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Preseason All-State Showcase: Catcher Analysis (Part One)

February 22, 2014

By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

A total of 32 catchers showcased their abilities on Day Two of the Preseason All-State Showcase. In Part One of our evaluations we will take a look at half of the group, with the remaining 16 prospects to be reviewed in Part Two.

additional Catcher content:

Catcher Analysis: Part Two

PBR Plus: Standout Catchers


Kenny Bergmann, William Penn Charter HS, Class of 2016
Bergmann was one of the most impressive prospects at the event. The 6-foot, 190-pound right-handed hitter squared pitch after pitch during his round of batting practice, driving the baseball with authority. His 91 mph bat exit velocity was among the tops at the event. Bergmann registered a 4.59 home-to-1B time and showcased good carry on throws of 79 mph out of the crouch with pop times of 2.00-2.06.

Danny Blugis, Schuylkill Haven HS, Class of 2015
Blugis is a sound receiver with above average catch and throw skills. The 5-foot-8, 165-pound junior showcased pop times of 2.09-2.19 on throws of 73 mph from the crouch and registered a 4.48 home-to-1B time. Blugis is a right-handed hitter that starts from a square stance and uses a short stride to the baseball. He displayed loose hands and the ability to barrel the baseball frequently with a bat exit velocity of 80 mph.

Willie Burger, Lancaster Catholic HS, Class of 2015
Burger showed why he is the highest ranked, uncommitted junior in Pennsylvania with a solid performance over two days. The multi-talented prospect showcased quick feet and clean transition in registering pop times of 1.94-2.00 on throws of 76 mph out of the crouch. After turning in a 4.42 home-to-1B time, Burger showcased a 91 mph bat exit velocity during an impressive round of batting practice. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound right-handed hitter displayed a balanced swing with explosive hands and hips that allowed him to drive the baseball repeatedly with authority.

Ben Burman, Episcopal Academy, Class of 2015
Burman showcased well at two positions over the span of the two day event. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound right-handed hitter utilized a square stance and a quiet lower half in a solid round of batting practice. Burman consistently barreled the baseball with an 87 mph bat exit velocity while showing the ability to use all fields. He registered a 4.69 home-to-1B time and displayed pop times of 2.09-2.16 on throws of 75 mph from the crouch.

Ben Carter, Wyomissing Area HS, Class of 2015
Carter is a 6-foot-2, 190-pound junior with a prototypical catcher's build. The right-handed hitter starts from a square stance with a high hands load and no stride. He gets to extension consistently and showed the ability to use all fields with a bat exit velocity of 89 mph. Carter was solid behind the plate as well registering pop times of 1.94-2.03 on throws of 75 mph from the crouch.

Adam Celidonia, Montour HS, Class of 2016
Celidonia is a 5-foot-11, 185-pound sophomore that showcased athleticism behind the plate with quick feet and a clean transfer. He displayed pop times of 2.00-2.09 on throws of 72 mph from the crouch and registered a 4.44 home-to-1B time. The left-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and showed the ability to drive the baseball to all fields with a bat exit velocity of 87 mph.

Andrew Coleman, West Chester Rustin HS, Class of 2015
Coleman is a solidly built 5-foot-7, 170-pound right-handed hitter with an 85 mph bat exit velocity. He hits from a wide base with a short stride and exhibited the ability to use all fields. Coleman moves well (4.25 home-to-1B) and showed quick feet behind the plate. The junior displayed pop times of 2.12-2.19 on throws of 72 mph from the crouch.

Tim DiLoreto, Christopher Dock Mennonite, Class of 2016
DiLoreto hits from a square stance with a leg lift trigger. He showcased a line drive approach and displayed the ability to barrel the baseball frequently with a bat exit velocity of 84 mph. The 5-foot-9, 150-pound sophomore registered a 4.16 home-to-1B time and flashed pop times of 2.06-2.16 on throws of 75 mph from the crouch.

Eric Duerr, Sanford School (DE), Class of 2015
Duerr showed well in all facets of the game. The 6-foot, 170-pound junior displayed athletic actions and an accurate arm behind the plate with pop times of 2.06-2.18 on throws of 77 mph from the crouch. He registered a 4.47 home-to-1B time and an 87 mph bat exit velocity. Duerr is a right-handed hitter that starts from a square stance. He showed balance throughout his swing with good barrel whip and the ability to use all fields.

Nick Dunn, Shikellamy HS, Class of 2015
Dunn was one of the most impressive prospects in attendance over the two day event. The switch-hitting junior glides to the baseball a bit from the right side of the plate but still exhibited strong barrel whip and some power potential. From the left side, the 5-foot-10, 170-pound prospect shows good rhythm and the ability to drive the baseball to all fields. Dunn, a primary middle infielder, registered a 4.06 home-to-1B time and showcased pop times of 1.93-2.00 on throws of 80 mph from the crouch.

Ryan Ernst, Central Bucks East, Class of 2015
Ernst is a 5-foot-11, 170-pound backstop that registered a 4.32 home-to-1B time and displayed pop times of 2.12-2.19 on throws of 75 mph from the crouch. The junior starts from a slightly open stance with a high hands load and utilizes a lift and replace stride foot to produce a bat exit velocity of 84 mph. Ernst barreled the baseball consistently during a solid round of batting practice.

Quinn Fulton, Cumberland Valley HS, Class of 2015
Fulton turned in a 4.34 home-to-1B time and flashed pop times of 2.15-2.25 on throws of 74 mph from the crouch. The long limbed backstop is athletic behind the plate and has a very accurate arm. Fulton is a right-handed hitter that starts from a square narrow stance and has some barrel wrap in the load phase of his swing. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound junior barreled the baseball routinely with a bat exit velocity of 83 mph. If he were to widen his base Fulton would be able to utilize his physical frame to develop some additional power.

Ryan Guckin, Avon Grove HS, Class of 2016
Guckin is a 5-foot-8, 175-pound right-handed hitter that impressed with his barrel whip and power potential. The sophomore starts from an open stance with a high hands load and uses a strong lower half to create a bat exit velocity of 89 mph. Guckin registered a 4.59 home-to-1B time and flashed pop times of 2.06-2.13 on throws of 73 mph from the crouch.

Connor Hinchliffe, Pottsville Area HS, Class of 2015
Hinchliffe showcased a square stance and a quiet, no stride approach to hitting. The 6-foot, 175-pound junior barreled the baseball consistently during batting practice with a bat exit velocity of 87 mph. Hinchliffe registered a 4.28 home-to-1B time and flashed the potential to be a strong defender. He displayed quick feet and a clean transfer with pop times of 1.93-2.06 on throws of 76 mph from the crouch.

Joseph Kroeger, Central York HS, Class of 2016
Kroeger registered a 4.35 home-to-1B time and flashed pop times of 2.16-2.31 on throws of 75 mph from the crouch. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound sophomore showcased a high hands load out of a square stance with the ability to barrel the baseball frequently from the right side of the plate. Kroeger displayed a flat bat path that was at times a bit long and a bat exit velocity of 83 mph.

Kurt Latocha, Clay-Battelle HS (WV), Class of 2015
Latocha registered a 4.40 home-to-1B time and showcased pop times of 2.16-2.18 on throws of 68 mph from the crouch. The 5-foot-11, 155-pound right-handed hitter displayed a 78 mph bat exit velocity during his round of batting practice. Latocha starts from a slightly open stance with a high hands load and displayed the ability to use all fields with a line drive approach.


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