By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The inaugural Prep Baseball Report Preseason I.D. - Litchfield at Litchfield Sports Inc. took place on Monday, January 16th. The event was open to all 2017-2021 high school graduates. Today we continue the analysis from the event with a look at the catchers.

Logan Shepard is a 2018 catcher with an athletic left-handed swing with looseness throughout and made consistent hard contact. He was also clocked at 78 mph from the crouch.

Athletically built 2019 Jalen Ping showed well with the bat and behind the plate. Ping registered a low pop time of 2.04 and was clocked at 76 mph from the crouch.

CATCHERS (Listed Alphabetically)

Austin Atkins, C, Wesclin, 2020
5-foot-11, 175-pound catcher. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance and short leg-lift timing trigger. Path works level with occasional uphill tendencies, 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 65 mph out of the crouch, long, firm arm action, high ¾ slot. Pop times registered at 2.53-2.62. 4.58 runner home to first.

Jackson Bland, RHP/C, Pawnee, 2019
6-foot-1, 185-pound two-way player, solid average frame and build. On the mound morks down the hill and stays on-line. Loose clean arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball works straight, 78-80 mph, touched 81 mph. Curveball has slurve type action, 11/5 plane, 64-68 mph. Knuckleball ranged 64-70 mph. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, leg lift trigger and average balance. Tends to hit off his front foot, long bat path and an 82 mph exit velocity. Defensively arm action is short, high ¾ slot and clocked at 72 mph. Pop times ranged between 2.27-2.40. 5.19 runner down the line.

Avery Dugan, C, Jacksonville, 2018
6-foot-1, 180-pound catcher with a strong build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short leg lift stride. Pull side contact, long path at times. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, 72 mph out of the crouch. Plays tall out of the chute, two handed receiver on transfer. Pop times are 2.43-2.57. Ran a 4.80 down the line.

Ryan Janssen, C, Nokomis, 2020
5-foot-9, 155-pound right-handed hitting catcher. Hits from a balanced stance, short stride, arm bar load, average balance. Path is long, level and looks to pull the baseball. 75 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively, sets up tall, arm played from a high ¾ slot, clocked at 71 mph out of the crouch and registered pop times of 2.20-2.37. 4.57 home to first.

Henry Patterson, C/OF, Rochester, 2020
6-foot-1, 172-pound, multi-positional player. Offensively, right-handed hitter, path works uphill; exit velocity registered at 75 mph from a tee. Balanced setup, toe tap trigger. Defensively, worked out at catcher and in the outfield. Behind the plate, pop times ranged from 2.37-2.50. Long arm action from a ¾ slot; throws clocked at 73 mph from the outfield and 68 mph from the crouch. 5.10 home to first runner.

Jalen Ping, C, Glenwood, 2019
5-foot-10, 160-pound athletically built catcher. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, pre-pitch rhythm and short stride. Path works slightly uphill, natural lift in swing.  Loose hands and sprayed balls to all fields. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm is loose, works from a high ¾ slot, 76 mph out of the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.04-2.25. 4.58 runner home to first.

Logan Shepard, C, Maroa-Forsyth, 2018
6-foot, 170-pound left-handed hitting catcher, athletic shape. Hits from a balanced stance, smooth loading action, short stride, good balance. Athletic hitter, hands worked, consistent contact with ability to spray the baseball. Line drive gap to gap approach. 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, arm carried at 78 mph out of the crouch. Pop times are 2.11-2.26. Ran a 4.20 down the line.

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