Dakota Cararo, C, Gahanna Lincoln, Class of 2013

Ohio’s Class of 2013 is loaded with talented catchers.

It could be one of the deepest positions for this year’s recruiting class.

Cassidy Brown, Jacob Carpenter, Adam Vasil, Daniel Ferguson, Daniel Trimble, Cameron Whitehead, Jonathan Stone, Matt Poland, Riley Carlton, Connor Faix, and Drew Nankivell.

On January 28^th, Gahanna Lincoln’s Dakota Cararo added his name to that list.

The 5-foot-11, 170-pound left-handed hitting catcher from Central Ohio stood out as one of the top performer’s at the first Pre-Season Underclass Showcase.

Reflecting on his performance, Cararo said, “I thought that my pop times were pretty good as was my hitting.”

Cararo’s scouting report notes:

Smallish build with athleticism. Good baseball skills. Shows good active body defensively, blocks well and has good glove to hand exchange. Solid arm (1.94-1.97 split). Needs to add physical strength to enhance durability. Good balanced stance as left-handed hitter. Shows bat speed into zone with good load and decent lower body. Contact to gap hitter.

This off-season, Cararo was busy preparing himself for his junior campaign.

“Over the fall and winter, I have been trying my best to prepare myself for the upcoming spring season by lifting and hitting … I have gained close to 15 pounds.”

With the recruiting process just starting for Cararo, he says, “I want to go to a school that will give me a good education and have the major that I decide to study.”

For now, he will continue to focus on the upcoming high school season.

Gahanna Lincoln advanced to the regionals in 2011 after defeating Dublin Coffman in the district finals.

Now, the young squad looks to replace a talented group of graduates and repeat last season’s success.

Cararo notes, “For our team to be successful, we are going to have some new people step up and prove that they are good enough to play at the varsity level.”

Gahanna Lincoln may be young, but they won’t be shy on talent. From their 2012 class, they return starting left-handed pitcher Nick Van Keuren, right-handed pitcher Chris Secore and outfielder Cole Greisinger, a Ball State signee. The upperclassmen will be complemented by 2013 class members RHP/IF Alec Tuohy, 3B Peyton Ross, and 1B Brock Frentzel along with one of the top 2014 players in the state, LHP/OF Evan White.

They will need this talent as they prepare to play in one of the toughest divisions in the state of Ohio, which features Grove City (2011 final four participants), Pickerington North, and Pickerington Central.

Looking ahead to the upcoming conference schedule, Cararo says, “Our toughest conference opponent this year is more than likely going to be one of the Pickerington High Schools.”

He explains, “I am looking forward to playing both of them because it gives me a chance to show everyone else that I can perform at the highest level of competition.”

This summer, Cararo will be playing for the 18U Ohio Panthers.

He will be participating in the PBR Top Prospect Games in June at Prasco Park as well as the Showcase for the Cure hosted at Walsh Jesuit High School.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW DAKOTA CARARO'S SCOUTING REPORT AND VIDEO