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Top Prospect Games Catcher and 1B Analysis

July 13, 2015

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By Jerry Shank
Maryland Scouting Director

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The 2015 Prep Baseball Report Top Prospect Games took place Tuesday, June 30th at the University of Maryland in College Park, MD. 51 of the top 2016, 2017, and select 2018 prospects came and put their ability on display in front of the PBR scouting staff and many college coaches from around the area.

CLICK HERE to view the results article along with the top statistical performers for the event in multiple categories.

Over the course of this week were will be releasing position-by-position analysis articles with scouting reports on each player and identifying the top prospects.  Two-way prospects will appear in a positional analysis as well as pitching analysis.  We shall identify the top performers in each positional breakdown along with a younger talent (2018, 2019) as a Future Watch if applicable.

Today we look at the catchers and first basemen that participated in the event. 

Top Performers

Bryce Rogers-Black 1B/OF Northern 2016
Solid frame at 6-foot-2 215-pounds.  Fluid footwork at first.  Clean exchange and a longer arm action from a high ¾ arm angle.  Throws on the turn at first base up to 72 mph.  From the outfield clean exchange and played through the ball well.  Velocity got up to 83 mph.  Hits from a slightly open set up with a short load.  Short, level path to the ball with fast bat speed.  Good extension through contact with a gap-to-gap hitting style and power ability.  Home to first time was 4.69 and exit velocity got up to 94 mph.   

David Larson 1B/RHP McDonough 2016
Lanky and athletic frame at 6-foot-2 205-pounds. Has a short arm action from a low ¾ arm angle.  Makes consistent throws with carry on them from the turn at first base and got up to 67 mph.  Hits from a slighty open set up with a short and quick stride.  Level swing path and some bat speed.  Pull side power.  Gap-to-gap approach.  Good balance and rhythm in swing. 4.78 home to first time and an exit velocity of 87 mph.  Good athlete around the bag at first that also pitches.

Zach Adams C Stephen Decatur 2016
Athletic frame at 5-foot-11 175-pounds.  Short and loose arm action with carry on throws.  Catcher velocity got up to 77 mph. Sound footwork and clean exchange.  Athletic behind the plate and controls body well. Pop times ranged from 2.01- 2.08. At the plate hit from a slightly open set up with a short stride into load.  Level bath path with quick bat speed.  Direct to the baseball. Average balance in swing with some rhythm.  Gap-to-gap style hitter with some rhythm.  Interesting skill set, one to keep an eye on. 4.60 home to first time and 89 mph exit velocity.

Brady O’Neil C St. Mary’s 2016
Hits from a slightly open set up.  Simple load and short stride. Level swing path with quick bat speed.  Occasionally gets out of balance in swing.  Gap-to-gap style hitter and shows some power potential. Has quick feet and a short arm action from behind the plate.  Gets rid of the ball and throws have some carry on them at 77 mph.  Pop times ranged from 2.01 -2.1.  Soft hands, quiet receiver and good body control behind the plate.  Handled pitching staff very well in game. 4.70 home to first and 86 mph exit velocity. Overall good athlete that could play some other positions.

Future Watch

Trent Gast-Woodard C Archbishop Curley 2018
Athletic frame to build upon at 6-foot 175-pounds.  Has a short arm action with a quick and clean exchange.  Throws had some carry on them at 74 mph.  Pop time ranged from 2.08 – 2.18. Soft hands receiving that will only get better as he controls body movement.  Hits from a balanced setup.  Longer stride but has balance in swing.  Potential for more lower half involvement. Quick bat with a level path to the ball and some extension in follow through. Had a 4.81 home to first time and exit velocity was 85 mph.  Interesting 2018 to keep an eye with a solid foundation and one to watch mature.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Evan Blum C Georgetown Prep 2017
Solid frame at 6-foot 190-pounds.  Short arm action with a quick exchange.  Throws had some carry on them with a velocity up to 73 mph.  Pop time was 2.15-2.28. As he straightens out slightl pause in exchange to release pop time will lower. Hits from a balanced set up with high hands and tall stance.  Fluid rhythm in load to foot strike.  Short bat path with quick bat speed and rhythm in swing. Exit velocity up to 85 mph and a home to first time of 4.74. Currently ranked 11th in the 2017 Maryland Rankings, Blum has a solid foundation to continue to grow as a back stop with offensive ability.

Luke Childress RHP/1B St. Mary's 2017
Solid frame at 6-foot-4 230-pounds. A long arm action from a high ¾ arm angle with consistent throws that had some carry on them at 70 mph. Fluid feet that will get quicker along with the exchange. Level swing can get little long at times. Good balance in stance and has some extension through contact.  As he get lower half more involved will create more power. 4.80 home to first time and 84 mph exit velocity. Shows some bat speed and as he gets stronger should be a 2017 to keep an eye on.

Andrew Decker C Towson 2018
Hits from slightly close set up with smooth load and short stride.  Level bat path and average bat speed.  As gets stronger barrel control will increase along with power. Sound footwork behind the plate. Catcher velocity at 68 mph.  Pop-time ranged from 2.28 – 2.3.  As arm strength increases pop time should lower.  Clean exchange and release.  Interesting to see how player develops and strengthens. 4.68 home to first time and 81 mph exit velocity.

Max Hammond 1B St. Mary’s 2016
Solid frame at 6-foot-5 230-pounds.  Good feet around the bag.  Short arm action from a low ¾ arm angle. Throws had some carry at 72 mph from the turn. Hands were average and displayed fluid feet with a clean exchange. Hits from an open set up with a big leg kick in stride.  Has some lower half involvement in swing.  Quick hands and a short bat path with occasional barrel drag.  Gap-to-gap style hitter. Pull side power and strong.  As he gets stronger could be bigger power threat. 4.72 home to first time and 86 mph exit velocity.

Cade Hurley 1B/3B James M Bennett 2017
Solid frame at 6-foot 190-pounds.  Has a long arm action from a high ¾ angle at first base with average hands and a clean exchange. Throws on double plays from first base got up to 65 mph with some quickness.  Throws had some carry on them and were consistent. Hits from a slightly open set up with short stride.  Short path to the ball with some finish.  High hand set up and direct to the ball. Has some bat speed. 4.92 home to first and 84 mph exit velocity. More pull style hitter at the moment and has pull side power.

Garrett Matheny C Calvert Hall 2017
Quick feet and exchange from behind the plate. Gains ground on throws. Throws had some carry on them at 73 mph. Pop time ranged from 2.03 to 2.13.  Better posture on throws could increase velocity.  Average hands receiving and shows some body control behind the dish. Hits from a slightly open set up with a simple stride.  Level swing path with some bat speed. Gets slightly uphill at times on swing.  Gets lower half into swing.  Has balance and occasionally will get out of balance. Gap-to-gap style hitter that with potential pull side pop. 4.69 home to first and 84 mph exit velocity Good foundation to build on in the 2017 class. 

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