LA Open: Catchers Analysis

10/20/18 - Los Angeles Open - Clift was arguably at the top of what was a loaded catching group at the event. If the present power in his bat didn't get you excited then his skills behind the plate sure did. As a catcher Clift is quick and instinctive showing the ability to beat the ball to the point both with the glove and when blocking balls in the dirt. Clift shows big time power at the plate and seems to have it all working at the right time. Clift shows present above average bat speed and uses his strong, physical frame to drive balls to all fields with power. Has present pull side over-the-fence power with projectable power to the gaps. Hit two home runs during BP with one of them landing on the shed about 60 feet beyond left-center-field wall. Uses a wide base with high hands setup before a leg lift triggers the swing where his fast hands and plus barrel control whip through the zone. Consistently got the barrel on the ball showing his feel for hitting. At 5-foot-11, 200-pounds, Clift has a strong, durable frame to withstand the rigors of the position.

10/20/18 - Los Angeles Open - Brady showed advanced actions behind the plate where his quiet, balanced setup allows him to get to pitches without giving away the location. Maintains weight evenly down the middle of his body. Shows excellent catch-and-throw with a clean exchange and a fluid release. Popped 1.96-2.01 range with his misses just slight up the second base line. Showed quick recovery skills on balls in the dirt. At the plate he showed a wide, open stance and above average bat speed that resulted in loud, hard contact throughout his round. Consistently squared balls up to the gaps on a line from a middle approach. Uses a high leg kick for timing and incorporates the lower half into the swing well. Body works in synchronicity. Swing is easy with projectable developing power on his five-foot-11, 165-pound frame.

10/20/18 - Los Angeles Open - Kay is showing impressive physical growth since we last saw him at the SoCal Underclass Games. His body is beginning to fill out with strength from the top down. As a result of the added strength Kay is showing more explosion at the plate where his smooth, short path to the ball generated line drives to all fields. He continues to do an excellent job with the lower half in his swing as his short stride and quick hips allow him to generate torque and clearance for his barrel path. Defensively Kay continues to be one of the most sound catchers we've seen this year. His is arm is getting stronger but the accuracy remains. He popped in the 1.97-2.04 range on the day with all throws on the bag. He shows average quickness behind the plate, but his ability to block and recover, along with his big arm makeup for any quickness issues.

10/20/18 - Los Angeles Open - Ochoa was a jack-of-all-trades guy in terms of consistent performances. The junior showed some raw tools at the plate where his swing flashes explosiveness and present strength. When he stayed on the ball through extension there was obvious power. Showed a calm, easy setup that was balanced through contact. Sprayed balls to all field on a line. Behind the plate he shows a quiet setup with soft hands and excellent block-and-recover skills. He's quick behind the plate while his arm is strong and accurate - popped 1.99-2.08. Frames well without giving up pitches while providing a large target. At shortstop his athleticism really shows in his range and athletic movements. He's a bit raw at the nuances of the position but has plenty of ability to develop there. His arm plays now as does the range and the soft hands. With continued development there Ochoa has a chance to be a very good next level middle infielder.

10/20/18 - Los Angeles Open - was a one of the standouts in a loaded group of catchers on the day given his projection at the plate and his present skillset behind it. Defensively Park showed a quiet setup with a wide, balanced base. He provides a large target thanks in part to his strong, squared shoulders. Frames and receives well with soft, forgiving hands. Doesn't give pitches away due to his actions. Shows good instincts and recovery on balls in the dirt. At the plate Park shows very good feel for the barrel and projectable power. Drove one pitch over the netting in left-center-field on a line and in a hurry. Shows a middle-middle approach with the ability to turn and barrel pitches on the inner half. Starts slightly crouched and open before using a short leg stride and kick trigger to get going. Stays inside the ball with quick hands and gets extension post contact. At 6-foot-2, 195-pounds, Park has some projection left physically as his frame looks like it can handle more mass/strength.

10/20/18 - Los Angeles Open - Five-foot-10, 190-pounds, large, physical frame with strong, defined lower half with developing upper body strength where his present strength runs from the shoulders down to the wrists. At the plate Maloney uses fast hands and present barrel control to get his barrel on plane and through the zone consistently and quickly. Excellent use of the lower half where he shows loose hips. At times comes off path, generally on the high side. Defensively Maloney receives with soft hands and shows a big arm (74 mph) with pop times in the 2.01-2.11 range. Accuracy was consistently on the bag with one wavering towards third base. Loose, quick hips defensively with quickness out of the crouch and through the throw.

10/20/18 - Los Angeles Open - Five-foot-6, 145-pounds, lean, wiry strong frame. Noticeable strength through the lower half. The sophomore stood out from the outset of the event when he ran a solid 7.39 60 yard dash on the damp outfield grass good for the second best time among the catchers group. He carried that into his batting practice round where he shows a quick bat with a direct-to-the-ball hand path that has some whippy strength at contact. Keeps hands inside the ball showing a knack for getting the barrel on it. Maintains balance throughout swing while staying tall despite a short stride. Defensively Teunissen shows a quick release and a fast, loose arm action. Receives with soft hands. Throws had average accuracy while popping in the 1.96-2.05 range. Shows quickness in getting out of the crouch while maintaining his body control.

10/20/18 - Los Angeles Open - Five-foot-9, 170-pounds, large frame with noticeable strength in a thick lower half while his upper half is certain to catch up. The sophomore possesses present strength as displayed during his loud batting practice round as he was pounding balls to all fields on a line. Starts with a slightly open setup and uses a modest leg lift trigger to initiate a powerful swing. Drives his hands through the zone while exploding his lower half into the swing. Maintains the barrel in the hitting zone a long time. Violence of the swing may cause timing issues. Defensively, Dennis shows solid catching mechanics with loose hips and active, quick feet. Arm is short from catch-to-throw with a release point near the ear. Accuracy was inconsistent while the arm was quick and loose. Pop times were in the 2.01-2.19 range.

10/20/18 - Los Angeles Open - Five-foot-10, 185-pounds, large frame with strength throughout. Strong build. Present power in his overall game. At the plate his strength is noticeable when he gets barrel on the ball. Starts tall with a smooth load and a short stride. Lower half explodes into swing while staying balanced through finish. Finish is abbreviated and seems to cut off some of the power potential. It's almost as if he's steering the ball like a golfer would on a punch shot. Shows the ability to drive balls to all fields with potential over-the-fence power although he is capable of that presently as well. Shows a strong, consistent middle-middle approach with a power pull tendency. Bat speed is explosive while the path is consistent. Sandoval is an athletic catcher who is quick out of his crouch and moves well around the plate. Arm is fair with pop times in the 1.99-2.12 range with some accuracy inconsistencies.

10/20/18 - Los Angeles Open - Five-foot-11, 171-pounds, large, long, lean, wiry strong frame with room for added mass. At the plate he starts with an upright, open stance before a circular leg lift triggers his swing. Hands are fast through the zone where he whips the barrel on a level plane through the ball. Takes left elbow to the ball and explodes his lower half through it. Bat has some sneaky pop in it. Shows a middle-pull approach with the ability to go the other way as well. Consistent barrel contact during his round of batting practice. Registered an 88 mph exit velo off a tee. Defensively he settles in-and-out of his crouch with loose hips and shows fluid footwork when working around the plate. Glove often beats ball to the spot and frames with soft hands while keeping his body quiet. His arm is loose from quick, clean exchanges. Popped in the 1.98-2.09 range with above average accuracy. Footwork was clean on throwdowns.

10/20/18 - Los Angeles Open - Five-foot-7, 145-pounds, medium frame that projects for growth in part due to his long limbs and his large feet. Has some wiry strength through the shoulders into the arm while the chest/core are catching up. Thick from the backside down into the thighs with noticeable strength. The freshman shows loose hips that he uses to sink into his crouch from which he's quick to throwing position after receiving the pitch. Caught the ball on the ''way up" from his crouch resulting in strongest, most accurate throws. Shows athleticism when blocking at the plate with quickness to the ball and the throw. Offensively he shows a tall setup with a short stride/leg kick through the swing. Sets hands and attacks the ball. Shows a knack for backspin and line drive ability presently. Sets and maintains barrel on plane consistently. All around game projects for an uptick with added strength and reps.

10/20/18 - Los Angeles Open - Five-foot-9, 160-pounds, medium frame with thickness and strength throughout. Body is well put together and projects to add more physical strength. At the plate Min shows a short-to-the-ball, fast bath path that resulted in line drives to all fields favoring left-center field. Shows very good bat speed from his fast hands with enough strength to maintain his barrel on a consistent plane without sacrificing power for it. Shows quickness to his overall defensive game. Moves well laterally when blocking and and hops to his feet in ready-to-throw position with proper footwork. Presents a large target with his broad chest spacing of his feet. Arm was mostly accurate - one throw sailed - and popped consistently in the 1.97-2.04 range. On the mound Min shows feel for three pitches from a three-quarter arm slot. His fastball shows some late downer movement which he starts down. Curveball is a gradual breaker with 11/5 break. Min showed excellent command of this pitch during his outing. He shows feel for what he called a knuckleball but moved like a split-change. It was an intriguing pitch given his present command and the movement of the pitch.