Central Coast Open: Catchers Analysis

10/7/18 - Central Coast Open Showcase - 5-foot-9, 135-pounds, young developing body with strength still to come, compactly built. Offensively he utilizes a balanced stance keeping his hands even and away from the body with a high back elbow. The compact swing shows flashes of hand speed while keeping a level barrel and looking to stay to the middle of the field in his approach. Has ability to spray the ball to all fields and stays inside the ball well. Behind the plate he flashed some skills starting with a growing arm (63 MPH) that regularly had the ball out quickly and consistently right around the base (2.25-2.3 pop times). The arm works from a lower slot and he showed some side to side agility on blocks. Quiet receiver, athletic set-up, calm and confident, good talk to pitchers, gets to block position easily, simple clean mechanics, sits with angle to present pitch well.

10/7/18 - Central Coast Open Showcase - 6-foot-1, 185-pounds, strong and athletic catcher and moves like an athlete .At the plate he keeps a wider base with lower hands that stay tight to the body. The swing showed very quick hands with tight turns that produced loud contact and drove balls to the middle of the field and deep into the pull gap. Behind the plate the armed showed flashes of above average (76 MPH) with longer actions that created snap throws and put the ball to the arm side of the base with life. His transitions behind the plate were very quick showing athleticism on the transfer and utilizing his body to get through the ball (1.93-2.07 Pop Times). Body looks like it could still strengthen and add more athleticism to it in near future. Narrow receiving set-up, good target. Does tend to drag the ball as he's framing. Tools are there for him to be an above average catcher.

10/7/18 - Central Coast Open Showcase - 5-foot-9, 150-pounds, lean and wiry strong body type, built well for the position. Athletic runner with 7.48 60 yd dash time. Works at the plate with even hands and a high back elbow while utilizing a foot lift to stay behind the ball. Quick hands produce a level barrel with a middle of the field approach while flashing some growing strength and ability to backspin the ball with more loft. Defensively he showed a very strong arm (76 MPH) that was quick and compact and put the ball on the bag with life (2.19-2.28 pop times), with a clean exchange. The blocking skills were also very good showing his athleticism and ability to smother the ball both on field and in the bullpen with tougher breaking balls. He also flashed a strong glove hand in the bullpen with the ability to frame and present a quality target for his pitchers. Throwing hand is exposed as ball enters hitting zone. In all, talented player with tools as both offensive and defensive catcher.

10/7/18 - Central Coast Open Showcase - 6-foot-5, 225-pounds, continues to show intriguing tools and athleticism with a clearly noticeable body type. 7.54 60 yd dash not notable for smaller player but is for chiseled player his size. Offensively keeps a tall stance while having low, quiet hands. He keeps his hands tight to the body showing a foot lift before creating bad speed with his quick hands that work uphill showing leverage and being able to drive through the ball while staying balanced (87 MPH exit velo). Strength shows in his swing with the ability to drive balls deep into the pull side gap with flashes of raw power. From behind the plate he works in time with a quick, compact arm (73 MPH) that regularly puts the ball on the bag by utilizing quick transitions (2.0-2.07 Pop times). His body is athletic and showed the ability to smother the ball before smoothly transitioning from blocking to recovery. Sets up big behind plate, soft and strong hands, big paws can swallow up the pitch and stick it, size of body and hands brings Salvador Perez to mind. Not just big, he's quite athletic.

10/7/18 - Central Coast Open Showcase - 5-foot-10, 174-pounds, present strength and physical body type. At the plate utilizes a balanced stance with lower hands that show a small load back. His quick hands stayed behind the ball well as the bat loops prior to contact. Pull side approach while regularly hooking balls into the OF past infielders. From behind the plate he showed quick transfers and an arm that has flashes of more coming. Throws were high during event from a lower slot and looked to have his body moving out in front of him, but still showed quality pop times (2.13-2.29). He flashed quick blocking skills while keeping a flat, wider back. Athletic and strong block talent though does block a bit deep. Athletic receiver with quiet actions/soft hands and subtle movements. Receives ball a bit deep to his body. Throwing hand is exposed as ball enters the hitting zone. Physically he has the tools to be a quality defensive catcher.

10/7/18 - Central Coast Open Showcase - 5-foot-7, 160-pounds, thicker proportions and can work to shape his body in coming years. At the plate works from an open stance and utilizes his full body during load. Gets a high front foot while the hands load directly back early before driving through contact and creating leverage from a lofty swing. Swing drove balls into the gap and flashed more power potential as he matures and strengthens, good extension and barrel life through contact. Behind the plate he worked with a compact arm that flashes more strength as he ages and was regularly online while showing quick transitions (2.16-2.19 pop times). Defensively he was quick to block with a chance to become more athletic for quicker recoveries and better ability to move side-to-side. Strong receiver, focused and intense, good technique, wide sit and set-up, good target, shifts well with subtle movements. Excellent intangibles as a teammate and friend of pitchers showed up all day.

10/7/18 - Central Coast Open Showcase - 5-foot-11, 152-pounds, lean wiry body type. Quick runner with 7.39 60 yd dash time. At the plate utilizes a tall stance where he keeps a high back elbow with even hands. The hands stay still with a slight load before being direct and snappy with a downward slope of the bat. Looks to pull the ball and stayed that way during BP. Behind the plate showed flashes of a strong arm that will improve (70 MPH) with a lower slot and slight hitch down. He’s got quick transfers (2.20-2.22) and finished arm side regularly. His blocking flashed fringe-average staying high with the shoulders, he can recover better as he gains strength. Agile receiver, good glove skills, athletic kid with an arm action of a pitcher, which he is. Young talent with some tools to keep him on the map.