Prep Baseball Report

Kansas Summer Open: Catchers Edition


Scott Hood
OK/MO/KS Assistant Scouting Director

Prep Baseball Report Kansas hosted the Kansas Summer Open on July 20th at Wichita State University with players coming from the 2022 class through the 2025 class.  53 players from across the state of Kansas as well as players coming in from Missouri, Oklahoma, and as far as California attended the event going through a pro-style workout.  You can click on any of the names to access the player's personal profile.  Today we take a in-depth look at the 12 catchers from the event breaking down their swing mechanics, receiving skills, blocking techniques, throwing mechanics, and more.

Carter Helm tied for the event lead in catcher's arm strength at 76 mph which led way to an event leading pop time of 1.87 seconds.  Drew Wardell also posted a radar gun reading of 76 mph with an impressive pop time range from 1.91-1.97.  Adam Johnson showcased a 73 mph arm with pop times ranging from 1.91-2.02.  Andrew Roth also was 73 mph from the crouch position with pop times ranging between 1.97-2.15.  Braden Horn used his quick exchanges out of the glove to post pop time ranges of 1.91-2.00.

Drew Wardell and Braden Horn both tied at 89 mph for the highest exit velocity off the tee amongst the catchers.  Horn saw his velo jump up to 93 mph during the BP session off the Trackman unit with Wardell raising his up to 91 mph.  Kale Conway showcased some real strength in the hands at contact during BP with an exit velocity of 95 mph.  Andrew Roth and Joseph Vervynck also saw their exit velos jump in BP both reaching exit velos up to 91 mph.

The fasted laser timed 60 amongst the catchers belonged to Andrew Roth at 7.01 seconds with Carter Helm right behind him at 7.02 seconds.  Adam Johnson posted a respectable 7.14 60 time for a catcher as well.

Full event stats and details can be found by clicking here.

Brayden Alexander 1B / C / Blue Valley, KS / 2023

Brayden Alexander KS Blue Valley 2023 1B

Positional Profile: 1B/C

Body: 6-foot-1, 200-pound mature frame.

Hit: RHH.  At the plate starts with a neutral stance and upright posture.  Hands get set quietly and quickly into position with a vertical bat angle.  Quick rock into the lower half with a short stride and into a firm front leg.  Rotational bat path with the hands with a top hand strong finish.  Slightly stiff action in the lower half.  Level bat path and slight lean back with the weight at contact point.

Power: 82 mph exit velocity off the tee and 87 mph exit velocity in BP.

Arm: RH.  INF-63 mph.  C-63 mph.  Pop Times: 2.43-2.59.  High ¾ arm slot with a short arm action.

Defense: In the infield attacks the ball with short and choppy footwork.  Fields the ball with a firm glove and developing glove action.  Behind the plate gets feet and shoulders turned in sync on throws to second.  Developing receiving skills and shows proper blocking technique with good posture.

Run: 8.27 runner in the 60.

Boston Bruce 2B / C / Atchison, KS / 2024

Positional Profile: MIF/C

Body: 5-foot-7, 143-pound lean and developing frame with room for added strength and size in the future.  

Hit: RHH.  At the plate starts with an open stance and athletic posture.  Hands get set away from the body with a bent front arm.  Bat angle gets set in a tipped position with rhythmic waggle.  Leg kick stride with strong weight stack into a bent back leg.  Good linear direction with the lower half working into a firm front leg.  Does a good job of manipulating the lower half to get on plane with pitches up and down in the zone.  Takes good routes to the ball with the hands.  Good balance throughout the swing.

Power: 79 mph exit velocity off the tee and 83 mph exit velocity in BP.

Arm: RH.  INF-72 mph.  C-66 mph.  Pop Times: 2.02-2.10. High ¾ arm slot with a clean and whippy arm action.

Defense: In the infield attacks the ball with active feet and a feel for routes working around the ball.  Fields the ball out in front of the body with good glove action and soft hands.  Clean exchanges out of the glove.  Fields the slow roller with two hands inside the glove side leg.  Behind the plate works quickly out of the crouch with active feet and quick shoulder turn.  Throws had good accuracy with developing carry.   Shows a developing feel for receiving and solid blocking technique.

Run: 7.55 runner in the 60.

Kale Conway C / 3B / Kearney , MO / 2023

Positional Profile: C/3B

Body: 6-foot-1, 225-pound physical and mature frame.

Hit: RHH.  At the plate starts with a neutral stance and wide base with an athletic posture.  Quick rock in the weight into the back leg and utilizes a quick stride to a wider base.  Hands get set close to the body and tight to the ear with a 45 degree bat angle.  Rotational bat path with a strong top hand finish.  Slight uphill bat path and works the ball up in the air.  Hands work quickly through the zone with good overall bat speed.  Shows strong rotational acceleration metrics.

Power: 87 mph exit velocity off the tee and 95 mph exit velocity in BP.

Arm: RH.  INF-73 mph.  C-69 mph.  Pop Times:2.16-2.26.  High ¾ arm slot with a short and clean arm slot

Defense: Behind the plate receives the ball with one knee in the dirt and a feel for pitch framing.  Kicks the feet and hips back quickly on blocks with good posture.  Clean and quick exchanges out of the glove on throws to second with good carry and accuracy to the bag.  In the infield attacks the ball with lateral routes to the ball and short and choppy footwork.  Fields the ball deep into the body with a firm glove and developing glove action.

Run: 7.71 runner in the 60.

Kolby Girrens C / Bishop Carroll, KS / 2023

Positional Profile: C

Body: 6-foot-1, 195-pound physical build.

Hit: RHH.  At the plate starts with a slightly open stance and athletic posture.  Quiet rhythm in the swing with hands and lower half slow loading into position.  Simple and traditional stride with short length.  Rotational backside turn into a firm front leg.  Slight uphill bat path and tries to work the ball up in the air.  Strong top hand finish with good balance throughout the swing.  Very simple and repeatable swing mechanics.

Power: 88 mph exit velocity off the tee and 88 mph exit velocity in BP.

Arm: RH.  C-68 mph.  Pop Times: 2.09-2.19.  High ¾ arm slot with a short and quick arm action.

Defense: Behind the plate receives the ball with strong wrists and a developing feel for framing.  Shows solid blocking techniques on balls down the middle and will go with one knee in the dirt on later blocks.  Feet and hips work in sync out of the crouch on throws to second with throws having slight run with good accuracy to the bag.  

Run: 7.62 runner in the 60.

Carter Helm C / OF / Kingman, KS / 2024

Positional Profile: C

Body: 5-foot-9, 168-pound stocky and athletic build with room for added strength to the frame in the future.

Hit: RHH.  At the plate starts with a very open stance and upright posture.  Big leck kick stride with short weight stack onto the back leg.  Very linear direction in the swing with a lot of rhythm with the hands.  Rotational path around the ball with a whippy arm action.  Slight uphill bat path and tries to work the ball up in the air.  Swings the bat with some effort.  Hands work quickly through the zone.  Developing balance and bat speed.

Power: 81 mph exit velocity off the tee and 87 mph exit velocity in BP.

Arm: RH.  C-76 mph.  Pop Times: 1.87-2.03. Over the top arm slot with a short and quick arm action.

Defense: Behind the plate shows quick exchanges out of the glove with the feet working quickly out of the crouch.  Throws had good carry and accuracy to the bag.  Receives the ball with developing wrist strength and pitch framing.  Hips and feet work back quickly on blocks with good posture in the upper body.

Run: 7.02 runner in the 60.

Braden Horn C / 1B / Derby, KS / 2023

Positional Profile: C/1B

Body: 6-foot-3, 215-pound physical and mature frame with present strength.

Hit: RHH.  At the plate starts with a slightly open stance and wide base.  Hands get set quickly into position with a vertical bat angle.  Short rock of the weight into the back leg and utilizes a quick and short stride back to neutral.  Shows some strength at contact with the hands.  Has good overall bat speed and quick hands through the zone.  Slight uphill bat path with good extension.  Maintains balance throughout the swing.

Power: 89 mph exit velocity off the tee and 93 mph exit velocity in BP.

Arm: RH.  INF-87 mph.  C-67 mph.  Pop Times: 1.91-2.00.  High ¾ arm slot with a clean arm action and good hand speed.

Defense: In the infield attacks the ball with lateral footwork and short and choppy footwork.  Fields the ball out in front of the body with soft hands and developing glove action.  Behind the plate shows clean and quick exchanges out of the glove with the throws having good carry.  Receives the ball with strong wrists and a feel for pitch framing.  Has adequate blocking technique with good posture.    

Run: 7.91 runner in the 60.

Corbin Jamison SS / C / Holton, KS / 2022

Positional Profile: MIF/C/RHP

Body: 6-foot-1, 150-pound long and lean build with room for added strength and size in the future.

Hit: RHH.  At the plate starts with a slightly open stance and upright posture.  Quick and short weight shift into the back leg utilizing a short stride back to neutral.  Vertical bat angle with a rotational bat path and strong top hand finish.  Slight uphill bat path and tries to work the ball up in the air.  Maintains balance throughout the swing.  Barrel gets into the zone quickly and stays through the zone through the contact point.

Power: 78 mph exit velocity off the tee and 85 mph exit velocity in BP.

Arm: RH.  INF-72 mph.  C-61 mph.  Pop Times: 2.26-2.47.  High ¾ arm slot with a short and stiff arm action.

Defense: In the infield attacks the ball with direct routes to the ball with short and choppy footwork.  Fields the ball deep into the body with a stiff glove and developing glove action.  Behind the plate stands straight up out of the crouch on throws to second with throws having developing carry and accuracy to the bag.  Receives the ball with a heavy weight shift onto the glove side leg.  Blocks the ball with one knee in the dirt technique.

Run: 7.49 runner in the 60.

Adam Johnson C / 3B / Washburn Rural , KS / 2023

Positional Profile: C/3B

Body: 5-foot-11, 166-pound

Hit: RHH.  At the plate starts with a slightly open stance and athletic posture.  Hands get set quietly into position with a flat bat angle.  Rhythmic and slow two tap stride with the lower half and strong weight stack onto the back leg.  Linear push off the back foot into a firm front leg.  Quick twitch swing with the body sequencing well in rhythm.  Shows some strength at contact.  Level bat path and line drive approach.  Does a good job of working the middle of the field.  Maintains balance throughout the swing. 

Power: 84 mph exit velocity off the tee and 89 mph exit velocity in BP.

Arm: RH.  INF-83 mph.  C-73 mph.  Pop Times: 1.91-2.02. High ¾ arm slot with a short and quick arm action.

Defense: In the infield attacks the ball with controlled rhythm and direct routes.  Prefers to let the ball come to him.  Fields the ball out in front of the body with soft hands and a feel for glove action.  Solid slow roller technique with clean exchanges out of the glove.  Behind the plate showed quick feet and hips coming out of the crouch.  Throws had developing accuracy and carry.  Shows  feel for pitch framing with strong wrists.  Gets very wide with the lower half on blocks with good posture.

Run: 7.14 runner in the 60.

Andrew Roth C / SS / Russell, KS / 2022

Positional Profile: C/MIF

Body: 5-foot-11, 142-pound lean and developing build with room for added strength and size in the future to the frame.

Hit: RHH.  At the plate starts with a slightly open stance and upright posture.  Sinks into the back leg with a rocking motion and raises up in the posture as the hands work through the zone.  Traditional stride into a firm front leg.  Flat bat path with a line drive approach.  Shows some strength at contact with strong hands.  Hands work very quickly through the zone.  Barrel gets into the zone early and matches plane very well.  Maintains balance throughout the swing.

Power: 79 mph exit velocity off the tee and 91 mph exit velocity in BP.

Arm: RH.  INF-82 mph.  C-73 mph.  Pop Times: 1.97-2.15.  High ¾ arm slot with a clean arm action.

Defense: In the infield attacks the ball with active feet and short and choppy steps.  Fields the ball deep into the body with soft hands and developing glove action.  Clean exchanges out of the glove.  Behind the plate shows quick exchanges with clean feet.  Throws had good accuracy to the bag with developing carry.  Receives the ball with hip sway and developing wrists.  Shows solid blocking technique with good posture and absorbs the ball well.

Run: 7.01 runner in the 60.

Joseph Vervynck C / 3B / St Thomas Aquinas, KS / 2023

Positional Profile: C/MIF

Body: 5-foot-11, 142-pound lean and developing build with room for added strength and size in the future to the frame.

Hit: RHH.  At the plate starts with a slightly open stance and upright posture.  Sinks into the back leg with a rocking motion and raises up in the posture as the hands work through the zone.  Traditional stride into a firm front leg.  Flat bat path with a line drive approach.  Shows some strength at contact with strong hands.  Hands work very quickly through the zone.  Barrel gets into the zone early and matches plane very well.  Maintains balance throughout the swing.

Power: 79 mph exit velocity off the tee and 91 mph exit velocity in BP.

Arm: RH.  INF-82 mph.  C-73 mph.  Pop Times: 1.97-2.15.  High ¾ arm slot with a clean arm action.

Defense: In the infield attacks the ball with active feet and short and choppy steps.  Fields the ball deep into the body with soft hands and developing glove action.  Clean exchanges out of the glove.  Behind the plate shows quick exchanges with clean feet.  Throws had good accuracy to the bag with developing carry.  Receives the ball with hip sway and developing wrists.  Shows solid blocking technique with good posture and absorbs the ball well.

Run: 7.01 runner in the 60.

Drew Wardell C / 3B / Maize, KS / 2022

Positional Profile: C/3B

Body: 6-foot, 190-pound athletic and physical build with present strength.

Hit: RHH.  At the plate starts with a slightly open stance and athletic posture.  Quick set with the hands and short weight stack into the back leg.  Short and linear push off the back foot into a firm front leg.  Shows some strength at contact with good leverage.  Hands work quickly through the zone and shows good overall bat speed.  Slight uphill bat path with a strong top hand finish.  Simple and repeatable swing mechanics with good balance.

Power: 89 mph exit velocity off the tee and 91 mph exit velocity in BP.

Arm: RH.  INF-80 mph.  C-76 mph.  Pop Times: 1.91-1.97.  High ¾ arm slot with a quick and clean arm action.

Defense: Behind the plate shows good athleticism working out of the crouch with quick feet and hips.  Throws had good carry and accuracy to the bag.  Receives the ball with a balanced set up and quiet body.  Shows an upright posture on blocking technique with one knee working into the dirt.  In the infield attacks the ball with direct routes and prefers to let the ball come to him.  Fields the ball out in front of the body with soft hands and developing glove action.  

Run: 7.64 runner in the 60.

Austin Young RHP / C / Olathe South , KS / 2024

Positional Profile: C/RHP

Body: 6-foot, 180-pound well-built frame.

Hit: RHH.  At the plate starts with a slightly open stance and athletic posture.  High back elbow set with a vertical bat angle.  Slow load into the lower half with big linear direction in the swing.  Hands work out and away from the body in a rotational path with a strong top hand finish.  Pull side approach with a level bat path.  Strong rotational acceleration metrics on Blast Motion sensor.

Power: 80 mph exit velocity off the tee and 87 mph exit velocity in BP.

Arm: RH.  C-55 mph.  Pop Times: 2.18-2.38.  High ¾ arm slot with a short arm action.

Defense: Behind the plate stands straight up early out of the crouch on throws to second.  Throws had developing carry and accuracy to the bag.  Receives the ball with a stiff glove.  Hips work forward on blocks with an upright posture.  In the infield attacks the ball with direct routes and active feet.  Fields the ball in front of the body with a stiff glove and developing glove action.

Run: 7.93 runner in the 60.

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