Preseason Uncommitted: Scouting Reports - Catchers
February 23, 2021
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STOCKTON, CA - SuperBowl Sunday wasn’t just about Tom Brady capturing his 7th ring, as the day started out with 40 uncommitted California high schoolers showcasing their skills at the historic Billy Hebert Field. Desire and determination to be seen from the upperclass uncommits matched that of the Buccaneers defense swarming to the football to stop the 500 million dollar Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The ability to hit to all fields, make accurate throws from the outfield, athletic infield display and consistent strikes on the mound highlighted the event.
Technology once again dominated the event with video production, live stream, TrackMan, Blast Motion, Twitter, Instagram and scout eyes working non-stop to showcase each player. However, no uncommitted event is complete without a detailed scouting report from the Prep Baseball Report scouting staff. In this addition we dive into catchers.
CLICK HERE FOR SORTABLE PLAYER STATISTICS INCLUDING TRACKMAN AND BLAST MOTION DATA
CATCHERS
Nico Button, Serra, 2021
Body: 5-foot-10, 180-pound mature frame.
Hit: (LHH) Starts in a crouched balanced stance with a smooth load, then uses a small leg kick. Above average bat speed. Level finish, flat swing. Gap to gap approach.
Power: 94 mph exit velocity.
Defense: (C) 2.00-2.06 pop times. Sure soft hands, quick footwork, clean exchange. Athletic. Wide setup with average flexibility.
Arm: 80 mph catcher velocity. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, decent accuracy.
Speed: 7.20 (60-yard).
Joel Cervantes, Scale/Legends Academy, 2021
Body: 6-foot, 175-pound proportional frame.
Hit: (RHH) Begins in a balanced stance with a quick load, then uses a toe tap. Efficient bat speed. Level finish, simple swing. Up the middle approach.
Power: 91 mph exit velocity.
Defense: (C) 2.12-2.19 pop times. Raw hands, choppy footwork, developing exchange. Raw. Calm setup with average flexibility. Movements laterally were average.
Arm: 77 mph catcher velocity. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, some accuracy.
Speed: 7.75 (60-yard).
Preston Fondren, Granite Bay, 2022
Body: 5-foot-8, 179-pound solid frame.
Hit: (RHH) Begins in an athletic stance with a quick load, then uses a short stride. Above average bat speed. Level finish, simple swing. Up the middle approach.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity.
Defense: (C) 2.01-2.12 pop times. Sure hands, consistent footwork, clean exchange. Solid. Average flexibility and quiet setup. Laterally, his movements were average.
Arm: 76 mph catcher velocity. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, consistent accuracy.
Speed: 7.32 (60-yard).
Matthew Gonsalves, Dougherty Valley, 2022
Body: 6-foot, 185-pound solid frame.
Hit: (RHH) Starts in a balanced stance with a tight load, then uses a controlled stride. Explosive bat speed. High finish, rotational swing. Gap to gap approach.
Power: 99 mph exit velocity. Highest at the event
Defense: (C) 1.98-2.05 pop times. Next level hands, athletic footwork, quick exchange. Above average. Clean setup with some flexibility. Movements laterally were average.
Arm: 85 mph outfield velocity. 78 mph catcher velocity. Quick arm action, high ¾ slot, consistent accuracy.
Speed: 7.09 (60-yard).
Lucas Marlowe, California, 2022
Body: 5-foot-9, 190-pound.
Hit: RHH. Quiet and stagnant setup, long swing plane, dives over plate. Average plane and rotation scores show that he is able to get his bat through the zone at an average level. Allowing for next level projection and ability to adjust to higher velocity.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity.
Defense: (C) 2.20-2.26 pop times. Sure hands, average footwork, lengthy exchange. Capable. Clean setup with some flexibility. Movements laterally were developing.
Arm: 70 mph catcher velocity. Loose arm action, high ¾ slot, consistent accuracy.
Speed: 8.05 (60-yard).
Frank Zapata, Archbishop Riordan, 2022
Body: 5-foot-10, 170-pound athletic frame.
Hit: (RHH) Began in a wide stance with a compact load, then used a small leg kick. Above average bat speed. Level finish, simple swing. Line drive approach.
Power: 91 mph exit velocity.
Defense: (C) 2.04-2.18 pop times. Sure hands, consistent footwork, clean exchange. Capable. Average flexibility and calm setup. Movements laterally were average.
Arm: 72 mph catcher velocity. Short arm action, an-over-the-top slot, some accuracy.
Speed: 7.18 (60-yard).
Xavier Lecours, Milpitas, 2022
Position: SS/C
Body: 5-foot-10, 160-pound lean athletic build with plenty of room in frame to add gains.
Hit: (RHH) Starts in a taller stance with active hands. More of a compact load and uses a leg kick trigger as hands stay neutral in positioning. Above average bat speed at 68 mph average. Bat path is more uphill with a higher finish. Opposite field approach.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity.
Defense: (C) 1.93-2.08 pop times. Twitchy defender, athletic footwork, clean exchanges. Has a narrow setup. Good blocking ability (IF) Showed soft hands, athletic rhythmic footwork, fluid exchanges at SS. Projectable at the position going forward. Laterally, movements were quick and fielded the ball out front.
Arm: 80 mph infield velocity. 78 mph catcher velocity. Short arm action from both spots, ¾ slot, and consistent accuracy.
Speed: 7.49 (60-yard).
Luke Shane, Branson, 2023
Position: C/3B
Body: 5-foot-10, 155-pound mature proportional frame.
Hit: (RHH) Started in a balanced athletic stance with a slow controlled load. Used a mild leg kick trigger. Showed average bat speed at 65 mph average. Gets in a good early connection position early and stays level throughout his swing (80% on plane efficiency). Gap to gap approach.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity.
Defense: (C) 2.18-2.26 pop times. At catcher showed firm hands, developing footwork, and a lengthier exchange. Wider setup with average flexibility. (IF) At 3B showed average footwork, clean exchanges. Fields the ball deep, movements laterally were late but got to his spots.
Arm: 81 mph infield velocity. 73 mph catcher velocity. Compact arm action from both positions, a ¾ slot, and decent accuracy.
Speed: 7.85 (60-yard).
James Whitman, Helix, 2022
Body: 6-foot-4, 230-pound mature lengthy build with tons of strength in the frame.
Hit: (RHH) Began in a slightly open and balanced stance with a smooth controlled load, that used a mild leg kick trigger. Gets stacked into his backhip which allows him to explode through the ball. + bat speed at 73mph average and 76 mph max. Flat-upward swing swing path with a higher finish (83% on plane efficiency). Showed a gap to gap approach.
Power: 92 mph exit velocity. Showed some pull side power in BP. Bat speed (76mph max) and rotational acceleration (20.1 gs max) combination show a good power ceiling.
Defense: (C) 2.04-2.19 pop times. Quick footwork for his size. Fluid exchanges on throwdowns. Athletic in his actions. Wider setup.
Arm: 76 mph catcher velocity. Compact arm action, high ¾ slot, occasional accuracy and at times flashed good carry toward the bag.
Speed: 7.23 (60-yard).
Connor Pawlowski, Pioneer (HS), 2021
Body: 6-foot-2, 190-pound strong and athletic build that is projectable.
Hit: (RHH) Starts in a slightly open relaxed stance. Uses a simple forward stride as hands pop back and backside starts to internally rotate (coil). Bat accelerates into the zone at a plus bat speed of 75 mph average. Handsy level swing path that is extended through at finish. Showed an inside out ability at times. Gap to gap approach.
Power: 99 mph exit velocity. Showed wall ball power throughout his BP round. Blast metrics show a huge power ceiling with both bat speed (79 mph max) and rotational acceleration (33.1 gs max) being way above average for his level.
Defense: (C) 1.86-2.01 pop times. Quick light footwork on throwdowns. Clean fluid exchanges allow him to quickly get to release . Athletic in his actions. Wider setup. Solid pitch frame ability shown in game action. Has skills to stay at the position.
Arm: 79 mph catcher velocity. Loose and snappy arm action out of a high ¾ slot. All throwdowns were accurate and showed good carry to the bag.
Speed: 7.12 (60-yard).
Dylan Taguiam, St. John Bosco, 2022
Body: 5-foot-10, 180 pound mature frame with present strength.
Hit: (RHH) Started in an athletic open stance with a slow controlled load as he uses a mild leg kick. Average bat speed. Level finish, flat swing. Some barrel wrap in swing as hands get disconnected from body. Pull side approach.
Power: 93 mph exit velocity
Defense: C. 1.94-1.98 pop times. Firm hands, consistent quick footwork, clean exchange. Has an athletic setup.
Arm: 76 mph catcher velocity. Loose arm action, high ¾ slot, some accuracy.
Speed: 7.28 (60-yard).
Tyson Smith, St. Francis HS, 2022
Position: C/2B
Body: 5-11, 175 pound athletic frame
Hit: LHH. Relaxed in stance as he is slightly open and stands tall. Slower gather into his backside as hands get into a good launch position. Uses a quick toe tap trigger to start his forward move. Flatter bath path that is extended through at finish. Showed a gap to gap approach. Average bat speed. Power: 89 mph exit velocity.
Defense: C. Showed solid glove skills behind the dish in terms of clean transfers and receiving. INF. showed solid footwork. Took good angles. Fields deeper into his body.
Arm: 78 mph infield velocity. 74 mph catcher velocity. Showed improved arm strength. Short and whippy arm action from both positions. ⅗ accurate throwdowns. ⅘ accurate throws from SS.
Speed: 7.42 (60-yard).
Anthony Ricevuto, Miramonte, 2022
Body: 5-foot-10, 170-pound sturdy frame.
Hit: (LHH) Begins in an open stance with a slow load, then uses a short stride. Average bat speed. Level finish, upward swing. Opposite field approach.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity.
Defense: (C) 2.07-2.25 pop times. Soft hands, consistent footwork, developing exchange. Capable. Showed some flexibility. Movements laterally were late.
Arm: 69 mph catcher velocity. Loose arm action, an-over-the-top slot, some accuracy.
Speed: 7.52 (60-yard).
Marcus Rivera, Moreau Catholic, 2022
Body: 5-foot-9, 205-pound sturdy frame.
Hit: (LHH) Started in a balanced stance with a controlled load, then used an open stride. Explosive bat speed. High finish, simple swing. Aggressive approach.
Power: 97 mph exit velocity.
Defense: (C) 2.11-2.25 pop times. Sure firm hands, average footwork, clean exchange. Capable. Clean setup with average flexibility.
Arm: 70 mph catcher velocity. Short arm action, an-over-the-top slot, consistent accuracy.
Speed: 7.97 (60-yard).
Joey Rusca, Las Lomas, 2022
Body: 6-foot, 190-pound projectable frame.
Hit: (RHH) Begins in a tall stance with a controlled compact load, then uses a leg kick. Above average bat speed. Good extension on his finish, rotational swing. Pull side approach.
Power: 95 mph exit velocity.
Defense: (C) 2.05-2.18 pop times. Soft hands, developing footwork, quick exchange. Capable. Staggered setup with average flexibility. Movements laterally were average.
Arm: 72 mph catcher velocity. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, some accuracy.
Speed: 7.48 (60-yard).
Drake Smart, Clear Lake, 2022
Body: 5-foot-11, 190-pound athletic frame.
Hit: (RHH) Begins in a balanced stance with a quick load, then uses a controlled stride. Above average bat speed. Good extension on his finish, rotational swing. Gap to gap approach.
Power: 91 mph exit velocity.
Defense: (C) 2.04-2.08 pop times. Next level hands, smooth footwork, quick exchange. Above average. Average flexibility and athletic setup. Movements laterally were average.
Arm: 78 mph infield velocity. 75 mph catcher velocity. Quick arm action, high ¾ slot, consistent accuracy.
Speed: 7.56 (60-yard).
UPCOMING EVENTS
| SHOWCASE | STATE | DATE | LOCATION |
| NorCal Open Scout Day - Underclass |
CA | 02/21 | Islanders Field |
| San Diego Open |
CA | 03/07 | Maranatha Christian HS |