Florida ProCase: Catcher Analysis

May 30, 2016

By Justin Burgess
Florida Scouting Director

This year’s Florida ProCase at IMG Academy included dozens of the top prospects in the 2017 class in Florida. Last week, the Pitcher Analysis and Outfield Analysis were released and broke down the quality arms and many of the top bats that were on display at this event. Yesterday, the Infield Analysis was released and that articled took an in depth look at some of the best gloves and bats in the state.

Today’s analysis will be of the catchers and will examine some of the pro-level tools that were on display. All of the catchers will stay behind the dish at the next level and only one of them was uncommitted at this event. Frank Niemann had a solid performance at the ProCase and showed why he is arguably the top uncommitted catcher in the state.

Here is an in-depth look at the infielders, listed alphabetically:

Austin Bates, C, IMG Academy (2017)
North Carolina commit who stands at 5-foot-11, 165 pounds with a lean and athletic body on a medium-sized frame. Bates is ranked 38th in Florida and 108th overall. He has advanced actions behind the plate with a quick transfer, short, over the top arm action, and a quick release. His throws are on line and accurate at 80 mph down to second. He threw a 1.87-1.94 to second. Offensively, he does not get much of a load but he has a short, quick swing and flat bat path through the zone. He has good balance and stays gap to gap. He is a gamer and plays hard. Bates may have the best catching actions and instincts in the state.

Sam McMillan, C, Suwannee HS (2017)
Florida commit who stands at 6-foot, 190 pounds with a strong and athletic frame with strong legs. He is ranked 36th in Florida and 105th overall. He runs well for a catcher (7.04) and he has an advanced approach at the plate. He is relaxed, has an open stance, and gets a separation for his load. He has an easy swing with a nice path through the zone and he uses his lower half well. He has pull-side home run power and he hit a 96 mph line drive up the middle in the game. He has a short, loose, over the top arm action and a strong throwing arm. He threw a 1.97-2.05 down to second and showed advanced footwork and a quick transfer.

Jake Molle, C, University Orange City HS (2017)
Central Florida commit who stands at 6-foot-2, 210 pounds with a strong, stalky, and physical body on a large frame. He also is pretty athletic for his size and body type. He is ranked 76th in Florida and 244th overall. He had the strongest arm out of all the catchers at the event as his throws seemed to have late life on them. He also has a very quick transfer and release as evidenced by his 1.85 pop time—the quickest at the event. Offensively, he has an upright stance and gets a small separation for his load. He does not use much lower half but he has a short, quick swing and very strong wrists. He is able to drive the ball with authority to both gaps and would have some serious power if he learned to use more of his lower half.

Frank Niemann, C, Lake Mary HS (2017)
Uncommitted junior who stands at 6-foot, 200 pounds with a strong and stalky frame with a wide back and athleticism. He is ranked 83rd in Florida and is one of the top uncommitted catchers in the class. He has gradually improved over the last year as his 60 has now dropped to a 7.44, his pop time is consistently in the 2.00-2.10 range, and his bat (his best tool) is as good as ever. Behind the plate his transfer and release are very quick and he has a short, over the top arm action. His throws are online and accurate and he has enough arm to stay behind the plate. Offensively, he has a strong base, some rhythm, and uses his lower half well. He gets a small separation for his load and he has a nice swing plane through the zone. He has an easy swing and possesses gap power. Niemann should not be uncommitted for much longer.