HUNTSVILLE, TX - Here is the second installment of the positional analysis from the Texas Senior Games. This event was loaded with uncommitted talent, and a number of players that will be moving up the 2019 Rankings that we will release next week. For now, lets take a look at seven catchers.

Catchers

Kory Schmidt, C/1B, Liberty Hill HS, 2019
Standing 6-foot-4, 210-pounds, with broad shoulders and strength throughout his frame, Schmidt put on a show in BP, using a motorcycle leg kick and taking aggressive hacks, he pounded balls off the left-centerfield wall and posted an exit velocity of 93 mph. Coils up as he lifts his front leg, but has the balance and strength to still be on time - and on the barrel.  The ball jumps off his bat with high launch angles and a loose finish. Hammered a triple down the right field line during the game, and did a great job of blocking balls in the dirt, showing good athleticism for his size. He threw 74 mph from the crouch with pop times ranging from 2.05-2.15, and ran a 7.42 60-yard dash.

Junior Torres, C/3B, MacArthur HS, 2019
Torres is an all around athletic back-stop that showcased strength in every facet of his game. Good inline speed with a 7.07 60-yard dash. The right-handed hitter loads back smooth and early with a knee-to-knee low hanging leg kick as he triggers the knob down, lifting the barrel and striding forward, landing with leverage and separation. Hands work well through the zone with good lag and strength as he throws the head with a loose finish after contact and an exit velocity of 88 mph. Laced line drives with gap power during BP. Behind the dish, Torres has clean arm stroke with quick feet and threw with a top velocity from the crouch of 79 mph and pop times of 1.93-2.04.  Blocked really well during the game, showing off good lower half mobility and soft hands with the ability to smother balls back toward the plate.

Jackson Rinehart, C, Harker Heights HS, 2019
Rinehart has a muscular frame at 5-foot-9, 184-pounds. The right-handed hitter starts from an open, narrow stance with flex in his lower half. Smooth load as he lifts his front leg and pinches his knees together while lifting his hands up and back. Front foot stays low as he strides forward, walking away from his hands and landing in an athletic launch position. Quick hips transfer his weight into a firm front side as he slots the barrel down into the zone, working on an uphill plane as he rotates to contact. Hard contact to the pull side, strong hands and a top exit velocity of 93 mph. Behind the plate, Rinehart has an athletic lower half with smooth footwork and quick exchange. Throws from an over the top slot with a short arm stroke, top velocity from the crouch of 70 mph and pop times of 2.08-2.11.

Austin Hamilton, C/1B, Westlake HS, 2019
5-foot-11, 185-pound, strong frame. Hamilton had some of the most consistent pop time of any catcher during the workout, throwing thigh-high strikes to second base with pop times of 2.01-2.05 and a top velocity from the crouch of 80 mph. Clean exchange, smooth-quick footwork gaining ground into a high arm slot with some effort and true carry to the bag. The right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance then loads into his back leg as he shifts his weight forward while he strides, hitting off his front foot with a downward path and top exit velocity of 90 mph.

Juan Lopez, C/3B, Sharyland HS, 2019
Strong, barrel chested frame at 5-foot-8, 180-pounds. The right-handed hitter has quick hands at the plate with a short path and easy rhythm. Starting from an open stance with flex in his lower half, he triggers his hands back, then takes a short stride to land square with balance. Simple weight transfer through contact with a flat finish and a top exit velocity of 85 mph. Accurate throws to second base with a top velocity from the crouch of 71 mph with pop times ranging from 1.97-2.08, clean exchange into a short arm stroke.

Eric Maldonado, C/1B, Westlake HS, 2019
Long-limbed frame at 6-foot-1, 195-pounds. The right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance then loads back smooth as he triggers his hands and tilts the barrel forward over his head. Takes a short stride, then hip slides his weight forward and rotates his upper body to contact, finishing over his front foot with an exit velocity of 80 mph. Maldonado is a vocal player behind the plate, where he posted pop times of 2.19-2.3 with a top velocity from the crouch of 72 mph.

Andrew Arriaga, C, South Houston HS, 2019
5-foot-10, 205-pound frame. The right-handed hitter starts from a relaxed, balanced stance with good flex in his lower half as he stays stacked over the midline of his body. Smooth load back with relaxed rhythm as he lifts his front foot and triggers his hands back, landing into a leveraged launch position. Loose hands work through the zone with lag in the barrel, creating solid extension after contact. Posted an exit velocity of 88 mph with a middle of the field - line drive approach during BP. Hammered a line drive to third base during the game. Behind the plate, Arriaga posted pop times of 2.19-2.32 with a top velocity from the crouch of 71 mph from a ¾ arm slot.

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