By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

Some of the top Class of 2016, 2017 and 2018 players in Pennsylvania had an opportunity to showcase their abilities on back to back days this past week. Today we will breakdown the top catching prospects from the Western PA Future Prospects Showcase on December 28.

R.J. Harris, Class of 2016, McKeesport HS
Harris is a 6-foot-1, 150-pound freshman who showcased pop times of 2.45-2.55 on throws of 59 mph out of the crouch. He showed advanced receiving and blocking skills for a catcher of his age. Harris displayed promise as a hitter as well. He used a short swing plane to consistently square the baseball during his round of batting practice.

Michael Beimel, Class of 2017, St. Marys HS
Beimel is a 5-foot-4, 125-pound 8th grader who showed well offensively and behind the plate. The switch-hitter displayed a 57 mph bat exit speed with the ability to consistently square the baseball from both sides of the plate. Defensively, he showed solid receiving and blocking skills with pop times of 2.60-2.65 on throws of 57 mph out of the crouch.



Chasen Claus, Class of 2017, West Allegheny HS
Claus is a 5-foot-8, 180-pound 8th grader with projectable size who showed well. He used a 72 mph bat exit speed and good extension to drive baseballs repeatedly during his round of batting practice. He shows power potential and the ability to hit for average. Claus showcased pop times of 2.30-2.40 on throws of 64 mph from the crouch.

• PA - Dec 31, 2012
  Eastern PA Future Prospects Instructional Showcase: Pitcher Analysis
• PA - Dec 30, 2012
  Western PA Future Prospects Instructional Showcase: Pitcher Analysis
• PA - Dec 29, 2012
  Reigning National Champs Announce Signing Class