By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor - Wisconsin/Illinois

The Madison Preseason I.D. was one of the biggest events we've held in Wisconsin and the talent was plentiful. This week we will start to roll out positional analysis and today we start with the catchers. Freshman Jeff Holtz (Arrowhead) took the top spot. Already an Indiana commit, Holtz showed some of the best athleticism and upside at the event. His ceiling is huge and although nothing is guaranteed in projecting players, Holtz looks to be one of the premier catchers in the state. Sophomores Jamie DeWitt (Waukesha South) and Kyle Antos (Indian Trail) followed closely behind and look to be high level receivers with premium caliber bats.

Here's a look at all the top catching prospects.

Top Catching Prospects

1. Jeff Holtz, C/OF, Arrowhead, 2018
6-foot-3, 181-pound lanky and athletic right-handed hitting catcher already committed to Indiana. Impressed with advanced catch-and-throw skills, pop times ranging from 2.00-2.01 consistently. 72 mph out of the crouch with carry to second. Short, over-the-top arm slot, carry on throws, plus direction to second out of the crouch, quick footwork, quick/clean, exchange from glove to hand. Impressed with soft hands receiving during bullpens. Also threw 81 mph from the outfield. Hits from a balanced setup, hands load back smoothly, leg kick stride, loose, fluid swing, short path, gets extension, plus bat speed for age, 86 mph exit velocity off the tee. Ran a 7.23 60. High-level prospect in the Midwest to follow over the next four years.

2. Jamie DeWitt, C, Waukesha South, 2017
6-foot-3, 200-pound wide shouldered, athletic, physical frame, right-handed hitting catcher ranked No. 5 in Wisconsin, No. 111 overall. Hits from an open stance, short stride, loose swing, short level bat path, high finish, occasional extension, 84 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, impressed with arm strength behind the plate, 74 mph from the crouch, from short, over-the-top arm slot, with carry. Soft hands receiving, quick footwork, quick and clean exchanges from glove to hand. Pop times ranged from 2.04-2.11 to second. Ran a 7.63 60. High level uncommitted prospect in Wisconsin’s 2017 class.

3. Kyle Antos, C, Kenosha Indian Trail, 2017
5-foot-11, 200-pound catching prospect, strong sturdy build, typical catchers frame, should hold up well behind the plate. Offensively hits from the right side, balanced setup, short stride, good balance. Strong swing, made repeatable hard contact, power potential bat. Advanced bat speed, short path with extension, loose hands, barrel aware. 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed advanced catch and throw skills, exchange is quick and clean. Arm plays well, short and over the top, some carry, 73 mph out of the crouch. Posted pop times at 2.00-2.15. Good foot speed for a catcher at his age, 7.15 runner, shows when coming out of the chute. High follow 2017 prospect in Wisconsin.

4. Stephen Lund, C/3B, Verona Area, 2018
5-foot-11, 175-pound, right-handed hitting C/3B. Behind the plate has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Accurate throws with carry. Fluid footwork with a quick clean transfer. Popped 2.03-2.14 and threw 74 mph from the crouch. Profiles as a corner infielder with slower actions. Has a long arm action form a high ¾ arm slot with accuracy. Threw 78 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from an open stance with a short stride and good balance. Short level swing path with extension. Fluid rhythm with a fast bat. Showed present strength thru contact with 91 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.30. High level prospect who will continue to improve with maturity.

5. Evan Wick, C, East Troy, 2015
Viterbo commit. 5-foot-8, 165-pound catcher, strong build, shows upper body strength. Defensively showed catch and throw skills, arm plays short over the top, quick release. Athletic actions, quick clean exchange, compact and good direction. Posted pop times at 1.94-2.08. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, good balance through contact. Solid path, stays on top of the baseball, line drive gap to gap approach. 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.

6. Trenton Bauer, C, Green Bay East, 2016
Long lanky frame, projectable body at 6-foot-2, 165-pounds, left-handed hitting catcher. Good upside with the bat, open stance, leg kick trigger, slight waggle to load. Loosed hands, get the barrel through the zone, swing has whip, good bat speed. Fluid hitter, occasionally late getting foot down with some opposite field contact. 78 mph exit velocity from the tee, projectable bat. Defensively showed softer hands receiving the baseball. Arm action has some length, over the top slot, exchange also has length. 68 mph out of the crouch, 2.30-2.37 pop times. Good follow left-handed hitting catching prospect.

7. Zach Steuck, C, Lodi, 2016
Frame carries strength at 6-foot-1, 215-pounds, right-handed hitting catcher. Balanced stance, short stride, lower half can get more active. Path stays on top, found barrel, short path works deliberately to the baseball. Strong swing, 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively has a short over the top arm action, 77 mph out of the crouch. 2.04-2.16 pop times. 7.14 runner in the 60.

8. Logan Michaels, C, DeForest, 2016
5-foot-10, 175-pound, right-handed catcher with a strong build. In the field has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Athletic actions with soft hands and quick footwork. Solid receiver with flexibility in the lower half. Popped 2.18-2.19. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride, linear lower half and good balance. Opposite field, line drive hitter with a short swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 91 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.32.

9. Jack Kraus, C/INF, Neenah, 2017
6-foot-1, 225-pound catcher/corner infielder, carries strength. Power potential bat, open stance, short stride. Made hard contact, showed pop in cages, strong swing. 94 mph exit velocity from the tee. Showed bat speed, with pull side power approach. Short arm action, over the top slot, some carry, arm played better out of the crouch. 74 mph both from the crouch and across the diamond. 2.19-2.27 pop times, good exchange out of the crouch, gets right into throwing slot. Showed the ability to block well. Projects better behind the plate.

10. Zak Kosloske, C, Hortonville, 2017
5-foot-10, 175-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. In the field has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Athletic fielder with average arm strength. Strong hands receiving in bullpens. Popped 2.18-2.27 from the crouch. At the plate hits from a balanced slightly open stance with a short stride and average balance. Opposite field hitter with a short uphill swing path and average bat speed. Showed strength thru contact with 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.19.

10. Jack Jensen, C, Tremper, 2016
Stocky frame, strong build, 5-foot-10, 187-pound catcher. Hits from a balanced setup, short stride, lower half works, maintains balance. Short strong stroke, path gets some extension, good finish. Bat has some pop, 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.39 runner in the 60. Defensively arm plays over the top, short release, arm played at 69 mph out of the crouch. Posted pop times at 2.11-2.25.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Rick Acevedo, C, Oak Creek, 2017
5-foot-11, 202-pound catcher, thick build with strength, developed lower half. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride, lower half can get more involved, right-handed hitter. Easy compact swing, occasional hard contact. Showed some bat speed, strong for age, 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.33 runner in the 60. Short arm action, over the top slot, 65 mph out of the crouch. Pop times ranged from 2.26-2.36.

Brayden Elliot, C/OF, Nicolet, 2017
6-foot-1, 180-pound catcher, frame carries present strength. Right-handed hitter, open stance, short toe tap stride, solid balance. Strong swing, hands worked, showed bat speed. Good approach, some presence in the box, gets extension with pull side lift approach. 71 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively uses a short over the top arm action from the crouch (65 mph) and the outfield (73 mph). Showed some action in the outfield, most likely projects to corner outfield spot. 7.29 runner. Posted pop times at 2.29-2.43.

Logan Hile, C, Rice Lake, 2016
5-foot-10, 175-pound, right-handed hitting catcher with a strong build and thick lower half. In the field has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot with average arm strength. Tall receiver with average hands. Popped 2.11-2.26 from the crouch. At the plate hits from a balanced setup, starts tall and loads down. Short leg lift stride. Pull hitter with a long uphill swing path. 74 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.84.

Michael Houdek, C, Brookfield Central, 2017
Strong frame, 6-foot, 195-pound catcher. Right-handed hitter, wide setup, reverse stride, solid balance. Shows promise with the bat, made hard contact, line drive type hitter with bat speed, strong build, some power potential. 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short, over the top slot, 72 mph arm strength. Footwork can improve out of the chute, lacked direction, exchange is clean. 2.18-2.19 pop times can get even better with improved lower half. 7.46 runner in the 60.

Henry Jacobs, C, Edgewood, 2018
5-foot-10, 160-pound catcher, medium frame. Right-handed hitter, slightly open stance, drops hands into load, short stride. Mostly opposite field contact, late trigger, 73 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively posted 2.35-2.51 pop times, arm works over the top, hands worked receiving the baseball. 8.05 runner in the 60.

Ryan Kaul, C/3B, Beaver Dam, 2016
6-foot, 175-pound right-handed hitting C/3B hits from a tall, open setup, short stride, short, slightly uphill bat path, solid contact, average bat speed, 80 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, pop times ranged from 2.15-2.22 to second base, 73 mph out of the crouch from short, over-the-top arm slot. Threw 70 mph across the diamond during infield drills, same short arm action, lower slot. Average hands fielding the baseball, plays upright. Ran a 7.28 60.

Brodie Klukas, C/3B, Janesville Parker, 2018
5-foot-11, 168-pound, right-handed hitting utility player. Behind the plate has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Tall receiver, popped 2.19-2.29 from the crouch. In the infield has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Average hands with slower actions. Threw 74 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a closed stance with a leg kick stride and average balance. Long, uphill swing path with average bat speed. Will improve with better timing. 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long sweepy arm action. Crossfire delivery with a closed landing. Fastball showed occasional cut at 73-75 topping out at 77 mph. Curveball sat 61-64 mph. Changeup sat 67-70 mph. Will continue to improve with maturity.

Connor Manthey, C/RHP/INF, Columbus, 2018
6-foot, 180-pound right-handed hitting C/RHP/INF impressed with all-around play. Behind the plate registered pop times from 2.28-2.34 to second, 66 mph out of the crouch from short, over-the-top arm slot, average hands receiving. Graded out even better in infield, future 3B, impressed with carry on throws, and infield actions. At the plate, hits from a wide, balanced setup, short stride, short, path, gap-to-gap approach, above average bat speed for age, 82 mph exit velocity off the tee. Ran a 7.8 60. On the mound, fastball sat 77-79 mph from short, over-the-top arm slot, tall/fall delivery, toe down at balance point, loads lower half over the rubber, level shoulders throughout delivery, lands in line with home plate. 12/6 curveball thrown from 59-62 mph, occasional late break. Also threw a sinking 71-74 mph changeup, impressed with feel for three pitches for strikes.

Zane McConkey, C, Monona Grove, 2016
5-foot-11, 170-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. In the field has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Tall receiver, gains ground towards second on throws. Popped 2.19-2.28 and threw 70 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from a balanced set up with hands pre set forward, loads to back side with a short stride. Opposite field line drive hitter with a level swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.87.

Sean Meyer, C, Oconomowoc, 2017
5-foot-11, 165-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. In the field has a short loose arm action from an over the top arm slot with average hands. Popped 2.15-2.26 from the crouch. At the plate hits from a wide, balanced setup with a heel lift stride and average balance. Short uphill swing path with average bat speed. 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.60.

Jack Pawlak, C, Grafton, 2018
5-foot-11, 200-pound catcher, shows some strength. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short heel lift stride. Strong swing, made hard contact, occasionally lunges. Hands stay inside, some opposite field tendency. 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays over the top, 67 mph out of the crouch. Direction and footwork can improve, sits high coming out of the crouch. 2.29-2.40 pop times. 8.09 runner in the 60.

Collin Sackett, C, Germantown, 2018
5-foot-8, 160-pound catcher, young build. Right-handed hitter, balance setup, short toe tap stride, average balance. Path is level, flat through it, some length, slight pull side approach. 79 mph exit velocity from the tee Defensively transfer showed some effort, worked slightly uphill. Arm plays out of an over the top slot, short arm action. Pop times ranged from 2.23-2.50. Ran the 60 at 7.60.

Jordan Vonbehren, OF/C, Deforest, 2018
5-foot-11, 175-pound, right-handed hitting OF/C. In the outfield has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Threw 76 mph from the outfield. Behind the plate his a short arm action from an over the top arm slot, average hands with some stiffness in the lower half. Popped 2.30-2.47 and threw 67 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and average balance. Opposite field hitter with a short swing path. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.03. On the mound has a short quick arm action from a high ¾ arm angle. Cross fire delivery with level shoulders and a closed landing. Armside run on fastball at 73-75 mph. Curveball showed 10-4 shape at 66-68 mph. Maintained armspeed on changeup with cutting action at 68-70 mph. Will continue to improve with maturity.

Related Content

• WI Madison Preseason I.D.: Statistical Analysis3.19.15
  One of the more impressive stat sheets we've seen, a must see... >>
• WI Madison Preseason I.D. Superlatives3.16.15
  A quick look at some highlights from our final leg of the preseason identification showcases... >>