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Uncommitted Upperclass Games: Catcher Evaluations

November 20, 2019
Brandon Hall & Matt Payne
NC Executive Director & Scouting Director

Prep Baseball Report was at BB&T Point in High Point, NC on Sunday November 3rd.  The Uncommitted Upperclass Games featured over 30 players from the 2020 and 2021 classes going through a full pro-style workout followed by a controlled scrimmage.  PBR scouts were able to collect and verify statistics on each player while working to put a full evaluation on each player as well.

Today we continue to dive into the full player evaluations with the primary catchers in attendance at the event.   The group of five primary catchers includes three that were sub-2.10 pop times in the workout portion of the day.  Three catchers also showed strength with the bat with exit velocities over 86 mph.  This group may see each player at the college level when all is said and done.

CLICK HERE to see the full roster and stats from the Upperclass Uncommitted Games

 

Uncommitted Upperclass Games: Catcher Analysis 

 

Ethan Martin C / 1B / Northwest Guilford, NC / 2020

Rankings  StateRank: 234 / POS: 29

5 foot 11, 175-pound average build.  Relaxed, balanced setup from the left side.  Simple load with quiet hands a short stride.  Balanced swing with some quickness to the hands.  Worked gap to gap lining several balls to the right center gap.  Lined a ball out to third base during game action.  Average bat speed and barrel awareness with his exit velocity recorded at 78 mph.  Starts with his feet slanted behind the plate with higher hips.  Transfers across his chest with a short arm action, throwing from a high ¾ slot.  Arm topped at 74 mph to second base.  Accurate arm with pop times ranging from 2.12-2.41.  Recorded a 7.58 in the 60.

Luke Johnson C / 2B / Southwest Guilford, NC / 2021

Rankings  StateRank: 94 / POS: 15

5 foot 9, 165-pound average build.  Hits from the right side with a wide base, sitting into his legs.  Loads against his back leg with his hands working back and a short stride.  Has lift in his swing, while using the whole field.  Lined several balls to the opposite field gap during batting practice.  Average bat speed with his exit velocity recorded at 86 mph.  Quick feet with a quick transfer behind the plate with a short arm action, throwing from an overhand slot.  Accurate arm with some carry to second base that topped at 73 mph.  Pop times ranged from 2.00-2.19.  Easy receiver in games that worked with each pitcher he caught.  Seems to enjoy being back there.  Flashed an ability to block and recover with bend in the hips.  Recorded a 7.36 in the 60.

Kaden Swaim C / 1B / Oak Grove , NC / 2021

6 foot 1, 190-pound build with present strength.  Posted the highest exit velocity on the day at 95 mph.  Ball jumped off the bat throughout BP, loosing several at spacious BB&T Field.  Hits from the right side, sitting into his legs with an open base.  Uses a leg kick during his load with a quiet barrel.  Drives the ball gap to gap with above average bat speed and barrel awareness.  Quick feet working through his throws to second base.  High transfers with a short arm action, throwing from an overhand slot.  Arm topped at 76 mph to second base.  Some feel for the second base bag with pop times ranging from 2.07-2.15.  Easy, confident carry through the bag.  Arm allows the feet to gather with ease through the exchange.  Average hands on the infield.  Arm is accurate with carry with his throws topping at 79 mph.  Recorded a 7.40 in the 60.

Adrian Sandoval C / 2B / Myers Park , NC / 2020

5 foot 7, 150-pound average build.  True utility potential with his actions behind the dish and on the infield.  Hits from the right side with an open setup.  Small leg kick during his load with his hands working back.  Consistently lined balls out during his batting practice rounds.  Some quickness to his hands with a short barrel path to the ball.  Uses the whole field with average to above average bat speed.  Exit velocity recorded at 86 mph.  Flashed consistent feel for the barrel throughout the day.  Fluid feet behind the plate with a quick exchange.  Arm topped at 78 mph to second base from a high ¾ slot.  Easy carry out of the hand with the ball working true through the bag.  Some feel for the second base bag with pop times ranging from 2.01-2.12.  Athletic on the infield with quick feet.  Stays below the ball and plays with better than average hands.  Loose, athletic hips.  Accurate arm with carry across the diamond that topped at 82 mph.  Flashed an ability to make plays off platform while maintaining accuracy and carry.  Recorded a 7.56 in the 60.

Matt Pollard C / OF / Leesville Road, NC / 2021

6 foot, 175-pound build with a strong lower half.  Hits from the right side with a slightly open base with some barrel waggle.  Hands work down and back during his load with a small leg kick.  Works gap to gap with average barrel feel.  Solid second round of batting practice squaring some balls up.  Exit velocity recorded at 80 mph.  Arm topped at 68 mph to second base from a crouch position. Transfers across his chest with a short arm action, throwing from a high ¾ slot.  Lacks some extension on throws to second base.  Accurate arm with pop times ranging from 2.22-2.68.  Recorded a 7.84 in the 60.