Colorado Winter Prospect ID: Catcher Analysis
January 6, 2020
The PBR Colorado Winter Prospect I.D. took place on Sunday, December 15th at The Edge Sports Center in Fort Collins, CO. Over 50 prospects from the 2020-2024 classes we in attendance.
We began our post-event coverage by taking a look at the top statistical performers. Today, we continue our coverage with analysis of the 12 catchers in attendance.
Nathan Balser, Legend, 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 5’10” 140
Run: 8.06
Hit: RHH Somewhat upright stance with a simple and limited lower half load. Stride foot is a up/down and consistent. Slight weight transfer, 60/40, rear side weight distribution on load. Rhythm load with hands and maintain arm angles(Slight extension to arm bar. Quick hands with downward path and higher finish with hands Approach is middle of the Field Gap to Gap, Upper body has small retraction at point of contact. Demonstrated good barrel contact with consistency Really good potential
Power: See Gap to Gap with Doubles and Hustle Exit Velo: 79
Arm: INF Velo: 74 Catcher Velo: 66. 2.18 Pop Arm worked well from all throwing angles with infield throws
Defense: Good actions as 2023...Footwork and momentum to throw were good. Change of direction and plant of extended Double Play were good. Continued development in actions and arm strength make Nathan a quality 2023 Follow as INF
Catcher: Very good catch to release. Narrow base, but creates a good throwing base. Demonstrated ease with hands as INF/Catcher
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5’4’ 115
Run: 8.65
Hit: RHH Coiled approach with leg lift and Arenado step back for load and stride. Creates a balanced based with firm front side. Rotational and Linear through the ball. Lots of movement in loading of hands and gets to repeatable position. Barrel stays is zone, has length and tends to have a upward path. Exit VELO: 71
Power: See Cade as Singles and Doubles Gap to Gap Hitter
Arm: INF VELO: 64 Arm works with easy follow through
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5’10” 165
Run: 7.64
Hit: RHH Good Balanced stance, slightly closed. Sway to leg lift with coil. Remains closed at launch. Hands and arm angles maintained in load, bat head levels with small wrap. Path tends to be out/around. Rear side acceleration is strong and aggressive to ball. Slight lift and retraction of upper body at contact. Pull side tendency Exit Velo 79
Power: Quickness to the ball will benefit in his quest for power.
Arm: Catcher Velo: 71 Pop: 2.13 Great Accuracy with throws to 2B. Short arc on backside with + follow through
Defense: Good consistent footwork with throws behind plate. Good agility on blocking. Nice actions and skill sets to continue to develop.
Hayes Edens,Weld Central, 2021
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5’11” 175
Run: 7.44
Hit: RHH Comfortable in Box. Simple balanced stance. Stays on back side, stacked, as stride occurs, light coil of hips. Hands and Arm Angles remain in great position, no breakdown. Hands repeatable and stay above the ball. Great Rear Side Accel. Path is direct to it and through it, aggressive. Exit Velo: 90 Demonstrated on time and barrel contact. Approach was Gap to Gap, hands got inside FB in Power: Power Potential!
Arm: Catcher Velo 76 Pop 2.08 Quick backside arc.
Defense: Catcher: Showed quick feet and hands, hurried through exchange. Slight drift of momentum to 3rd base on throws. Soft hands. Good potential behind plate.
Justin Gines, Horizon, 2022
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5’10” 165
Run: 7.64
Hit: RHH Front side lean with wide base stance. Sway to load, minimal open foot leg lift stride. Launch is 60% on front side. Hands progress through timing progressions to load. Hands have direct path to ball. Very consistent to it/through it plane and has ability to lift higher pitch. Approach is middle of the field. Justins hands are excellent, Syncing Body movements, modifying and limited unwanted movements will benefit him. Exit Velo: 83
Power: Progression of Line Drive hitter to Power hitter is possible with continued work with balance
Arm: Catcher Arm: 68 Pop: 2.08 Small and quick arc on back side...good extension. INF Velo: 71 Good Feel, Short arc on throws
Defense: Hands and fielding position good. Good Transition from gather to throw. Will benefit with added quickness and momentum throw fielding position See as 3B/1B
Nathan Kaszynski, Fossil Ridge, 2022
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5’11” 160
Run: 7.61
Hit: RHH 50/50 Weight Distribution with sway to load. Easy consistent up/down stride foot creates a hitting base slightly out front. Hands extended in load to arm bar, barrel flattens. Barrel enters zone early with extension, hands below ball. Good rear side acceleration. Pull side tendency, Good extension on follow through Exit Velo:76
Power: Demonstrated strength for 2022, can see potential for power as skills develop
Arm: Inf Velo: 71 Catcher Velo: 67 Pop: 2.28
Defense: Inf: Good approach and set up with feet, creates momentum through ball. Hands good pick through action and gather to throw transition is good. See continued development.
Catcher: Developing as catcher, drifts to 3rd base side. Would benefit with quick hand exchange and quick release.
Ian Kersten, Legend, 2024
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5’11” 150 Great look for a 2024.
Run: 7.29
Hit: RHH Balanced stance with simple sway to load with lower half. Gets to stacked position. Small leg lift for stride. Launch at 50/50 weight distribution. Hands are a 2 / 3 stage process to load. Consistent and repeatable with slight arm bar. Bat path is downward with great to it.. Pull Side approach with some Gap/Gap Hands stay above ball !! Follow through could benefit with full extension. Exit Velo: 77 Good follow in 2024 Class Power: Demonstrated Strength, would like to see development of follow through and see power potential
Arm: Catcher Arm Velo: 72 Pop: 2.14 High ¾ with slight tail. Short arc
Defense: Good Footwork and consistency creating momentum through throw. Good exchange
Mason Macias, Heritage, 2022
Positional Profile: OF/C
Body: 5’9” 150
Run: 7.65
Hit: RHH Vert Solid base with slight shift for load. Uses a toe tap slide as stride. Consistent and is on time. At Launch, weight is 50/50 and uses rear side acceleration. Load with hands is simple, arm angles are maintained and bat head in great position. Quick hands to ball, repeatable line drive path to the ball. Middle of the field results. Finish was short with consistent balance On time often. Exit Velo: 82
Power: Mason may demonstrate power later in career, but see him as a Gap to Gap doubles/Hustle hitter
Arm: OF: 80 Catcher: VELO: 72 Pop: 2.22
Defense: Really good actions in OF. Great footwork and ease to ball. Positioned to throw every time and a great catch to release quickness.
Catcher: Showed great quickness and potential behind plate. Skill set will improve as he matures. Really good baseball versatility
Charlie Marcantel, Vista Ridge, 2023
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5’6” 155
Run: 7.70
Hit: RHH Upright Stance with weight to rear side. Small leg lift to Stride and firm front side. Creates balance. Uses Rear Side Acceleration and has momentum through ball, Has a downward path with line drive results. Very good bat speed through zone. Limited follow-through Slight feel for ball, but hands will free up with experience. Exit VELO: 83
Power: See Charlie hitting for AVG and power potential with added strength
Arm: INF VELO: 77 Demonstrated accuracy and arm strength for 2023! Good feel at SS with Double plays and arm angles Catcher Velo 71
Defense: SS: Hands through the ball when fielding with continued development as MIF.
Catcher: Potential behind the plate with raw max effort skills. As 2023, has chance to refine and develop as catcher.
Weston Wall, Columbine, 2021
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5’9” 160
Run: 8.0
Hit: RHH Starts with balanced base with slide for stride foot. Tendency to be on front side at the launch. Barrel maintained in upright position during load, arm angles extended to slight arm bar. Demonstrated repeatable path to ball with quickness with tendency to pull side. Had some length within swing with an extended finish. Can see athleticism and potential in Weston Exit Velo: 80
Power: Would view Weston as a Line Drive/Doubles hitter.
Arm: OF Velo: 75 Catcher Arm 70 2.18 Pop Good Backside arc with extension on front side of throw. Good footwork and foundation in throw as OF and Catcher
Defense: Good approach through ground balls in OF. Will benefit by receiving ball out front vs on the side. Plus Hand/Eye
Catcher: Really liked movements and actions behind plate, can see potential with continued development and strength.
Colton Wall, Columbine, 2021
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5’9” 165
Run: 7.93
Hit: RHH Open widened stance to start with a sway to rear side as load. Stride off closes to consistent and balanced position. 50/50 weight distribution at launch. Momentum generated with front side. Hands are simple with slight extension and bat head behind head. Path is consistent with Middle of the field approach. Demonstrated good barrel good in showcase BP. Hands have full extension on finish. Good Rhythm Exit Velo: 86
Power: Displayed Line Drive tendencies!
Arm: OF Velo: 74 Catcher 70 2.18 Pop. Tight arc on back side with good extended follow through. Long Toss and the development of arm strength will benefit Colton.
Defense: Can benefit by playing aggressively through ball. Actions and footwork are good. Catcher: Very Good catch to release with very accurate throws. Good Potential in all tools. Can develop!!
Cruz Zamudio, Frederick, 2023
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5’8” 140
Run: 7.56
Hit: RHH Solid Base with upright stance. Simplified and efficient load with small lift and weight shift to rear side. Hands reach to load and barrel wraps slightly. Gets to stacked position. Path is repeatable with some length. Rear Side Acceleration to ball. Demonstrated strength on time and showed Gap to Gap Contact. Finished on balance with extended follow through. Exit VELO: 82
Power: Solid Potential as develops Strength and shortness of swing
Arm: INF VELO: 67 Good Arm action, demonstrated accuracy with variety of arm angles
Defense: INF:Good approach and understanding of positioning. Good left/right movement. Skill set will continue to improve with quickness and agility improvement . Hands play through ball well.
Catcher: 2.14/ 68VELO Demonstrated good skill set. Footwork showed quickness!! Has potential behind the plate