Prep Baseball Report

Maryland Preseason All-State: Catcher Analysis


Kyle Campbell
Maryland Scouting Director

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This week we will take a look back and wrap-up our three Maryland Preseason All-State events with evaluations on all players in attendance. Players are listed alphabetically and grouped by graduating class to make it easier to scroll through. Today we continue with a look at the 23 catchers.

 

THE CatchERS

 

CLASS OF 2021

 

Morgan Bragg C / 3B / Clarksburg, MD / 2021

Preseason All-State Session III
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5’9”, 170 pounds. Strong, solid body type.
Hit: RHH. Hits from a balanced, open stance at the plate. Short back load and small stride. Creates some hand separation and stays short to the ball with quick hands and fast, whippy bat speed through the zone. Compact, slightly uphill swing path, strong lower half, excellent extension and a strong two-handed finish. Worked mostly middle to the pull side during BP squaring up one ball after another. 
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Power to both alleys with present strength and power to the pull side. Ball jumps off the bat. 
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Throws with short arm action from a high three-quarter slot. 
Defense: 2.13 - 2.20 pop times. Replaces feet quickly and gains ground on throws to second base. Squares shoulders to target and showed quick, cleans exchanges. Throws were accurate to the bag. Sways body some when receiving and sticks the pitch well.
Run: 4.72 home-to-first time.


Kyle Brown C / 1B / Frederick, MD / 2021

Preseason All-State Session I
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6’0”, 185 pounds. Strong, solid body type.
Hit: RHH. Hits from a balanced, open stance at the plate. Small leg kick load with good hand separation. Short to the ball with a level swing path. Showed quick hands and bat speed through the zone. Stays behind the ball well with strong lower half involvement. Gets excellent extension through contact and finishes the swing hard with two-hands. Maintains good balance throughout the swing and keeps head down on the ball through contact. Really nice controlled gap-to-gap approach during BP squaring up several balls. 
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ball jumped off the bat and showed present strength and power to gaps.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Throws with short arm action from a high three-quarter slot. 
Defense: 2.06 - 2.08 pop times. Quick feet behind the plate and gains ground on throws to second base. Squares shoulders to the target and throws were accurate around the bag. 
Run: 4.72 home-to-first time.


Charlie Canapp C / OF / North Harford, MD / 2021

Preseason All-State Session III
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5’11”, 180 pounds. Athletic
Hit: RHH. Hits from a balanced, slightly open stance with quick hand rhythm. Small leg kick load and short stride. Stays short to the ball with a slight uphill swing path. Showed quick hands and fast bat speed through the zone. Generates some lower body involvement in the swing and gets good extension through the zone and past contact, finishing with two hands. Middle to pull side line drive approach.  
Power: 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Strength and power to the pull side present with more projected. 
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Short arm action from a mid to high three-quarter slot. 
Defense: 2.05 - 2.22 pop times. Showed quick, clean exchanges on throws to second base. Replaces feet well and squares shoulders to the target. Gains some ground on throws and shows accuracy to the bag. Sways body some when receiving and sticks the pitch well.  
Run: 4.22 home-to-first time.


Brendan Kleiman C / OF / Sherwood, MD / 2021

Preseason All-State Session I
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5’10”, 160 pounds. Strong, athletic, projectable frame.
Hit: RHH. Hits from a balanced, slightly open stance with body rhythm. Smooth back load and short stride with hands pre-set. Short to the ball with explosive lower half involvement. Showed quick hands and fast bat speed through the zone. Stays behind the ball well with a slightly uphill swing path. Swings with intent and gets excellent extension through and past contact finishing strong with two hands. Middle to pull side approach during BP. 
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Present strength and power to the pull side. Ball jumps off the bat. More power projected.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Throws with short arm action from a low three-quarter slot.
Defense: 1.94 - 2.09 pop times. Very quick, clean exchanges. Quick footwork, gaining ground on throws to second base and squares shoulders very well to the target. Throws were accurate around the bag.


Josh Lantz C / OF / Mount St. Joseph, MD / 2021

Preseason All-State Session I
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5’9”, 160 pounds. Athletic
Hit: RHH. Hits from a tall, balanced, square stance at the plate. Short back load and small stride. Short to the ball with a more level swing path. Showed quick, loose hands and quick bat speed through the zone. Stays behind the ball well with strong lower half involvement and gets great extension through contact. Keeps head down on the ball and finishes swing hard with two hands. Really nice middle of the field, gap-to-gap line drive approach. 
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Gap-to-gap pop with more projected. 
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Throws with short arm action from a high three-quarter slot. 
Defense: 2.00 - 2.09 pop times. Quick footwork and explodes out of the crouched position. Quick, clean exchanges and accurate throws to the bag. 
Run: 4.71 home-to-first time.


Kyle Matheny C / OF / Calvert Hall, MD / 2021

Preseason All-State Session I
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5’11”, 185 pounds. Strong, solid body type.
Hit: RHH. Hits from a tall, balanced, open stance. Creates some hand separation and attacks the ball with intent. Controlled stride and stays behind the ball well with explosive lower half involvement. Short to the ball with quick hands and fast bat speed through the zone. Showed a more level swing path and gets excellent extension past contact. Strong two-handed finish. Middle to pull side approach during BP squaring several balls up throughout. 
Power: 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ball explodes off the bat showing present strength and power. 
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. Throws with short arm action from a high three-quarter slot. 
Defense: 2.02 - 2.07 pop times. Gains ground on throws to second base and showed quick, clean exchanges. Throws were on a line and accurate around the bag.


Patrick Rankin C / 2B / Meade , MD / 2021

Preseason All-State Session III
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 6’0”, 172 pounds. Strong, athletic body type.
Hit: RHH. Hits from a balanced, open stance with a wide base. Small leg kick load and good hand separation. Stays behind the ball with a longer, level swing path. Quick hands with some bat speed, and lower half involvement in the swing. Maintains balance throughout and gets good extension through contact finishing with one hand. Worked mostly middle to the pull side during BP.
Power: 77 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 65 mph. Throws with short arm action from a high three-quarter slot. 
Defense: 2.38 - 2.45 pop times. Quick, clean exchange and quick shuffle gaining ground on throws to second base. Pretty quiet receiving behind the dish, sticks the pitch.
Run: 4.77 home-to-first time.


Logan Scully C / OF / St. Mary's, MD / 2021

Preseason All-State Session II
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6’1”, 192 pounds. Strong, solid, athletic, projectable frame.
Hit: RHH. Hits from a balanced, square stance at the plate. Small leg kick load with nice hand separation. Short to the ball with a slightly uphill swing path. Quick hands and fast bat speed through the zone. Stays behind the ball very well and maintains excellent balance throughout the swing with strong lower half involvement. Gets excellent extension through and past contact finishing strong with one hand. Middle to pull side approach during BP.
Power: 92 mph exit velocity from the tee. Easy pop with the ball exploding off the bat. Present strength and power. 
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Throws with short arm action from a high three-quarter slot. 
Defense: 1.81 - 1.96 pop times. Stays low coming out of the crouched position with quick footwork and showed quick, clean exchanges. Squares shoulders to the target and throws were on a line to the bag. Ball showed carry. Quiet body receiving behind the plate, sticks it well.
Run: 4.32 home-to-first time.


Gavin Swaney C / OF / Walkersville , MD / 2021

Preseason All-State Session I
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5’10”, 170 pounds. Athletic
Hit: RHH. Hits from a balanced, slightly closed stance. Controlled load and small stride. Creates nice hand separation. Short compact level swing. Showed quick hands and bat speed through the zone.  Maintains excellent balance throughout the swing and stays behind the ball very well. Generates strong lower half involvement and gets good extension through contact. Finishes swing hard with one hand. Very nice gap-to-gap line drive approach. 
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Gap-to-gap pop with more developing. 
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Throws with short arm action from a high three-quarter slot. 
Defense: 1.93 - 2.02 pop times. Quick footwork and athletic actions behind the dish. Squares shoulders to the target and gains ground on throws to second base. Exchange is very quick and clean and throws were accurate to the bag. 
Run: 4.70 home-to-first time.


Ian Walters OF / C / Kent County, MD / 2021

Preseason All-State Session II
Positional Profile: OF/C
Body: 5’9”, 165 pounds. Strong, athletic. 
Hit: RHH. Hits from a balanced, open stance at the plate. Smooth back load, minimal stride, creates some hand separation. Stays short to the ball and showed quick hands and quick bat speed through the zone. Stays balanced and behind the ball well with a slightly uphill swing path. Gets great extension through contact and worked gap-to-gap during BP. 
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Present strength and power to the alleys with more developing. 
Arm: RH. OF - 80 mph, C - 72 mph. Throws with shorter arm action from a high three-quarter slot in the outfield. Short arm action, high three-quarters behind the plate.
Defense: 2.14 - 2.19 pop times. Plays through the ball with fundamental footwork and fields it out in front on the glove hand side. Slight glove tap in exchange from the outfield. Quick, clean exchanges behind the plate. Gains ground on throws to second base. Throws were accurate to the bag. Quiet body receiving and sticks the pitch well.
Run: 4.69 home-to-first time.


Sean Wright 3B / RHP / Pallotti, MD / 2021

Preseason All-State Session II
Positional Profile: 3B/C/RHP
Body: 6’2”, 200 pounds. Strong, solid body type.
Hit: RHH. Hits from a balanced, slightly crouched stance at the plate with a wide base. Smooth back load with a small leg kick. Short to the ball with a level swing path. Creates quick bat speed through the zone and gets some extension past contact. Shorter two-handed finish. Worked mostly middle to the pull side during BP. 
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Present strength and power to the pull side. Ball jumps off the bat. 
Arm: RH. INF - 76, C - 70 mph. Throws with short arm action from a mid three-quarter slot behind the plate and in the field. 
Defense: 2.12 - 2.25 pop times. Replaces feet and showed accurate throws around the bag from behind the dish. Fields the ball out in front and showed quick, clean exchanges in the infield. 
Run: 4.68 home-to-first time.

 

 

CLASS OF 2022

 

Ryan Boice SS / C / Towson , MD / 2022

Preseason All-State Session II
Positional Profile: SS/C
Body: 5’8”, 165 pounds. Athletic.
Hit: RHH. Hits from a tall, balanced, stance with feet close together. Quick toe-tap load and short stride. Creates some hand separation and stays behind the ball well. Showed quick hands and bat speed through the zone with some lower half involvement. Keeps head down on the ball well and gets good extension through contact. Two-handed finish. Middle to pull-side line drive approach. 
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Gap-to-gap pop with more developing.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph, C - 73 mph. Throws with slightly longer arm action from a mid three-quarter slot behind the plate and in the field. 
Defense: 2.22 - 2.40 pop times. Clean exchange and gains ground on throws to second base. Plays through the ball in the infield and carries momentum to the bag. 
Run: 4.63 home-to-first time.


Chet Bowling C / RHP / La Plata , MD / 2022

Preseason All-State Session III
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6’1”, 170 pounds. Strong, athletic, projectable frame.
Hit: RHH. Hits from a balanced, slightly open stance at the plate. Short back load and small stride. Creates some hand separation. Short to the ball with a more level swing path. Showed quick hands and quick bat speed through the hitting zone. Strong lower half involvement, good extension past contact and a one-handed finish. Nice middle of the field line drive approach, squaring several balls up during BP. 
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Gap-to-gap pop with much more projected. 
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Throws with short arm action from a mid three-quarter slot. 
Defense: 2.00 - 2.19 pop times. Quick side-step gaining ground on throws to second base.  Throws were on a line and accurate to the bag. Ball showed carry. 
Run: 4.59 home-to-first time.


Zachary Crounse C / 3B / Northern, MD / 2022

Preseason All-State Session III
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5’10”, 185 pounds. Strong, solid body type.
Hit: RHH. Hits form a balanced, open stance at the plate. Relaxed, rhythmic, small leg kick load and short stride. Hands pre-set with good separation. Short, compact swing with excellent extension through contact. Showed quick hands and quick bat speed through the zone. Maintains good balance throughout and generates strong lower half involvement. Full two-handed finish. Middle to pull side approach during BP squaring up several balls to the left center gap.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Strength and power to the pull side present. More projected.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Throws with short arm action from a high three-quarter slot. 
Defense: 2.09 - 2.11 pop times. Very quick footwork and clean exchanges. Gains some ground on throws to second and showed accuracy on the throws. Quiet body receiving and sticks the ball well. 
Run: 4.63 home-to-first time.


Matt Gormley C / 1B / Archbishop Spalding, MD / 2022

Preseason All-State Session II
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 5’11”, 180 pounds. Strong, athletic body type.
Hit: RHH. Hits from a balanced, open stance at the plate with hands pre-set in a good hitting position. Small leg kick load and stays short to the ball with a level swing path. Showed quick hands and fast bat speed through the zone. Stays behind the ball well with strong lower half involvement. Gets good extension past contact finishing strong with one hand. Nice middle of the field line drive approach during BP.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Present strength and power to the alleys with more projected. Ball jumps off the bat. 
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. Throws with short arm action from a high three-quarter slot. 
Defense: 2.01 - 2.14 pop times. Quick side-step out of the crouch squaring shoulders to the target. Throws were on a line and the ball showed carry. Very quiet body receiving, stick the pitch well. 
Run: 4.45 home-to-first time.


Matthew May C / CH Flowers, MD / 2022

Preseason All-State Session I
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5’9”, 190 pounds. Strong, athletic body type.
Hit: RHH. Hits from a balanced, square stance. Hands pre set with some separation. High leg kick load and short stride. Quick bat speed with an uphill swing path showing good extension through the zone and past contact. Generates some lower body involvement, finishing with two hands. Middle to pull side approach
Power: 75 mph exit velocity from the tee. Gap strength with more power developing. 
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. Short arm action from a mid three quarter slot. 
Defense: 2.12 - 2.15 pop times. Replaces feet well and squares shoulders to the target. Shows clean exchanges with quick release and accurate throws to the bag.  
Run: 4.83 home-to-first time.


Erik Rindner C / OF / Churchill, MD / 2022

Preseason All-State Session III
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5’9”, 180 pounds. Athletic
Hit: RHH. Hits from a balanced, square stance at the plate with quick hand rhythm. Quick load and small stride. Lowers hands abruptly to chest height and stays short to the ball with a level swing path. Showed extremely quick hands and fast bat speed through the zone. Generates some lower half involvement in the swing and gets good extension past contact finishing with one-hand. Middle to pull side approach. 
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ball exploded off the bat and showed present strength and power to the pull side. 
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. Throws with short arm action from a high three-quarter slot.   
Defense: 2.06 - 2.20 pop times. Showed quick, clean exchanges on throws to second base. Replaces feet well and squares shoulders to the target. Throws were accurate to the bag. Quiet body receiving and sticks the pitch well. 
Run: 4.37 home-to-first time.


Adam Schiff C / 3B / Lake Forest , DE / 2022

Preseason All-State Session III
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6’0”, 165 pounds. Long, athletic, projectable frame. 
Hit: RHH. Hits from a balanced, square stance at the plate. Smooth back load and short stride. Creates good hand separation, staying short to the ball with a slight uphill swing path. Showed quick hands and fast bat speed through the zone. Generates good lower half involvement in the swing and gets great extension past contact. Finishes the swing hard with one hand, driving the ball gap to gap consistently in BP. Good middle to pull side approach.  
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ball comes off the bat well, present strength and power to the pull side with more projected.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Longer arm action from a mid to high three quarter arm slot. 
Defense: 2.00 - 2.09 pop times. Showed quick, clean exchanges on throws to second base. Replaces feet well and squares shoulders to the target. Gains ground showing great accuracy on throws to second base. Quiet body when receiving and sticks the pitch well. 
Run: 4.37 home-to-first time.


Jonathan Stokley C / 3B / Sussex Tech, DE / 2022

Preseason All-State Session III
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5’10”, 175 pounds. Strong, athletic, projectable frame.
Hit: RHH. Hits from a balanced, slightly open stance at the plate. Small leg kick load and short stride. Short to the ball with a more level swing path. Showed quick hands and fast bat speed through the zone. Generated strong lower half involvement and keeps head down on the ball. Gets good extension past contact and finishes the swing hard with two hands. Worked mostly middle to the pull side during BP. 
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ball comes off the bat well, present strength and power to the pull side with more projected. 
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Throws with slightly longer arm action from a high three-quarter slot. 
Defense: 2.08 - 2.14 pop times. Quick shuffle out and gains ground on throws to second base. Throws were on target with the bag. Quiet body receiving and sticks the ball well. 
Run: 4.88 home-to-first time.


Evan Weaver C / RHP / Boonsboro , MD / 2022

Preseason All-State Session I
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5’10”, 170 pounds. Strong, athletic, projectable frame.
Hit: RHH. Hits from a balanced, slightly open stance. Creates some hand separation with a smooth back load. Short stride with some lower half involvement. Loose hands and stays short to the ball with a more level swing path. Showed quick hands and fast bat speed through the zone. Stays behind the ball well with great extension through contact, finishing with two hands. Middle to pull side line drive approach.  
Power: 74 mph exit velocity from the tee. Present power to the pull side with more projected.  
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Short arm action from a mid to high three quarter slot. 
Defense: 2.00 - 2.08 pop times. Replaces feet well and squares shoulders to the target. Shows quick release with accurate throws to the bag. 
Run: 4.84 home-to-first time.


Derek Zumpano C / OF / Leonardtown, MD / 2022

Preseason All-State Session III
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5’9”, 155 pounds. Athletic, projectable frame.
Hit: RHH. Hits from a balanced, square stance at the plate. Small leg kick load and short stride. Creates some hand separation. Short to the ball with a more level swing path. Showed quick hands and bat speed through the zone. Maintains balance throughout the swing and generates strong lower half involvement. Head stays down on the ball throughout and gets great extension through contact finishing with one hand. Gap-to-gap line drive type hitter.
Power: 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Showed some power to the gap with more projected.
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. Throws with short arm action from a high three-quarter slot. 
Defense: 2.13 - 2.33 pop times. Replaces feet quick and squares shoulders to second base on throws down. Gains ground and showed quick, clean exchanges. Throws were accurate around the bag.
Run: 4.51 home-to-first time.

 

 

CLASS OF 2023

 

Braeden Ford C / 2B / South River , MD / 2023

Preseason All-State Session III
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5’6”, 145 pounds. Athletic
Hit: RHH. Hits from a balanced, slightly crouched, open stance at the plate. Smooth back load and small, hovering leg kick. Creates some hand separation and stays short to the ball with a level swing path. Generates some lower half involvement and gets good extension past contact finishing swing hard with two hands. Pull side line drive approach. 
Power: 76 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 67 mph. Throws with short arm action from a mid to high three-quarter slot. 
Defense: 2.26 - 2.40 pop times. Replaces feet quick and squares shoulders to second on throws down. Throws were accurate to the bag. Sways body some receiving and sticks it well. 
Run: 5.00 home-to-first time.


Ethan McNally C / RHP / Archbishop Spalding, MD / 2023

Preseason All-State Session II
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5’9”, 150 pounds. Athletic, projectable frame.
Hit: RHH. Hits from a balanced, open stance at the plate. Smooth back load with a small front leg kick. Creates some hand separation. Quiet, loose swing with a slightly uphill path. Short to the ball with quick hands and bat speed through the zone. Stays behind the ball well with some lower half involvement. Gets nice extension through contact and finishes with two hands. Maintains excellent balance throughout the swing and worked mostly middle to the pull side during BP.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Gap-to-gap pop with much more projected. 
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph. Throws with short arm action from a high three-quarter slot. 
Defense: 2.12 - 2.22 pop times. Quick, clean exchanges behind the dish gaining ground on throws to second base. Ball showed carry and throws were accurate around the bag. Quiet receiving and sticks the ball well.
Run: 4.45 home-to-first time.

 

 

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