Far North Preseason ID Catchers
February 10, 2020
New Episode LIVE now! - At The Yard Podcast
CHICO, CA - We made a trip up to California's Far North region on 2/1/20, one of our January stops on the road to the California State Games. The event had a roster of nearly 40 players in attendance. As per usual, the players were put through a pro-style workout that included the 60-yard sprint, a round of batting practice, defensive workouts at respective positions, and concluded with bullpen sessions for pitchers.
Most of the players were attending their first ever PBR California event, giving us a first look at these players in a showcase setting. Some we had seen in previous game action and a couple we had seen in other PBR events, as well at the Area Code tryouts last summer.
We've previously posted our Quick Hits and Stats piece and today we look at the catchers (listed alphabetically and those not listed in Quick Hits). Click on the player's name for access to his full profile, including all reports and videos we have for that player.
CATCHERS
Reed Alexander
Class of 2022 / C
Player Information
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Graduating Class: 2022
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Primary Position: CSecondary Position: 1B
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High School: CorningState: CA
- Summer Team: Chico Aces Red
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Height: 5-11Weight: 200lbs
- Bat/Throw: R/R
Statistics
![Trackman](/images/stat_logos/trackman.png)
![Blast](/images/stat_logos/blast.png)
Scouting Report
Fletcher Bottke
Class of 2021 / C
Player Information
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Graduating Class: 2021
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Primary Position: CSecondary Position: 1B
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High School: Red BluffState: CA
- Summer Team: Chico Thunder
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Height: 6-2Weight: 180lbs
- Bat/Throw: R/R
Statistics
Scouting Report
Body: 6-foot-2, 180-pounds. Muscular & well-proportioned
Hit: RHH. Athletic set-up, wide feet w/slight pinch of knees, slight knee lift, sizable stride w/some give of the stride knee. Slight hitch, handsy swing w/some loft, fair balance w/some moving parts, avg bat speed w/hints of pull-side power
Power: 71 mph EV off tee
Arm: RH. C - 69; 1B - 71 - Accurate on line throws lack carry but were on the bag
Defense: 2.25-2.31 Pop-times - Calm footwork that was consistent on pops, can be more efficient w/exchange, somewhat tall set-up as receiver w/somewhat narrow feet, drops left knee upon receiving, soft glove as 1B while working below the ball
Run: 7.69 60-yard
Zane Denton
Class of 2023 / C
Player Information
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Graduating Class: 2023
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Primary Position: CSecondary Position: OF
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High School: Las PlumasState: CA
- Summer Team: Chico Aces
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Height: 5-10Weight: 190lbs
- Bat/Throw: R/R
Statistics
![Trackman](/images/stat_logos/trackman.png)
![Blast](/images/stat_logos/blast.png)
Swift
Scouting Report
Body: 5-foot-9, 155-pounds. Lean, average athletic build
Hit: RHH. Balanced athletic set-up w/slight crouch, slight knee lift prior to short stride, upper body rotational swing w/strong top hand finish, loose swing w/bat speed, pull-side approach
Power: 75 mph EV off tee
Arm: RH. C - 72 - Inconsistent accuracy w/glimpses of carry & arm potential
Defense: 2.12-2.19 Pop-times - Calm footwork w/not much explosion out of crouch, narrow wet-up w/knees slightly outside the feet, sits a bit deep w/hunch & fairly angled thighs, showed good receiving hands
Run: 7.65 60-yard
Nathaniel Hurley
Class of 2023 / C
Player Information
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Graduating Class: 2023
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Primary Position: CSecondary Position: OF
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High School: Rio LindaState: CA
- Summer Team: Nor Cal Ballers
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Height: 5-10Weight: 133lbs
- Bat/Throw: R/R
Statistics
Scouting Report
Body: 5-foot-10, 133-pounds. Young body w/lanky proportions, high waist, long arms
Hit: RHH. Tall relaxed set-up, starts slightly open, rhythmic small stride w/minimal leg lift, stride foot rollover, deep load w/some arm bar, loose hands, slashing swing, pull approach, somewhat in/out of zone
Power: 67 mph EV off tee
Arm: RH. C - 68 - Lacked carry to the bag on most throws
Defense: 2.24-2.29 Pop-times - Stable base in set-up, stood tall out of crouch which sapped ability to drive the ball, a bit high in set-up in C/T drill, calm/relaxed receiver, soft hands, easy L/R shift
Run: 7.47 60-yard
Nolan LaRiviere
Class of 2021 / C
Player Information
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Graduating Class: 2021
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Primary Position: CSecondary Position: 3B
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High School: Scotts Valley High SchoolState: CA
- Summer Team: Hardtke Baseball Aces
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Height: 6-0Weight: 190lbs
- Bat/Throw: R/R
Statistics
Scouting Report
Body: 6-foot-0, 175-pounds. Size and muscle projectable type body
Hit: RHH. Tall set-up, starts w/high hands, knee lift with controlled longer stride, some tip of upper body w/full shoulder rotation, full finish through contact, average bat speed w/some strength
Power: 86 mph EV off tee
Arm: RH. C - 76 - Occasional tail/sink on throws, exits hand well w/somewhat slingy arm slot
Defense: 2.07-2.15 Pop-times - Flashed on-the-bag throwing ability, relaxed set-up, avg bounce out of crouch, sits in the squat, soft hands, willing blocker, good subtle framing technique
Run: 7.62 60-yard
Asa Martinez
Class of 2023 / C
Player Information
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Graduating Class: 2023
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Primary Position: CSecondary Position: SS
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High School: Del OroState: CA
- Summer Team: NorCal
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Height: 5-11Weight: 180lbs
- Bat/Throw: R/R
Statistics
Scouting Report
Body: 5-foot-9, 155-pounds. Compact athletic build w/some upper body strength
Hit: RHH. Tall athletic set-up, creates lots of rhythm, long stride w/hips traveling forward, aggressive swing w/some loft & hints of future power, arm bar creates some length, good bat speed, lots barrel in BP round which was better than what EV station showed
Power: 84 mph EV off tee
Arm: RH. C - 71 - Fairly loose/quick arm, throws high or carried to bag, should gain more velo
Defense: 2.19-2.24 Pop-times - High set-up for C/T & receive, narrow knees, fairly light & athletic feet, gains ground w/feet on pops which slows down the pop time a bit
Run: 7.47 60-yard
Justin Matsui
Class of 2021 / C
Player Information
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Graduating Class: 2021
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Primary Position: CSecondary Position: 2B
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High School: Sutter UnionState: CA
- Summer Team: Chico Aces
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Height: 5-7Weight: 150lbs
- Bat/Throw: R/R
Statistics
Scouting Report
Body: 5-foot-7, 150-pounds. Lean athletic & proportionate build
Hit: RHH. Athletic crouch set-up, high hand set, good set-up, toe tap stride, creates rhythm & good timing, clean hand path, works inside ball, balanced throughout the swing, sees it early
Power: 75 mph EV off tee
Arm: RH. C - 69; INF - 69 - Accurate throws to 2nd, some carry, clean arm stroke
Defense: 2.22-2.29 Pop-times - High set-up for C/T w/cocked feet, gains ground to get throw off though has light feet, at times sits deep as receiver & other times much more athletic, willing blocker with soft hands, light bouncy INF feet, sure hands, good to backhand, solid 2B type
Run: 7.37 60-yard
J-P Smith II
Class of 2022 / C
Player Information
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Graduating Class: 2022
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Primary Position: CSecondary Position: 3B
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High School: Granite BayState: CA
- Summer Team: Admirals
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Height: 6-1Weight: 230lbs
- Bat/Throw: R/R
Statistics
![Trackman](/images/stat_logos/trackman.png)
![Blast](/images/stat_logos/blast.png)
Scouting Report
Body: 6-foot-0, 190-pounds. Thick body type w/some present strength, broad shouldered
Hit: RHH. Tall relaxed set-up, slightly open, easy soft stride w/some hip drift, stayed balanced, high hand/elbow set w/slight barrel tilt, short to the ball w/powerful extension through contact, chance for real power
Power: 84 mph EV off tee
Arm: RH. C - 71; 3B - 79 - Showed what C arm can be when at 3B, quick arm stroke, it's in there
Defense: 1.91-2.02 Pop-times - Sets up to throw w/left foot significantly forward which helped lower the pops, fairly light and agile feet, soft & strong receiving hands (big hands), strong stable base though sets up high, to and through ball well at 3B, athletic young big man at 3rd base
Run: 7.78 60-yard
Taylor Wake
Class of 2021 / C
Player Information
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Graduating Class: 2021
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Primary Position: CSecondary Position: RHP
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High School: RocklinState: CA
- Summer Team: Rocklin High School
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Height: 6-1Weight: 160lbs
- Bat/Throw: R/R
Statistics
Scouting Report
Body: 6-foot-1, 160-pounds. Lean and lithe w/streamlined athletic body type
Hit: RHH. Athletic crouch, good timing w/feet, small stride slightly closes off, good hip rotation, quick bat, flat stroke, stays behind ball, line drive hitter w/ability to spray around
Power: 76 mph EV off tee
Arm: RH. C - 71 - Quick arm w/accurate throws, slight tail at the bag
Defense: 2.16-2.22 Pop-times - Quick out of the crouch w/light feet, good footwork keeping on-line stride, sets up w/deep backside & steep thigh angle, has and uses athleticism behind plate, willing & agile blocker, soft hands, occasionally lets ball carry the glove
Run: 6.88 60-yard
UPCOMING EVENTS
SHOWCASE | STATE | DATE | LOCATION |
Winter Update Series powered by EM Sports | CA | 02/10 | EM Sports - Rancho Cucamonga |
Norcal Underclass Games (INVITE ONLY) | CA | 06/06 | Islanders Field - Lathrop |
SoCal Underclass Games (INVITE ONLY) | CA | 06/13 | Hart Park |
SoCal ProCase | CA | 06/14 | Hart Park |
2020 PBR Future Games (California Invite) | CA | 07/29 | LakePoint Sports |
RELATED TOPICS
- CA Update to the Class of 2027 Player Rankings 9/11/24
- CA Update to the Class of 2026 Player Rankings 9/04/24
- CA Uncommitted Spotlight: '26 OF Will Suslow 8/29/24
- CA Class of 2025 Player Rankings Updated 8/28/24
- CA Uncommitted Spotlight: '26 OF Royce McKenzie 8/27/24
- CA Uncommitted Spotlight: '26 C Derrick Robertson 8/26/24
- CA Future Games Spotlight: RHP Dustin Dunwoody 8/22/24
- CA CA State Games: TrackMan Pitching Leaderboards 8/22/24
- CA Uncommitted Spotlight: '26 INF Greyson Gullage 8/21/24
- CA CA State Games: TrackMan Hitting Leaderboards 8/21/24
Hit: RHH. Tall set-up, minimal to no leg lift, no stride, quiet hand load, quiet head. Short bat path, swings easy, accelerates through contact, quick bat speed, oppo approach. Strength shows up.
Power: 86 mph EV off tee
Arm: RH. C - 73; 1B - 75 - On line throws, inconsistent carry
Defense: 2.13-2.19 Pop-times - Quiet feet in exchange, clean transfer, fairly efficient mechanics behind plate, can improve timing of hands/feet. Calm actions at 1B, soft hands w/glove skills
Run: 7.78 60-yard