Prep Baseball Report

Class of 2016 Open Showcase: Catching Analysis



By Ryan Quigley
Illinois Scouting Director

The Class of 2016 Open Showcase took place on Wednesday, July 23rd at Plunkett Park in Elgin, IL.  This year’s showcase featured several talented, uncommitted players in Illinois’ 2016 class.  Starting off our positional analysis we will take a look the top catching prospects.  Plainfield North’s Jake Dunham, already committed to Northern Illinois, took home top honors impressing with his power potential, pop times, and throwing accuracy.  Dunham was new to PBR and his performance helped vault him up to No. 35 in Illinois’ class of 2016 rankings.  Click here to view the updated Class of 2016 rankings.

Here’s a look at the top catching prospects at this year’s Class of 2016 Open Showcase:

Top Catching Prospects

1. Jake Dunham, C, Plainfield North, 2016
6-foot, 180-pound right-handed hitting catcher currently ranked No. 35 in Illinois’ 2016 class, committed to Northern Illinois.  The Class of 2016 Showcase was the first time the PBR staff has seen Dunham and he no doubt impressed.  He hits from wide setup, with no stride, hands load smoothly, creating short, level bat path with extension and above average 85 mph exit velocity.  Hit several line drives in batting practice from gap-to-gap, with power to his pull side.  Defensively, reeled off pop times between 2.00-2.08, from short, over the top arm action with carry and accuracy.  Threw 77 mph from the crouch, showcasing soft hands receiving with quick footwork and clean exchanges from glove to hand. Ran a 7.54 60 yard dash, and 4.79 seconds from home to first.

2. Joe Laudont, Catcher, Kaneland, 2016
5-foot-11, 170-pound right-handed hitting catcher impressed with pop times ranging between 2.00-2.07 at 74 mph from the crouch.  Throws from a short, over the top arm slot with accuracy and a quick exchange. Hits from an open setup with a short stride, hands load smoothly producing above average bat speed with 84 mph exit velocity.  Showed fluid rhythm at the plate with a tendency to pull with several line drives.  Ran a 6.96 60, very good for a catcher.

3. Nick Price, C, Waubonsie Valley, 2016
6-foot, 180-pound right-handed hitting catcher hits from an open stance, hands load back smoothly, creating some lift in uphill bat path with pull tendencies at 78 mph exit velocity.  Behind the plate, reeled off pop times between 2.00-2.07 from short, over the top arm slot with some accuracy.  Misses were up the line to his arm side.  Threw 76 mph from the crouch.  Feet are quick during exchange gaining ground towards second base.  Received well during live bullpens, showcasing soft hands, and blocking several pitches and working hard throughout.  Also ran a 7.00 60.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Jason Behnke, C/1B, Metea Valley, 2016
6-foot, 210-pound right-handed hitting catcher/first baseman hits from a wide setup, very little stride, with uphill bat path and strength to his pull side creating 81 mph exit velocity.  Showed quick, efficient feet behind the plate, rattling off pop times between 2.18-2.25, throwing 68 mph from the crouch.  Also threw 68 mph across the diamond from first base.  Ran a 7.47 60 and 4.97 seconds from home to first.

Zach Frey, C/RHP, Normal University, 2016
5-foot-10, 150-pound catcher/right-handed pitcher impressed with arm strength both on the mound and behind the plate.  Behind the plate, threw 79 mph from the crouch with pop times ranging between 2.07-2.16.  Hits from a wide, balanced setup, with a short stride and slightly uphill bat path looking to pull with 85 mph exit velocity.  Also ran a 7.14 60 yard dash, 4.44 seconds from home to first.  Threw 79-82 mph off the mound with some sink from short, over the top arm slot with a drop and drive delivery.  Showed some rhythm in delivery with level shoulders, and lower half staying in line with home plate.  64-68 mph breaking ball showed 12/6 shape gradual break for strikes.  71-72 mph changeup missed to his arm side.

Brett Whelton, C, St. Francis, 2016
6-foot, 185-pound left-handed hitting catcher hits from an open stance, with a short, toe turn lower half load, hands load back significantly, producing long, uphill swing with 85 mph exit velocity.  Defensively, pop times ranged between 2.18-2.26 at 73 mph from the crouch.  Stands up early during transfer.  Displayed soft hands and solid receiving skills during pitcher bullpens.  Ran a 7.83 60 and 4.65 from home to first.

Cameron Wilson, C, Jacobs, 2016
5-foot-10, 160-pound right-handed hitting catcher hits from a crouched, balanced setup with a long stride with pull tendencies and 78 mph exit velocity.  Threw 72 mph from the crouch producing pop times between 2.11-2.22 from short, over the top arm slot with accuracy.  Stays low receiving with soft hands. Hits from balanced, crouch setup with a long stride and high back elbow with pull tendencies and 78 mph exit velocity.  Ran a 7.84 60 and 4.86 from home to first.

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