Colorado Top Prospect Games Catcher Analysis
August 27, 2018
The Top Prospect Games took place August 4th and 5th at Historic Cherry Creek High School. 89 prospects were on hand for the two day event that included individual evaluations and games. Players from the 2020-2021 classes and some select 2022 were on hand and did not disappoint during this event.
Best of the Best
 |
Andrew Naha C / OF / Mullen, CO / 2020Rankings StateRank: 33 / POS: 6
6-foot-2, 155-pound right hand hitting C/OF who ran a 6.90 60. One of the top players at this event, he put on a show at the plate hitting from a slightly open stance with a high leg kick for timing. Lower half drives through the zone and hands create good whip. Exit velocity was 84 mph and he added a 2 RBI triple during game action. Behind the plate he is a solid catching prospect. Fundamentally sound with a quick glove to hand transfer. Pop-time was 2.02-2.12 with a 72 mph arm. In the outfield he uses his 6.9 speed to cut balls off in the gap. Arm is long and over the top. Arm played at 83 mph with accuracy. He jumped on the mound during this event and showed a clean delivery. From balance he drives to the plate. Delivers from a high ¾ slot and fastball sat 78-80 mph with slight arm side run. He kept hitters off balance with a 67-68 mph curve with 11/5 break and showcased a 68-69 mph change with sink.
|
 |
Blake Rarog SS / C / Legend, CO / 2020Rankings StateRank: 24 / POS: 5
5-foot-9, 175-pound right hand hitting C/SS who ran a 7.00 60. Rarog was all over the field at the TPG. At the plate he hits from a back heavy crouched stance with a long stride and big leg kick on the swing. Shows good power to the pull side. Hands are quick through the zone producing an 85 mph exit velocity. Behind the plate he turned heads with his 1.92 pop-time and 78 mph arm. He has quick actions and a lighting quick release. In the field he uses his athleticism to cover ground at short and make hard plays look routine. His arm is high ¾ and played at 79 mph with accuracy.
|
 |
Jack Roode C / 3B / Kent Denver, CO / 2020Rankings StateRank: 36 / POS: 7
6-foot-0, 170-pound left hand hitting C/3B. Left-handed hitter, starts in an open stance, long stride during load, mostly balanced. Attacks the ball from a short path with above-average bat speed. Recorded an 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Natural catcher behind the plate. Controls the game and handles all pitchers well. Showed athletic actions while blocking and a good glove to hand transfer. Arm is short and from a high ¾ slot. Arm played at 71 mph with a 1.97 pop-time.
|
 |
Owen Best C / 1B / Regis Jesuit , CO / 2020Rankings StateRank: 9 / POS: 2
5-foot-11, 205-pound left hand hitting C/1B. Strong left handed swinger at the plate. Uses a high leg kick to load on his backside. Weight and hands explode through the zone. Swing path is uphill with several balls hit hard during the live round. Exit velocity was 91 mph. Behind the plate he is fundamentally sound. Soft hands and quick actions while blocking. Arm is from a high ¾ slot with accuracy. Pop-times were 2.00 – 2.05 during game action. In the field he shows good instincts around the bag. Quick release and accuracy on the double play ball. Arm played at 78 mph across the diamond.
|
Best of the Rest: Listed Alphabetically
 |
William Bonner C / SS / Windsor, CO / 20205-foot-8, 175-pound right hand hitting C/SS. At the plate he hits from a balanced open stance with a slow load on the pitch. Good lower leg drive on the swing. Hands come through the zone and create good whip. Exit velocity was 84 mph. Behind the plate he showed good instincts and ability to handle different pitchers. Actions are quick with a solid glove to hand transfer. Arm was accurate at 70 mph. Pop-time was 2.16 during the game.
|
 |
Nick Brown C / 2B / Grandview, CO / 20215-foot-10, 155-pound right hand hitting C/2B. Balanced at the plate with a slow load. Swing path is uphill and weight stays on the back side. Good extension out front at contact with good carry into the gap during the live round. Exit velocity was 81 mph. Behind the plate he is athletic and moves well to block balls in the dirt. Quick glove to hand transfer with a 2.00 – 2.08 pop-time. Arm played at 75 mph. Defensively has is an athletic MIF. Moves well left and right. Arm is accurate across the diamond from a high ¾ slot.
|
 |
Nico Cristelli C / RHP / Pueblo East, CO / 20205-foot-10, 155-pound right hand hitting C/RHP who ran a 7.30 60. Balanced at the plate with a big leg trigger and slow load to the back side. Swing mechanics are smooth through the zone. Swing path slightly uphill. Exit velocity was 78 mph. Polished behind the plate with quick actions on balls in the dirt. Quick glove to hand transfer with an 83 mph arm. Pop-times were 2.00 – 2.03.
|
 |
Zander Danyliw C / 3B / Valor Christian, CO / 20225-foot-11, 150-pound right hand hitting C/3B. Wide balanced set up at the plate. Long swing path to the ball. Drives his lower half hard through the zone. Exit velocity was 73 mph. Behind the plate showed good skills and soft hands while receiving. Accuracy was there and arm should improve with age. Arm was 66 mph with a 2.40 pop-time.
|
 |
Harrison Dempsey C / OF / Mountain Vista High School, CO / 20215-foot-11, 155-pound right hand hitting C/OF who ran a 7.24 60. At the plate he hits from a balanced stance with a slow load on the pitch. Good lower leg drive on the swing. Hands come through the zone and create good whip. Exit velocity was 83 mph. Quick actions behind the plate with soft hands and a quick glove to hand transfer. Did a nice job smothering balls in the dirt. Arm was 76 mph with accuracy. Pop-times were 2.05-2.12 off the live pitch.
|
 |
Cole Douglass C / 3B / Natrona County, WY / 20215-foot-9, 155-pound switch hitting C/3B who ran a 7.25 60. This is our third time seeing Douglas and he gets better each time. At the plate his swing mirrors itself. Lift and place leg kick to start the swing. Weight stays on the back side with an uphill path to the ball. Showed good bat control to all fields from the left side. Exit velocity was 82 mph from the left and 81 mph from the right. Defensively he migrates to catcher, but also handles himself well at third base. Behind the plate he is fundamentally solid with a quick high ¾ release. Pop-time was 2.23 with a 69 mph arm. In the field he had smooth actions and attacks the ball. Arm played at 72 mph across the diamond.
|
 |
Nickolas Esquivel C / 3B / Cherry Creek, CO / 2020Rankings StateRank: 19 / POS: 4
6-foot-3, 170-pound right hand hitting C/3B who ran a 7.10 60. Narrow set up at the plate with a long stride on the pitch. Swing path is uphill and his ball has good carry to the gaps. Exit velocity was 87 mph. Defensively he is athletic and fundamentally sound. Behind the plate he has quick actions and a quick release. Ball is accurate to the bag at 76 mph. Pop-time was 73 mph. In the field he glides to the ball and shows smooth actions while fielding. Arm is long and over the top and played at 80 mph.
|
 |
Justin Gines C / RHP / Horizon, CO / 20225-foot-6, 145-pound right hand hitting catcher. At the plate he hits from a balanced stance with a slow load on the pitch. Good lower leg drive on the swing. Hands come through the zone on an uphill path. Exit velocity was 79 mph. Behind the plate he frames well and handles a good mix of pitchers. Arm is high ¾ and played at 72 mph. Pop-time was 2.15. In the field he showed good athletic actions and instincts. He has soft hands and a good glove to hand transfer. Arm Velocity was 73 mph.
|
 |
Ty Kennedy SS / C / Legend, CO / 20225-foot-11, 150-pound right hand hitting C/SS who ran a 7.21 60. Good looking freshman prospect. Balanced stance at the plate with a slow load to the back side. Weight and hands fire through the zone. Swing path is uphill with an 82 mph exit velocity. Behind the plate he is solid. Good hands and feet. Showed a quick glove to hand transfer. Pop-time was 2.28 with accuracy. Defensively he moves well to the ball and anticipates on the pitch. Arm was 78 mph across the diamond.
|
 |
Nate Leash C / 3B / Monarch, CO / 2020Rankings StateRank: 78 / POS: 14
5-foot-9, 175-pound right hand hitting C/3B who ran a 7.20 60. Athletic all around players. Wide balanced stance at the plate with a high leg trigger. Hands create good whip in the zone and he has good extension at contact. Exit velocity was 83 mph. Hit several balls hard during the live round and finished the weekend with two extra base hits. Behind the plate he is polished and quiet. Blocks well and has good feet on throw downs. Arm was 72 mph. Pop-time was 2.23 off the live pitch. We have had him faster off a coach. In the field he shows good actions and instincts. Soft hands and a good funnel allows him to get rid of the ball quickly. Arm was 79 across the diamond with accuracy.
|
 |
Dylan Martines C / OF / East High School, CO / 20215-foot-11, 160-pound right hand hitting C/OF who ran a 7.41 60. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, smooth load, short stride and maintains balance through contact. Compact, fluid, repeatable swing, creates bat speed, consistent hard contact; 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Behind the plate he showed good actions and anticipation on balls in the dirt. Release is high ¾ and transfer is quick. Arm played at 71 mph with a 2.21 pop-time.
|
 |
Christian Medina C / 1B / Lakewood , CO / 2019Rankings StateRank: 125 / POS: 10
5-foot-11, 160-pound left hand hitting C/1B who ran a 7.21 60. Balanced at the plate with a long stride on the pitch. Weight moves forward on the swing with good extension out front. Hands come through uphill and he showed good bat control to the opposite field. Exit velocity was 85 mph. Behind the plate he had quick actions and framed well. Arm was 64 mph with a 2.25 pop-time.
|
 |
Tucker Moore C / RHP / Douglas County High School, CO / 20225-foot-10, 160-pound switch hitting C/RHP who ran a 7.30 60. Talented 2022 who had a very good weekend. At the plate he is balanced with a long stride on the pitch. Swing was level through the zone and he squared up several balls both in the live round and in game action. Exit velocity was 81 mph. Behind the plate he plays older than he is. He controls innings and frames well. Arm was 72 mph with a 2.00 pop-time. On the mound he has a dimple motion. From balance he falls to the plate and release with good extension out front. Arm is from a high ¾ slot. Fastball was 79 mph with good command in and out. He added a 63-65 mph curve with 11/5 break as a good secondary pitch to keep hitters off balance.
|
 |
Krece Papierski C / Moffat County Highschool, CO / 20216-foot-0, 150-pound right hand hitting catcher who ran a 7.32 60. Balanced at the plate with a slow load and coil to the back side. Weight fires through the zone and swing path is uphill. Showed command of the zone and bat control to all fields. Exit velocity was 82 mph. Behind the plate he is solid with good actions while blocking. Arm is from a high ¾ slot and he has a quick release. Arm was 68 mph with a 2.15 pop-time
|
 |
Joseph Strizki C / Mead high school, CO / 20225-foot-2, 102-pound right hand hitting catcher. At the plate he hits from a balanced stance with a slow load on the pitch. Good lower leg drive on the swing. Hands come through the zone on an uphill path. Exit velocity was 64 mph. Behind the plate he has good fundamentals to build upon. Handled all pitchers well. Arm was 61 mph from an over the top slot. Pop-time was 2.35 off the live pitch.
|
 |
Cole Walker C / OF / Legacy, CO / 20216-foot-0, 165-pound right hand hitting C/OF who ran a 7.45 60. Bigger and more athletic since the last time we saw him. Balanced at the plate and drives hard through the zone after the load. Swing is slightly uphill and showed good pull side power. Exit velocity was 82 mph. Behind the plate he has a quiet body and soft hands. Arm is short and over the top. Arm played at 68 mph with a 2.12 pop-time. In the outfield he comes through the ball well with a long over the top arm. Arm was accurate to the bag at 75 mph.
|
 |
Calvin Webb C / 3B / Laramie, WY / 20205-foot-11, 175-pound right hand hitting C/3B. Big body at the plate who hits from a balanced stance with a short stride on the pitch. Lower half creates power to the pull side. Swing path was uphill and his exit velocity was 88 mph. Behind the plate who blocks well and showed good hands for framing. Arm was 68 mph with a 2.15 pop-time. At third base he was solid on balls at him. Showed good actions while coming in on the ball. Arm was over the top and played at 75 mph.
|
