The Underclass Trials took place on Wednesday, June 5 at Symonds-Puckett field on the campus of Triton College. This annual event provided those who attended an opportunity to showcase their talents in front of the PBR Illinois staff. With over 65+ athletes in the 2021, 2022, and 2023 classes in attendance, the event itself was action-packed and full of young talent. 

Shortly after the event’s conclusion, we published our statistical analysis and quick hits pieces from the showcase. This piece will highlight the catchers at the event, while the rest of the positional breakdowns will roll out as the week continues. Make sure to keep an eye out for all the content coming from the Underclass Trials in the coming days. 

Will Plattner (Glenwood) was the top catcher at the event. The 2022 graduate has clean, athletic actions behind the plate. Offensively, Plattner has a simple right-handed swing with a quick bat and loose hands. 

Justin Cappis (Niles North), currently ranked No. 58 in the 2021 Illinois class, came in right behind Plattner. The left-handed hitting Cappis has a simple, easy swing and made consistent hard contact to the pull-side.

There were plenty of other standouts at the event and their reports can be found below: 

TOP CATCHERS

1. Will Plattner, Glenwood, 2022 
Positional Profile: C/3B 
Body: 5-foot-11, 160-pounds. Athletic.
Hit: RHH. Balanced set up, smooth load, short stride, leg kick trigger, maintains balance throughout swing. Simple swing, confident, easy bat speed, loose hands, flat bat path, gets extension, gap-gap hitter, fluid rhythm.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. 
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. INF - 78 mph. Short arm action, works from over-the-top, high 3/4 slot, throws consistently around the second base bag, flashed carry.
Defense: 2.08-2.14 pop times. Fluid, athletic footwork, quick, clean exchange, easy blocking ability, quick release, advanced receiver. At first base, soft hands, fluid footwork, clean exchange, athletic fielding position, plays through the ball.
Run: 7.60 runner in the 60. 

2. Justin Cappis, Niles North, 2021 
Positional Profile: C 
Body: 5-foot-11, 175-pounds. Strong build.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, open setup, smooth load, short stride, fluid rhythm, maintains balance throughout his swing. Present bat speed, uphill path, pull approach, flashed pull-side power. 
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Short arm action, works from a high 3/4 slot, accurate.
Defense: 2.06-2.17 pop times. Soft hands, quick and clean exchange, natural catcher actions, willing blocker. 
Run: 7.51 runner in the 60. 

3. Brendan Summerhill, Whitney Young, 2022 
Positional Profile: C 
Body: 6-foot-2, 165-pounds. Long, lean, athletic frame with upside.
Hit: LHH. Tall, balanced set up, smooth load, short stride, maintains balance. Loose hands, easy swing, fluid rhythm, lift in swing and gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. 
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. Short arm action, from over the top arm slot, accurate arm.
Defense: 2.26-2.40 pop times. Reliable hands, exchange works on-line.
Run: 7.18 runner in the 60. 

3. Harrison Scroggins, Lincoln-Way West, 2022
Positional Profile: C/OF 
Body: 5-foot-10, 190-pounds. Strong athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced set up, leg kick trigger, short stride, balance through swing. Present bat speed, short bat path, extension through the ball, gap-to-gap, line drive approach.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Above-average bat strength for age.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. OF - 79 mph. Short arm action, over the top, high 3/4 arm slot, plays accurate.
Defense: 2.18-2.26 pop times. Quick release, willing blocker. From the outfield shows steady hands, fluid footwork, clean exchange, plays through baseball.
Run: 7.17 runner in the 60. 

BEST OF THE REST (Listed Alphabetically)

Austin Bean, Kenosha Christian Life, 2021 
Positional Profile: RHP/C 
Body: 6-foot-3, 180-pounds. Lanky and athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced and crouched stance, minimal load, short stride. Level path to the baseball.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. 
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Long and loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.25-2.45 pop times. Reliable hands, flashed fluid footwork.
Run: 8.23 runner in the 60. 

Andrew Briggs, Normal Community, 2021
Positional Profile: C 
Body: 6-foot, 170-pounds. Lanky frame, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, wide setup, toe-tap stride, fluid rhythm. Long, uphill path to the ball. Line drive hitter with gap-to-gap ability.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. 
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot, showed accuracy.
Defense: 2.18-2.26 pop times. Steady hands, clean exchange, gains ground through exchange.
Run: 7.67 runner in the 60. 

Coby Crafton, Lutheran School Association, 2021 
Positional Profile: C/RHP 
Body: 6-foot-4, 208-pounds. Strong, athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, toe tap stride. Level path to the ball, occasional line drive approach and hard contact.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. 
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Short, loose arm action, over-the-top arm slot. 
Defense: 2.25-2.47 pop times. Fluid footwork, clean exchanges, plays through the ball.
Run: 7.41 runner in the 60. 

Quinn Denker, Hampshire, 2021 
Positional Profile: C 
Body: 5-foot-9, 187-pounds. 
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, short stride. Long and uphill path to the baseball, flashed gap-to-gap contact.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. 
Arm: RH. C - 66 mph. Short arm action, throws from 3/4 slot. 
Defense: 2.25-2.47 pop times. Reliable hands, clean exchange. 
Run: 7.48 runner in the 60. 

Ryan Louthan, Joliet Catholic Academy, 2022 
Positional Profile: C 
Body: 5-foot-9, 170-pounds. Thick, strong frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced set up, short stride. Present bat strength, level bat path, gap-gap hitter, pull side approach.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. 
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, accurate arm.
Defense: 2.12-2.19 pop times. Reliable hands, clean, quick exchange, above average blocking ability.
Run: 7.59 runner in the 60. 

Cole McManus, Naperville North, 2021
Positional Profile: C 
Body: 5-foot-11, 162-pounds. Wiry frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, short stride. Short path, stays inside the baseball, middle of the field approach.
Power: 75 mph exit velocity from the tee. 
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Short arm action, throws from high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.32-2.50 pop times. Steady hands, clean, quick exchange from the infield.
Run: 7.80 runner in the 60. 

Leo Miller, New Trier, 2021 
Positional Profile: C 
Body: 5-foot-11, 190-pounds. Athletic frame, strong build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced and wide setup, long stride, fluid rhythm. Short path to the ball, line drive approach.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Quick hands, present bat strength.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. Short arm action, over the top slot. 
Defense: 2.17-2.33 pop times. Reliable hands, quick footwork, stays low, gains ground, confident blocker.
Run: 7.44 runner in the 60. 

Alexander Nieves, Vernon Hills, 2022 
Positional Profile: C 
Body: 5-foot-11, 210-pounds. Strong frame.
Hit: RHH. Open, balanced set up, leg-kick trigger. Above average bat speed, level bat path.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. 
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. Short, over the top arm action.
Defense: 2.37-2.52 pop times. Steady hands.
Run: 7.86 runner in the 60. 

Mario Petrella, Stevenson, 2022 
Positional Profile: C/3B 
Body: 6-foot-1, 170-pounds. Athletic, lanky frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall balanced set up, minimal stride. Pull side approach, uphill path, line drive, pull side approach.
Power: 73 mph exit velocity from the tee. 
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. INF - 71 mph. Short, loose arm action, 3/4 arm slot, playable accuracy.
Defense: 2.12-2.26 pop times. Fluid footwork, clean exchange.
Run: 7.62 runner in the 60. 

Hayden Stork, Olympia, 2021 
Positional Profile: C 
Body: 6-foot, 195-pounds. Strong lower half.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, wide setup, pre-pitch load, short stride. Level, long path to the ball, line drive approach.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Present bat strength.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. Long arm action, low 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: 2.29-2.46 pop times. Flashed steady hands, gains ground on throws to second.
Run: 7.33 runner in the 60. 

David Underdonk, Bolingbrook, 2021 
Positional Profile: C 
Body: 5-foot-10, 175-pounds. Strong build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, smooth load, short stride, occasional toe tap, fluid rhythm throughout. Short and uphill path to the ball, Pull-side approach, occasional hard contact.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. Short arm action, throws from an over the top slot.
Defense: 2.26-2.44 pop times. Reliable hands, clean exchange, replaces feet.
Run: 7.84 runner in the 60. 

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