Preston
Bonn

Kennesaw State Commit. 5-foot-11, 180 pounds. This is the player I think of when I talk about how deep the 2024 Peach State catching class is. While he’s just outside our top 5 at the position, he would be No. 1 in many other states. But where he is now can change quickly in this year ‘round sport, and with his overall athleticism and projection we wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up one of the better players in the entire class down the road. As you saw a week ago in “Blast Motion Beasts,” this is a catcher with a freakish offensive skill set well before he’s filled out physically. While he can occasionally get out of control with his body at the plate, Bonn will only continue to simplify and move more efficiently. A big part of it is just getting stronger, which will turn his standout bat speed into blinding bat speed. What impressed me most about him in this game was how he responded to his first 2 AB’s where he got himself out. The 3rd AB he jumped all over a mid 80’s 1st pitch heater up in the zone and absolutely crushed it directly to the LF’s glove with violent top spin. It was there I saw the true determination Bonn has as a player. Many players would’ve been angry or taken their foot off the gas but he let me know the motor doesn’t stop running. He followed up his 4th AB with the double you see below. But where his athleticism might shine best is behind the plate, where he has all the tools and intangibles for the position. The extreme flexibility allows him to block, move laterally, and throw with ease and quick feet. He’s an effortless receiver, has a quick transfer with an arm that's already MLB avg, and the way he leads the pitching staff is highly impressive.

Underclass Games - Catcher Analysis 

Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-foot-11, 180-pounds. Strong, sturdy build, continues to add strength and fine tune his frame.
Hit: RHH. Open setup with an athletic bend in his knees, creates good separation on load, short hanging leg stride into a balanced power position, good use of lower half. Swings it with intent and controlled aggression, barrel path has some length to it but with quick hand and bat speed able to get the barrel through the zone on-time and accelerate through contact, big power to all fields.
Power: 100 max exit velocity, averaged 90 mph. 326’ max distance. Present power with more to come.
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph. Short arm action to an over-the-top slot, throws carry and are accurate, quick release.
Defense: 1.96-2.02 pop times. Plays through the ball athletically, soft receiver, quick hands and exchanges, clean footwork, keeps momentum on-line, advanced blocker and framer.
Run: 7.21 runner in the 60.

Bonn continues to steadily trend upwards, making consistent improvements. Starting with the frame, Bonn has packed more strength into his 5-foot-11, 175-pound frame and has shaved two tenths of a second off his 60, down to a 7.28. Behind the dish, he has a strong arm, 76 from the crouch, and posted a best pop of 2.08. What stands out the most though is what he can do at the plate. Bonn creates whippy bat speed, 78.4 average (3rd overall at the event), with quick hand speed to go along, 24.9 average (2nd overall at the event). The swing works with easy effort and has power to all fields.

5-foot-8, 145-pound right-handed hitting catcher, lean frame with plenty of time to continue to grow and add, ran an 8.43 laer-timed 60. Offensively, open setup, hands start near ear and load deep, strides to a balanced position, good balance on finish. Line drive type hitter who with more time and physical development will be a gap-to-gap type with the ability to drive the ball to all fields, good feel for the barrel and hand-eye, 76 exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, short arm action to a ¾ slot, put throws low on second base, 69 out of the crouch. Sits in stance with good flexibility in knees and ankles, clean on transfers and footwork, pop times ranged 2.32-2.47.