Prep Baseball Report

Become a Member

More +

Topeka Prospect ID: Catching Analysis

November 28, 2014

By Sean McCann
Prep Baseball Report Kansas

Today we take a look at the catchers that participated in the Topeka Prospect Identification Showcase on November 2, 2014 at Bettis Family Sports Complex. This was an open event for uncommitted high school baseball players - all grades.

Three class of 2016 catchers stood out in Topeka. Carson Green (Olathe South HS) is a strong 6-foot-3, 205-pound backstop that showed the strongest arm among the catching group. Brett Bonar (Rose Hill HS) is a physical 6-foot-2, 190-pound left-hand hitting catcher with solid skills behind the plate. Manhattan’s Tanner Holen is a wiry, athletic 5-foot-10, 155-pound catcher that showed a simple middle-oppo approach at the plate while making a series of strong, accurate throws to second base.

Below are the scouting reports on the catchers that participated in the event. We include position players in one of the post-event features at their best position while two-way players will also appear in the pitching analysis article.

To see a complete list of stats from this event click here.

Click on the player's headline link to be directed to their profile with video from their performance. 

Top catching prospects

1. Carson Green, C, Olathe South HS, KS (2016)
Green is a physical 6-foot-3, 205-pound right-hand hitting catcher. At the plate hits from a slight crouch, open stance, short hand load, strides inline, upper half dominant swing, strong hands, finishes with extension. Drove ball in the middle of the field, 82 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.81 60-yard dash. Behind the plate showed quick footwork, clean exchanges, short high three-quarters arm action, easy thrower, 77 mph throwing velocity – top mark among catchers. Pop times were in the 1.95-2.05 range.

2. Brett Bonar, C, Rose Hill HS, KS (2016)
Bonar is a strong 6-foot-2, 190-pound left-hand hitting catcher. Tall set-up at the plate, open stance, quiet inline stride, upper half dominant swing, middle-oppo approach, maintains balance throughout. Ran a 7.62 60-yard dash. Behind the plate showed simple footwork, clean exchanges, short over-the-top throwing motion, throws had carry, 74 mph throwing velocity, pop times 2.03-2.08. 

3. Tanner Holen, C, Manhattan HS, KS (2016)
Holen is a 5-foot-10, 155-pound right-hand hitting catcher. Balanced set-up at the plate, open stance, early stride/load, short bat path, lower half in sync with upper, maintains balance throughout. Simple line-drive swing, middle-oppo approach, exit velocity 77 mph. Ran a 7.58 60-yard dash. Behind the plate showed quick footwork, quick exchanges, short three-quarters arm action, throwing velocity up to 75 mph, throws had good carry, pop times in the 2.00-2.11 range, accurate throws. Showed quick, athletic actions behind the plate and still has a way to go before filling out physically.

Best of the rest (alphabetical order)

Zachery Baxley, RHP/C, Haysville Campus HS (2017)
Baxley is an athletic-framed 5-foot-11, 155-pound catcher and right-handed pitcher. Hits right-handed, balanced set-up, open stance, strides inline, no wasted movement in load, short bat path, maintains balance throughout. Stays tall on backside, downward approach. Line drive, gap-to-gap hitter. Exit velocity 72 mph. Ran a 7.71 60-yard dash. Behind the plate made accurate throws using short high three-quarters arm action, 74 mph throwing velocity, pop times 2.13-2.19. On the mound starts under control, tall balance point, aggressive drop/drive, strides open, three-quarters slot, arm works, some effort, athletic finish, excellent body control throughout delivery. Fastball with arm side run, 75-77 mph. Breaking ball has 11/5 shape, 66-67 mph. Change-up with sinking action down in zone, 70-71 mph. 

Langston Bush, C, Lawrence HS, KS (2015)
Bush is a 6-foot-2, 180-pound right-hand hitting catcher.  At the plate starts with a tall, inline stance, mini leg kick, inline stride, smooth hand load, lowers himself to hit, finishes with extension, middle of the field approach, 75 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.47 60-yard dash. Behind the plate throws with short high three-quarters arm action and recorded a throwing velocity up to 72 mph with pop times in the 2.14-2.19 range.

Koby Nguyen, C, Kapaun Mt. Carmel HS, KS (2016)
Nguyen is a 5-foot-10, 200-pound right-hand hitting catcher. Balanced set-up at the plate, slightly open stance, short stride, smooth hand load, upper half dominant, line drive approach with bat speed, exit velocity up to 85 mph. Ran a 7.21 60-yard dash. Behind the plate footwork gets started early, short three quarters arm action, 70 mph throwing velocity, pop times in the 2.14-2.15 range.

Tristen Shanelec, C/1B, Goddard HS, KS (2015)
Shanelec is a 5-foot-7, 195-pound right-hand hitting catcher. Tall set-up at the plate, slightly open stance, short hand load, short inline stride, upper half dominant, maintains balance, 78 mph exit velocity. Behind the plate showed short over-the-top arm action, 67 mph throwing velocity, pop times in the 2.09-2.19 range, mostly accurate throws.

related content