SoCal Underclass Games Scouting Reports: Catchers
October 12, 2021
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SAN DIEGO, CALIF. - The annual SoCal Underclass Games descended onto beautiful Fowler Park on the picturesque campus of the University of San Diego. The event annually draws the top rising sophomores and freshman from around SoCal for an event that has proven to be a launching pad for players as they head into their fall seasons.
The 2021 version of the event was similar to past events that saw limited roster sizes in order to maximize playing opportunities during the 12-inning scout ball style game in which pitchers faced five hitters per inning. The roster size gave hitters at least four at-bats to show their wares in front of the PBR staff and the college recruiters in attendance.
As customary to most PBR California events, scouting reports complete the post-event content rollout. TrackMan and Blast Motion provide necessary data needed to analyze and understand player capabilities but the written eye test remains undefeated and an integral part in scouting. Today we take a look at catchers.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL STATISTICS FROM THE EVENT
Scouting Reports
Jamez Guerrero, Summit (CA), 2025
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-11, 160-pounds. Compact build with some athleticism, present lower half strength, suited well for the catching position.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, low hands, front foot rotates into hitting position, quality swing clearance, two-hand finish. Blast Motion scores of 75-50-52. Graded well across the board, posting the highest plane score at the event. Guerrero's simple approach at the plate with limited swing movement helps allow the bat to stay through the zone for an extended period allowing for more contact. Expect high contact rate and average from him moving forward.
Power: 83.00 max exit velocity
Arm: C - 70.00 mph. Short arm swing, straight to the ear, gets rid of the ball quickly, more velocity needed, headed in the right direction mechanically with hopeful velocity gains coming.
Defense: 2.04-2.11 pop times. Above-average pop times for class make him a catcher to watch, quick feet and positioning explain the quick pop times, some pre-pitch positioning make you wonder if the times would be different in live situation.
Josiah Palomino, Corona (CA), 2024
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-7, 160-pounds. Athletic young catchers build, pound for pound strength, high baseball IQ.
Hit: RHH. Simple and strong, hand and barrel speed, high contact, two-hand finish. Line drive machine, doubles hitter but will there be homeruns, hitter to watch. Blast Motion scores of 71-54-69. Elite scores regardless of class, extreme swing projection, high contact and power projection equate extremely well down the line.
Power: 88.00 max exit velocity
Arm: C - 75.00 mph. INF - 81.00 mph. Arm plays well behind the plate with a quick release and no wasted movement. Arm plays in the infield too, as the quick release works off multiple throwing points and could be plus at second.
Defense: 1.99-2.06 pop times. Staying behind the plate should be the goal with the already above-average high school ability. The pop times, blocking skills and throwing ability project well. His ability to control his emotions and lead on the field will be key to overall success.
Brady Murrietta, Orange Lutheran (CA), 2026
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-9, 170-pounds. Projectable build, slim throughout, certain height and strength gains, good footwork for age.
Hit: RHH. Narrow stance, step and go to hitting position, quick to the ball, some explosion needed, smooth one-hand finish. Blast Motion scores of 42-65-56. Solid across the board for the youngest player at the event. Alignment ability and getting in a consistently good position to hit highlight his swing data. Swing plane and consistent contact need some improvement.
Power: 84.00 max exit velocity
Arm: C - 75.00 mph. INF - 76.00 mph. Above-average arm for class and position. Understands throwing mechanics and short arm urgency behind the plate. Overall quick release sets up his pop times.
Defense: 2.02-2.07 pop times. Limited laterally, blocked when needed, catching speed needs improvement. Footwork was impressive as it helped him post solid pop times and make accurate throws.
Ricky Maya, Christian Brothers (CA), 2024
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-1, 175-pounds. Projectable size and build. Some strength in the body already with potential to fill out nicely.
Hit: RHH. Sets up in an open stance with loose hands over homeplate. Simple stride with foot landing on time and hands working back into a solid launch position. Longer stroke with some disconnection early but doesn't hurt contact as he has good barrel accuracy and consistently catches the ball out in front. Middle of the field approach throughout his round.
Power: 87.00 max exit velocity LD gap to gap current power. Needed increases in bat speed and rotational acceleration.
Arm: RH. C - 70.00 mph. Shorter whippy arm action. Average arm strength. 3/5 accurate throwdowns. Lower arcing throws that came out straight.
Defense: 2.21-2.29 pop times. Fundamentally sound movements on throwdowns but average quickness with feet. Moves in two parts with first receiving than a present slow down before hopping out the crouch. Sets up in a wider crouch when receiving. Worked hard to block balls throughout game action.
Thomas Lieb, Harvard Westlake (CA), 2024
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-11, 185-pounds. Strong compact build. Well proportioned. Should project well.
Hit: RHH. Relaxed and upright set up with bat rested on his shoulder. Simple and quiet stride. Hands load into a lower launch position. Swing is hand dominant. Works on a slight uphill path. 2-hand finish. Middle of the field approach throughout his round. Flashed some pullside pop with a double to the LC gap in game action.
Power: 84.00 max exit velocity. Current gap-to-gap doubles hitter. Needed upticks in bat speed and rotational acceleration to increase power.
Arm: RH. C - 69.00 mph. 4/5 accurate throwdowns during defensive workout. Arm shoots back long before getting to release. Average arm strength.
Defense: 2.29-2.31 pop times. Fundamental footwork behind the plate and good positioning set him up well for throwdowns. Exchanges can be quicker and can get lower body moving before receiving. Pitch framing ability is there and can improve blocking.
UPCOMING EVENTS
| SHOWCASE | STATE | DATE | LOCATION |
| Northern California Academic Games | CA | 10/16 | Menlo College |
| Unsigned Senior Games | CA | 10/17 | Hart Park |