By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The Metro East Open took place on Tuesday, June 27th at Blazier Field in O'Fallon, Illinois. The event had over 55 prospects from Illinois and Missouri participate in a pro style workout in front of the PBR Scouting Staff. Today we continue the analysis with a look at the catchers from the event. 

Dalton Wallace, who helped lead Edwardsville HS to a state runner-up finish as a sophomore, impressed once again and took home the top catching spot from the event. The right-handed hitter continues to improve with his bat and routinely drove balls to the pull-side with authority.  

Top Catching Prospects

1. Dalton Wallace, C, Edwardsville, 2019
5-foot-11, 170-pound, durable, right-handed hitting catcher with a solid lower half. Continues to progress offensively. Starts from an open setup, smooth, deep load action and maintains balance throughout. Flashed bat speed, strength through contact and routinely squared up balls to the pull side; 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Path works short and uphill. Defensively, open setup, quick, clean transfer and stays on-line to second base. Short arm action from an over-the-top slot and throws clocked at 74 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.04-2.18. Follow 2019 catcher.  

2. Cole Sizemore, C, Carterville, 2018
6-foot, 170-pound, strong build, right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, wide setup, wait sits on back leg, short heel-lift stride and simple overall approach. Uphill bat path, flashes bat speed and strength through contact. Exit velocity clocked at 83 mph from a tee. Defensively, open, quiet setup, flexible, athletic out of the crouch, stays on-line and gains ground. Short arm action, throws clocked at 76 mph and consistently around the second-base bag. Pop times ranged between 2.10-2.19. Also, ran a 7.37 laser-timed 60.

3. Andrew Toombs, C/RHP, Ste. Genevieve (MO), 2018
6-foot-1, 185-pound, athletically built, strong, two-way prospect. Defensively, natural catcher actions, quick athletic feet out of the crouch. Short, over-the-top arm action, throws clocked at 75 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.03-2.26. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced, quiet setup, leg-lift timing trigger, gets occasional late separation, and maintains balance through contact. Fluid rhythm, flashes bat speed, pull approach. 90 mph exit velocity through contact. 7.69 runner in the 60, laser-timed. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, four-pitch repertoire, smooth rhythm, coiled at balance point, stays on-line with easy effort throughout. Loose, quick arm from a high 3.4 slot. Fastball works mostly straight, thrown for strikes, sat 80-81 mph. Throws a curveball and a slider. Curveball, 11/5, 12/6 shape, thrown for strikes, 60-63 mph. Slider works with more lateral action, 66-68 mph. Also, featured a splitter, flashed tumble, 65-69 mph.

4. Adam Drewry, C/RHP, O’Fallon, 2018
5-foot-10, 195-pound, strong, durable, two-way prospect. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, three-pitch feel, repeatable delivery, stays on-line, lands square with regular effort throughout. Quick arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball works mostly straight, thrown for strikes, 81-82 mph. Curveball thrown aggressively, feel, flashes depth, true 12/6 action, sat 68-70 mph. Changeup, flashes arm-side action and ranged between 73-75 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced, tall setup, leg-kick timing trigger and good balance through contact. Simple overall approach, consistent hard contact, sprayed balls to all fields with lift in swing. 85 mph exit velocity through contact. Defensively, clean exchange, accurate arm and throws clocked at 74 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.12-2.30. Ran a 7.45 laser-timed 60.

5. Collin Elvers, C, Edwardsville, 2018
5-foot-10, 190-pound, strong, muscle build, left-handed hitting catcher. 7.00 runner in the 60, laser-timed. Offensively, aggressive approach, attacks the baseball and present bat strength; exit velocity clocked at 93 mph. Balanced, open setup, leg-lift timing trigger, fluid rhythm, uphill bat path and pull approach. Defensively, natural catcher actions, hands work soft at times, comes out of the crouch clean. Agile blocker, deadens balls in the dirt. Short arm action from an over-the-top slot, clocked at 74 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.08-2.26.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Kyle Becker, C, O’Fallon, 2019
5-foot-10, 180-pound, strong, right-handed hitting catcher. Balanced, crouched setup, low hands, short, leg-kick timing trigger and maintains balance through contact. Short bat path, line-drive approach and flashed bat speed; 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, open setup, flexible lower half and soft block. Arm works short and from a high ¾ slot; throws get arm-side-run at times, clocked at 72 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.15-2.33. Also, ran a 7.99 60.

Christopher Boros, C, O’Fallon, 2020
5-foot-7, 150-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, balanced setup, toe-tap stride, and hits off of his backside. Bat path works short and line-drive approach. 68 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, clean transfer, stays on-line and short, over-the-top arm action. Throws clocked at 66 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.37-2.57.

Ryan Janssen, C, Nokomis, 2020
5-foot-9, 170-pound, right-handed hitting catcher with some present strength. Offensively, balanced setup, slight bat load and long stride. Flashed strength through contact, pull approach and lift in swing at times; 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, comes out of the crouch quick at times, inconsistent direction. Throws from a ¾ slot, short arm action and throws clocked at 69 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.32-2.44.

Maxwel Kampwerth, C/RHP, Breese Central, 2019
6-foot-2, 170-pound, long and lean, two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, tall setup, short stride and fluid rhythm. Long and loose levers, uphill bat path and looks to pull at times. 73 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, short, loose arm from an over-the-top slot, clocked at 68 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.39-2.50. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, slow, repeatable delivery, stays on-line and toe-closed landing. Long arm action, over-the-top slot and easy effort throughout. Fastball works straight, occasional tilt, 69-72 mph. Curveball, gradual action, clocked at 56-59 mph. Changeup, flashed fade, 64-66 mph.

Dillon Sunnquist, C, Belleville West, 2018
5-foot-8, 130-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Ran a 7.22 laser-timed 60. Offensively, tall, narrow setup, loads hands, short stride and maintains balance through contact. Long bat path and pull approach. 74 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, flexible behind the plate, clean transfer, short arm action and throws clocked at 65 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.37-2.44.

Abram Warner, C, Sherrard, 2018
5-foot-10, 195-pound, strong, sturdy, left-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, balanced setup, short toe-tap stride and average balance through contact. Loose hands at times, path works uphill and exit velocity clocked at 82 mph from a tee. Defensively, short arm action from an over-the-top slot, throws clocked at 64 mph. Pop times ranged between 2.50-2.76. 8.08 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

Ryan Woods, C, 2018, Francis Howell North (MO), 2018
5-foot-11, 205-pound, right-handed hitting catcher with a thick lower half. At the plate, balanced, slightly crouched setup, stride works towards home plate. Inside/out, uphill bat path, looks to work the ball to the opposite field. 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Behind the plate, open setup, gets out of crouch early at times, quick release and throws clocked at 70 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.07-2.34. 7.76 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

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