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Unsigned Senior Games: Catching Analysis

August 31, 2015

By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The Unsigned Senior Games took place on August 7th and 8th at Plunkett Park in Elmhurst, IL. On the morning of the first day a pro-style workout took place for all position players in attendance. Following the workout, players were broken into four teams with each team playing two games over the two days. Following the event the PBR scouting staff compiled all of their notes from the workout and game play. Over the next few days we will be breaking down the event position by position, today looking at the catchers.

Below is a list of the top five catchers from the Unsigned Senior Games.

TOP CATCHERS

1. Brendan Krob, C, Argo, 2016
5-foot-11, 185-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Projects well at the next level. Hits from a wide setup, smooth load, with good approach. Level bat path, above average bat speed, with good rhythm in swing. In game Krob went 2-3 with a single and a homerun that cleared the 347ft fence.The only home run of the weekend in game play. Registered exit velocity of 89mph off the tee Ran a 4.61 home to first and a 7.37 60. Consistently boasted 1.93, 1.94 2.0 pop times. Threw 78mph from behind the plate. Showed good presence behind the plate, loose arm action with accuracy and carry on throws.

2. Bryce Gray, C, Homewood-Flossmoor, 2016
5-foot-11, 200-pound catcher, solid strong build. Right-handed hitter, balanced wide stance, short stride, good balance. Showed bat speed, level path, line drive type hitter, gap to gap type, athletic loose hands. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays from a short over the top slot, 76 mph from the crouch, carried well and on target, easy arm. Defensively gets clean exchange out of the chute, posted pop times at 2.05-2.09. 7.48 runner in the 60. One of the top prospects in attendance.

3. Shamus Segersten, C/OF, Marian Central Catholic, 2016
6-foot 2, 200-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Hits from a tall open stance with low hands. Slight load, short stride, with uphill bat path. Ran a 7.36 60 and was 4.69 home to first. Strong, quick twitch, fast hands, stays through the ball. Registered 92 mph exit velocity off the tee. Behind the plate flashed pop times of 2.01-2.05 with a velocity of 78 mph. From the outfield, Shamus works from an over the top arm slot with a long arm action. Showed accuracy and carry on throws. Recorded velocity of 88 mph from the outfield.

4. Tanner Natzke, C, New Lutheran (WI), 2016
5-foot 11, 180-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Hits from an open, balanced setup with short stride and uphill bat path. Registered 78 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively recorded pop times of 2.04 and 2.08. In game play Natzke threw out a runner with a 2.0 pop time. Recorded 75 mph from behind the plate.  Ran a 7.75 60 and was 4.76 home to first.

5. Justin Jackson, C, De La Salle, 2016
Compact, strong 5-foot-8, 170-pound right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, some quick twitch, fast bat speed and fluid rhythm in the swing. Balanced setup, slight pre-pitch load, short stride, and above average balance through contact. Short, uphill bat path and a gap-to-gap approach. Registered an exit velocity of 85 mph. Defensively, short-arm action, over-the-top slot and a quick exchange. Pop times ranged from 2.04-2.18. Clocked at 75 mph from the crouch. Ran a 7.56 60 yard dash. Also, blocked well during game play.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Christian Dutler, C, Stevenson, 2016
5-foot-11, 180-pound left-handed hitting catcher. Hits from a balanced set up, rhythm in hands, smooth load, short stride and balanced finish. Bat path is level with slight uphill tendencies. Showed line drive approach during batting practice. Registered 82 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, plays with confidence and bounce behind the plate. Registered pop times of 2.18, 2.11, 2.08 between innings and threw 75 mph from behind the plate. Ran an 8.28 60 and was 5.26 home to first in game play.

Cyle Hartwig, C, Kenosha Bradford (WI), 2016
 5-foot-10, 185-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Defensively works with soft hands behind the plate, short arm action, over the top, with some accuracy. Recorded pop times of 2.12, and 2.25. Hits from a tall balanced setup, short stride, with uphill bat path. Registered 78 mph off the tee.  In game play, Hartwig went 1-3 with a single. Ran a 8.01 60 and was 4.75 home to first.

Hank Holm, C, Rolling Meadows, 2016
5-foot-10, 155-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Slower exchange, but showed solid footwork gaining ground towards second base. Popped 2.29-2.35 and throwing 69 mph from the crouch. Offensively hits from an open stance with a short toe tap stride. Collapse backside with an uphill swing path. 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.85.

Zane McConkey, C, Monona Grove, 2016
Well-proportioned 5-foot-10, 170-pound right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, starts with high hands and a balanced stance. Slight pre-pitch load of the lower-half and hands. Leg-lift trigger. Long, uphill bat path through the hitting zone and looks to pull the ball. Exit velocity registered at 78 mph.  Defensively, from behind the plate, short-arm action an over-the-top slot. Pop times ranged from 2.18-2.3. Clocked at 68 mph from the crouch.

Brooks Ralph, C, Homestead (WI), 2016
5-foot 9, 180-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Hits from a wide setup, slight load, with no stride. Short bat path with inside out approach. Registered 74 mph exit velocity. In game Ralph went 1-2 with a single, and a walk. Ran a 7.71 60 and was 5.11 home to first. Defensively, recorded 2.2 pop times. Arm works from a high ¾ arm angle with short arm action. Recorded 72 mph from behind the plate.

Nathaniel Segura, C, St. Patrick, 2016
5-foot-9, 200-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively hits from a tall, narrow setup with a low hand set. Long stride with strength and leverage thru contact. Gap to gap hitter with a long, uphill swing path. Strength thru contact with 89 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.91. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Quick footwork and transfer. Popped 2.11-2.25 and threw 73 mph from the crouch. In game threw out a would be base stealer with a 2.11 in game pop. High energy player on the field.

Joe Spano, C, Waubonsie Valley, 2016
6-foot, 185-pound catcher, solid build. Right-handed hitter, open setup, crouched stance, short stride to even. Spray type hitter, showed bat speed, path works. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays with a long firm arm action out of the crouch, over the top slot, 71 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged 2.12-2.35. 7.74 runner in the 60.

Luke Witkowski, C, Lincoln-Way North, 2016
6-foot-2, 180-pound catcher, long frame. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, hands drop at load. Path has length, uphill path. Lift pull side approach, 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short, over the top slot, showed to be accurate to his target. Direction out of the chute can improve, posted pop times at 2.12-2.23. 8.08 runner in the 60.

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