Norcal Underclass ID: Catcher Analysis

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LATHROP, CALIF. - The Northern California Underclass ID event took place at Islanders Field at River Islands on the morning of 10/10/20. There were 43 players in attendance, nine of whom strapped on the gear and showed off their tools.

TrackMan and Blast Motion were utilized during their batting practice round to gather data on exit velocity, hand speed, bat speed, rotational acceleration, fly ball %, on plane efficiency, and many other data points.

We are completing our roll out of the reports on the underclassmen this week, with one to two positions released each day. Underclass outfielders were also posted today.

Here are the completed reports for the upperclass pitchers, catchers, outfielders, 3rd basemen, and shortstops, as well as underclass pitchers.

(Click to individual player profiles for full stats and video)

Listed in order of peak velocity on their pop throws:

Matthew Cormier, Castro Valley (CA), 2023
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-11, 169-pounds. Sturdy base, medium overall build with room to grow.
Hit: RHH. Neutral set up with quick load and go, upward barrel path that produces some loft.  
Power: Topped 82 MPH Exit Velo via Trackman in BP. Power will come with added lean mass.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. INF - 76 mph. Short and compact arm action behind the plate that topped at 73 MPH during defensive workout.
Defense: 2.15-2.29 pop times. Moved around with some quickness behind the plate fielding bunts as well as in the infield during the defensive workout.
Run: 7.94 runner in the 60.

Colin Huston, Rocklin (CA), 2023
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-2, 186-pounds. Sturdy base, solid frame, projectable
Hit: RHH. Wide base with a neutral start at the plate. Small leg lift and flat barrel path through the zone. 
Power: Topped 90 MPH Exit Velo via Trackman in BP. Some pull-side power that will increase with added lean mass.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Short arm action from behind the plate that produced 72 MPH during defensive workout.
Defense: 2.00-2.18 pop times. Wide base, clean catch and throw skills and moved well to both sides laterally.
Run: 8.31 runner in the 60.

Luke Shane, Branson (CA), 2023
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-9, 150-pounds. Athletic build, even throughout, room to put on mass.
Hit: RHH. Compact to start, preset into back hip with a small leg kick to initiate the swing. 
Power: Topped 91 MPH Exit Velo via Trackman in BP. Power will come with development + added mass.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. INF - 78 mph. Short and compact arm action that produced 79 MPH across the diamond and 72 MPH from behind the plate.
Defense: 2.31-2.41 pop times. Showcased clean footwork in the IF and behind the plate, will need to improve quickness at the next level.
Run: 8.04 runner in the 60.

Andrew Habas, Acalanes (CA), 2023
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-10, 155-pounds. Athletic, medium build, room to grow.
Hit: RHH. Slightly open to start with a small leg lift and upward barrel path through the zone.
Power: Topped 86 MPH Exit Velo via Trackman in BP. Increased power will come with added lean mass.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. Short and compact arm action behind the plate that topped 71 MPH during the defensive workout.
Defense: 2.24-2.33 pop times. Wide base behind the plate, moved around well during both block and recovers and bunt drills.
Run: 7.04 runner in the 60.

Cameron Valentine, Mountain House (CA), 2023
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-9, 145-pounds. Proportional with room to fill out in all areas.
Hit: RHH. Neutral start, hands held tight to body, quiet load and go.
Power: Topped 82 MPH Exit Velocity via Trackman in BP. Power will come with added mass.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. Short, clean arm action behind the plate that was 75 MPH during defensive workout.
Defense: 2.04-2.19 pop times. Moved around with quickness behind the plate, showed well during block and recovers.
Run: 7.61 runner in the 60.

Benjamin Kim, Archbishop Mitty (CA), 2023
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-9, 145-pounds. Wiry, athletic, room to fill out.
Hit: RHH. Even stance with a small leg kick load. Hands work in sync to create tension.
Power: Topped 86 MPH Exit Velo via Trackman in BP. Power will come with mass.
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. INF - 76 mph. Topped out at 76 MPH from the IF and 70 MPH from the OF, shorter arm action behind the plate than in the IF.
Defense: 2.07-2.28 pop times. Wide base behind the plate, moved with quickness both in the IF and at C during defensive workout.
Run: 7.09 runner in the 60.

Andre Medina, Rancho San Juan (CA), 2024
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-8, 148-pounds. Smaller frame, proportional throughout, room and time to fill out physically.
Hit: RHH. Even stance with a small leg lift and hand hitch when initiating the swing.
Power: Topped 85 MPH Exit Velo via Trackman in BP. Power will come with added mass.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. Short and clean arm action behind the plate that topped 69 MPH.
Defense: 2.22-2.35 pop times. Fluid actions during the defensive workout, fielded bunts well and had quality transfer skills.
Run: 7.68 runner in the 60.

Derek Waldvogel, Serra (CA), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/C
Body: 6-2, 190-pounds. Sturdy build, proportional with some visible strength.
Hit: RHH. Even stance, quiet head and load, quick barrel.
Power: Topped 90 MPH Exit Velo via Trackman in BP. Power will come with development + increased strength.
Arm: RH. C - 65 mph. OF - 79 mph. Short and compact arm action both in the OF and behind the plate.
Defense: 2.18-2.29 pop times. Fielded balls in rhythm due to quality footwork.
Run: 7.61 runner in the 60.

Gilbert Acosta, Kerman (CA), 2024
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-11, 210-pounds. Thicker build, sturdy base, room to add lean mass.
Hit: LHH. Small leg kick timing mechanism with an upward barrel path to the ball.
Power: Topped 85 MPH Exit Velo via Trackman in BP, power will come with increased lean mass.
Arm: RH. C - 65 mph. Short, clean arm action that topped out  at 65 MPH during the defensive workout.
Defense: 2.13-2.31 pop times. Wide base behind the plate with quick catch and throw skills.
Run: 7.85 runner in the 60.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE	STATE	DATE	LOCATION
NorCal ProCase Preview (2022)	CA	11/14	Islanders Field - Lathrop
NorCal Rising Stars (2024/2025)	CA	11/15	Islanders Field - Lathrop

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