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Preseason All-State Showcase: Catching Analysis

March 2, 2015

By Ryan Quigley
Illinois Scouting Director

The 2015 Prep Baseball Report Preseason All-State Showcase took place on Sunday February 15th at the Max in McCook, IL. 125 of Illinois top prospects in the 2016 class gathered to display the fruits of their hard winter labor in front of the PBR scouting staff.

Click Here to view complete statistics from the 2015 PBR Preseason All-State in PDF format.

Click Here to view the Top Tools Breakdown from the event.

Over the next few days we will rank the prospects by position, culminating in the Top Overall prospects from the event. Today, we’ll take a look at the catchers, one of the deepest crop of prospects we’ve seen at one individual position in recent memory. 14 prospects threw 2.0 seconds or less down to second base, and the backstops were possibly the top overall position at the event.

The catching crop was so deep in fact, that several prospects not included in our Top Ten list below will make appearances in the PBR Class of 2016 Overall Rankings when they are updated early next week.

Let’s take a look at the Top 10 Overall Catching Prospects from this year’s Preseason All-State Showcase:

Top Overall Catching Prospects

1. Cooper Johnson, C/3B, Carmel Catholic, 2016
6-foot, 200-pound right-handed hitting catcher, strong lower half, wide shoulders, developed forearms. Defensively, Johnson is the top defensive catcher in PBR’s coverage area, and quite possibly the entire country. Reeled off pop times from 1.88-1.95, 83 mph from the crouch from short, over-the-top, accurate, quick and athletic arm action. Very good hip flexibility receiving during pens, sits low, impressed handling Cal Coughlin’s 83-85 mph slider extremely well. Though a primary catcher, Johnson also impresses at third base, showing soft hands and arm strength across the diamond at 84 mph. Hits from a wide base, short stride, utilizes lower half, hands start high, load back smoothly, short power path, gets extension, simple, repeatable approach, impressed with possibly the best round of batting practice at the Preseason All-State, driving the ball from gap-to-gap; should develop power to both gaps. Current power to his pull side, 89 mph exit velocity off the tee. Ran a 7.62 in the 60, but not a concern as feet work quickly behind the plate. Johnson has elevated his national profile over the past year. The Ole’ Miss commit has always been known for his elite catch-and-throw skills, but the bat has taken a major step forward. He’ll be one of the top draft prospects in the 2016 class to follow over the next two seasons. He’s possibly the best catching prospect the PBR scouting staff has seen in ten years.

2. Sam Ferri, C/RHP, Notre Dame College Prep, 2016
Notre Dame commit. 5-foot-11, 175-pound two-way player, medium frame, athletic build, big arm strength. On the mound worked strictly from the stretch, clean delivery, good direction. Arm action is quick and loose, separates hands early, high ¾ slot. Fastball had slight run, sat 90 mph, finished well through the zone. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 71-73 mph. Changeup showed sink, 78-81 mph, had feel. Slider was best secondary, late 10/4 action, 77-78 mph. Defensively showed excellent arm strength, 80 mph out of the crouch, advanced carry and accuracy, dropped every throw on the bag. Pop times ranged from 1.84-1.91, premium catch and throw prospect. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, smooth load with short stride, excellent balance. Barrell aware, good path, backspun the baseball, line drive guy, long finish. 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.46 runner in the 60.

3. AJ Lewis, C/3B, Mount Carmel, 2016
Missouri commit. 5-foot-10, 180-pound catcher/third baseman, strong solid build, stocky with strength. Offensively hits from an open stance, short stride, excellent balance. Quick hands, short path, line drive gap to gap approach. Defensively behind the plate used a short over the top arm action, accurate arm, showed some carry, 77 mph arm from the crouch. Feet work directionally, 2.01-2.08 pop times. At third feet worked very athletically, hands gather and pat before release. 79 mph arm strength across the diamond.

4. Austin Ulick, C/OF, Washington, 2016
5-foot-10, 165-pound catcher/outfielder, athletic build, shows some strength. Defensively showed good arm strength. Behind the dish arm played short, over the top slot, highly accurate, played online with carry through the bag, 77 mph. Posted one of the best pop times at the event, 1.93-2.01 pops. Transfers cleanly and quickly, mechanically sound blocking the baseball. Arm played similarly from the outfield, good carry, 86 mph. Played through with a crowhop, good footwork. Ran the 60 at 7.71, laser timed. Offensively hits from the right side, tall narrow setup, short stride, aggressive lower half, excellent balance. Good bat speed present, solid approach, used both gaps, flashed pull side power. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. High follow 2016 prospect.

5. Zach Frey, C/RHP, Normal University, 2016
5-foot-10, 155-pound athletic C/RHP hits from an open setup, narrow stance, hands load back smoothly, long stride, bat speed present, 86 mph exit velocity, long, slight uphill bat path, pull tendencies. Defensively, pop times ranged from 1.97-2.0, 82 mph from the crouch from short, over-the-top slot with carry and accuracy right on the bag. Quick feet, soft hands receiving, pops up quickly on block and recover. Frey is an impressive two-way talent, sitting 86-87 mph on the mound from a short, loose, quick, high ¾ arm slot. Regular effort, swings lower half slightly, land square, slight recoil at finish. 76-78 mph changeup flashed plus action to arm side, thrown for strikes, one of the top secondary offerings at the Preseason All-State. Also threw a 68-71 mph curveball, 11/5 shape, feel for strikes, confidence in all three pitches. Frey has plus catch-and-throw skills, and despite his smaller frame his future may be on the mound with his quick, athletic arm and plus changeup.

6. Bryce Gray, C, Homewood-Flossmoor, 2016
5-foot-11, 200-pound strong right-handed hitting catcher hits from a balanced setup, short stride, hands load back smoothly, short, level bat path, gets extension, feel for barrel, line drives from gap-to-gap during batting practice, one of the better rounds of the event, 83 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, pop times ranged from 2.00-2.08 to second, 76 mph out of the crouch from short, over-the-top arm slot, fluid footwork, clean exchanges, pushes the ball at times, above average receiving during bullpens, soft hands. Ran a 7.65 60.

7. Christian Barczi, C, Naperville North, 2016
6-foot-1, 185-pound lanky right-handed hitting catcher impressed with bat speed and sub 2.0 pop times. Defensively, pop times ranged from 1.94-2.0 to second, 77 mph out of the crouch from short, over-the-top arm slot, carry on throws, short and quick on exchange. Hits from a balanced setup, hands load smoothly, utilizes a leg kick for stride, short, uphill path, line drives during batting practice, pull tendencies, well above average bat speed, 90 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.31 60.

8. Sam Nozicka, C, Grayslake Central, 2016
5-foot-11, 180-pound right-handed hitting C, strong lower half, hits from a balanced setup, short stride, turns front foot in to load hips, back elbow raised up, hands load back/up, long, uphill bat path, fluidity to swing, impressed with up the middle, line drive approach during batting practice, 83 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, impressed behind the plate with pop times from 1.93-2.01, 78 mph out of the crouch from short, athletic, over-the-top arm action. Soft hands receiving during bullpens, well above average athlete behind the plate. Runs a 7.37 60.

9. Brady West, C, Rockford Lutheran, 2016
Solid strong build, advanced physically, 5-foot-10, 184-pound left-handed hitting catcher. High energy catcher, did a good job handling pitchers in bullpens, willing blocker, mechanically sound. Arm action is short, over the top slot, 76 mph arm strength out of the crouch. 2.04-2.15 pop times. Offensively hits from a wider stance, slightly closed, reverse toe tap stride. Pull side approach, flashed pop, strong hitter, 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ran a 7.76 laser timed 60.

10. Joshua Nowak, C, Stagg, C/2B, 2016
5-foot-7, 160-pound left-handed hitting C/2B hits from a crouched setup, short stride, front knee turns inward to load hips, hands load smoothly, short, level bat path, gets extension, line drives from gap-to-gap during batting practice, 82 mph exit velo off the tee, barrel whips through the zone. Defensively, impressed behind the plate with pop times ranging from 1.98-2.12, excels with quick transfer and quick feet, arm strength is average at 74 mph from the crouch. Also impresses in the middle infield, 2B type, threw 76 mph across the diamond from short, athletic, high ¾ arm slot. Could catch and play 2B at the next level, utility type player. Runs a 7.17 60.

10. Alex Peters, C, Peoria Richwoods, 2016
5-foot-11, 180-pound right-handed catcher muscular build, strong lower half, hits from a narrow, slightly open setup, hands held high, hands load back smoothly, dives during stride, line drives from gap-to-gap during batting practice, pull tendencies, solid path, barrel stays level through the zone, 90 mph exit velocity, well above average bat speed. Defensively, pop times ranged from 1.94-2.07 to second base, 76 mph out of the crouch from short, over-the-top arm slot, erratic accuracy, good carry on throws. Ran a 7.62 60.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Clay Bachman, C, Olympia, 2016
Strong build, sturdy catchers frame, 5-foot-10, 175-pound left-handed hitting catcher. Defensively showcased solid catching actions, arm is short and plays over the top, had carry, 78 mph arm strength out of the crouch. Fluid footwork, exchange is quick and clean, natural receiver, blocked well. 2.00-2.09 pop times. Offensively hits from a crouched stance, smooth load with short stride. Line drive hitter with some pull tendencies, solid bat speed, 78 mph. 7.70 runner in the 60.

Cole Banks, C, Argenta-Oreana, 2016
5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed hitting catcher hits from a narrow setup, hands drop to load, long stride, long, uphill bat path, pull tendencies during batting practice, 82 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 70 mph from the crouch, pop times ranged from 2.18-2.25 to second, short, over-the-top arm slot. Ran a 7.70 60.

Thadden Brown, C, Normal, 2016
6-foot, 180-pound right-handed hitting catcher hits from an open setup, dives slightly, hands load back, long, uphill path, high finish, 79 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, pop time ranged from 2.04-2.22 to second, 75 mph from the crouch from over-the-top slot, some accuracy, average carry. Ran a 7.89 60.

Matthew Bunetta, C, Plainfield Central, 2016
5-foot-11, 180-pound right-handed hitting C hits from a wide base, hands load back smoothly, short stride, short, slightly uphill bat path, high finish, 81 mph exit velocity off the tee, impressed with gap-to-gap approach, future power potential. Defensively, pop times ranged from 1.98-2.06 down to second base, 76 mph from the crouch from short, over-the-top arm slot, average carry on throws, impressed receiving and blocking during bullpens. Ran a 7.72 60.

Tyler Fisher, C/1B, Herscher, 2016
6-foot-2, 200-pound right-handed hitting catcher impressed with his bat, hits from a balanced setup, short stride, long, level bat path, plus bat speed, 91 mph exit velocity off the tee, drove line drives to right-center field. Defensively, pop times ranged from 2.08-2.18 to second, 76 mph out of the crouch from short, over-the-top arm slot with carry, some accuracy. Ran a 7.59 60.

Eli Fox, C, Gillespie, 2016
Strong lower half, squared build, 5-foot-7, 185-pound catcher. Offensively hits from a narrow stance, short stride, loads hands back. Hands stay quiet, work well to the baseball, good path, short to it with some extension. Line drive gap to gap type approach, aggressive swinger with occasional pull pop. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays with a short over the top arm action, typical to a catcher, 76 mph arm strength out of the crouch. 2.11-2.25 pop times, exchange and footwork can get long. 7.76 runner in the 60.

Tyler Gordon, C, Simeon, 2016
5-foot-7, 175-pound right-handed hitting catcher with a strong lower half, hits from a balanced setup, hands load back smoothly, simple and balanced approach, fluid throughout, short stride, short, level bat path gets extension, pull tendencies during batting practice, cuts off finish at times. Defensively, pop times ranged from 2.01-2.12 to second, 69 mph out of the crouch from long, over-the-top arm slot. Quick feet, quick exchanges, impressed with soft hands receiving during bullpens. Ran a 7.26 60 yard dash.

Christian Hubbard, C, Wheeling, 2016
5-foot-10, 165-pound left-handed hitting C hits from closed, crouch setup, short stride, picks foot up puts it down, long, level bat path, produced line drives from gap-to-gap during batting practice, 80 mph exit velocity. Defensively, impressed with pop times ranging from 2.01-2.12 to second, 75 mph from the crouch from short, over-the-top arm slot with carry, quick exchange coming out of the chute. Ran a 7.72 60.

Zachary Johnson, C, York, 2016
5-foot-9, 145-pound left-handed hitting C hits from a balanced setup, short stride, long, level bat path produced 74 mph exit velocity, up the middle approach. Defensively, pop times ranged from 2.26-2.51, 70 mph from the crouch from long, high ¾ arm slot. Ran an 8.69 60.

Michael Nielsen, C/3B, Lake Park, 2016
6-foot-4, 205-pound left-handed hitting C/3B hits from a tall, open setup, hands held high, long stride, utilizes a leg kick, hands raise up and back to load, long, uphill bat path produced line drives with power to his pull side, 87 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, behind home plate, pop times ranged from 2.00-2.05, 75 mph out of the crouch form short, over-the-top arm slot. Longer arm action at third base, accurate throws, impresses more behind the plate with physical presence and soft hands receiving. Ran a 7.71 60 yard dash.

Anthony Rios, C, St. Laurence, 2016
5-foot-10, 190-pound right-handed hitting catcher registered pop times from 1.94-2.01 to second base, 76 mph out of the crouch from long, over-the-top arm slot, average hands receiving. Hits from slightly crouched setup, wide base, short stride, turns front foot in to load hips, holds hands high, little movement loading hands, long, level bat path produced line drives from gap-to-gap during batting practice, 81 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.82 60.

Shamus Segersten, C/3B, Marian Central Catholic, 2016
6-foot-1, 192-pound right-handed hitting C/3B hits from a an athletic setup, low hands, long stride, stays balanced throughout, long, uphill bat path, strength present in swing, 90 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, pop times ranged from 2.01-2.09 to second, 75 mph out of the crouch from short, over-the-top arm slot, high setup in stance, quick feet, gains ground to second. At third base threw 82 mph across the infield from longer, over-the-top arm slot, max effort on throws. Ran a 7.22 60.

Joe Swanson, C, Maine West, 2016
5-foot-9, 160-pound right-handed hitting C hits from an open setup, short stride, short, level bat path, gap-to-gap approach during batting practice, 81 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, pop times ranged from 2.00 to 2.17, 77 mph out of the crouch from short, over-the-top arm slot with carry down to second base, high setup, good feet blocking during bullpens. Ran a 7.63 60.

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