By Shooter Hunt
National Crosschecker

 

This week, On the Hunt, breaks down some of the impressive position players from around the country that have been making a name for themselves on the PBR circuit this winter. In the mix of seven players are three 2020 catchers with advanced defensive skills to go long with quick, strong hands at the plate. Alongside side the catchers are four athletic outfielders who project to have a major impact at the next level. States represented in the mix are Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

 

Jack Bulger, C, Dematha HS, MD, 2020
Bulger already possesses raw, “grown man” strength in his 5-foot-11, 195-pound frame. Though just a freshman, Bulger already has an exit velocity of 103 mph off the tee, and he shows off that strength during batting practice. Starting straight up in a balanced, athletic stance, Bulger’s hands are high before he rocks them down and back, along with his weight, utilizing a small leg kick as a trigger. From there, Bulger quickly rips his hands through the zone before punishing the baseball. Behind the dish, Bulger sets up with a wide base and loose hips. He presents a wide, friendly target and receives well. He separates himself from his peers with his lightning-quick footwork and transfer that pair exceptionally well with his strong arm (76 mph from crouch) to produce pop times between 1.88-2.01. Interestingly, Bulger appears to receive better when making throws which leads me to believe that he is going to become even better in the future. Overall, Bulger is already a premier catcher in the 2020 class, and only stands to get better as he continues playing against high-level competition.