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Unsigned Senior Showcase: Catching Analysis

February 11, 2016

By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

Today we begin rolling out our analysis of the final Unsigned Senior Showcase for 2016 graduates. The event which featured over 75 unsigned seniors and over 40 college coaches in attendance was held at The MAX on January 24th. Today we take a look at the top catchers who participated in the event.

Jett Wedekind (Princeton HS) stood out as the top catcher at the event. He impressed with his overall defensive abilities. He was an above average receiver during bullpens  and showed a big arm with carry, 80 mph from the crouch. Should receive significant interest from colleges heading into this spring.

Top Catching Prospects


1. Jett Wedekind, C, Princeton, 2016
5-foot-10, 170-pound catcher, stocky build, looks durable behind the plate, projects as an everyday backstop with game changing arm strength out of the crouch. Defensively showed well above average arm strength out of the crouch, 80 mph, on line with carry, big arm, short over the top slot. Pop times ranged 2.01-2.11, exchange can get quicker, has plenty of arm to post sub 2.0 pop times. Received well in bullpens, active blocker, strong hands. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, slight leg lift trigger, slight uphill path worked, flashed hard contact, pull side approach. 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.14 runner in the 60, above average for his position.

2. Michael Rosenberg, C, Warren, 2016
5-foot-10, 175-pound catcher, solid frame, profiles as an offensive catcher. Hits from a tall, slightly open stance, short lift and hang stride. Showed quick hands, shorter path, gap to gap approach, occasional hard contact. 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.88 runner in the 60. Defensively gets tall out of the chute, pop times ranged 2.11-2.26. Arm played at 74 mph out of the crouch, over the top slot.

3. Matthew Richards, C, Sandburg, 2016
5-foot-9, 160-pound catcher, body carries some present strength. Right-handed hitter, Crouched setup, open stance, short stride. Path works on level plane, occasional length, 76 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played short and over the top 78 mph out of the crouch. Gains ground well out of the chute, posted event best pop times at 1.97-2.08.

4. Tanner Natzke, C, New Lutheran (WI), 2016
5-foot-11, 180-pound catcher, average frame with some strength. Defensively arm played from an over the top slot, slightly more length in draw, 74 mph out of the crouch. Pop times ranged 2.03-2.25, active blocker. Right-handed hitter, tall open stance, short stride, showed ability to maintain balance. Pull side approach with some pop, 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.42 runner in the 60.

5. Aaren Morgan, RHP/C, Mount Vernon, 2016
6-foot, 185-pound two-way player. Drop and drive style delivery on the mound, regular effort. Arm action is short, stays hidden, low elbow at times, over the top slot. Fastball had slight run, occasionally heavy, 81-83 mph. Curveball showed feel, 66-70 mph, 12/6 shape. Changeup has some sink and fade, 70-73 mph. Defensively arm plays short, high ¾ slot, 77 mph out of the crouch. Pop times range 2.01-2.04. Offensively hits from the right side, wide setup, minimal loading action, short stride, average balance. Strong hands, flashed bat speed, gap to gap approach, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Matt Alisaukis, C, Westmont, 2016
5-foot-9, 175-pound catcher. Right-handed hitter, slightly open setup, leg kick stride, average balance at contact. Linear lower half, hits off front foot, level path, displayed occasional bat strength with hard contact. 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played short and over the top, abbreviated release, 64 mph arm strength from the crouch. Pop times ranged 2.25-2.40. 7.54 runner in the 60.

Jacob Behlendorf, C, Franklin (WI), 2016
5-foot-9, 230-pound catcher. Right-handed hitter, short stride, linear approach, minimal lower half. Repeated swing, showed occasional pop. 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays short and over the top, 77 mph out of the crouch. Gets tall out of the chute, Pop times ranged 2.07-2.19. 8.27 runner in the 60.

Joshua Mosley, C/OF/RHP, Morgan Park, 2016
Strong physically advanced build, 6-foot, 210-pound two way player. 7.27 runner in the 60. Offensively hits from the right side, open stance, short stride, average balance. Raw strength, pull side approach, 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays short and over the top, showed accuracy and occasional carry. 85 mph from the outfield, 75 mph out of the crouch. Pop times ranged, 2.01-2.04, short footwork out of the crouch. On the mound fastball sat 80-81 mph. Curveball has gradual action, 68-70 mph. Changeup is mostly straight, occasional sink, 72-74 mph.

Reid Rubio, C, Mundelein, 2016
6-foot-3, 210-pound catcher, lean frame. Offensively hits from a tall setup, balanced stance, short stride. Path is level, showed an ability to backspin the baseball. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays short and over the top out of the crouch, 75 mph arm strength. Longer stride out of the chute, 2.08-2.19 pop times. 7.64 runner in the 60.

Ike Speiser, C, Bradley Bourbonnais, 2016
6-foot-1, 170-pound catcher, lean thin frame. Right-handed hitter, open stance, short stride, average balance. Pull side approach, path tends to get around the baseball. 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. efensively arm action is loose, ¾ slot, 78 mph out of the crouch. Pop times range 2.09-2.19. 7.68 runner in the 60.

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