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By Jerry Shank
Maryland / Virginia Scouting Director

The Freshmen Free Showcase was held on Saturday, January 21 at Athletic Performance Inc in Gambrills, MD. The event was for Freshmen only and featured players from across the state. We began the evaluation process with our Stats Story and Early Thoughts.

Today we break down video from the event with the catcher analysis.

Top Performers

Jack Bulger C DeMatha 2020
Strong athletic frame at 5-foot-11, 195-pounds. An explosive hitting catching prospect that should be a top player in the state throughout his high school career. Ran a 4.24 home to first. Hits from an athletic, slightly open setup. Short rock-back load with swagger. Good rhythm throughout. Creates explosive bat speed with pull side power. Gets nice extension through contact. Exit velocity of 103 mph. Somewhat stiff while receiving, should continue to get more comfortable and then his natural athleticism will take over. Quick feet and hands on exchange in pop throws. Fast release and carry on throws. Catcher velocity of 76 mph with a pop time that ranged from 1.88 - 1.97.

Haden Hoff C Westminster 2020
Athletic frame at 5-foot-9, 165-pounds. Interesting young prospect with athleticism. Ran a 4.07 home to first. Hits from a square athletic set up. Short load at the plate. Quick hands with level path and shows some bat speed. Pull type hitter would like to see better extension through contact. Potential and nice foundation as a hitter. Exit velocity of 81 mph. Quiet receiver behind dish. Sticks balls well. Athletic feet and quick exchange from behind. Catcher velo of 66 mph with pop ranging from 2.00 - 2.07. Outfield velocity of 78 mph.

Best of the rest

Antonio Barranca 3B/C Calvert Hall 2020
Lanky, projectable frame at 6-foot-2, 200-pounds. Ran a 4.1 home to first. Hits from a taller, slightly closed set up. Smooth weight transfer back in load. Level Swing path with average bat speed. Like to see more extension through contact. Exit velocity of 81 mph. Receives from a higher wide set up. Nice hip control. Showed nice footwork on pops with a clean exchange and short arm action. Catcher velocity of 75 with a pop that ranged from 2.12-2.19.

Howard Fishman C Whitman 2020
Athletic frame at 5-foot-8, 150-pounds. Ran a 4.42 home to first. Switch hitter with a quick load to hitting position. Slightly uphill path and collapses on back side left handed. Right handed similar swing path, keeps a stronger backside. Quick hands with average balance. Shows pull side power potential from left side as he develops. Exit velocity of 70 mph. Average hands receiving, Sound footwork behind plate and short arm action. Catcher velo of 65 mph with a pop ranging from 2.15 - 2.19.

Jackson Halla C St. Mary's 2020
Projectable frame at 5-foot-9, 140-pounds. Ran a 4.26 home to first. Hits from a taller setup. Transfers weight back in load. Barred arm with level swing path. Quick hands with pull type swing. Could get some more extension. Strong base and has good foundation at the plate. Exit velocity of 79 mph. Atheltic set up behind plate. Good body control, Soft hands. Very comfortable behind plate. Clean exchange, clean footwork. Catcher velo of 66 mph with a pop ranging from 2.21 - 2.34.

Parker Harris C Indian Creek 2020
Athletic frame at 5-foot-11, 150-pounds. Ran a 4.61 home to first. Hits from an athletic open set up. Short load with slightly uphill swing path looking to drive the ball. Gets some extension through contact. Average rhythm and balance throughout. Exit velo of 71 mph. Quiet receiver. Sound footwork and exchange, could lower time with more fluid exchange. Catcher velo of 66 mph with pop ranging from 2.28 - 2.34.

Tyler Leach C CM Wright 2020
Projectable body at 5-foot-10, 175-pounds. Ran a 4.58 home to first.Hits from a slightly open, athletic set up. Shorter, smooth load to hitting position. Quick hands with some bat speed at the plate. Shows nice balance and some rhythm throughout. Nice foundation as a hitter and should develop into a nice gap-to-gap type hitter. Exit velocity of 81 mph. Low set up and sticks ball well behind plate. Quick feet on pops with a sound exchange. Catcher velo of 69 with pop ranging 2.12 - 2.27.

Sam Merchant C St. Mary's 2020
Compact frame a t 5-foot-6, 115-pounds. Ran a 4.28 home to first. Hits from an atheltic set up with high hands. Lowers hands in shorter load. Level swing path with average bat speed. Average balance throughout. Exit velocity of 77 mph. Nice body control behind plate with higher setup. Sticks ball well and nice lateral movement. Clean exchange and footwork on pops. Catcher velo of 67 mph with pop ranging from 2.12 - 2.25.

More Event Evals