Prep Baseball Report

NORTHERN NEVADA PROSPECT ID - CATCHERS ANALYSIS


Buddy Gouldsmith
Nevada Scouting Director

RENO, NV - The Northern Nevada Prospect ID was a success on many levels.  The First PBR Nevada event was well attended and provided great insight to the players in the area.  Below are some thoughts on the catchers' performances.

Isaac Schuck (Reno, 2019) Sturdy, 6-0, 170, Schuck has present strength and durability for the position. A position change to catcher in the past year has yielded developing footwork and receiving skills.  He has good arm strength and his inexperience lend to him throwing better from his knees (1.94 pop time). With work footwork will improve and provide the same quickness.  Schuck's receiving is solid and can improve with better glove position on receipt. He sits in his crouch comfortably and receives with a firm hand.  Instincts to block will come with more experience but first step quickness allows him to block when instincts fail. He is presently a serviceable defender with the arm strength and skill set to be good, possibly special. In the box, he stands tall with minimal flex in his legs.  Schuck strides from open to close, walking away from his hands, achieving separation.  He maintains strength over bat speed throughout his down to level swing with loose finish. He has a middle of the field approach and gap power.

+ Calvin Bailey (Bishop Manogue, 2019) Lean, 5-10, 145, Bailey has room to add needed weight and strength.  A solid athlete, he showed well at all three spots, infield, outfield and behind the plate.  Behind the plate, he relies heavily on a quick exchange, and accuracy (1.98 pop time).  He is a solid receiver with soft hands, block and recovery skills would need to improve for a long term stay.  Bailey handled heavy life and tricky stuff with ease from pitchers he had never caught. He sets up at the plate, wide, almost bow-legged with good balance.  Load is simple and small with a line drive approach.  The swing is handsy with quickness, solid plane and a fluid follow through.  The infield might be Bailey's best position, but he offers versatility and depth to a program in need.

+ Carson Isip (Reno, 2020) Undefined, 5-8, 165, Isip has a mature build with strength in his mass.  Definition and reapportioning weight might help to refine his skill set.  Presently he plays above his skills.  Behind the dish, Isip is a solid receiver with instincts for the position. Although not fleet of foot, his first step quickness is noticeable. He is quick to block on balls in the dirt and recovers well.  His footwork is efficient and aids developing arm strength.  Defensively his biggest strides will be made with improvements to his arm strength for his mechanics as a whole, are solid.  At the plate, he sets up with a balanced stance, utilizing primarily a lower half load with a small tip of the barrel to the pitcher.  The lower half shifts back with a long stride propelling a flat bat through the zone, maintaining a line drive approach. He makes consistent contact. Isip's energy for the game is quickly identified. and he displays leadership qualities.

+ Kaden Schuck (Reno, 2022) Developing, 5-8, 130, Schuck’s youthful appearance and lean frame poise him for big gains.  He is a solid receiver with instincts for the position. He displays developing arm strength and currently emphasizes quick feet and exchange over arm strength.  He possesses good block and recovery skills.  His firm receiving is ahead of his hand strength which shows his feel for the position.  In the box, Schuck maintains a centered stance with knees knocked in.  He strides from open to close with a good balance of hand and lower half load, achieving solid separation.  He keeps his weight between his feet and stays behind the ball well at impact.  His swing plane is level  and leads to consistent quality contact.  Natural maturity and strength gains will provide al Schuck needs to become a premium backstop.

+ Erich Brilliant (Bishop Manogue, 2021) Compact, 5-9, 150, Brilliant has a wide and stocky frame with signs of present strength.  In the field, footspeed and actions lend more to the catching postion.  He is noticeably more comfortable behind the plate.  He has a short tight arm circle from a high ¾ slot and developing carry. Brilliant is a serviceable receiver with a feel for blocking balls in the dirt. His short arm action plays well from the catching position but footwork and exchange rhythm is a work in progress.  He stands in the box with a balanced, strong setup, knees over ankles.  He possesses a rigid, strength over bat speed swing which is in and out of the zone quickly. Hitability will be enhanced with a more level path and a higher degree of fluidity.

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