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Western PA Open ID Showcase Analysis: Evaluating the Catchers

January 8, 2013

By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

The 2014 Class is loaded with talented catchers and the Western PA Open ID Showcase on January 5 found another one. Additionally a Class of 2016 prospect staked his claim to being the top receiver in his class. A look at the top catchers at the event follows.

JessellJake Jessell, Class of 2016, Woodland Hills HS
Jessell is a 6-foot, 220-pound C/RHP that performed well beyond his years in nearly every facet of the game. He showcased a 4.64 home-to-1B time and was sound receiving and blocking the baseball. He displayed 1.97-2.05 pop times on throws of 77 mph from the crouch. Jessell went on to show a power stroke at the plate. He used an 89 mph bat exit velocity and a strong lower half to drive baseballs consistently to all fields. Jessell solidified a spot as one of the top prospects in the PA Class of 2016 with his performance.

Dan Trettel, Class of 2014, North Allegheny HS
Trettel is a 5-foot-11, 175-pound C/3B who came in ranked No. 128 in the PA Class of 2014. He solidified his spot in the rankings with a solid all-around performance. Defensively he showcased pop times of 2.15-2.23 on throws of 71 mph out of the crouch. Trettel also had a good showing at the plate where he displayed an 80 mph bat exit speed and a short compact swing that produced consistent line drives to all fields.

Trey Reese, Class of 2014, Penn Hills HS
Reese is a physical specimen at 6-foot-1, 200-pounds. He is a raw prospect at this point, but has an unlimited ceiling. He began the day displaying his athleticism running the 2nd fastest home-to-1B time of the event at 4.40. He showed promise behind the plate with pop times of 2.15-2.19 on throws of 73 mph out of the crouch. Offensively Reese showcased a 78 mph bat exit speed and some power potential. With some minor adjustments to his swing mechanics Reese could gain even greater barrel whip from his muscular frame. Reese has the makings of a prospect that could make a rapid rise through the rankings over the next two years.

R.J. Harris, Class of 2016, McKeesport HS
Harris is a 6-foot-1, 150-pound C/1B who has the makings of a quality catcher. Harris receives and blocks very well, and should see improved pop times and velocities has his body fills out. Harris showed pop times of 2.41-2.50. Offensively, Harris used a 74 mph bat exit velocity to produce line drives to the pull side.

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