By Matt Huck
Area Scout

Today we start position analysis from the Milwaukee Preseason I.D. Showcase with the catchers. 2018 Jacob Campbell (Janesville Craig) stood out at the event behind the plate with his advanced catch and throw skills. Here is the complete catching analysis from the event.

Top Prospects

1. Jacob Campbell, C, Janesville Craig, 2018
Illinois commit. Added more strength to his frame, 6-foot, 200-pound right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively hits from a balanced, spread out setup. Short linear stride with an explosive lower half and good balance. Fluid rhythm with a short swing path and extension thru contact. Showed strength thru contact with 95 mph exit velocity from a tee. Above average runner for his position running a 7.02 60 yard dash. Defensively was the best catcher at the event. Behind the plate has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Accurate throws with carry out of the crouch. Athletic defender with soft hands. Quick out of the crouch with fluid footwork. Popped an event best 1.94-2.01 and threw 82 mph from the crouch.

2. Luke Hansel, RHP/C, Union Grove, 2019
5-foot-11, 180-pound right-handed hitting RHP/C with a strong frame. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a long, loose arm action. Drop and drive, slow paced delivery working in line with home plate. Open toed landing with good balance. Fastball sat 81-82 mph for strikes. Curveball has 11-5 shape with short breaking action at 68-71 mph. Showed feel for his changeup at 71-73 mph for strikes. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a smooth load and short stride. Line drive, pull hitter with fluid rhythm and an uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 95 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.77. Defensively has a short arm action form an over the top slot. Accurate throws down to second base. Quick, clean exchange with soft hands. Popped 2.04-2.11 and threw 70 mph from the crouch.

3. Kameron Laskowski, C, Hamilton, 2019
5-foot-9, 160-pound right-handed hitting catcher with a small, strong frame. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a short stride average balance. Line drive hitter with fluid rhythm and short, level swing path. Fast bat, 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.07. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Accurate throws down to second. Long stride out of the crouch. Popped 2.01-2.11 and threw 74 mph from the crouch. Soft hands receiving with good flexibility in the lower half.

4. Jake Goodman, C, Nicolet, 2019
5-foot-10, 180-pound right-handed hitting catcher with a strong frame. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a leg lift stride with average balance. Uphill swing path with a fast bat. Showed strength thru contact with 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 6.98. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Stays low during drills. Popped 2.18-2.25 and threw 71 mph from the crouch. Showed good flexibility in the lower half receiving.

5. Bryce Miller, C, Franklin, 2020
5-foot-10, 170-pound right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively hits from A balanced, spread out setup with a low hand set. Short heel lift stride with good balance. Line drive, gap to gap hitter with a fast bat. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.24. Defensively has a long arm action from an over the top slot. Accurate throws down to second. Popped 2.25-2.35 and threw 74 mph from the crouch.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Blake Carey, C, University School of Milwaukee, 2020
6-foot, 165-pound left-handed hitting catcher. At the plate hits from a balanced, slightly closed setup. Line drive hitter with a level swing path and one arm finish. Showed strength thru contact with 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.45. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Popped 2.22-2.32 and threw 70 mph from the crouch.

Jimmy D’Angelo, C, West Bend West, 2019
5-foot-6, 175-pound left-handed hitting catcher. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a toe tap stride. Short, uphill swing path. 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.41. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Popped 2.19-2.36 and threw 69 mph from the crouch.

Jakob Gast, C, Nathan Hale, 2019
6-foot-2, 175-pound right-handed hitting catcher with a lanky frame. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a leg lift stride and average balance. Line drive hitter with a long, level swing path and early rhythm. Showed strength thru contact with 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.29. Defensively has a long arm action from an over the top slot. Stand and throw with a long exchange. Showed off raw arm strength out of the crouch throwing 76 mph and popping 2.25-2.37.

Evan Henry, C, Wilmot, 2019
5-foot-11, 155-pound left-handed hitting catcher. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and good balance. Short, uphill swing path. 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.81. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Accurate throws with average hands. Popped 2.2-2.27 and threw 72 mph from the crouch.

Riley Hughes, C, Bradford, 2019
5-foot-10, 160-pound right-handed hitting catcher. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Athletic actions behind the plate with a clean, slow exchange. Popped 2.25-2.30 and threw 73 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short leg lift stride and good balance. Gap to gap hitter with fluid rhythm. 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.07.

Jeff Hynes, C, Brookfield Academy, 2018
5-foot-11, 180-pound left-handed hitting catcher. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with an arm bar start. Uses either a leg lift or toe tap stride. Pull hitter with a level swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 89 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.23. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Accurate throws with a long exchange. Popped 2.08-2.26 and threw 71 mph from the crouch.

Troy Shephard, C, Hale West, 2020
6-foot-1, 160-pound right-handed hitting catcher. At the plate hits from an open setup with an even stride and average balance. Uphill swing path with average bat speed. 70 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.82. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm angle with a long exchange. Popped 2.32-2.44 and threw 66 mph from the crouch.

Jacob Springer, C/RHP, Tremper, 2019
5-foot-10, 150-pound right-handed hitting C/RHP. Offensively hits from an open setup with a drop load and short leg lift stride. Pull hitter with a long, uphill swing path. 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.54. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Popped 2.35-2.44 and threw 66 mph from the crouch. On the mound works from an over the top slot with a long, stiff arm action. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate. Fastball sat 70-72 mph. Curveball has loose rational and gradual action at 55-56 mph. Changeup sat 65-67 mph. Splitter sat 58-60 mph.

Cooper Tamblyn, C, Muskego, 2019
5-foot-11, 175-pound right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and minimal lower half involvement. Uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 89 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.16. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Stand and throw with a long exchange. Popped 2.32-2.50 and threw 68 mph from the crouch.

Joey Turco, C, Franklin, 2021
5-foot-9, 160-pound right-handed hitting catcher with a strong, advanced frame. One of the youngest players to participate in the event. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and good balance. Short swing path with fluid rhythm. Showed strength thru contact with 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.89. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot, slight hitch on the backside before release. Clean exchange with average hands. Blocks well. Popped 2.32-2.44 and threw 73 mph from the crouch.

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