Future Games Trials: Catching Analysis

CROSBY, TX - Thirty players in the 2021-2022 grad classes were on hand for the Future Games Trials to try and earn a coveted spot on the PBR Texas Future Games team that will compete at the beginning of August. Only the top twenty uncommitted underclassman in the state will earn an invite. Last years Future Games Team was a huge success with much of that club having already chosen a college. Here is the catching analysis from that event. 

The youngest player in attendance was 2023 C/SS Dillon Lester (Deer Park HS), and this was our second time seeing him in the past 6 months. He has the skill set right now to compete with guys several years his elder. The switch-hitter can handle the bat from both sides of the plate even though his right-handed hack is more polished with an exit velocity of 86 mph, he still shows plenty of promise from the left side. Gap approach with loose hands, he can deliver the barrel with above average strength in his hands. Athletic defender at two premium positions, he plays catch at a high level with clean transitions, soft hands, and quick footwork with game speed tempo, moving with a bounce in his step and confident demeanor. Threw 71 mph from the crouch with pop times ranging from 2.12-2.19. As good of a reciever as we have seen at a young age, he also moves well on the infield and shows the ryhthm, tempo and footwork to be able to play in the middle moving forward. It’s not just his skills that suggest that this youngster has played up with older teams, he has a seasoned presence, and communicates at a high level.

Kenneth Deck, C/2B, Tarkington HS, 2021
Deck has an already strong frame at 6-foot-1, 170-pounds. The right-handed hitter has an aggressive hack with quality rhythm and loose hands. Using a low hanging leg kick he loads back smooth, landing balanced and taking a short, compact path to the ball then gets extended with authority through contact. Hammered the ball around the yard and posted the top exit velocity of the day at 93 mph. Deck threw strikes to second base at 74 mph from the crouch with a clean arm swing, smooth footwork and plenty of carry to go with pop times of 2.1-2.19.

Matthew Drabbant, C/1B, Dayton HS, 2021
Drabbant uses a simple toe-tap to create good timing and generate leverage with ease.  The right-handed hitter drove the ball through the middle of the field with loose hands and strength in the barrel and top exit velocity of 87 mph. At first base, he fields the ball deep and throws with a short arm swing and top velocity of 72 mph across the diamond. Behind the plate, he threw 70 mph from the crouch with a short, over the top arm circle and pop times ranging from 2.26-2.5.