By Phil Wade
Indiana Executive Director

On Sunday, December 7th, PBR Indiana hosted the 2nd annual Hoosier Holiday Showcase at Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis, IN. A total of 45 players from across the state participated in the event, including a total of seven catchers. 

Top Ranked Catcher

Wyatt Schwing, C, South Dearborn HS, 2016: A 6-foot, 205 pound catcher possesses a strong, muscular frame.  Behind the plate shows a good setup with a wide base.  Showcased the ability to block the baseball well.  Possesses a strong, accurate arm at 79 mph and was 1.98-2.12 with his pop times. Offensively, starts in a balanced setup with a long stride.  Smooth load back with average use of the lower half. Showcased a quick bat with pull-side power.  Consistently barrels up the baseball.  Registered an exit velo of 86 mph.  

Best of the rest (In alphabetical order)

Drew Ashley, C, Evansville Reitz HS, 2017: 5-foot-11, 165 pound sophomore possesses raw actions behind the plate.  Does possess athleticism and the ability to handle velo.  Was 75 from the crouch, registering pop times between 2.06-2.15.  Offensively, starts slightly open using a small leg kick.  Hands drop during the load.  Hits off his front side.  Level path to the ball producing hard hit line drives.  Registered an exit velo of 78 mph.  

Logan Green, C, Huntington North HS, 2016: A 5-foot-6, 170 pound catcher possesses a small frame with some athleticism.  Behind the plate needs to improve his lateral movement. Showcased the ability to stick pitches.  From the crouch was 73 mph and produced pop times between 2.05-2.15.  Quick release. At the plate starts open and finishes closed.  Load is smooth and uses a leg kick.  Showcased average bat speed with a long path to the baseball.  Line drive type hitter.  Registered an exit velo of 72 mph (was 75 at a previous event).  

Grant Johnson, C, Lebanon HS, 2017: 6-foot-1, 165 pound sophomore was 73 from behind the plate with pop times between 2.18-2.33.  Feet and exchange are slow.  Narrow, open setup.  At the plate starts balanced with a small load.  Stride is short.  Lacks use of the lower half.  Short path to the baseball, finishes one-handed.  Shows some stiffness throughout the swing.  Registered an exit velo of 76 mph.  

William Smithey, C, Center Grove HS, 2016: 6-foot, 170 pound Junior starts narrow.  Showcased average feet.  Clean exchange. Tendency to come around the plate and fall off towards 3B side.  Was 73 mph with pop times between 2.03-2.15.  At the plate starts balanced with a high back elbow.  Stride is short. Possesses above average bat speed with an uphill path to the baseball.  Showcased pull-side power. Tendency to over rotate.  Registered an exit velo of 86 mph.  

Hunter Thorn, C, Portage HS, 2016: A 5-foot-10, 160 pound Junior catcher possesses an athletic frame. Quiet receiver with soft hands.  Needs to improve lateral quickness.  Strong, accurate arm at 77 mph. Pop times were 2.00-2.10. Offensively, starts in a balanced setup and uses a short stride.  Hands have a tendency to drop during the load.  Good balance throughout with some bat speed.  Swing path is level and gets to extension.  Line drive hitter with occasional gap power.  Overall fluid rhythm.  Registered an exit velo of 82 mph.  

Owen Wiles, C, Rushville HS, 2018: 5-foot-10, 150 pound freshman is a young, raw receiver.  Stiff target with a tendency to let the glove float.  Does possess some twitch. Behind the plate was 63 mph with pop times between 2.33-2.43.  At the plate starts in an athletic setup and uses a short stride.  Good balance throughout the swing.  Long path the baseball, uses the opposite field.  Shows some stiffness. Registered an exit velo of 73 mph. 

Related News

• IN Hoosier Holiday Showcase Results12.08.14