Showcase Circuit: Favorite Senior Hitters
November 9, 2017
If there is an offseason in baseball, it’s right about now. To fill the void, we’re taking a look back at the showcase season—the summer and fall—and highlighting some favorite prospects. These aren’t necessarily the top prospects in order, rather the players I most enjoyed watching as a crisscrossed the country. We’ll start with the standout hitters.
Will Banfield, C, Brookwood HS, CA
Banfield used the Tournament of Stars and Under Armour All-America Game to make his case as the top catcher in the 2018 high school class. The gap is narrower than it may have looked early in the summer, but Banfield’s athleticism gives him a high ceiling. He stands at a strong 6 feet, 200 pounds and has a rocket for an arm behind the plate. He rips off 1.8-1.9 second pop times in workouts and has quick feet. Offensively, the Vanderbilt recruit has an aggressive approach and advanced bat speed with lift in his swing. He has a good path and generates easy power from the right side.