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Preseason All-State Showcase Analysis: Catchers (Class of 2017/2018)

February 22, 2015

By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

Prior to embarking on their sophomore and freshmen seasons, 10 middle infielders descended on Keystone State Baseball Academy in Manheim to showcase their skills at the Preseason All-State Showcase. They are listed below in reverse alphabetical order. Why? See Philadelphia Region Director of Scouting Jake Gill's article today on Class of 2016 catchers in attendance for the answer.

Jordan ScottJordan Scott, C/OF, Lancaster Catholic (PA), Class of 2017
Scott is a 5-foot-10, 175-pound right-handed hitter that hits from a square, slightly crouched stance. The sophomore displayed a simple, direct swing path with a flat plane that resulted in consistent hard contact to all fields. Scott registered an 83 mph bat exit velocity and showed good balance throughout his swing. Defensively he showcased pop times of 2.15-2.35 on throws of 67 mph from the crouch. Scott ran a 7.50 60-yard dash and displayed solid receiving skills during bullpen sessions.

Anthony RotaAnthony Rota, C/OF, Boyertown HS (PA), Class of 2017
Rota showcased solid catch and throw skills with pop times of 2.16-2.22 on throws of 74 mph from the crouch. The 5-foot-10, 165-pound sophomore showcased quick feet as evidenced by his 7.25 60-yard dash. Rota is a right-handed hitter that starts from an open stance and utilizes a short stride to closed. He displayed a strong lower half with a balanced swing throughout leading to a bat exit velocity of 85 mph. Rota squared the baseball consistently while flashing some gap power potential.

Joe RobinsonJoe Robinson, C/3B, Pennridge HS (PA), Class of 2017
Robinson ran a 7.41 60-yard dash and flashed consistent pop times ranging from 2.12-2.19 on throws of 73 mph from the crouch. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound left-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and utilizes a lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing. Robinson sits hard on his backside and spins on his backside to create solid barrel whip with a bat exit velocity of 87 mph. The lefty stays on plane and allows his hands to work through the baseball by effectively clearing his hips. Robinson squared the baseball routinely and showed signs of future power.

Tyler PetersTyler Peters, C/2B, Lancaster Catholic (PA), 2017
Peters showcased plus bat speed (94 mph) and legitimate power potential from a square stance. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound sophomore used a strong lower half and quick hands to consistently square the baseball to all fields while creating above average backspin. The right-handed hitter clears his hips well and gets to full extension consistently. Peters showcased his athleticism running a 6.84 60-yard dash and flashed pop times of 2.13-2.25 on throws of 75 mph from the crouch.

Austin MuellerAustin Mueller, C/3B, Parkland HS (PA), Class of 2017
Mueller is a switch-hitting sophomore with a projectable 5-foot-11, 195-pound frame. He ran a 7.61 60-yard dash and displayed pop times of 2.19-2.38 on throws of 68 mph. Mueller starts slightly open from the right side of the plate and strides to closed with a solid hip turn. His left-handed swing has a bit more length but produces some back spin and power potential with a bat exit velocity of 89 mph. Naturally a right-handed hitter, Mueller shows the athleticism to hit for average and power from both sides at the next level.

Will HoffmanWill Hoffman, C/OF, Harriton HS (PA), Class of 2017
Hoffman has a projectable catcher's frame at 6-foot-3, 195-pounds. The sophomore registered pop times of 2.12-2.34 on throws of 72 mph from the crouch and ran a solid 7.28 60-yard dash. The right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and takes an aggressive stride to closed. Overstriding prevents Hoffman from turning on the inner half at times but his 82 mph bat exit velocity produces solid pop on balls middle and away. Hoffman showed signs of some gap power potential when on time to the hitting zone, but struggled with a lot of moving parts to do so consistently.

Jack HallowellJack Hallowell, C/3B, Haverford HS (PA), Class of 2017
Hallowell is a 5-foot-7, 145-pound backstop that showcased above average feet with a 6.82 60-yard dash. The right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and utilizes a lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing. Hallowell displayed a short, line-drive approach with the ability to routinely square the baseball. The backstop registered a 77 mph bat exit velocity and pop times of 2.22-2.34 on throws of 71 mph from the crouch. Hallowell exhibits quick twitch tendencies behind the plate as well with a clean transition and developing arm strength.

Eric GrossEric Gross, C/3B, Central Bucks South HS (PA), Class of 2017
Gross showcased the potential to be a solid receiver at the next level with quick feet and a clean transfer. As his 66 mph arm strength develops his 2.12-2.28 pop times will improve dramatically. The 5-foot-8, 165-pound right-handed hitter starts from square and utilizes a lift and replace stride to initiate his swing. Gross registered a 77 mph bat exit velocity with some length to his swing that prevented him from consistently being on time to the hitting zone.
Greg Gallagher
Greg Gallagher, C/OF, Souderton Area HS (PA), Class of 2017
Gallagher is a left-handed hitter that starts from a slightly open, crouched stance. The 5-foot-10, 160-pound sophomore showcased a flat swing path and the ability to make consistent solid contact with a bat exit velocity of 74 mph. Gallagher ran a 7.90 60-yard dash and flashed pop times of 2.25-2.47 on throws of 68 mph from the crouch.

Arturo FigueroaArturo Figueroa, C/2B, Central Dauphin HS (PA), Class of 2017
Figueroa showcased above average receiving and blocking skills with pop times of 2.13-2.24 on throws of 71 mph from the crouch. The 5-foot-7, 165-pound switch-hitter ran a solid 7.16 60-yard dash and next level abilities from both sides of the plate. Figueroa showcased a slightly open stance, good balance and a handsy swing as a right-handed hitter during a solid round of batting practice. His left-handed swing shows some power potential with good extension and a bat exit velocity of 83 mph.

Dylan EverlyDylan Everly, C/OF, Episcopal Academy (PA), Class of 2017
Everly flashed quick feet and a clean transition with pop times of 2.16-2.21 on throws of 66 mph from the crouch while not at full health. The 5-foot-11, 165-pound sophomore ran a 7.24 60-yard dash and turned in one of the top rounds of batting practice among all catchers in attendance. Everly hits from a square left-handed stance with no stride staying inside the baseball with a direct swing path and quick hands. Everly displays a solid lower half and a flat barrel path with a bat exit velocity of 87 mph.

Chris BurkeChris Burke, C/3B, North Schuylkill HS (PA), Class of 2017
Burke showcased pop times of 2.19-2.28 on throws of 72 mph from the crouch and solid foot speed with a 7.22 60-yard dash. The 5-foot-8, 180-pound sophomore hits from a square right-handed stance and initiates his swing with a short, lift-and-replace stride. A bit of barrel wrap leads to some armbar action creating some length in his swing but his hands work well. When on time to the hitting zone the baseball jumps off of Burke's barrel with a bat exit velocity of 84 mph. Burke has a physical frame and his offensive approach is balanced and simple, which should lead to future power potential.

Michael BeimelMichael Beimel, C/3B, St. Marys Area HS (PA), Class of 2017

Beimel impressed with solid rounds of batting practice from both sides of the plate. The 5-foot-9, 155-pound sophomore starts from a slightly open stance with a high hands load and a toe tap stride on the right side of the plate. Beimel's hands work well through the baseball creating solid barrel whip with a bat exit velocity of 83 mph. From the left side of the plate Beimel showcased a similar swing with greater length and the potential for a bit more power. Beimel ran a 7.66 60-yard dash and flashed pop times of 2.19-2.25 on throws of 73 mph. Beimel will be a catcher to watch in this class as he continues to add to his athletic frame.

Additional Preseason all-state NEWS: