Houston Underclass Trials: Catchers Analysis

June 12, 2017

By Toby Bicknell
Texas Scouting Director

The Houston Underclass Trials took place on Sunday, May 21 at Alvin Junior College. The event was open to all 2019, 2020, and 2021 high school graduates. Here is the breakdown of all the catchers that attended the event.

Top Performers

Christopher Wattinger C / 3B / Bridgeland, TX / 2020

The 5-foot-9, 145-pound Wattinger, has a still developing frame and a young face, but the freshman has elite receiving skills for his class, while his pop times ranged from 1.97-2.08 with a clean exchange and accuracy. The right-handed hitter has a balanced setup, easy rhythm with a leg kick into a short stride, flat swing and easy hand path as he finishes the barrel. Wattinger took one of the better rounds of batting practice, driving the ball through the middle of the field with the ability to back-spin the baseball to the backside of the field. On the infield, he handles the ball in the midline of his body and throws with accuracy at 77 mph. With Wattingers fundamentals and all around feel for the game, look for big things from him in the future.

Rhett Trlicek 2B / C / Hallettsville, TX / 2019

The 5-foot-8, 170-pound sophomore flashed pop times of 1.97-2.05-seconds with a velocity of 78 mph. On the infield, he took good angles with fluid footwork, and can field and throw on the run with clean arm action and quick transfers at 81 mph across the diamond. The right-handed hitter has an open stance, gets started with a big leg-kick and showed some pop to the pull side with extension through contact. He has a short hand path, barrel awareness and the ability to throw the head. Ran a 7.31 60-yard dash. With his ability to play multiple positions and hit, look for Trlicek to garner the attention of college coaches.

BEST OF THE REST (Alphabetical)

Jackson Allen C / RHP / Allen Academy, TX / 2019

6-foot, 185-pound frame. The right-hander works from a high slot with a long arm swing. His fastball ranged from 71-75 mph. His slider has 11-5 shape at 69-70 mph. His changeup was 68-69 mph. Allen, a two-way player and right-handed hitter, has a tall, slightly open stance. He rocks back slightly to load his body back to square, lifting his hands and taking a short stride. Contact approach with topspin from the middle-to-pull side of the field. At first base he threw 72 mph to second base. Behind the plate his pop times were 2.25-2.36, with 69 mph velocity. His exit velocity was 76 mph off the tee.

Antonio Massengill C / 3B / Westwood, TX / 2020

5-foot-9, 160-pound frame. The right-handed hitter starts from a tall, slightly open stance. Slight toe-tap to load up and land square with a short stride. Loose finish of the barrel through contact, exit velocity of 78 mph off the tee. Relaxed rhythm on throws to second base with a side-saddle stance. Pop times were 2.25-2.31 at 66 mph.

Blake Miles C / 1B / Round Rock, TX / 2020

6-foot, 165-pound, long-limbed frame. The right-handed hitter starts from a tall, open stance, uses a short stride and smooth load to move his hands back and land with balance. Direct hand path gets the barrel extended through contact on a flat plane with a middle of the field approach and the ability to transfer his weight. Exit velocity of 78 mph. Behind the plate, Miles threw 67 mph to second base with a pop time of 2.25-2.3. Stiff hips during setup and staggered footwork to throw. Ran a 7.75 60-yard dash.

Caleb Spencer OF / C / Deer Park, TX / 2019

6-foot, 150-pound, long-limbed frame. The right handed hitter starts from an open stance with a front arm bar and the bat angled back toward the mound. He loads with an early gather back into a knee-to-knee rhythm, long stride with good lower half weight transfer through contact. Fair balance and bat speed with good extension through contact. Made hard contact to the pull side with an exit velocity of 78 mph off the tee. In the outfield, Spencer plays through the ball with rhythm and quick exchange, throwing 84 mph. Behind the plate, his pop times were 2.13-2.26 with a max velocity of 71 mph.

Texas news