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By Greg Williams
Pennsylvania / West Virginia Director of Scouting

Of the 100 prospects to showcase their abilities over two days of the 2017 Preseason All-State Showcase, nearly 25% were catchers. Today we begin our analysis of the prospects in attendance by taking a look at the catcher in the Class of 2017 and 2018.

Top Prospects

Steven Kokoski, 2017, C, Lakeview HS (PA)
6-foot-1, 205-pounder signed to play his collegiate baseball at St. Joseph''s (IN) in November, but things changed for him when the college announced plans to close its doors in May of 2017. Kokoski, ranked No. 35 in the PA Class of 2017, is back on the market and will draw plenty of attention from schools looking for a backstop that can make an early impact at the next level. The right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and initiates his swing with a short, lift-and-replace stride. Physical athlete registered a 95 mph bat exit velocity with quick hands, a short swing path and a strong lower half. Advanced defender consistently registers pop times that hover around 2.00 and has shown above average in-game catch and throw skills throughout his high school career.

Tommy Bramley, 2018, C, Lower Dauphin
5-foot-9, 170-pound left-handed hitter starts from a narrow, open stance and strides to square on impact. Hands work well through the zone with a short path and the ability to impart some back spin. Displayed solid feel for the barrel with ability to use all fields. Head stays still and lower half works in conjunction with upper half to create a bat exit velocity of 86 mph. Ran a 7.28 60-yard dash and showcased pop times of 2.01-2.08 on throws of 74 mph from the crouch. Quick feet and clean transition with little wasted movement. Has a chance to be a solid catch and throw receiver at next level.

Connor Buggy, 2018, C, Lower Dauphin
6-foot-1, 195-pound right-handed hitter starts from a narrow, open stance and utilizes a leg-lift stride to initiate his swing. A deep load leads to some length in the swing, but showed good balance and rhythm throughout while getting to extension with regularity. Showed solid pop to both gaps with a bat exit velocity of 83 mph. Registered pop times of 2.00-2.13 on throws of 74 mph while running a 6.95 60-yard dash. Quick feet and clean transition with solid straight line carry. Projectable frame and fast twitch actions make him a high follow in this class.

Other Participating 2017 & 2018 Catchers

Niko Amory, 2018, C, Southern Lehigh
5-foot-9, 190-pound right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and utilizes a very short, lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing. Short swing path with balance throughout. Displayed strong lower half with the ability to drive the ball to the opposite field gap while registering a bat exit velocity of 90 mph. Ran a 7.28 60-yard dash and flashed pop times of 2.15-2.22 on throws of 78 mph from the crouch. Strong arm with solid carry. Minor adjustments in transition will lower will lower pop times.

Hunter Hamlin, 2018, C, North Penn
5-foot-9, 190-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and initiates his swing with a short, lift-and-replace stride. Handsy hitter with a feel for the barrel creates barrel whip with aggressive hip turn and direct path to the baseball. Registered a bat exit velocity of 93 mph and showcased some ability to backspin the baseball. Quiet receiver is also an above average blocker. Quick, efficient movements result in pop times consistently in the 2.10 range with carry to second base.

Luke LeBeau, 2018, C, Phoenixville Area
5-foot-9, 175-pound right-handed hitter starts from an open stance and utilizes a toe-tap stride to initiate his swing. Has difficulty getting off back side leading to swing getting cut off prior to full extension. Registered an 85 mph bat exit velocity and displayed some feel for the barrel to the pull side. Ran a 7.51 60-yard dash and showcased pop times of 2.25-2.38 on throws of 67 mph from the crouch defensively. Showed short arm stroke and quick feet. Sound blocker received well during bullpen portion of event.

Emmett McCauley, 2018, C, Stroudsburg
5-foot-11, 195-pound right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and utilizes a lift-and-replace stride to start his swing. Barrel wrap leads to arm bar and length resulting in hand cast to the zone. Registered a bat exit velocity of 86 mph. Showcased pop times of 2.24-2.30 on throws of 71 mph from the crouch. Minor adjustments in transition would lower times. Quiet receiver presents a soft wall when blocking.

Nick Opalkowski, 2018, C, Phoenixville Area
5-foot-8, 155-pound right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance and utilizes a short stride to initiate his swing. Deep load leads to length in swing and some barrel drag. Displayed line drive approach while staying behind baseball well with a bat exit velocity of 76 mph. Showcased pop times of 2.13-2.20 on throws of 75 mph from the crouch. Clean transfer with quick feet and solid carry on throws to second base. Received well in bullpen phase of workout.

Casey Rother, 2018, C/RHP, Tamaqua Area
6-foot-5, 200-pound two-way prospect. Right-handed hitter starts from a shoulder width, square stance and utilizes a short, lift-and-replace stride to initiate his swing. Deep load with arm-bar leads to length in swing but ball jumps off bat when on time to hitting zone with a bat exit velocity of 91 mph. Ran a 7.35 60-yard dash and showcased pop times of 2.08-2.15 on throws of 78 mph from the crouch. Large, athletic frame and recent jump in velo on mound will likely lead to interest as pitcher first, position player second, moving forward.

Chad Speiser, 2018, C, Northern York
5-foot-9, 160-pound right-handed hitter starts from a tall, slightly open stance and utilizes a bat waggle load and leg-hand stride to initiate his swing. Hands work short to and through the baseball and ball comes off well with a bat exit velocity of 83 mph. Ran a 7.24 60-yard dash and showcased pop times of 2.16-2.24 on throws of 70 mph from the crouch. Receives well from a wide base and displayed a short arm stroke with quick feet during his transition.

Dylan Swarmer, 2018, C, Knoch
6-foot, 185-pound right-handed hitter starts from a initiates his swing from a square stance with a leg-lift stride. Tends to spin off baseball leading to short time in the zone. Registered a 93 mph bat exit velocity and displayed some ability to back spin the baseball. Ran a 7.42 60-yard dash and registered pop times of 2.05-2.14 on throws of 71 mph from the crouch with some carry. Accurate thrower is a sound receiver who presents a soft wall when blocking.

Logan Vietmeier, 2018, C, Montour
6-foot, 195-pound right-handed hitter took one of the better rounds of batting practice on day two. Starts from an open stance and utilizes a short, leg-lift stride to initiate his swing. Some length in swing, but flat barrel path allows for long time in hitting zone. Registered a 93 mph bat exit velocity and barreled baseballs to all fields. Showcased pop times of 2.20-2.35 on throws of 68 mph from the crouch. Limited arm strength, but quick feet and short arm stroke allow for quick transition.

Preseason All-State Showcase News