Prep Baseball Report

Prospect Identification Showcase: Catching Analysis



By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director – Illinois/Wisconsin

The Prospect I.D. Showcase on February 17 unveiled many new names to the PBR scouting staff this year and over the next week we will be releasing positional analysis from this event.

Starting with the catchers, Justin Jackson took the top spot with his quick transfer and loose hands at the plate. As just a sophomore, Jackson looks like he could develop into a highly followed prospect in the coming years.

Here’s a look at our top catchers from the Prospect I.D. Showcase.

Top Catching Prospects

1.Justin Jackson, C, De La Salle, 2016
5-foot-7, 175-pound catcher, strong lower half. Defensively displayed quick hands behind the dish, transfer is quick and hands are soft. Arm action is short, over the top slot, 70 mph arm strength from the crouch. Posted 2.14-2.22 pop times. Transfer is highly efficient and pop times will easily improve as arm strength develops.  Receives the ball well, soft hands, quiet setup. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride, solid balance through contact. Bat path is short with extension, above average bat speed, loose hands, 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Line drive gap to gap approach, occasionally jumps at the baseball, athletic hitter.

2. Logan Haring, C, Dekalb, 2015
Left handed hitting catcher, 6-foot-1, 190-pounds, strong build. Offensively hits from the left side, open stance, short stride to the baseball. Pull side power approach, recorded the top exit velocity at the event topping out at 100 mph multiple times. Bat path works uphill, path plays to his strengths. Defensively uses a long arm action out of the crouch, high ¾ slot, 72 mph out of the crouch. Posted pop times at 2.11-2.29.

3. Jason Pacanowski, C, Plainfield North, 2015
Athletic frame, 6-foot-1, 185-pound left handed hitting catcher. Defensively stays active behind the plate, moves well, feet are quick, lower half gets out of the crouch well. Hands can transfer the baseball quicker, above average arm strength, 76 mph arm out of the crouch, short over the top slot, showed carry to the bag. Offensively hits from the left side, balanced stance, short stride. Pull side approach, loose hands, short to the baseball, occasional lift from the left side. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Eli Fox, C, Gillespie, 2016
5-foot-7, 180-pound catcher with a strong body. Offensively, he hits from a balanced stance with a smooth, backward loading action and heel lift stride. Bat path is short, has a gap-to-gap swing with above average bat speed. Exit velocity off the tee was 84 mph. Behind the plate his arm works short, from a high ¾ slot at 69 mph with strong accuracy from the crouch. Pop times were in the 2.3-2.43 range. Ran an 8.07 60.

Jacob Foy, C/OF, Rockridge, 2015
Solid build, 6-foot-3, 200-pound catcher/outfielder. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride, can get moer out of lower half. Made hard contact, produced line drives, above average bat speed. 89 mph exit velocity. Defensively posted 2.25-2.33 pop times out of the crouch, arm played at 74 mph, loose over the top slot. 7.86 runner in the 60. Arm played at 82 mph from the outfield.

Justin Griffin, C, Glenbard East, 2015
5-foot-10, 205-pound catcher. Behind the dish he shows solid catch and release skills with fluid footwork. Arm works short, from over the top, at 71 mph with carry and accuracy. Pop times were in the 2.12-2.19 range. Offensively, he hits from a balanced setup with a short stride, maintains balance through contact. Swing is powerful with quick bat speed, makes consistently hard contact and generates solid lift. Exit velocity was 84 mph off a tee. Ran an 8.05 60.

Joey Marras, C, Vernon Hills, 2015
6-foot, 190-pound catcher. Offensively, hits from a balanced, open stance with smooth loading action, small leg kick trigger, and maintains balance. Has a fluid, line drive swing with an uphill path. Exit velocity was 81 mph off a tee. Behind the plate his arm works short, from over the top at 67 mph from the crouch. Pop times were in the 2.22-2.37 range with clean exchanges. Ran an 8.82 60.

Eastin May, C, Joliet West, 2017
6-foot, 170-pound catcher. Offensively, hits from an open, balanced stance with a short stride, quality lower half usage, and strong balance through contact. Swing is long, with a level path. Exit velocity was 68 mph off a tee. Defensively, is a solid receiver with fluid footwork and quick, clean exchanges. Arm works short at 68 mph with solid accuracy at 67 mph from a crouch. Pop times were in the 2.26-2.4 range. Ran a 7.51 60.

Robby McGaha, C, Stevenson, 2016
6-foot-1, 170-pound catcher. Offensively hits from a standard setup, balanced stance, short stride. Front foot hitter, tendency to lunge, hands work loosely, above average bat speed. Posted 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively uses a short over the top arm action out of the crouch, 68 mph arm strength. Recorded pop times at 2.26-2.37. Ran the 60 in 7.12.

Nicholas Mussari, C, Stagg, 2016
5-foot-10, 185-pound catcher with a strong frame. At the plate he hits from a wide stance with a short stride and quality balance through contact. Has a line drive swing with level path and above average bat speed. Exit velocity was 84 mph off a tee. Behind the plate his arm works short and stiff from a high ¾ slot at 67 mph. Pop times were in the 2.57-2.83 range. Ran a 7.78 60.

Josh Norman, C, Kaneland, 2017
5-foot-9, 155-pound left handed hitting catcher. Defensively plays out of the crouch with a short over the top arm action, 70 mph out of the chute. Posted pop times at 2.11-2.18 down to second. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, slightly open stance, shorter stride. Bat path is flat, line drive approach, occasionally works the opposite field. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. 8.75 runner in the 60.

Joe Spano, C, Waubonsie Valley, 2016
5-foot-11, 175-pound catcher. Offensively he hits from a balanced stance and uses a small leg kick stride. Has a gap-to-gap swing with an uphill path and high finish. Exit velocity off the tee was 74 mph. Behind the plate he has a solid setup. Arm works short, from over the top at 67 mph from the crouch. Pop times were in the 2.29-2.36 range. Ran an 8.07 60.

Mitchell Spencer, C/OF, Stagg, 2015
5-foot-11, 175-pound left handed hitting multi-positional player. At the plate he hits from a balanced, open stance with short stride, and quality balance through contact. Swing is simple and repeatable. Exit velocity off the tee was 77 mph. From the outfield he shows solid footwork. Arm works loose, from an over the top slot at 77 mph. From behind the dish he shows a solid setup and clean catch and release skills. Arm works from the same over the top slot at 70 mph with some carry from the crouch. Pop times were in the 2.26-2.32 range. Ran a 7.21 60.

Ben Trask, C, Chatham Glenwood, 2016
6-foot-3, 185-pound left handed hitting catcher, long frame. Offensively hits from the left side, Balanced stance, short stride. Pull side approach, uphill path, drops hands at load. 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively posted 2.35-2.51 pop times, short arm action, lower slot, arm played at 68 mph out of the crouch. Ran the 60 in 8.16.

More Event News

6.17.14 IL ID slide