By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The winter Underclass Invitational is one of our favorite events because it always brings the most unseen talent to the forefront. This year was no different as several prospects put their names on our big board and over the next week we will break down the top prospects at each position.

Today we begin the analysis by taking a look at the catchers. Physically advanced Tyler Snep separated himself from the pack with a strong left-handed bat and present arm strength.   

TOP CATCHING PROSPECTS

1. Tyler Snep, C, Lake Zurich, 2019
6-foot-2, 185-pound left-handed hitting catcher with a strong, athletic frame. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a smooth load, short stride, and good balance. Showed explosiveness in the lower half. Gap to gap hitter with fluid rhythm and a fast bat. Showed strength thru contact with 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.43. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Fluid footwork with soft hands. Popped 1.96-2.12 and threw 77 mph from the crouch. Showed flexibility in the lower half receiving.

2. Brandon Green, C, Kenwood, 2019
5-foot-6, 145-pound right-handed hitting catcher. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Quick transfer and footwork behind the plate. Soft hands receiving in bullpens. Popped 2.12-2.20 and threw 71 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from A tall, open setup, short leg lift stride back to even. Smooth load with loose hands. Line drive, gap to gap hitter with fluid rhythm. Showed strength thru contact with 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.74.

3. Andrew McKenna, C, Nazareth, 2019
5-foot-9, 160-pound left-handed hitting catcher with a strong frame. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with high back elbow. Short stride with good balance. Short, uphill swing path. Pull hitter with a fast bat. Showed strength thru contact with 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.64. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Gains ground towards second base on throws. Showed flexibility in the lower half and soft hands receiving in bullpens. Pop times ranged from 2.18-2.26 and was clocked at 74 mph from the crouch.

4. Dalton Wallace, C, Edwardsville, 2019
5-foot-11, 175-pound right-handed hitting catcher. Behind the plate has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Tall receiver in drills, gains ground towards second base on throws. Popped 2.00-2.08 and threw 74 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short leg lift stride. Pull hitter with an uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Moves well for a catcher, ran the 60 at 7.18.

5. Ryan Maloney, C, Providence Catholic, 2020
6-foot, 195-pound right-handed hitting catcher with a strong frame. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a leg lift stride. Pull, power hitter with an uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.12. Defensively has a loose arm action from a ¾ arm slot. Accurate throws, popped 2.14-2.25 and threw 70 mph from the crouch.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Dylan Janke, C, Huntley, 2019
5-foot-11, 170-pound right-handed hitting catcher. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Clean transfer with quick footwork. Popped 2.07-2.18 and threw 74 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from a slightly open, spread out base. Short stride with an uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.73.

Shane McGaha, C, Stevenson, 2020
6-foot, 155-pound right-handed hitting catcher with a strong, athletic frame. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with smooth load and short heel lift stride. Line drive, gap to gap hitter with a long, level swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.47. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Throws showed carry throwing 75 mph and popping 2.08-2.16 from the crouch. Showed flexibility in the lower half receiving.

Justin McGuigan, C, Plainfield South, 2019
5-foot-7, 150-pound right-handed hitting catcher with a strong, compact frame. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Accurate throws with carry, popped 2.11-2.19 and threw 74 mph from the crouch. Creates a low target for pitchers. Showed soft hands receiving and blocked well in bullpens. At the plate hits from a balanced, open setup. Short, stride with good balance and a long, uphill swing path. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Moves well for a catcher, ran the 60 at 7.23.

Austin Robinson, C, Mendota, 2019
5-foot-9, 150-pound right-handed hitting catcher. Behind the plate has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Popped 2.13-2.26 and threw 69 mph from the crouch. Squares to first base on setup. At the plate hits from a balanced setup, sinks into load. Short leg lift stride and slight collapse on the backside. Short, uphill swing path. 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.82.

Joel Sarver, RHP/C, Champaign Centennial, 2020
6-foot, 155-pound right-handed hitting RHP/C. Offensively hits from a balanced, open stance with a long stride and good balance. Gap to gap hitter with fluid rhythm and a level swing path. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.79. Defensively has a short arm action with a clean exchange. Popped 2.11-2.19 and threw 72 mph from the crouch.   On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall, slow paced delivery working in line with home plate. Fastball was straight at 73-74 topping out at 75 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 58-60 mph. Changeup has slight sinking action at 62-64 mph.

Nick Schindler, C, Lockport, 2020
6-foot-1, 150-pound right-handed hitting catcher. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a leg lift stride. Fast bat with effort and stiff rhythm. Showed strength thru contact with 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.36. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Raises up early out of crouch in drills. Popped 2.25-2.29 and threw 70 mph from the crouch.

Tyler Struck, C, Providence Catholic, 2019
5-foot-10, 175-pound right-handed hitting catcher. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a knee to knee load. Opposite field hitter with fair balance. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.62. Defensively has a long arm action from a ¾ arm slot, causing throws to run back towards the baseline. Popped 2.18-2.26 and threw 73 mph from the crouch.

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