Benjamin
Avila

Avila, a 2018 right-handed hitting catcher currently ranked 17th, stands at  5-foot-10 and weighs 195 pounds, ran a 7.64 60.  Offensively- Works from a square balanced lower half with the hands above the back shoulder and barrel of the bat nearly parallel to the ground. Gets to the launch phase of the swing with a lifting of the lead foot, slight inward rotation of the knee, while the a subtle shift of weight is used to the back side and hands are minimal loaded staying in front of the back shoulder. Kept the hands quick and tight to the ball during batting practice, getting quality extension and displaying an ability to drive the ball well from the pull side to opposite field gap. Matched a personal best exit velocity of 84 MPH. Defensively-  Works from a triangular primary stance, well balanced and glove slightly above the left knee. Received the ball well, using an ankle sway to receive pitches to both sides of the plate giving quality presentation. Uses a funnel technique on the pitches to the lower third of the zone. On throws to second, tends to drop the hands below the chest causing a circular movement with the transfer rather than transferring the ball from the center of the body chest height. With a quicker and more effective transfer, throws will improve carry and increase the arm velocity of 76 MPH, which has been as high as 77 MPH at previous events. Recorded a pop time of 2.02 but has been as quick as 1.97 at previous events. Clean and fluid movements, projecting as a solid receiver at the next level. 

Avila, a 2018 right-handed hitting catcher, stands at 5-foot-9 and weighs a solid 180 pounds, he ran a 7.79 60 but has been as quick as 7.47 at past events.  Offensively- Starts with an open stance with the weight shifted to the back leg and lower half slightly crouched hands begin above the back shoulder with a slight wrap of the barrel behind the head. Starts the launch phase of the swing with a leg kick while the hands remain quiet with little movement. Is able to keep the hands behind the rotation of the hips allowing good to plus bat speed. During BP showed ability to drive the ball down the line with authority as well as showing the ability to use the middle of the field gap to gap. Recorded an exit velocity of 81 MPH, but has been as high as 84 MPH at previous events. Defensively-  Uses a compact primary stance with the feet more than shoulder width apart creating a strong athletic base with the lower half. Received the ball with a quiet hand, working from outside the ball to give good presentation. Showed a strong arm, but tends to be low with the transfer causing some delay with the throwing arm. Throws showed good carry and will continue once an adjustment is made to create a higher transfer and get the hands into a shoulder height position faster. Recorded a pop time of 1.97 on the day with an arm velocity of 77 MPH both numbers an increase (+.09 on pop time and an +5 MPH). Currently ranked 11th best catcher for the class of 2018, but should make his way into the top 10 over the next year.