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Unsigned Senior Showcase: Catching Analysis

October 23, 2013

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director – Illinois/Wisconsin

The fall Unsigned Senior Showcase produced a number of college caliber prospects once again and over the next week we will break down the event position by position with complete scouting reports and rankings.

Today we look at the catching prospects. This crop of receivers produced some strong catch and throw prospects, most notably Seth Dvorak (York). Dvorak took the top spot showing off a big time arm behind the plate posting an event best 1.98 pop time.

Here’s how we broke down the catching group.

Top Catching Prospects

1. Seth Dvorak, C/3B, York, 2014
Athletic build with strength, 5-foot-11, 170-pound catcher. Dvorak showcased impressive arm strength, recording an event-best 82 mph from the crouch while delivering consistent 1.98-2.04 pop times on the bag. Although he has a longer arm action for a catcher, his arm strength and athletic feet easily compensate. Dvorak displayed his athleticism for a catcher by running a 7.19 60, in addition to his versatility by showing solid lateral movement and reliable hands at third base. Offensively, Dvorak has quick hands through the zone with a level path.  He this from an open stance using a short stride. His 89-mph exit velocity off a tee was one of the best at the event.

2. Christian Bland, OF/C, Harlan, 2014
5-foot-6, 150-pound strong, fast twitch athlete. Ran a 6.89 60. In the outfield showed quick, athletic movements and footwork, and plays through the ball aggressively. Arm works well at 86 mph with carry. Behind the dish he throws with a short arm from an over-the-top slot. Has quick catch and release with solid carry at 74 mph, pop times in the 2.05-2.1 range with accuracy. At the plate has a wide, balanced setup with very short stride. Bat path is short and flat with above average bat speed, producing hard contact, line drives. Exit velocity off a tee was 79 mph.

3. Angel Figueroa, C/MIF, Bishop Knoll (IN), 2014
5-foot-8, 170-pound multi positional player with solid tools. On the infield showed clean, smooth actions. Has soft hands with a quick, clean exchange. Throws with a short arm at 78 mph. From behind the dish showed solid catch and release skills with pop times in the 2.04-2.24 range with above average carry. At the plate he has an open stance with a leg kick trigger. Showed an impressive hit tool driving the ball gap-to-gap on a line. Has short swing with accelerated bat speed and excellent extension. Exit velocity was 76 mph off a tee. Ran a 7.39 60.

4. Gregory Alexander, C/OF, Seton Academy, 2014
Strong bodied, developed upper body, sturdy lower half, 6-foot-1, 230-pound catcher/outfielder. Defensively showed solid hands behind the plate, clean exchange, posted 2.05-2.15 pop times. Arm played long from an over the top slot, showed accuracy with occasional carry, 77 mph from the crouch. In the outfield arm played at 81 mph. Offensively hits from the right side, hits from a balanced setup, short stride approach, solid balance throughout. Bat path is level, shows bat speed, strong hands, occasional lift. 90 mph exit velocity from the tee.

5. Darren Raby, C, Prairie Central, 2014
6-foot, 220-pound catcher. Defensively showed quick twitch actions, quick transfer and quick release. Arm played at 67 mph out of the crouch, short arm action, over the top slot, excellent accuracy. Soft hands and clean exchange. Posted pop times of 2.11-2.19. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, toe tap stride, lower half works. Aggressive approach, excellent bat speed, 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Makes hard contact, power hitter, showed the ability to work to all fields.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Devin Howard, C/INF, Seton Academy, 2014
5-foot-9, 170-pound multi-positional player. Behind the dish showed quick hands and feet. Throws with a short arm from over the top at 68 mph. Pop times were in the 2.17-2.29 range. From the infield he showed clean actions with the same throwing motion. Threw it 78 mph across the diamond. At the plate has a wide, balanced stance, and short stride. Had above average bat speed and exit velocity of 78 mph off a tee. Ran a 7.32 60.

Joey Locasto, C, Joliet West, 2014
5-foot-8, 185-pound catcher with strong shoulders and legs. From behind the plate he has a solid setup and catches with a firm wrist. Throws with a short arm from over the top with accuracy. Clean catch and release with pop times in the 2.19-2.29 range at 69 mph. At the plate has a balanced stance, smooth load and short stride. Bat stays level through the zone. Exit velocity was 76 mph. Ran a 7.93 60.

Nick Leone, C, York, 2014
6-foot-1, 160-pound lanky catcher. From the crouch throws with a loose arm and solid carry at 74 mph. Pop times ranged from 2.18-2.28 seconds. At the plate has a balanced setup with a short stride and balance throughout the swing. Bat path is slightly uphill with some whip. Exit velocity was 75 mph off a tee. Ran a 7.33 60.

Nichoas Nowak, C, Stagg, 2014
5-foot-8, 160-pound catcher. Offensively hits from the left side, slightly open stance, toe tap trigger. Linear lower half, partially involved. Uphill bat path, shows length, 74 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively posted pop times of 2.25-2.3. Short arm action, over the top slot, 65 mph arm strength out of the crouch. Also ran a 7.62 in the 60.

Jeffrey Pieroni, C/1B, Oswego, 2014
6-foot-1, 185-pound multi positional player. Behind the dish he throws with a long arm from over the top. Pop times were in the 2.21-2.23 range at 73 mph. From first base he throws it 78 mph across the diamond. At the plate has a tall, open stance. Swing has some strength behind it with a pull side approach. Exit velocity was 79 mph off a tee. Ran a 7.75 60.

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