By Matt Huck & Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Staff

The Class of 2018 Showcase took place at the Max in McCook, IL on Sunday, October 16, 2016. The open event featured close to 100 uncommitted junior’s.

Following the event the PBR scouting staff compiled all of the notes from the workout and over the next week we will break down the event position by position. Today we begin the analysis looking at the catchers in attendance.

Brandon Bannon showed quick, athletic feet and actions behind the plate. Bannon also ran a 7.06 60 and has the ability to play the infield.

Another catcher who showed well was Logan Shepard. Shepard is a left-handed hitter, blocks well behind the plate and was clocked at 77 mph from the crouch.

Paola Zavala was another catcher up to 77 mph from the crouch and has soft hands. Offensively, he has a simple swing and line-drive approach.

Alek Radicevich flashed the strongest arm from the crouch, 81 mph and Kevin Garcia is a big body with some pull power.

Catchers (Listed Alphabetically)

Brandon Bannon, C/2B, Richmond Burton, 2018
5-foot-10, 150-pound right-handed hitting C/2B with a small, athletic frame. Behind the plate has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Quick, footwork and exchange behind the plate. Popped 2.07-2.18 and threw 72 mph from the crouch. In the infield, plays fast with quick footwork. Arm slot is lower on the infield, threw 70 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a wide base with a leg kick stride. Loose, uphill swing path. 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.06.

Austin Delao, C, Grayslake North, 2018
5-foot-10, 185-pound right-handed hitting catcher. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a drop load and short stride. Long, level swing path. 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.84. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Popped 2.19-2.26 and threw 68 mph from the crouch.

Joey Dermody, C, Lincoln-Way Central, 2018
5-foot-11, 180-pound right-handed hitting catcher. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and short, uphill swing path. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.88. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Tall setup receiving. Popped 2.22-2.33 and threw 69 mph from the crouch.

Kevin Garcia, C, Notre Dame, 2018
6-foot-4, 230-pound right-handed hitting catcher. At the plate hits from a balanced, slightly open stance with a leg kick stride. Pull, power hitter with a long swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.84. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Throws showed carry from the crouch, throwing 78 mph. Pop times ranged 2.05-2.14.

Logan Hadfield, C, Metamora, 2018
5-foot-8, 140-pound right-handed hitting catcher with a small, thin frame. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Popped 2.11-2.18 and threw 71 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from a balanced, spread out stance. Short heel lift stride, collapse on the backside. Long, uphill swing path. 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.45.

Benton Holly, C, Mundelein, 2018
6-foot-1, 180-pound right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively hits from a balanced, open setup with a leg kick stride. Short, uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.12. Behind the plate has a short, loose arm action from an over the top slot. Popped 2.18-2.30 and threw 71 mph from the crouch.

Aaron Krockey, C, Providence Catholic, 2018
6-foot-1, 160-pound right-handed hitting catcher with a lanky frame. At the plate hits from a tall, open stance with a double toe tap stride. Short, uphill swing path with early rhythm. 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.51. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Popped 2.33-2.44 and threw 70 mph from the crouch. Showed good flexibility in the lower half receiving.

Freddie March, C/OF, Lake Park, 2018
6-foot, 165-pound right-handed hitting C/OF. At the plate hits from a wide base with a balanced setup. Long, leg kick stride. Pull hitter with fluid rhythm. Showed strength thru contact with 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.82. Defensively took drills in the outfield and behind the plate. Behind the plate has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Gains ground toward second base on throws. Popped 2.33-2.44 and threw 70 mph from the crouch. Threw 72 mph from the outfield.

JT Oie, C/3B/RHP, St. Charles North, 2018
5-foot-11, 175-pound right-handed hitting utility player. At the plate hits from a balanced, slightly open stance. Short, heel lift stride with an uphill swing path. 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.11. Defensively took drills behind the plate and in the infield. Short arm action from an over the top slot. Slower actions with average hands. Threw 76 mph across the infield. Behind the plate popped 2.22-2.37 and threw 70 mph from the crouch. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a closed landing and easy effort. Fastball sat 72-73 topping out at 74 mph. Curveball has 10-4 shape at 64-67 mph. Changeup was straight at 68-70 mph.

Alek Radicevich, C, Waubonsie Valley, 2018
5-foot-11, 188-pound right-handed hitting catcher with a strong, compact frame. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Gains ground towards second on throws with a long exchange. Accurate throws with carry. Popped 2.11-2.26 and threw an event best 81 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from a tall, slightly open stance. Leg kick stride with average balance. Pull hitter with an uphill swing path. 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.68.

Jared Schassburger, C, Lake Central (IN), 2018
5-foot-11, 185-pound right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and linear lower half. Fluid rhythm with late rhythm. Showed strength thru contact with 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.18. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Popped 2.25-2.41 and threw 70 mph from the crouch.

Logan Shepard, C, Maroa-Forsyth, 2018
6-foot, 170-pound left-handed hitting catcher with a strong frame. At the plate hits from a balanced setup, hand drop load with a short heel lift stride. Opposite field hitter with late rhythm. Showed strength thru contact with 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.34. Defensively has a short arm action from a ¾ arm slot. Tall receiver in drills with quick footwork. Popped 2.18-2.26 and threw 77 mph from the crouch. Blocks pitches well.

Benton Troehler, C, Grayslake Central, 2018
5-foot-11, 200-pound right-handed hitting catcher. Defensibly has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Average hands, blocks pitches well. Popped 2.19-2.27 and threw 72 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a smooth load and short stride. Long, uphill swing path. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.00.

Jason Vrbancic, C, Loyola, 2018
6-foot-1, 175-pound right-handed hitting catcher with a strong frame. Offensively hits from a balanced, slightly closed setup with a short stride and average balance. Uphill swing path, flashed a fast bat. Showed strength thru contact with 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.42. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Stand and throw with a clean exchange. Showed strong hands receiving in bullpens. Popped 2.23-2.33 and threw 72 mph from the crouch.

Markos Zanoni, C, Niles West, 2018
5-foot-11, 175-pound right-handed hitting catcher. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and arm bar load. Pull hitter with a long, uphill swing path. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.84. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Stand and throw with a slow exchange. Popped 2.32-2.44 and threw 67 mph from the crouch.

Paolo Zavala, C, Nazareth, 2018
5-foot-8, 170-pound right-handed hitting catcher. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Soft hands receiving with a quick transfer. Popped 2.07-2.19 and threw 77 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a heel lift stride. Line drive hitter with a short swing path. 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.69.

Cameron Zimmerman, C, West Aurora, 2018
5-foot-5, 150-pound right-handed hitting catcher with a strong, compact frame.  At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short toe tap stride and average balance. Fluid rhythm with an uphill swing path and fast bat. 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.20. Behind the plate has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Tall receiver in drills.

Dominic Zupo, C, Oswego East, 2018
5-foot-11, 165-pound switch hitting catcher. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot with a quick exchange. Rises out of the crouch early in drills. Popped 2.11-2.26 and threw 70 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with  a lot of pre pitch foot movement. Uphill swing path. 76 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.62.

Related Content