Prep Baseball Report

12.14 Show-Me Preseason All-State: Catcher's Analysis



Shon Plack
Missouri Scouting Director

On Sunday, December 14, Prep Baseball Report-Missouri held the Show-Me Preseason All-State Showcase at All-Star Performance in St. Louis.  24 players from the 2016 class took part. 

We will break down each position starting with the catchers.  In the days to come, we will analyze the pitchers, infielders and outfielders.  The catchers will be listed in alphabetical order.

*To see the Outfield Analysis, CLICK HERE.
*To see the Pitchers Analysis, CLICK HERE.
*To see the Infield Analysis, CLICK HERE.
*To see the complete list of participants with times and velocities, CLICK HERE.

Catching Prospects

Ryan Knernschield, Vianney, 2016
Knernschield is a solid 5-foot-11 185-pound right-handed hitting catcher.  At the plate, posted one of the event's best exit velos at 91 mph, athletic stance, slight hand load, smooth rhythm, short stride, lands square, middle-oppo approach, pull power, short to contact, balanced throughout swing, good round of batting practice, runs 4.57 home-to-first. Behind the plate, had one of event's best POP times at 1.95, strong arm strength with 80 mph velo from crouch, clean exchange, quick footwork, accurate throws to the bag with carry, quick over-the-top release.

Connor Vogel, SLUH, 2016
Vogel is a lean 5-foot-11 144-pound right-handed hitting catcher.  Runs a 4.54 home-to-first, 75 mph exitvelo, balanced set up at the plate, small stride, minimal load, lands square, slight arm bar, middle-to-oppo approach, level swing path.  Defensively, has POP times between 2.28 and 2.41, high three-quarter release, clean exchange, fluid footwork, soft hands, 68 mph positional velo. 

Matt Westphal, Lutheran, 2016
Westphal is a physical 6-foot-2 193-pound right-handed hitting catcher. At the plate, athletic set up, smooth load, minimal stride, strong lower half, fast bat speed, short to contact, level path to extension, pull power, gap-to-gap approach, runs 4.72 home-to-first, 75 mph exit velo.  Defensively, posted one of top POP times of day at 1.95, POP range is 1.95 to 2.03, mostly accurate throws, 79 mph positional velo, quick exchange, quick footwork, high three-quarter release.

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