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Class of 2016 Showcase: Catching Analysis

November 3, 2014

By Ryan Quigley
Illinois Scouting Director

The Prep Baseball Report’s Class of 2016 Showcase took place on Sunday October 19th indoors at the MAX in McCook, IL. The event featured 100 uncommitted prospects in the junior class and also saw several Division-I coaches in attendance.

CLICK HERE to see complete statistics from the event in PDF format.

Morgan Park may be one of the fastest teams in the state next spring, as we highlighted teammates Christian Bullock, Darius Hill, and PJ Byrd in our Stats Story who were three of the fastest players in attendance.

Today we will begin to rank the players based on position starting off with the catchers.

Naperville North’s Christian Barczi takes home top honors thanks to his all-around athleticism. Barczi posted the second highest exit velocity of the event, at 86 mph off the tee. The 6-foot, 175-pound backstop also posted the lowest pop time of the event at 1.97, while posting consistent pop times in the low 2.0’s.

Let’s take a look at the Top Catchers at this year’s Class of 2016 Showcase.

Top Catchers

1. Christian Barczi, C, Naperville North, 2016
6-foot, 175-pound strong and athletic right-handed hitting catcher hits from a balanced setup, hands load back smoothly, short leg kick stride, excellent balance throughout swing with fast bat speed, short level bat path with extension, several line drives from gap-to-gap during batting practice with 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively, impressed with the top pop time of the event, from 1.97-2.11 seconds with accuracy, 74 mph from the crouch. Quick release, could benefit from moving forward out of the chute a little more for momentum. Ran a 7.3 60.

2. Clay Bachman, C, Olympia, 2016
5-foot-10, 165-pound strong and athletic left-handed hitting catcher hits from a balanced setup, short stride, short, slightly uphill bat path producing 77 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, pop times ranged from 2.04-2.11 seconds, 78 mph from the crouch from short, over the top arm slot. Quick footwork, gains ground towards second, quick and clean transfer from glove to hand. Impressed during bullpens with soft hands receiving the baseball, quick feet moving over to block, catching actions are advanced. Ran a 7.53 60.

3. Armando Lara, C, Holy Trinity, 2016
6-foot, 178-pound athletic right-handed hitting catcher hits from a balanced setup, hands load smoothly, short stride, short level bat path, hit line drives from gap-to-gap during batting practice with 77 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, pop times ranged from 2.12-2.22 from short, over-the-top arm slot, 74 mph from the crouch. Impressed with effort and blocking skills during bullpens. Ran an 8.06 60.

4. Christian Dutler, C, Stevenson, 2016
5-foot-11, 180-pound left-handed hitting catcher hits from a closed setup, short stride, hands move back smoothly, short swing with extension, opposite field tendencies, jams himself on inner half diving over the plate at times. Produced 80 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, pop times ranged from 2.11-2.18 seconds from short, over-the-top arm slot, all on the bag with accuracy, 72 mph from the crouch. Ran an 8.21 60.

5. Joe Previti, C, Neuqua Valley, 2016
5-foot-10, 170-pound lean and strong right-handed hitting catcher hits from a balanced setup, short leg kick stride, long uphill bat path, hands stray away from body, swing gets rotational, opposite field tendencies, above average bat speed with 84 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, pop times ranged from 2.05-2.19, 79 mph from the crouch from short, over-the-top arm slot. Ran a 7.07 60, above average runner, especially for a catcher.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Cyle Hartwig, C, Kenosha Bradford (WI), 2016
5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed hitting catcher with a strong lower half hits from a tall, open setup, hands load back smoothly, short stride, long, uphill bat path with opposite field tendencies produced 73 mph exit velocity. Defensively, pop times ranged from 2.14-2.26, 70 mph from the crouch from short, over-the-top arm slot. Sits high in crouch receiving, weight can get out early on front foot throwing down to second. Ran a 7.94 60.

Chris Hoffman, C/3B, Home School, 2016
5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed hitting catcher/third baseman hits from a balanced open setup, hands start high, load smoothly, dives at plate with lower half, long swing, with pre pitch waggle and movement produced 80 mph exit velocity. Defensively, pop times ranged from 2.25-2.40 seconds, 69 mph from the crouch from short over-the-top arm slot, one-hop throws to second with accuracy. Impressed more defensively at third base, threw 77 mph across the diamond with accuracy, flashed soft hands, clean exchanges, played through the baseball athletically. Ran a 7.78 60.

Jace Howard, C, Marian Catholic, 2016
6-foot-3, 185-pound lanky right-handed hitting catcher hits from a wide base, crouched setup, hands load back, short stride, high back elbow, inside-out approach during batting practice with 80 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, pop times ranged from 2.37-2.50 from short, over-the-top arm slot, stops arm action at top of power position, 71 mph from the crouch. Ran a 7.48 60.

Christian Hubbard, C, Wheeling, 2016
5-foot-10, 165-pound left-handed hitting catcher hits from a balanced, crouch setup, short stride, slight bat wrap, uphill swing path, opposite field tendencies with 69 mph exit velocity. Defensively, pop times ranged from 2.04-2.11, 73 mph from the crouch from short, over-the-top arm slot, quick transfer. Impressed blocking during bullpens, vocal and aggressive behind the plate. Ran a 7.69 60.

Jalen Mapp, C, Morgan Park, 2016
5-foot-10, 190-pound right-handed hitting catcher hits from a tall open setup, long stride, level swing, pull tendencies, 74 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, pop times ranged from 2.29-2.44 from short, high-3/4 arm slot, 64 mph from the crouch. Ran a 7.63 60.

John Marano, C, Downers Grove South, 2016
5-foot-8, 160-pound right-handed hitting catcher hits from an open stance, hands load back smoothly, short stride, compact, line drive approach from gap-to-gap with opposite field tendencies, 78 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, pop times ranged from 2.28-2.45 seconds, 69 mph from the crouch from short, high ¾ arm slot. Ran a 7.71 60-yard dash.

Joshua Mosley, C/OF Roberto Clemente, 2016
5-foot-10, 210-pound right-handed hitting catcher/outfielder with a strong lower half and muscular build. Hits from a balanced setup, short stride, doesn’t use lower half, uphill swing, with up-the-middle approach and 76 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, behind the plate pop times ranged from 2.12-2.19, 75 mph from the crouch. Threw 80 mph from the outfield from short, high ¾ arm slot with some accuracy. Ran a 7.67 60.

Kyle Struck, 3B/C, Providence Catholic, 2016
5-foot-8, 170-pound third baseman. Right handed hitter, slightly open stance, wide base, short stride, backwards loading action. Hits off back side, slightly uphill path, 71 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively uses a long arm action across the diamond, high ¾ slot, showed active feet playing through the baseball. Behind the plate used similar arm action at 70 mph from the crouch. Posted 2.29-2.32 pop times. 7.69 runner in the 60.

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