Unsigned Senior Showcase - Chicago: Catching Analysis

This week we begin our rollout of positional analysis from the Unsigned Senior Showcase at The MAX on October 8. Before divining into our top catching prospects make sure to check out the full Statistical Analysis and Quick Hits from the event.

Leading the way among catchers was Nazareth’s Bobby Grimes. Grimes showed off a big arm that carried well and likely to keep any run game in check behind the dish. When it comes to arm strength, Chase Grasso (McHenry West) also showed off game changing arm strength at 79 mph out of the crouch, and came in at No. 2 among catching prospects.

Top Catching Prospects

1. Bobby Grimes, C, Nazareth, 2018
6-foot-1, 165-pound catcher, lean athletic frame, trim waist, projects. Dynamic athlete, runs a 6.75 60, laser timed. Big arm strength, 81 mph out of the crouch, 83 mph across the diamond, short and loose, over the top slot, clean release, carries well. Pop times ranged 2.04-2.12, long exchange and footwork. Right-handed hitter, open stance, short stride, solid balance. Loose easy swing, repeats with bat speed, short path. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.

2. Chase Grasso, C, McHenry West, 2018
6-foot, 165-pound catcher, slender build. Showed big arm strength out of the crouch, 79 mph, short over the top and accurate with carry. Quick release and gets out of the crouch well, 2.08-2.15 pop times. Right-handed hitter, tall open setup, leg kick trigger. Loose hands, level path with bat speed. 74 mph exit velocity from the tee. 8.10 runner in the 60.

3. Logan Shepard, C, Maroa-Forsyth, 2018
6-foot, 180-pound left-handed hitting catcher, athletic build some present strength. Offensively hits from a wide setup, short stride, maintains balance. Loose strong hands, showed bat speed on uphill path, gap to gap type approach. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, occasional carry, 75 mph. Pop times ranged 2.11-2.15. 7.35 runner in the 60.

4. Bryan Fox, C, Lockport, 2018
5-foot-10, 175-pound catcher, solid build, strong lower half. Above average defender, athletic receiver, active defender, soft hands. Pop times at 2.12-2.29. Arm action was short and over the top, accurate arm, 73 mph out of the crouch. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, maintains good balance through contact. Strong hands, easy bat speed, line drive approach. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.79 runner in the 60.

5. Nick Cecchi, C, Oswego, 2018
North Park commit. 5-foot-9, 190-pound catcher, stocky build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, leg lift. Bat strength present, short compact swing, line drive opposite field contact, uphill swing at times. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, clean quick release, 73 mph out of the crouch. 2.11-2.22 pop times. 7.74 runner in the 60.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Blake Babec, C, Plainfield Central, 2018
6-foot-2, 157-pound catcher, lean projectable frame, long limbed. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, leg kick trigger, tips barrel to load. Middle of the field contact, long levers creates length in path, some whip. 68 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and firm from a high ¾ slot, 63 mph out of the crouch. 2.36-2.44 pop times. 7.89 runner in the 60.

Lucas Burris, C, LaSalle Peru, 2018
6-foot, 165-pound catcher. Right-handed hitter, open stance, bat wrap load with short stride to even. Path is long and uphill, lifting contact, 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, played at 66 mph out of the crouch. 2.40-2.53 pop times. Ran the 60 at 7.90.

Alex Ledinsky, C, Jacobs, 2018
6-foot-2, 170-pound left-handed hitting catcher, lean lanky frame. Hits from a balanced stance, slight leg lift load. Path is long, pull side approach, 71 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short, lacked accuracy, 66 mph out of the crouch. 2.26-2.61 pop times. Ran the 60 at 8.18.

Jared Mutter, C, Lincoln-Way East, 2018
6-foot-3, 185-pound catcher, solid build. Defensively arm played short and over the top, accurate to the bag, arm played online with occasional carry, 71 mph. Stays low out of the chute, 2.11-2.19 pop times. Mechanically sounds, athletic block and recover. Left-handed hitter, slightly open stance, short stride. Showed some bat strength, line drive pull contact, 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. 8.10 runner in the 60.

Ryan Tyler, C, Eisenhower, 2018
5-foot-9, 160-pound catcher, average build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride with slight lift, average balance. Line drive approach, gets on to front side. 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short, and over the top, played accurate to the bag, 68 mph. Posted pop times at 2.26-2.36. 7.42 runner in the 60.  

Justin Wilk, C, Stevenson, 2018
5-foot-11, 170-pound catcher, lean lanky frame. Showed arm strength out of the crouch, carried to target, 75 mph, high ¾ slot. Posted pop times at 2.12-2.19. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, slightly drops hands, arm bar load. 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. Line drive approach. 7.50 runner in the 60.

Dominic Zupo, C, Oswego East, 2018
5-foot-11, 178-pound left-handed hitting catcher. Hits from an open setup, leg kick trigger. Path works uphill, 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, 74 mph out of the crouch. Pop times ranged 2.19-2.33. 7.58 runner in the 60.

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