Over the next few days we will be bringing you positional breakdowns from the Class of 2014 Showcase on October 21^st. Today we will break down the catchers and see how they stack up amongst one another. Here our list of the top catchers.

1. TJ Marik, St. Laurence HS, C, Class of 2014
Marik is a strong armed catcher standing 5-foot-11, 205-pounds. Defensively, Marik is one of the better receivers in his class; he has a strong wrist and soft hands, allowing him to secure the pitch at the bottom of the zone well. He showed quick feet behind the plate coupled with a strong arm resulting in a 1.97 pop time. Marik’s arm works well behind the dish showing carry and accuracy at 80 mph. Offensively, Marik hits from a wide stance and uses an explosive lower half showcasing an aggressive swing at the plate. Marik shows electric bat speed on a level path showing pop to his pull side finishing his swing with solid balance and a long high finish.

2. Simeon Lucas, Grant HS, C/3B, Class of 2014
Lucas is an athletically built catcher with wide shoulders standing 6-foot-2, 190-pounds. Defensively, Lucas showed solid hands behind the plate, his arm action is short and over the top putting throws on the bag at 78 mph recording pop times of 2.00-2.10. His footwork is quick out of the crouch and his exchange is efficient. Offensively, Lucas hits from a balanced stance using a short stride. Lucas showed a pull side approach hitting from the left side. His bat path is short and had a solid presence in the box. Lucas is a top level left handed hitting catcher.

3. Kevin White, St. Laurence HS, OF/C, Class of 2014
The 6-foot-1, 165-pound White is an explosive quick-twitch athlete. He ran a 6.88 60 and showed arm strength from both the outfield and catcher. From the outfield, White moves aggressively and fluidly to the baseball. His throws stayed on line with carry (85 mph). Behind the plate, White registered pop times between 2.11-2.18. Offensively, White has an aggressive approach and demonstrated bat speed through the zone.

4. Christian Bland, Harlan HS, C/OF, Class of 2014
Bland is a quick-twitch, athletic multi-positional player. Bland recorded pop times of 2.11-2.25 showcasing quick feet out of the crouch. In the outfield, Bland’s arm worked well at 84 mph while playing through the ball well and showing off his quick feet. Bland also ran a 7.00 60. Offensively, he hits from an open stance using a short stride. His bat path is level and showed extension while working mainly to his pull side.

5. Joey Morris, Stevenson HS, C/3B, Class of 2014
Morris is a solid 5-foot-11, 175-pound catcher. Morris showed pop times ranging in the 2.1’s, displaying arm strength of 75 mph from the crouch. Offensively, he hits from a balanced stance using a short stride and bat path to get to contact. Morris also recorded exit speeds of 80 mph from the tee.

Best of the rest (Listed alphabetically)

Jeremy Dutton, Plainfield East HS, C/1B, Class of 2014
Dutton is a 5-foot-10, 150-pound multi positional player. Dutton recorded pop times of 2.1-2.19 while displaying arm strength of 71 mph from the crouch. In the infield he showed solid hands and a quick exchange while also demonstrating some body control. Offensively, Dutton stayed through the ball well showing extension with a short bat path. He found the barrel consistently using a line drive approach to both gaps.

Gabriel Grant, Mt. Carmel HS, C/1B, Class of 2014
Grant is a 6-foot, 210-pound multi-positional player. Grant displayed a long over the top arm action that showed some carry across the diamond along with reliable hands at first base. Grant also produced pop times at 2.19-2.26 and on target. At the plate, Grant hits from an open stance showing pull tendencies and strong hands at the plate.

Dom Hillesheim, Menasha HS (WI), C/OF, Class of 2014
Hillesheim is a 5-foot-10, 165-pound multi-positional player. Hillesheim showed solid foot speed running a 7.08 60. He also recorded pop times between 2.41-2.53. At the plate, he hits out of a wide, slightly closed stance, setting his hands high. Hillesheim takes an aggressive swing at the plate.

Joey Jablonski, Hinsdale South HS, C, Class of 2014
Jablonski is a lanky 6-foot-2, 165-pound catcher. Jablonski recorded pop times of 2.1-2.28 while showing arm strength of 70 mph from the crouch. Offensively, he hits from an open stance recording exit speeds of 81 mph.

Matthew Kouri, Peoria Notre Dame HS, C, Class of 2014
Kouri is a 6-foot, 165-pound athletic catcher. Offensively, he showed a fundamental approach with good bat speed and barrel whip through the zone. Kouri has an athletic setup and demonstrated a short bat path to the baseball. Kouri, who ran a 7.29 60, showcased an accurate arm, with a top pop time of 2.19. He also exhibited athletic feet and solid hands receiving.

AJ Murdock, Lincoln-Way Central HS, C/3B, Class of 2014
Murdock is a 5-foot-11, 195-pound multi-positional player. Behind the plate, Murdock posted pop times ranging from 2.17-2.33 showing accuracy to second base. Offensively, he hits out of an open stance while striding back to the plate to get to contact. He showed the ability for a short bat path, while working to his pull side. Murdock also recorded an 8.13 60.

Jeffrey Pieroni, Oswego HS, C, Class of 2014
Pieroni is an athletically built 6-foot-1, 165-pound catcher from Oswego HS. He registered his top pop time at 2.32. Offensively, he has an aggressive approach, hitting from a narrow, open setup.

Travis Poggensee-Wei, Grayslake North HS, C, Class of 2014
Poggensee-Wei is a 6-foot, 195-pound catcher from Grayslake North HS. His pop times ranged between 2.28-2.38 while being clocked at 71 mph from the crouch. Offensively, he hits from a tall position with a high back elbow. He takes a short stride to the baseball and maintained balance throughout his swing.

Vincent Surdo, Notre Dame College Prep HS, C, Class of 2014
Surdo is a 5-foot-10, 185-pound catcher. He recorded pop times of 2.22-2.33 showing arm strength of 73 mph from the crouch. Offensively, Surdo hit from a balanced, slightly closed setup and hitting mainly to his pull side. Surdo also ran an 8.09 60.

Alex Wolanski, Nequa Valley HS, C/3B, Class of 2014
Wolanski is a 5-foot-10, 180-pound catcher who showed an aggressiveness at the plate. Offensively, Wolanski uses a short stride showing a line drive, gap to gap approach. Wolanski showed solid bat speed and extension through the zone. Defensively, Wolanski recorded pop times of 2.26-2.32, exhibiting athleticism and accurate throws on the bag at 74 mph.

Zachary Voyles, Hononegah HS, C/OF, Class of 2014
Voyles is a 5-foot-10, 155-pound multi-positional player. Voyles recorded pop times of 2.24-2.51. He showed a strong wrist behind the plate receiving the ball well. Offensively, he hits from a wide, balanced setup using a no stride approach, while producing line drives to all fields.

Keep checking back for more positional breakdowns throughout the week.