By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director – Illinois/Wisconsin

Over the next several days we will release the positional analysis breaking down each position of the Underclass Showcase. Today we look at the catchers and leading the way was Kaneland sophomore Joe Laudont. Laudont is physically advanced for his age and showed excellent tools across the board. Two freshmen, Mario Scalise (Mount Carmel) and Yaki Lee (Harlan) also showed advanced receiving skills and rounded out the top catching prospects of the event.

Here’s a look at all the catchers from the Underclass Showcase

Top Catching Prospects

1. Joe Laudont, C, Kaneland, 2016
Strong build, physically advanced, 5-foot-11, 165-pound catcher. One of the top prospects at the event, his physical make up stands out from his peers. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride, slight leg kick. Lower half works, sound balance through contact. Advanced bat speed, hard contact hitter, jumps off bat. Path is short to it, gets extension, gap to gap approach, power potential. 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed some quick twitch actions, quick exchange, athletic setup. Arm works from an over the top slot, some accuracy and carry, 73 mph out of the crouch. Posted the best pop times of the event, 2.08-2.22. High follow receiver in the Class of 2016.

2. Mariano Scalise, C, Mount Carmel, 2017
Strong build, physically advanced for his age, 6-foot, 180-pound catcher. Physically mature prospect, high follow in Class of 2017. Defensively showed advanced arm strength for his age, short arm action, over the top slot, with carry, lacked accuracy, 72 mph out of the crouch. Posted pop times at 2.16-2.25. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride, slight lower half collapse. Advanced bat speed, strong hands, bat path shows extension, slightly uphill, power potential, creates lift.

3. Yaki Lee, C/MIF/RHP, Harlan, 2017
Solid build, 5-foot-6, 140-pound left handed hitting two-way player. Showed overall athleticism and good projectability at multiple positions. Behind the plate displayed quick actions, efficient transfer, short over the top arm action, 68 mph out of the crouch. Posted pop times at 2.20-2.36. On the infield showcased soft hands and advanced infield actions for his age. Above average body control with the ability to play on the move. Arm played at 72 mph across the diamond. On the mound worked from a high ¾ slot. Fastball had occasional sink, 72-77 mph. Off-speed pitches are still a work in progress, lacked separation in action.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically) 

Chris Hoffmann, 3B/C, Lake Zurich, 2016
5-foot-9, 180-pound multi-positional player. On the infield showed soft hands, clean exchanges. Throws with a long, loose arm action, from over-the-top slot, 69 mph. Behind the dish receives with quality hands. Throws from over-the-top slot, short arm action, 65 mph from the crouch. Pop times were 2.32-2.44. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride, balanced through contact. Swing is short with solid extension. Exit velocity was 74 mph off a tee. Ran an 8.83 60.

Christian Hubbard, C, Wheeling, 2016
5-foot-9, 160-pound left-handed hitting catcher. Offensively hits from a crouched stance, smooth backward loading action, short stride, quality balance through contact. Keeps hands inside, inside out swing, shows flashes of solid extension. Off a tee exit velocity was 78 mph. Behind the plate he has a clean setup, and good hands. Pop times were 2.20-2.26. Arm works long, from a ¾ slot, occasional accuracy, flashes of carry, 73 mph. Ran a 7.78 60.

Kenneth Koval, C, Mount Carmel, 2016
5-foot-4, 130-pound left-handed hitting catcher, young build. Offensively hits from an open stance, smooth loading action, short stride approach, strong balance through contact. Repeatable swing, line drive type hitter, flat bat path, middle to opposite field approach. High contact hitter, 69 mph exit velocity from the tee, singles guy. Defensively arm works from an over the top slot, short arm action, 66 mph out of the crouch. Works online to second base, recorded pop times from 2.55-2.66. Above average blocking mechanics. 8.30 runner in the 60.

Jarret Lopez, C, Lake Central, 2017
5-foot-6, 115-pound catcher. Defensively showed agile feet, moved well out of the crouch, athletic blocker. Traditional catchers arm action, short over the top slot, 66 mph down to second. Posted pop times in the 2.43-2.51 range. Offensively hits from the right side, open stance, shorter stride, some dive, solid balance through contact. Line drive gap to gap hitter, average bat speed, 71 mph exit velocity. 7.82 runner in the 60.

Robert Marinec, C, Bloom, 2017
5-foot-8, 140-pound catcher. Offensively hits from the right side, balanced stance, short stride, balance through contact. Hits off back side, uphill path, 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. Behind the plate uses a long arm action, deliberate exchange, 60 mph out of the crouch.  Posted pop times at 2.54-2.70. Ran an 8.43 60.

Eastin May, C, Joliet West, 2017
5-foot-11, 170-pound catcher with a strong body for his age. Behind the dish he has an athletic setup, sound receiver, blocks well. Throws from over-the-top slot, short arm action, accurate throws, 68 mph from the crouch. Ran an 8.47 60. Offensively he hits from a balanced, open stance, short stride, quality balance through the swing. Line drive type hitter, occasionally uphill bat path, solid bat speed. Exit velocity was 76 mph off a tee.

Kellen Sarver, C/3B, Centennial, 2017
Lean frame, 5-foot-10, 145-pound left handed hitting catcher/third baseman. Offensively hits from a slightly open stance, toe tap stride. Showed occasional bat speed, uphill path, slightly longer, 71 mph exit velocity from the tee. Behind the plate uses a short over the top arm action, quick transfer, 69 mph out of the crouch. Posted pop times of 2.26-2.33. On the infield arm played at 69 mph across the diamond. Ran an 8.17 60.

Tommy Washington, C/MIF/RHP, Harlan, 2017
Athletic, 5-foot-8, 145-pound two-way player. Defensively showed well both behind the plate and in the infield. Out of the crouch displayed a quick transfer, short over the top arm action. Arm played at 68 mph, posted pop times at 2.25-2.33. On the infield displayed softness in his hands, advanced body control for his age. Arm works athletic and can play on the move, 71 mph across the diamond. On the mound fastball was straight at 72-75 mph. Curveball sat at 63-64 mph, rolling action. Changeup sat 65-69 mph.

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