Corpus Christi Open: Catching Analysis

Christopher Bernal, C/3B, McAllen HS, 2021
The University of Pittsburgh commit stands 5-foot-10, 200-pounds, with a sturdy, strong frame. Bernal posted some of the top pop times of day (1.93-2.08), ultra-fast exchange, quick footwork, and an elbow dominant arm stroke with a top velocity from the crouch of 73 mph. Athletic defender, Bernal has good awareness and presence behind the plate during bullpens. Soft hands with the ability to stick pitches and block with relative ease. The right-handed hitter has an aggressive hack with loose hands and rhythm. Starting from a tall, narrow stance, he has a linear load as he lifts his front leg, then strides forward. Hands trigger down, then slide back as he lands balanced with separation. Explosive bat speed and lower half transfer with fast hands, Bernal he posted an exit velocity of 94 mph.

Scott Siebenthall, C/OF, King HS, 2020
Siebenthall is a young backstop that should soon start to turn the heads of college coaches. At 6-foot, 170-pounds, he still had room to develope physically, and has large, strong hands. Highly accurate arm behind the plate, threw strikes to second base with a top velocity from the crouch of 76 mph and pop times of 2.0-2.18. Athletic defender (7.11 60-yard dash) with soft-strong hands, he sets low in his stance during bullpens with good lower half mobility. The right-handed hitter has loose hands and rhythm at the plate, he made hard contact in the middle of the field with a top exit velocity of 86 mph. Starting from a slightly open stance with good flex in his lower half, he loads back with a leg kick as he triggers his hands, taking a short stride, landing with good energy in his lower half. Powerful lower half transfer with fast-strong hands through the zone, he works on an uphill plane through contact with a loose finish.

Dylan Butcher, C/3B, C.E. King HS, 2019
At 6-foot-1, 215-pounds, Butcher has a strong, muscular, broad shouldered frame. Started the day with a 7.14 60-yard dash, then hammered balls from the middle-to pull side with a top exit velocity of 98 mph, including two home runs. The right-handed hitter uses a controlled leg kick to generate significant leverage as he stays in his legs before he unloads the full measure of his power, working on a slighty uphill path to elevate the ball with carry. Behind the plate, Butcher throws from an over the top slot with a top velocity from the crouch of 74 mph and of 2.12-2.15.  

Tuffy Dornburg, C/1B, Goliad HS, 2019
Dornburg stands 6-foot-1, 190-pounds, with a strong, muscular frame. The right-handed hitter took solid round of batting practice, making hard contact in the middle of the field, including a home run he launched to left-centerfield. Starting from a wide, slightly open stance, he triggers his hands back with a smooth load, the strides forward, landing balanced and square. Simple strength with a short, clean handpath, he posted a top exit velocity of 90 mph. Behind the plate, Dornburg has good mobility in his lower half, stays low with a clean exchange, directional footwork. Short arm stroke with a top velocity from the crouch of 74 mph, and pop times of 1.97-2.12.

Michael Zeigler, C, Antonian Prep, 2019,
5-foot-8, 185-pounds. Started the day with a 7.13 60-yard dash. Behind the plate, Zeigler has a strong lower half with excellent mobility and smooth, directional footwork that allows him to gather easy with a clean exchange. Elbow dominant arm stroke with easy effort allow him to have a clean release with a top velocity from the crouch of 73 and pop times ranging from 2.04-2.16. The right-handed hitter starts from an open stance with flex in his lower half, then turns inward, sitting into his legs as he uses a leg kick load. Hands trigger back and up as he strides forward, landing with energy in his lower half. Quick hips as he transfers his back leg through contact, working with a short, flat path through the zone with a top exit velocity of 80 mph.

Eric Maldonado, C/1B, Westlake HS, 2019
Maldonado has a projectable, sturdy frame at 6-foot-1, 202-pounds. The right-handed hitter made hard contact during BP, producing line drives through the middle of the field with a top exit velocity of 84 mph. Starting from a tall, relaxed stance, he loads smooth as he triggers his hands, cocking his top hand as he takes a short stride forward, landing with separation and balance. Slots the barrel on plane, then gets through the zone on a flat plane as he rotates his upper body to contact. Behind the plate, he posted pop times of 2.14-2.26 with a top velocity of 71 mph from the crouch. Showed soft hands during the bullpen session, catching the ball at the bottom of the zone with ease.

Keagan Solomon, C/3B, Johnson City HS, 2021
5-foot-8, 155-pound frame. The right-handed hitter has loose-quick hands at the plate, that work in sequence with a smooth leg kick and good rhythm. Athletic lower half transfer as his hands work on a flat path through the zone with a top exit velocity of 82 mph with a loose finish. Quick footwork and clean arm swing on throws to second base with a top velocity from the crouch of 70 mph and pop times ranging from 2.11-2.38. The natural athleticism and fundamentals are already present, look for Solomon to make jumps as he matures and adds strength.

Dane Swoboda, C/RHP, Robert E. Lee HS, 2020
Swoboda has a durable, projectable frame at 6-foot-2, 205-pounds. A two-way player and right-handed hitter, Swoboda starts from a wide base with flex in his lower half. Loads with a reverse leg lift as he triggers his hands back into a front arm bar. Flat path through the zone as he tranfers his weight and posted an exit velocity of 76 mph. Behind the dish, he posted pop times of 2.1-2.28 with a top velocity from the crouch of 74 mph.