Prep Baseball Report

Ultimate Performance Scout Day & Queen City Prospect ID - Catcher Analysis


Brandon Hall & Matt Payne
North Carolina Director of Scouting & PBR Assoc Scout

Prep Baseball Report of North Carolina began its summer event schedule by running a PBR Scout Day with Ultimate Performance at their beautiful facility in Matthews, NC.  The indoor facility allowed the players attending the showcase to run a full 40, on a laser timer, throw from their defensive positions and hit in a 60’ x 80’ cage so evaluators could see the ball fly.  Along with the players from the Ultimate Performance program, PBR ran an open ID event, the Queen City Pre-Summer Prospect ID. 

A total of 33 players participated in the scout day.  The catching group was especially strong with players from the 2020 graduating class.  Each of the four primary catchers at the workout posted a pop time under 2.15.  During the course of the event, each catcher went through the full pro-style, hitting in expanded cages, running a timed 40, making full length throws from their position, and receiving in a bullpen.  On each player's profile is a highlight video from the event.

Notes Ultimate Performance / Queen City Scout Day:
+ 33 Players updated their PBR Profiles
+ 4 primary catchers each recorded pop times of 2.15 or lower
+ Positional velocity ranged 69 mph - 78 mph out of the crouch
+ All four primary catchers posted an exit velocity off the barrel of 85 mph or better, one above 90.
+ Each position player ran a full 40, nine under 5.10.

CLICK HERE to view the complete roster from the Scout Day with Ultimate Performance

CLICK HERE to view the complete roster from the Queen City Pre-Summer Prospect ID

CLICK HERE to view the complete statistical breakdown from all players in attenadance.

 

Catcher Analysis

 

Nathan Nygaard C / 1B / Sun Valley, NC / 2020

Strong build at 6-feet-1, 195 pounds. Uses a balanced setup from the right side with a short step for his load with little to no movement. Very quiet throughout his swing maintaining balance. Shows a short bat path to the ball with a gap to gap approach and the ability to line balls out. Above average bat speed with his exit velocity peaking at 87 mph. Behind the plate he shows average hands with clean exchanges and a short arm action working to an over the top slot with pop times recorded at 2.03-2.19. Pop times should improve with added flexibility and quicker feet. Accurate throws with his arm topping at 74 mph from the crouch.  A little high and tilted at times in his setup. Waggle through the hips while receiving. Hands work and cradle the ball, but body at times is caught in the waggle with the body swaying the wrong direction. Athleticism exists and there is room to the player’s ceiling. Recorded a 5.26 in the 40-yard dash.

 

 

Andrew Sarno C / 3B / Charlotte Catholic, NC / 2020

5- feet-11, 180-pound build. Continuing to add strength.  Offensively works from the left side with an open setup. Uses a leg kick in his load getting his hands back at foot plant. Average bat speed that produced an exit velocity of 87 mph, that should improve with added looseness to his swing. Shows the ability to line balls out when he keeps his barrel through the zone and gets extension out front. Behind the plate he shows quick, clean exchanges with a short arm action working to a high ¾ slot. Pop times recorded at 2.11-2.18 with quick feet during his transfer. Accurate arm that peaked at 69 mph from behind the plate and 74 mph from the infield. Simple setup and average receiver.  Has flex through the hips. Recorded a 5.57 in the 40-yard dash.

 

 

Chet Sikes C / 3B / Wesleyan Christian Academy, NC / 2020

6 feet, 180-pound build with strength in his frame. High upside with strength and quickness present.  Good athlete, ran a 4.99 forty yard dash. Hits from the right side using a balanced setup with a short stride for his load. Simple swing but can be robotic at times. Above average bat speed that produced an exit velocity of 92 mph. Shows a gap to gap approach with a short path to the ball, getting extension out front. Good barrel awareness.  Behind the plate he shows quick feet with clean, quick exchanges and pop times recorded at 1.94-2.00. Uses a short arm action working to a high ¾ slot with his arm peaking at 78 mph to second base and some carry to his throws. Athletic setup and transfer. Sits in his stance well with easy hands handling pitches to all parts of the plate. Easy target that flashed an ability to block and keep balls near his frame.  Good player whose athleticism will play behind the plate and should allow him to play other positions to add depth to a roster.

 

 

Benjamin Walton C / 3B / Covenant Day School, NC / 2020

Average 5-foot-10, 175-pound build.  Strength is present. Works from the right side offensively with a balanced setup. Shows a short stride and simple swing maintaining balance. Looks to stay gap to gap with a line drive approach. Quiet bat that works short to the ball. Exit velocity recorded at 85 mph and that number should improve using more load and added looseness to his swing. Behind the plate he shows average hands with clean, quick exchanges and stays through his throws. Uses a short arm action with an over the top slot with pop times recorded at 2.10-2.25. Accurate arm that topped at 71 mph to second base. Looseness in the hips and a simple target.  Hands received with some softness. Also, recorded a 5.40 in the 40-yard dash.