Senior Games: Catching Analysis
August 31, 2017
By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director
The 2018 Senior Games took place Tuesday, August 8th at Triton JC in River Grove, IL. Over 100 uncommitted prospects from the class of 2018 participated in a pro-style workout and simulated games in front of the PBR Scouting Staff.
Today, we continue the analysis of the event by taking a look at the catcher's in attendance. Brett Riegler stood above the rest with his defensive abilities and true arm.
1. Brett Riegler, C, Downers Grove South, 2018
5-foot-11, 165-pound catcher. Advanced defender, controls the game well, vocal defender with leadership qualities. Arm action is short and over the top, 75 mph out of the crouch, carried on line and accurate. Hands are soft, receives well, quick clean exchange. 2.05-2.15 pop times. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, smooth loading action good balance. Sprayed hard line drives in BP, worked the middle of the field. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ran a 7.87 laser timed 60.
2. Cameron Zimmerman, C, West Aurora, 2018
5-foot-5, 155-pound catcher, compact build with strength. Defensively arm played short and over the top, 70 mph out of the crouch, played accurately. 2.08-2.19 pop times, clean exchange. 7.26 runner in the 60. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, tall setup, short stride, maintains good balance. Compact swing with occasional quick twitch, showed hard contact in BP, line drive type, short path. 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
3. Matthew Wians, C, Hampshire, 2018
6-foot, 190-pound catcher, strong build, advanced physically. Defensively arm action is short, over the top slot, showed carry, 75 mph out of the crouch. Exchange is quick, blocks well, strong build stays flexible. Pop times posted at 2.08-2.16. Right-handed hitter, slight open setup, solid balance. Strong hands, shows bat strength, above average bat speed, pull side contact, uphill path. 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.34 runner in the 60.
4. Collin Elvers, C, Edwardsville, 2018
5-foot-10, 190-pound left-handed hitting catcher, strong physical build. Hits from an open stance, leg kick trigger, solid balance. Uphill path with pull side approach, hard top spin contact at times. 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, 74 mph out of the crouch. 2.15-2.20 po ptimes. Above average runner at his position, 7.07 in the 60.
5. Benton Troehler, C, Grayslake Central, 2018
5-foot-11, 200-pound catcher, solid build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, smooth loading action with short stride, solid balance. Simple pull side approach, hard contact, long path. 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is long, high ¾ slot, 72 arm out of the crouch. Posted pop times at 2.09-2.18. 7.75 runner in the 60.
Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)
Joey Dermody, C, Lincoln-Way Central, 2018
5-foot-11, 185-pound catcher, solid build. Hits from the right side, slightly open stance, short stride. Showed hard pull contact, path is level at times, creating line drives. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 74 mph, short high ¾ slot. Defensively showed ability to block and recover, agile lower half. 2.11-2.19 pop times. Ran the 60 at 7.56.
Connor Gwaltney, C, Timothy Christian, 2018
5-foot-10, 175-pound left-handed hitting catcher, solid build. Tall setup in the box, short lifted stride, arm bar load. Worked the middle of the field with rhythm. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played short and over the top, 65 mph out of the crouch. Pop times posted at 2.36-2.46. 8.13 runner in the 60.
Matthew Manint, C, Tri-Valley, 2018
5-foot-11, 185-pound catcher, solid build. Right-handed hitter, tall balanced setup, short stride. Showed bat speed, on a short path, stays on top, timing was occasionally late. 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short, over the top, 70 mph out of the crouch. Pop times are 2.18-2.26. 7.66 runner in the 60.
Sam Mennella, C, Wheaton Academy, 2018
5-foot-9, 150-pound catcher. Above average runner for his position, 7.07 runner in the 60. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, arm bar load. Pull side type hitter, average bat speed. 76 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played long an over the top, 68 mph out of the crouch. Posted pop times at 2.33-2.43.
J.T. Oie, C/RHP, St. Charles North, 2018
5-foot-11, 175-pound two-way player. On the mound arm played over the top with a short arm action. Ability to pound the zone with regular effort. Delivery works on line, lands closed. Fastball is mostly straight, 78-79 mph. Curveball rolls, short breaking action with above average feel, 69-71 mph, 11/5 shape. Flashed changeup at 73 mph. Offensively, balanced setup, loads into backside, short stride, bat stays level through the zone and average balance through contact; 74 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively from behind the plate, flexible, clean transfer, short arm action from an over-the-top slot. Throws clocked at 73 mph. Pop times ranged between 2.25-2.35. 8.04 runner in the 60.
Drew Roberts, C, Wheeling, 2018
5-foot-11, 160-pound left-handed hitting catcher. Hits from a balanced stance, slightly open, short stride. Natural slight uphill path, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Went 1-for-2 with a single and scored a pair of runs in game play. 7.32 runner in the 60. Defensively showed agility behind the dish, flexible setup. Arm action is loose, high ¾ slot, 73 mph out of the crouch. Posted pop times at 2.16-2.26.
Bejamin Rogina, C, Joliet West, 2018
6-foot-1, 180-pound catcher, lean athletic frame. Right-handed hitter, tall setup, slightly open stance, short stride. Flashed bat strength, line drive gap to gap, 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays over the top, 71 mph out of the crouch. 2.10-2.18 pops out of the crouch. 7.58 runner in the 60.
Jakob Wals, C, Plainfield East, 2018
5-foot-8, 175-pound catcher. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, average balance. Slight pull side approach, 75 mph exit velocity from the tee. 8.28 runner in the 60. Defensively arm plays long at 64 mph. 2.44-2.60 pop times out of the crouch.
Justin Wilk, C, Buffalo Grove, 2018
5-foot-11, 170-pound catcher, lean frame with strength. Showed raw arm strength out of the crouch (79 mph), arm action is long, over the top slot, showed carry. Exchange is long, pop times at 2.11-2.18. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, leg kick stride, arm bar load. Bat path has length, lacked timing, opposite field contact, some bat strength, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.26 runner in the 60.
Top Catching Prospects
Brett Riegler, C, Downers Grove South, 2018
5-foot-11, 165-pound catcher. Advanced defender, controls the game well, vocal defender with leadership qualities. Arm action is short and over the top, 75 mph out of the crouch, carried on line and accurate. Hands are soft, receives well, quick clean exchange. 2.05-2.15 pop times. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, smooth loading action good balance. Sprayed hard line drives in BP, worked the middle of the field. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ran a 7.87 laser timed 60.
Cameron Zimmerman, C, West Aurora, 2018
5-foot-5, 155-pound catcher, compact build with strength. Defensively arm played short and over the top, 70 mph out of the crouch, played accurately. 2.08-2.19 pop times, clean exchange. 7.26 runner in the 60. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, tall setup, short stride, maintains good balance. Compact swing with occasional quick twitch, showed hard contact in BP, line drive type, short path. 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Matthew Wians, C, Hampshire, 2018
6-foot, 190-pound catcher, strong build, advanced physically. Defensively arm action is short, over the top slot, showed carry, 75 mph out of the crouch. Exchange is quick, blocks well, strong build stays flexible. Pop times posted at 2.08-2.16. Right-handed hitter, slight open setup, solid balance. Strong hands, shows bat strength, above average bat speed, pull side contact, uphill path. 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.34 runner in the 60.
Collin Elvers, C, Edwardsville, 2018
5-foot-10, 190-pound left-handed hitting catcher, strong physical build. Hits from an open stance, leg kick trigger, solid balance. Uphill path with pull side approach, hard top spin contact at times. 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, 74 mph out of the crouch. 2.15-2.20 po ptimes. Above average runner at his position, 7.07 in the 60.
Benton Troehler, C, Grayslake Central, 2018
5-foot-11, 200-pound catcher, solid build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, smooth loading action with short stride, solid balance. Simple pull side approach, hard contact, long path. 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is long, high ¾ slot, 72 arm out of the crouch. Posted pop times at 2.09-2.18. 7.75 runner in the 60.
Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)
Matthew Manint, C, Tri-Valley, 2018
5-foot-11, 185-pound catcher, solid build. Right-handed hitter, tall balanced setup, short stride. Showed bat speed, on a short path, stays on top, timing was occasionally late. 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short, over the top, 70 mph out of the crouch. Pop times are 2.18-2.26. 7.66 runner in the 60.
Sam Mennella, C, Wheaton Academy, 2018
5-foot-9, 150-pound catcher. Above average runner for his position, 7.07 runner in the 60. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, arm bar load. Pull side type hitter, average bat speed. 76 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played long an over the top, 68 mph out of the crouch. Posted pop times at 2.33-2.43.
Connor Gwaltney, C, Timothy Christian, 2018
5-foot-10, 175-pound left-handed hitting catcher, solid build. Tall setup in the box, short lifted stride, arm bar load. Worked the middle of the field with rhythm. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played short and over the top, 65 mph out of the crouch. Pop times posted at 2.36-2.46. 8.13 runner in the 60.
Joey Dermody, C, Lincoln-Way Central, 2018
5-foot-11, 185-pound catcher, solid build. Hits from the right side, slightly open stance, short stride. Showed hard pull contact, path is level at times, creating line drives. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 74 mph, short high ¾ slot. Defensively showed ability to block and recover, agile lower half. 2.11-2.19 pop times. Ran the 60 at 7.56.
Drew Roberts, C, Wheeling, 2018
5-foot-11, 160-pound left-handed hitting catcher. Hits from a balanced stance, slightly open, short stride. Natural slight uphill path, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Went 1-for-2 with a single and scored a pair of runs in game play. 7.32 runner in the 60. Defensively showed agility behind the dish, flexible setup. Arm action is loose, high ¾ slot, 73 mph out of the crouch. Posted pop times at 2.16-2.26.
Justin Wilk, C, Buffalo Grove, 2018
5-foot-11, 170-pound catcher, lean frame with strength. Showed raw arm strength out of the crouch (79 mph), arm action is long, over the top slot, showed carry. Exchange is long, pop times at 2.11-2.18. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, leg kick stride, arm bar load. Bat path has length, lacked timing, opposite field contact, some bat strength, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.26 runner in the 60.
Jakob Wals, C, Plainfield East, 2018
5-foot-8, 175-pound catcher. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, average balance. Slight pull side approach, 75 mph exit velocity from the tee. 8.28 runner in the 60. Defensively arm plays long at 64 mph. 2.44-2.60 pop times out of the crouch.
J.T. Oie, C/RHP, St. Charles North, 2018
5-foot-11, 175-pound two-way player. On the mound arm played over the top with a short arm action. Ability to pound the zone with regular effort. Delivery works on line, lands closed. Fastball is mostly straight, 78-79 mph. Curveball rolls, short breaking action with above average feel, 69-71 mph, 11/5 shape. Flashed changeup at 73 mph.
Bejamin Rogina, C, Joliet West, 2018
6-foot-1, 180-pound catcher, lean athletic frame. Right-handed hitter, tall setup, slightly open stance, short stride. Flashed bat strength, line drive gap to gap, 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays over the top, 71 mph out of the crouch. 2.10-2.18 pops out of the crouch. 7.58 runner in the 60.
Top Catching Prospects
Brett Riegler, C, Downers Grove South, 2018
5-foot-11, 165-pound catcher. Advanced defender, controls the game well, vocal defender with leadership qualities. Arm action is short and over the top, 75 mph out of the crouch, carried on line and accurate. Hands are soft, receives well, quick clean exchange. 2.05-2.15 pop times. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, smooth loading action good balance. Sprayed hard line drives in BP, worked the middle of the field. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ran a 7.87 laser timed 60.
Cameron Zimmerman, C, West Aurora, 2018
5-foot-5, 155-pound catcher, compact build with strength. Defensively arm played short and over the top, 70 mph out of the crouch, played accurately. 2.08-2.19 pop times, clean exchange. 7.26 runner in the 60. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, tall setup, short stride, maintains good balance. Compact swing with occasional quick twitch, showed hard contact in BP, line drive type, short path. 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Matthew Wians, C, Hampshire, 2018
6-foot, 190-pound catcher, strong build, advanced physically. Defensively arm action is short, over the top slot, showed carry, 75 mph out of the crouch. Exchange is quick, blocks well, strong build stays flexible. Pop times posted at 2.08-2.16. Right-handed hitter, slight open setup, solid balance. Strong hands, shows bat strength, above average bat speed, pull side contact, uphill path. 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.34 runner in the 60.
Collin Elvers, C, Edwardsville, 2018
5-foot-10, 190-pound left-handed hitting catcher, strong physical build. Hits from an open stance, leg kick trigger, solid balance. Uphill path with pull side approach, hard top spin contact at times. 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, 74 mph out of the crouch. 2.15-2.20 po ptimes. Above average runner at his position, 7.07 in the 60.
Benton Troehler, C, Grayslake Central, 2018
5-foot-11, 200-pound catcher, solid build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, smooth loading action with short stride, solid balance. Simple pull side approach, hard contact, long path. 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is long, high ¾ slot, 72 arm out of the crouch. Posted pop times at 2.09-2.18. 7.75 runner in the 60.
Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)
Matthew Manint, C, Tri-Valley, 2018
5-foot-11, 185-pound catcher, solid build. Right-handed hitter, tall balanced setup, short stride. Showed bat speed, on a short path, stays on top, timing was occasionally late. 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short, over the top, 70 mph out of the crouch. Pop times are 2.18-2.26. 7.66 runner in the 60.
Sam Mennella, C, Wheaton Academy, 2018
5-foot-9, 150-pound catcher. Above average runner for his position, 7.07 runner in the 60. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, arm bar load. Pull side type hitter, average bat speed. 76 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played long an over the top, 68 mph out of the crouch. Posted pop times at 2.33-2.43.
Connor Gwaltney, C, Timothy Christian, 2018
5-foot-10, 175-pound left-handed hitting catcher, solid build. Tall setup in the box, short lifted stride, arm bar load. Worked the middle of the field with rhythm. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played short and over the top, 65 mph out of the crouch. Pop times posted at 2.36-2.46. 8.13 runner in the 60.
Joey Dermody, C, Lincoln-Way Central, 2018
5-foot-11, 185-pound catcher, solid build. Hits from the right side, slightly open stance, short stride. Showed hard pull contact, path is level at times, creating line drives. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 74 mph, short high ¾ slot. Defensively showed ability to block and recover, agile lower half. 2.11-2.19 pop times. Ran the 60 at 7.56.
Drew Roberts, C, Wheeling, 2018
5-foot-11, 160-pound left-handed hitting catcher. Hits from a balanced stance, slightly open, short stride. Natural slight uphill path, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Went 1-for-2 with a single and scored a pair of runs in game play. 7.32 runner in the 60. Defensively showed agility behind the dish, flexible setup. Arm action is loose, high ¾ slot, 73 mph out of the crouch. Posted pop times at 2.16-2.26.
Justin Wilk, C, Buffalo Grove, 2018
5-foot-11, 170-pound catcher, lean frame with strength. Showed raw arm strength out of the crouch (79 mph), arm action is long, over the top slot, showed carry. Exchange is long, pop times at 2.11-2.18. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, leg kick stride, arm bar load. Bat path has length, lacked timing, opposite field contact, some bat strength, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.26 runner in the 60.
Jakob Wals, C, Plainfield East, 2018
5-foot-8, 175-pound catcher. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, average balance. Slight pull side approach, 75 mph exit velocity from the tee. 8.28 runner in the 60. Defensively arm plays long at 64 mph. 2.44-2.60 pop times out of the crouch.
J.T. Oie, C/RHP, St. Charles North, 2018
5-foot-11, 175-pound two-way player. On the mound arm played over the top with a short arm action. Ability to pound the zone with regular effort. Delivery works on line, lands closed. Fastball is mostly straight, 78-79 mph. Curveball rolls, short breaking action with above average feel, 69-71 mph, 11/5 shape. Flashed changeup at 73 mph.
Bejamin Rogina, C, Joliet West, 2018
6-foot-1, 180-pound catcher, lean athletic frame. Right-handed hitter, tall setup, slightly open stance, short stride. Flashed bat strength, line drive gap to gap, 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays over the top, 71 mph out of the crouch. 2.10-2.18 pops out of the crouch. 7.58 runner in the 60.
