Norcal Academic Game: Catcher Reports

MENLO COLLEGE - ATHERTON, CALIF. - Our last event of 2021, the Northern CA Academic Game was tailored to student-athletes with strong academics and exposure to schools (big and small) that are also of a strong academic nature.

In addition to the traditional showcase (60 yard run, BP round, defensive workouts), the pitchers competed in live game action where their data was gathered, and each position player had three at-bats during the game they played in.

(Note: All showcase videos have been edited and added to the players' profiles)

CLICK HERE FOR SORTABLE PLAYER STATISTICS INCLUDING TRACKMAN AND BLAST MOTION DATA

LISTED IN ORDER OF MAX THROWING MPH DURING THE WORKOUT SESSION

Lucas Marlowe, California (CA), 2022
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-10, 190-pounds. Burly physical body with strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Tall stance, medium width feet, even depth in box, calm high hands with tall relaxed barrel, powerful load with medium depth, long stride. Game ABs - 2B, E5, F7+; Physical swing, starts with separation and maintains through swing, mauled higher pitches out front of plate, ability to drive the ball with power to all fields.
Power: 95.6 max exit velocity, 85.8 EV avg, 35.3 hard hit %, 22.7 max hand speed, 74 max bat speed.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Short quick arm action, exits with some force, generally around the bag giving MIF a chance to make a play.
Defense: 2.04-2.17 pop times. Strong hands, blocks well, quick exchange, physical strength in legs plays well for stability and balance and ability to receive and frame with strength and finesse.
Run: 7.77 runner in the 60.

Nick Shaffer, Del Oro (CA), 2023
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-11, 170-pounds. Athletic body type with lean strength, room in upper body frame for size gains.
Hit: RHH. Open stance, balanced weight in a crouch, stacked with hands starting back ofer back knee, medium depth load, small toe touch out to small stride. Strong top hand usage in swing, pronounced weight shift over back side, creates steep attack angle to ball while showing swing plane consistency.
Power: 88.5 max exit velocity, 20.2 hand speed max, 68.5 bat speed max, 66% on-plane efficiency.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Quick arm, throws had inconsistent carry, kept throws low.
Defense: 2.05-2.18 pop times. Athletic receiver with agility and athleticism, high level receiver and worker, worked well with pitchers, blocks at high level, strongest part of his game are his catcher skills.
Run: 7.25 runner in the 60.

Ryan McCabe, Granite Bay (CA), 2023
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-10, 160-pounds. Average size on athletically proportioned body, some shoulder width and lean strength.
Hit: RHH. Wide feet slightly closed, balanced in slight crouch, high hands with tilted barrel, deeper load. Fairly flat to ball with on-plane move upward through contact that generated fly ball heavy BP round, generally able to get inside, maintains balance, handsy stroke.
Power: 87.4 max exit velocity, 21.3 max hand speed, 62.4 max bat speed, 74.9% on-plane efficiency avg.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Gets hand high over head with higher elbow, got air under ball on way to bag, kept throws on the 1B side of the bag allowing MIF chance for tag.
Defense: 2.18-2.26 pop times. Quiet efficient footwork, plays the position with balance and coordination, feet get him in position to throw with what can be above accuracy.
Run: 8.09 runner in the 60.

Charlie Happ, Burlingame (CA), 2023
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-9, 155-pounds. Athletically proportioned, average size frame, has some lean muscle.
Hit: RHH. Tall stance deep in box, narrow feet start open, high hands, Evan Longoria type set-up, lifts to pinched knees to get behind the pitch, small load of hands. Flat swing, aggressive through contact, full swing finish, generates bat speed from his lower half and core, swings with intent though can develop more barrel control.
Power: 88.3 max exit velocity, 84 EV avg, 100 sweet spot %, 60% line drives, 18.2 max hand speed, 65.4 max bat speed.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. Slingshot type arm action, gets rid of ball quickly, somewhat unorthodox technique but showed consistent accuracy.
Defense: 2.06-2.14 pop times. Plays position with energy, bounces out of crouch well, footwork in C/T was clean, presence and work effort to give pitchers confidence to make their pitches, quality receiver and blocker.
Run: 7.96 runner in the 60.

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