Western PA College Prospect Showcase Analysis: Catchers
July 10, 2015
By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting
The 2015 Western PA College Prospect Showcase took place on July 1 on the campus of Seton Hill University. Our rundown of the participants continues today with the 15 catchers in attendance.
catchers: Class of 2016
Branson Auckerman, Hempfield Area
6-foot-185-pound right-handed hitter. Starts from a slightly open stance and utilizes a small lift and replace stride to initiate his swing. Displayed a flat barrel path through the hitting zone with a bat exit velocity of 82 mph. Showcased a 7.70 60-yard dash and pop times of 2.15-2.22 on throws of 68 mph from the crouch.
5-foot-10, 160-pound right-handed hitter. Starts from a slightly open stance and initiates his swing with a short lift and replace stride. Demonstrated a short swing path and a feel for the barrel with a bat exit velocity of 78 mph. Showcased a 7.66 60-yard dash and pop times of 2.12-2.21 on throws of 67 mph from the crouch.
6-foot-2, 200-pound right-handed hitter. Starts from a slightly open stance and utilizes a short lift and replace stride to initiate swing. Displayed good balance and fluidity throughout swing path with a bat exit velocity of 81 mph. Showcased a 7.68 60-yard dash with pop times of 2.32-2.40 on throws of 67 mph from the crouch.
5-foot-11, 185-pound right-handed hitter. Starts from a square stance with a short stride and some barrel wrap to his load with a bat exit velocity of 88 mph. Displayed some pop but wrap prevents him from consistently getting to hitting zone on time. Showcased good feet (7.22 60-yard dash) and pop times of 2.31-2.45 on throws of 66 mph from the crouch.
5-foot-11, 175-pound right-handed hitter. Starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with no stride. Displayed a flat barrel path while squaring the baseball frequently with a bat exit velocity of 78 mph. Showcased a 7.69 60-yard dash and pop times of 2.15-2.22 on throws of 75 mph from the crouch. Damon flashed decent feet and a quick transition. Tendency to not get hips fully rotated could be corrected easily leading to even better results.
6-foot, 215-pound right-handed hitter. Starts from a square stance and utilizes a toe tap stride to initiate his swing. Limited lower half action results in a bat exit velocity of 81 mph. Showcased an 8.45 60-yard dash and pop times of 2.25-2.40 on throws of 67 mph from the crouch.
6-foot-1, 215-pound right-handed hitter. Starts from a square stance with a high hands load and initiates swing with a hell raise stride. Showcased an 80 mph bat exit velocity, a 7.80 60-yard dash and pop times of 2.30-2.45 on throws of 67 mph from the crouch. A tendency to stand upright to throw results in a slow transition.
5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed hitter. Starts from a square stance with a small lift and replace stride and limited lower half action. Showcased a bat exit velocity of 74 mph, ran a 7.82 60-yard dash and flashed 2.15-2.25 pop times on throws of 70 mph from the crouch.
Andrew Hakos, Central Catholic
6-foot-2, 175-pound right-handed hitter. Starts from a slightly open stance and initiates his swing with a lift and replace stride. Demonstrated solid barrel whip and a feel for the barrel. Showcased an 80 mph bat exit velocity, ran a 7.19 60-yard dash and flashed pop times of 2.11-2.27 on throws of 68 mph from the crouch. Overall game would benefit from additional strength gains.
5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed hitter. Starts from a slightly open stance and initiates his swing with no stride. Showed a flat barrel path and a bat exit velocity of 83 mph with solid barrel whip and a feel for the barrel. Showcased a 7.66 60-yard dash and pop times of 2.15-2.25 on throws of 70 mph from the crouch.
Zack Skatell, Greensburg Central Catholic
5-foot-10, 205-pound right-handed hitter. Starts from a square stance with a leg lift stride. Displayed some feel for the barrel and good rhythm to his swing with a bat exit velocity of 86 mph. Showcased an 8.38 60-yard dash and pop times of 2.41-2.55 on throws of 65 mph from the crouch. Continued defensive development will be necessary for Skatell to remain behind the dish at the next level.
catchers: Class of 2017
5-foot-9, 190-pound right-handed hitter. Starts from a square stance and initiates swing with a heel raise stride. Showed a feel for the barrel with a flat barrel path leading to a bat exit velocity of 79 mph. Showcased a 7.72 60-yard dash and pop times of 2.30-2.45 on throws of 65 mph from the crouch.
Brock Herrod, South Harrison (WV)
5-foot-7, 145-pound right-handed hitter. Starts from a square stance and utilizes a toe tap stride to initiate his swing. Displayed a short swing path and the ability to barrel the baseball frequently with a bat exit velocity of 72 mph. Showcased pop times of 2.35-2.50 on throws of 65 mph from the crouch. Overall game will benefit from strength gains and continued physical maturation.
5-foot-10, 190-pound right-handed hitter. Starts from a square stance with a high hands load. Much more physical prospect than the last we saw him. Displayed a feel for the barrel and the ability to drive the baseball to all fields with a bat exit velocity of 91 mph. Showcased a 7.53 60-yard dash and pop times of 2.03-2.12 on throws of 77 mph from the crouch. Definite follow in this class with continued progress likely.
Dan Stauffer, Elk County Catholic
6-foot, 165-pound right-handed hitter. Starts from a square stance and initiates swing with a heel raise stride. Displayed a feel for the barrel with a direct swing path and a bat exit velocity of 78 mph. Showcased a 7.32 60-yard dash and pop times of 1.97-2.12 on throws of 75 mph from the crouch. Quick feet and transition with an accurate arm make Stauffer a solid follow in this class of catchers.
Previous western PA College Prospect Showcase News
- PA Western PA College Prospect Showcase Analysis: Outielders7.08.15
- PA Western PA College Prospect Showcase Analysis: Corner Infielders7.06.15
- PA Western PA College Prospect Showcase Analysis: Middle Infielders7.04.15
- PA Western PA College Prospect Showcase Results Released7.02.15
- PA Western PA College Prospect Showcase Highlights7.01.15
- PA Western PA College Prospect Showcase Itinerary Released6.27.15
