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Eastern PA Open ID Showcase (Session 2): Catcher Analysis

January 30, 2013

By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

The final Open ID Showcase of January had a handful of high level catching prospects with Christian Porterfield (West Middlesex HS, 2014) and Willie Burger (Lancaster Catholic HS, 2015) emerging as the best. Following is an analysis of all the catchers at the Eastern PA Open ID Showcase (Session 2).

PorterfieldC/3B Christian Porterfield, West Middlesex HS, Class of 2014
Porterfield had one of the best days of all position players at the event. The 2012 Midwest Future Games participant had the top bat exit velocity of the day at 96 mph, was tied for the best infield arm of the day at 84 mph across the infield and showcased pop times of 2.09-2.15 on throws of 77 mph from behind the plate. Porterfield used his top exit velocity to repeatedly drive baseballs during a very solid round of batting practice. Porterfield has a very basic swing with few parts to it. He is a hitter that should be able to replicate his swing for extended periods of time without going into prolonged slumps. At 5-foot-11, 200-pounds he has the size to be a middle of the order run producer at the next level.

BurgerC/3B Willie Burger, Lancaster Catholic HS, Class of 2015
Burger was impressive in all facets of the game. The 6-foot, 210-pound prospect was the top defensive catcher at the event. He showcased pop times of 1.97-2.05 on throws of 76 mph from the crouch. Burger showed solid blocking and receiving skills as well. Offensively he used an 88 mph bat exit velocity to drive baseballs to the pull side. Burger used an explosive lower half to display legitimate power potential when he squared the baseball. If he becomes more refined and consistent with his swing Burger could be a middle of the order run producer at the next level. Burger is extremely athletic, having played quarterback this past fall at Lancaster Catholic.

Garett Blank, C/3B, St. James School (MD), Class of 2014
Blank showcased one of the top bat exit velocities of the day at 90 mph. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound catcher receives and blocks pitches very well. He displayed 2.06-2.15 pop times on throws of 75 mph out of the crouch. Offensively Blank had an impressive round of batting practice, squaring nearly every pitch and driving the baseball to the gaps. Blank is long limbed and must continue to work to stay inside the baseball to generate a short path to the baseball.

Colin Albright, C, Ephrata HS, Class of 2014
Albright showed very well behind the plate with pop times of 2.10-2.15 on throws of 76 mph out of the crouch. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound receiver also showed sound receiving and blocking skills. Albright used an 82 mph bat exit velocity and good extension through the baseball to consistently drive the baseball during his round of batting practice.

C/1B Jack Seibert, Holy Ghost Prep HS, Class of 2014
Seibert had a solid day in all facets of the game. Behind the plate he showed 2.09-2.15 pop times on throws of 76 mph from the crouch. Seibert took a solid round of batting practice squaring the baseball consistently. He displayed a 79 mph bat exit speed and some power potential.

C/OF Gavin O'Donnell, Manheim Township HS, Class of 2014
O'Donnell has a solid frame and is athletic in his actions. He receives and blocks the baseball very well. O'Donnell displayed 2.09-2.15 pop times on throws of 69 mph from the crouch. Offensively he stays back and hits off his backside. O'Donnell used a solid lower half and an 84 mph bat exit velocity to consistently drive the baseball with the potential for some gap power.

C/OF Tommy Marrollo, Downingtown East HS, Class of 2015
Marrollo showcased well in all facets of the game. The 5-foot-9, 165-pound sophomore turned in a very solid round of batting practice. He used a very short, compact line drive swing to consistently square the baseball to all fields. Marrollo displayed advanced receiving and blocking skills behind the plate. He showed 2.20-2.25 pop times on throws of 75 mph out of the crouch. His energy and passion for the game was evident throughout the course of the event.

C/OF Justin Smith, Warwick HS, Class of 2016
Smith showed very solid pop times for a freshman at 2.18-2.22 on throws of 66 mph. The 5-foot-9, 155-pound left-handed hitter has good rhythm to his swing and he clears the hips well allowing his hands to work. Smith showcased a bat exit velocity of 72 mph and shows the potential to be a quality hitter.

C/SS Jeremy Sultzaberger, Susquenita HS, Class of 2015
Sultzaberger showed a staggering improvement in his pop times from previous events this winter. The 6-0, 195-pound sophomore showed pop times of 2.16-2.22 on throws of 72 mph from the crouch. Offensively he has difficulty squaring pitches on the inner half of the plate due to a lack of hip rotation. He is a very hard worker who should be able to make adjustments in his swing over time to vastly improve his 73 mph bat exit velocity. When he does, he has the physical size and athleticism to be able to hit for average and some power.

Nick Crane, C/OF, Council Rock South HS, Class of 2016
Crane showcased a 74 mph bat exit speed and quick hands during his round of batting practice. The 5-foot-8, 140-pound freshman consistently squared the baseball with his short swing and lined baseballs to all fields. Defensively, Crane showcased 2.45-2.55 pop times on throws of 63 mph out of the crouch.

Mark Anthony, C/SS, Cocalico HS, Class of 2015
Anthony is a 5-foot-10, 185-pound backstop who showed 2.29-2.36 pop times on throws of 66 mph from the crouch. Offensively he showcased a 73 mph bat exit velocity but also a tendency to be a bit long to the baseball. With some minor adjustments to his swing, Anthony would see a jump in exit velocity and a more consistent swing plane to the baseball.

Mason McKinley, C/OF, Garden Spot HS, Class of 2016
McKinley showed well and made improvements in nearly every measureable category since we saw him a month ago. The 5-foot-7, 140-pound freshman showcased a bat exit speed of 71 mph and improved his pop times dramatically at 2.28-2.35 on throws of 68 mph out of the crouch.

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