed hitter starts slightly open and utlizes loose hands and a strong lower half to create a 98 mph bat exit velocity. Hogan went 3-for-5 in game play, including a ground rule double that hopped over the wall at 385' in right center field. Hogan is capable of playing all three outfield positions and 1B in addition to his primary defensive position behind the plate. He showcased a 92 mph arm from the outfield and pop times of 1.93-1.99 on throws of 82 mph from the crouch. Hogan flashed his athleticism by turning in the top 60-yard dash time of the event at 6.79.

#3  2015 C Billy Krull (Montour, PA)


Krull showed good feet (7.32 60-yard dash) for a 6-foot, 190-pound backstop at the PA Top Prospect Games. He demonstrated well above average receiving and blocking skills while flashing pop times of 1.90-1.98 on throws of 77 mph from the crouch. Krull hits from a slightly open stance with a strong lower half and a flat swing path through the zone. He registered an 86 mph bat exit velocity while 2-for-6 with a double in game play at the plate. Krull committed to Canisius a week after the completion of the event.

#4  2015 C/1B Evan Moore (Loyalsock Township, PA)


Moore went 5-for-10 in game play over four games at the PBR Mid-Atlantic Border Battle. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound uncommitted senior registered an 83 mph bat exit velocity and showcased pop times of 1.96-2.04 on throws of 75 mph from the crouch. Moore demonstrated the ability to barrel the baseball to all fields during batting practice from a slightly open stance and a quiet load phase to his swing. The backstop stood out with his defense in game play. Moore receives and blocks well and has quick feet. Some minor adjustments to his footwork would likely move his pop times to the sub-2.0 range on a consistent basis.

#5  2016 C/OF Chase Rogers (Salisbury township, PA)


Rogers showcased a well-rounded skill set at the PA Top Prospect Games. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound C/OF ran a 6.97 60-yard dash, and registered a 4.36 home-to-1st as well as a 4.67 on a turn during game action. The uncommitted senior displayed a lift-and-replace stride foot from a square stance with a strong lower half during batting practice. Rogers went 2-for-6 in game action and displayed an 86 mph bat exit velocity. The primary catcher showcased pop times of 2.05-2.12 on throws of 81 mph from the crouch.

#6  2015 C Ryan Guckin (Avon Grove, PA)


Guckin built on his strong sophomore season with a very solid performance at the Top Prospect Games. The 5-foot-9, 175-pound right-handed hitter utilizes a slightly open stance and flashed very quick, loose hands through the zone with a bat exit velocity of 89 mph. Guckin showcased athletic actions behind the dish with pop times of 2.03-2.10 on throws of 75 mph from the crouch. He ran a 7.42 60-yard dash and served notice that he belongs on the short list of the top catchers in the 2016 class in Pennsylvania.

#7  2015 C/3B Ben Burman (Episcopal Academy, PA)


Burman turned in a 7.56 60-yard dash and showcased a 76 mph arm from the crouch with pop times of 2.05-2.15. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound uncommitted senior continues to impress with the bat. Burman has a very quiet approach at the plate with a flat bat path through the zone. He exhibits gap power and the ability to make consistent hard contact. The right-handed hitter went 2-for-5 in game play with a bat exit velocity of 86 mph at the PA Top Prospect Games.

#8  Andrew Coleman (West Chester Rustin, PA)


Coleman stood out with his energy and enthusiasm for the game at the PBR Mid-Atlantic Border Battle. The 5-foot-8, 170-pound uncommitted senior 2-for-6 with two doubles in game play before suffering a leg injury that slowed him for the final day of the event. Coleman showcased pop times of 1.97-2.03 on throws of 77 mph from the crouch. The right handed hitter displayed some gap power and an 85 mph bat exit velocity during batting practice. Coleman also demonstrated the ability to move out from behind the plate with capable actions at 2B/3B.

#9  2016 C/3B Adam Celidonia (Montour, PA)


Celidonia displayed why he will represent Team Pennsylvania this summer in the PBR Future Games. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound left-handed hitter put together an impressive round of batting practice and opened game play for his team with a double at the PA Top Prospect Games. Celidonia has a fluid swing with loose hands that generates an 84 mph bat exit velocity. He displayed good footwork and a quick release with pop times of 2.00-2.08 on throws of 72 mph from the crouch.

#10  2016 C Justin Smith (Warwick, PA)


Smith had a solid two days in all aspects of the game at the PA Underclass Games. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound left-handed hitter has a looseness to his swing that allows him to work through the baseball and use all fields equally well. Smith went 3-for-7 in game play while barreling several other baseball with a bat exit velocity of 77 mph. The junior is a sound receiver and registered pop times of 2.00-2.09 on throws of 72 mph from the crouch.


Complete run down of Summer Catching performances