Winter Unsigned Senior Showcase: Catchers Analysis

February 17, 2015

By Phil Wade & Blake Hibler
PBR Indiana

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On Saturday, February 14th, PBR Indiana hosted its annual Winter Unsigned Senior Showcase at the Incrediplex in Indianapolis, IN. A total of 31 unsigned seniors participated in the event including eight catchers.

Listed Alphabetically

Collin Bice, C, DeKalb HS, 2015: 5-foot-10, 170 pound receiver was 2.19-2.44 with his pop times. 67 mph from the crouch. Tendency to stab at the ball when receiving. Frames after receiving the pitch. Has some athleticism. Offensively, hits from an open stance and uses a short stride. Good balance. Uphill path, finishes two-handed. Recorded an exit velo of 79 mph.

Brooks Bireley, C, Brownsburg HS, 2015: 6-foot, 205 pounds. 2.15-2.22 with his pop times and 74 from the crouch. Narrow in his primary stance. Average hands when receiving. Needs to get more balanced. Strong, physical left-handed hitter hits from an open stance. Smooth load. Short stride with above average bat speed. Overall good approach. Good balance throughout. Recorded an exit velo of 92 mph.

Brayton Buchanan, C, Greenwood HS, 2015: 5-foot-10, 160 pound receiver was 2.00-2.08 with his pop times. Shows some arm strength behind the plate at 78 mph. Possesses soft hands behind the plate and the ability to block well. Tendency to show target late and the off-hand creeps up when receiving. Offensively, this from a closed stance, loads back. Stride is short with a tendency to dive. Shows above average bat speed with a level path. Line drive hitter. Recorded an exit velo of 91 mph.

Tyler Hill, C, Fairfield Union HS (OH), 2015: 6-foot-1, 185 pound catcher was 2.25-2.28 with his pop times. 74 mph from the crouch. Throws from the ear with average arm strength. Defensively shows an athletic stance with good hands receiving. Solid blocker. At the plate hits from an athletic stance with a wide base. Little to no stride. High activity throughout the swing. Does show above average hand speed and barreled up the baseball consistently. Registered an exit velo of 92 mph.

Michael Minks, C, Crawfordsville HS, 2015: 6-foot-2, 190 pounds, strong frame. Was 2.18-2.25 with his pop times, 72 from the crouch. Displayed above average receiving skills with some athleticism. Shows the ability to block well. Good flexibility behind the dish. At the plate hits from an athletic stance. Front arm bar during the load. Short stride with average use of the lower half. Good balance throughout the swing. Shows above average bat speed with an overall good approach. Slightly uphill path producing hard hit line drives. Gap power. Registered an exit velo of 91 mph.

Andrew Robinson, C, Orleans HS, 2015: 6-foot-2, 225 pound catcher was 2.44-2.51 with his pop times. 67 mph from the crouch. Lacks flexibility. Offensively, hits from a crouch setup using a long stride. Wide base. Quick load, choppy rhythm. Flat bat through the zone. Registered an exit velo of 84 mph. Strong player with occasional pop.

John Tuttle, C, FW Northrop HS, 2015: 5-foot-11, 175 pound catcher was 2.10-2.18 with his pop times and 72 from the crouch. Possesses soft hands and moves well laterally. Overall good athleticism as a catcher. Above average receiver. Needs to become quicker. At the plate begins balanced. Smooth load and short stride. Level path to the ball with average bat speed. Line drive type hitter.

Tyler Ward, C, Mt. Vernon HS, 2015: 5-foot-10, 205 pound receiver was 2.13-2.44 with his pop times and 65 from the crouch. Stiff actions defensively. At the plate hits from an open setup, using a short stride. Showcased some bat speed. Barreled up most balls. Lacks rhythm. Recorded an exit velo of 85 mph.