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Last Chance Preview: Catching Analysis From Oct. 26th

October 31, 2014

Dan Cevette
Director, New York

The Prep Baseball Report staff has finished their catching reports from Oct. 26th in Setauket NY. Here is an in-depth look at the catchers that attended our Last Chance Showcase. 

Santino Ycaza, C, Brentwood HS, NY (2016)
Ycaza stands 5-foot-9, 170-pounds with a strong lower half. Behind the plate he receives the ball with a big target, soft hands. On his throws to second he uses quick footwork getting in front of the plate, clean fast exchange, throws from an over-the-top slot, fast hand speed at 78 mph, pop times were consistently 1.84-1.92 and accurate. Next level catcher. At the plate he shows a relaxed, athletic setup, slightly open. On the pitch he strides to even, back load, hands fire inside the ball (87 mph exit velocity), short path, barrel stays level through the zone, high finish, needs more extension through the ball. Shows bat speed and power potential, very solid prospect.

Isaiah Spears, C, John Jay Campus, NY (2016)
10/26 - Spears stands 5-foot-7, 195-pounds with a strong lower half. With a closed setup he receives the ball smooth, providing the pitcher with a big target. He made some adjustments from his first event on his throws to second lowering his pop time from a 2.16, to a 2.00 flat. His hand to glove exchange is clean and fast, throws from a high-3/4 slot, 73 mph arm strength, back arm action to his ear. At the plate he uses a wide open approach, weight back. Power his hands inside the ball, evidenced by his improved exit velocity from 81 to an impressive 86 mph off a tee. His path is quck, barrel stays level through the zone, long extension out in front, high finish, gets his back side through the ball, balanced swing. Only getting better.

Michael Onufrak, C, Mattituck HS, NY (2016)
Onufrak stands 6-foot-1, 185-pounds with slender build, room to build. Behind the dish he receives slightly closed, smooth glove. He stays open on his throws, needs to close up hips and step towards target, and should help a lot. He throws from a high-3/4 slot, arm strength 69 mph, pop times consistent at 2.2-2.25 and accurate. With the bat his setup is athletic and tall, feet shoulder length apart. On the pitch he uses a small stride, hands stay inside the ball, barrel stays level through the zone, extension out in front, shoulder height finish. Exit velocity was 77, home to first time 4.97.

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