Preseason All-State: Catchers Analysis

Prep Baseball Report hosted its Preseason All-State event on Sunday, February 11, at The MAX in McCook, Illinois, and got a chance to observe some of the most talented players in the state. All of the invitees were representing the 2019 class and of the 115 prospects in attendance, some of the best of the crop belonged to the catcher’s position.

Interestingly enough, the day’s best catchers predominantly showed an offensive profile that could help carry them to the next level. Those catchers with a more offensive-minded profile, though still filling the defensive demands of the rigorous position, include Matt McCormick (St. Laurence; West Virginia commit), Tyler Snep (Lake Zurich; Iowa), and Casey Kmet (St. Viator; Notre Dame). Specifically, McCormick and Kmet both ranked within the top five of the day’s highest-recorded exit velocities, with a 99 mph and a 98 mph measure, respectively.

Of the group’s 14 catchers, six were able to produce pop times under 2.00 seconds, including an event-best 1.93 time from Jacob Schroeder (Homewood-Flossmoor). And though he just missed our top-five list below, Max Malley (Marist; Evansville) exhibited ultra quick catch-and-throw skills.  

For more on the day’s best behind the plate, continue reading our reports ahead.

TOP CATCHING PROSPECTS

1. Matt McCormick, C, St. Laurence, 2019
West Virginia commit. 6-foot, 200-pound left-handed hitting catcher. Advance offensive catcher, balanced setup, short stride. Excellent hand eye, barrell aware, backspin contact, easy bat speed. Flat path with extension, barrel stays through the zone, gap to gap hard contact. 99 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action has length, over the top slot, showed carry, 79 mph out of the crouch. Exchange has some length, 2.00-2.08 pop times. 7.13 runner in the 60.

2. Jacob Schroeder, C, Homewood-Flossmoor, 2019
6-foot-1, 200-pound catcher, above average frame, strong and athletic. Defensively arm action is short, and over the top, carries well, 81 mph out of the crouch. Simple out of the chute, quick clean exchange, 1.93-2.01 pop times. Right-handed hitter, open stance, short and even stride, lower half works, excellent balance. Hands work loose and strong, short to the baseball, level path, line drive gap to gap guy, hard contact. 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.32 runner in the 60.

3. Tyler Snep, C, Lake Zurich, 2019
Iowa commit. 6-foot-2, 200-pound left-handed hitting catcher, large build, strong and athletic. Hits from a balanced setup, short leg lift stride. Loose hands create bat speed, hard contact, bat strength with slight uphill path, pull side power approach. 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, 78 mph out of the crouch. Clean exchange, solid block, 2.02-2.08 pop times. 7.50 runner in the 60.

4. Casey Kmet, C, St. Viator, 2019
Notre Dame commit. 5-foot-9, 195-pound catcher, strong stocky build. Right-handed hitter, wide balanced setup, no stride approach, excellent balance. Strong hands and present bat speed, balanced approach, gets extension, gap to gap contact. 98 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, carries and showed accuracy, 80 mph out of the crouch. Showed soft hands, quick transfer, 1.94-2.08 pop times. Above average runner at his position, 7.04 60 yard dash.

5. Brandon Green, C, Kenwood, 2019
5-foot-7, 165-pound catcher, small frame athletic build with above average strength for size. Defensively one of the more well-rounded catchers in his class. Soft handed receiver, will cushion the baseball, athletic and quick out of the crouch. Arm plays up, strong and accurate, 77 mph out of the crouch. Pop times ranged 1.98-2.09. Right-handed hitter, open stance, short stride back to square, good balance through contact. Compact swing with ability to find the barrel consistently, spray singles type hitter. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.52 runner in the 60.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Matt Angelone, C, Bartlett, 2019
6-foot, 215-pound catcher, thick solid build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, minimal loading action. Path is short with some bat strength, 84 mph exit velocity form the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, 74 mph out of the crouch. 2.20-2.34 pop times. 7.82 runner in the 60.

Greg Budig, C, Plainfield North, 2019
6-foot, 175-pound catcher, strong build. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, average arm strength, 73 mph out of the crouch. Quick release, transfer is efficient, 2.01-2.08 pop times. Right-handed hitter, slightly open stance, short stride, loads hands back, good balance. Path works uphill, fluid hitter, 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.66 runner in the 60.

Angelo Cantelo, C, Marian Catholic, 2019
6-foot, 215-pound catcher. Right-handed hitter, open stance, leg lift trigger, average balance. Bat strength present, hard contact at times, flashed feel for the barrel, path has some length, fluid hitter. 95 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays from a high ¾ slot, occasional carry, 80 mph out of the crouch. Exchange is clean, 2.15-2.25 pop times. 7.40 runner in the 60.

Kyle Crawford, C, Dixon, 2019
5-foot-10, 160-pound catcher, lean build. Well above average arm strength out of the crouch, 80 mph, short and over the top, ball occasionally runs to arm side. 2.14-2.26 pop times, strong block. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, short reverse lift stride, good balance. Hands work, loose with bat speed to the baseball. 94 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ran the 60 at 7.58.

Luke Fitzgerald, C, Oak Park-River Forest, 2019
Creighton commit. 6-foot-3, 185-pound catcher, lean proportional frame. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, smooth loading action, slight leg lift stride. Shows bat speed, uphill path, fluid rhythm, loose hands. 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, arm plays 79 mph out of the crouch. Pop times range 2.11-2.20, hands are soft . Ran the 60 at 7.59.

Dylan Janke, C/RHP, Huntley, 2019
6-foot, 185-pound two-way player, solid build. Arm strength present, on the mound uses full windup, direct and simple delivery, short over the top slot. Fastball cuts, showed control, 85-86 mph. Curveball plays 12/6, 69-71 mph. Changeup is thrown near fastball delivery, 79-80 mph. Typical catcher arm action plays 77 mph out of the crouch. Posted pop times at 2.00-2.07. Right-handed hitter, tall setup, short stride. Path is short and level through contact. 89 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Max Malley, C, Marist, 2019
Evansville commit. 5-foot-8, 145-pound catcher, thin athletic frame. Defensively showed ultra-quick transfer, feet are quick out of the chute setting up quick glove to release transfer. Arm action is short and over the top, 75 mph out of the crouch. Pop times played 1.94-2.08. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, wider setup, smooth loading action into short stride, maintains good balance. Shows bat speed, line drive contact, in rhythm. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ran the 60 at 6.82, laser timed.

Andrew McKenna, C, Nazareth, 2019
5-foot-10, 190-pound left-handed hitting catcher, strong physical build. Soft hands, quiet receiver, solid block with ability to quickly recover, clean transfer. Pop times range 1.98-2.05. Arm action is short and over the top, 78 mph, with carry. Hits from an open stance, loads hands down and up, short stride, good balance. Flashed pull side power, short path with bat speed, uphill finish, 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.21 runner in the 60.

Alex Powers, C, Prairie Ridge, 2019
6-foot-1, 175-pound catcher, lean athletic shape. Defensively showed plus arm strength for age, 81 mph out of the crouch, short over the top slot, carries well. Transfer gathers before release, feet work directionally, soft hands and quiet receiver, 1.97-2.10 pop times. Right-handed hitter, open stance, short stride, average balance. Path is level some length and slightly uphill, loose hands. 92 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.28 runner in the 60.

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