Prep Baseball Report

OK Junior Future Games Trials: Catcher Analysis


Andy Urban
Oklahoma Scouting Director

Follow @PBR_Oklahoma

The second annual OK Junior Future Games Trials was held at the  state of the art 20,000 square ft, Wold Baseball Outreach indoor facility.  This one day event featured many of the top prospects in the 2023 and 2024 classes from around the state showcasing their skills in front of PBR staff. 

This talented event saw impressive numbers in every category, including 6 sub 7.1 60s, ten 81+ exit velos, five arms that were 79+ across the infield, six arms that were 80+ from the outfield, two sub two second pop times, and five pitchers that were 80+.

Complete Roster: Click Here

Complete Pitching Stats: Click Here

Complete Position Stats: Click Here

Today, we take an in-depth look at the catchers who upgraded to full profiles from the event. 

Carter Freeland C / RHP / Ada , OK / 2023

A 5-foot-10, 155-pound lean frame with room to add size and strength. Offensively, the switch-hitter bats from similar set-ups from both sides with a wide and open base with rhythm in his hands, more front foot heavy from the left. Uses a short and smooth load from the left and a rocking load from the right before launching his hands on an uphill path with some length and extension and a high finish. In BP shows, 75 mph exit velo. Runs a 7.84 60. Defensively, receives from a narrow setup with his left-knee turned in slightly and flexibility in his hips and some strength in his hands along with advanced blocking for his age. On throws down, shows short and quick feet and uses a short arm stroke coming through an over the top slot with some  accuracy at 66 mph for showcase pop times of 2.19-2.32. 


Ethan Gillespie C / 3B / McAlester, OK / 2023

A 5-foot-8, 160-pound frame with some strength. Offensively, the right-hitter bats from an even, balanced, and quiet setup. Uses a big and controlled leg kick with a hand pump load before launching his hands on a slightly uphill path with good extension. In BP shows, shows a middle of the field approach with consistent lift with high effort, mostly barrels, 77 mph exit velo.  Runs a 7.34 60. Defensively, receives from a slightly narrow setup with his left knee turned in, average hands and some way, developing blocking. On throws down, shows clean feet and uses a short arm stroke coming through an over the top slot with some accuracy at 74 mph for showcase pop times of 2.09-2.15. 


Jacob Knox C / 1B / Edmond North, OK / 2023

A 5-foot-10, 178-pound frame with some upside. Offensively, the right-hitter bats from balanced and slightly open stance. Uses a slow and quiet load with an upward shift in the hands before launching with an even bat path through the zone. In BP, shows a middle to pull approach with some strength and pop, mostly barrels, 82 mph exit velo. Runs a 7.27 60. Defensively, receives from an even setup with developing hands and average blocking. On throws down, shows quick and clean feet and uses a short arm stroke coming through an over the top arm slot with average accuracy at 69 mph for showcase pop times of 2.06-2.32.


Creed Muirhead C / 3B / Shawnee, OK / 2024

A 5-foot-0, 125-pound frame with room to fill out. Offensively, the left-hitter bats from an open and compact stance. Uses an early weight shift followed by a moderate leg kick with an arm bar before launching a slightly uphill swing. In BP, shows a flat/ground and all fields approach, some barrels, 67 mph exit velo.  Runs a 8.96 60. Defensively, receives from a compact setup with his right foot slightly dropped with average hands and developing blocking. On throws down, shows short feet and uses a clean arm stroke coming through an over the top slot with good accuracy at 59 mph for showcase pop times of 2.59-2.71. 


Nathan Murphy C / 3B / Bixby, OK / 2023

A 5-foot-10, 185-pound frame with present strength and still room to develop physically. Offensively, the right-hitter bats from a tall and very open stance. Uses a small load with a short stride with hands that slightly push back before launching through the zone in an upward bat path. In BP, shows a middle to pull approach with some lift and consistent advanced pop, almost all barrels, 87 mph exit velo. Runs a 7.72 60. Defensively, receives from a low setup that is slightly turned to his arm side with average hands and above average blocking. On throws down, shows clean feet and uses a short arm stroke coming through an over the top slot with above average accuracy at 75 mph for showcase pop times of 1.94-2.03. 


Grayson Smith C / RHP / Fort Gibson, OK / 2023

A 5-foot-11, 175-pound frame.Offensively, the right-hitter bats from and even stance with weight slightly loaded on back leg. Uses a quick load with a light weight shift with hands that turn the barrel up before launching an even bat path through the zone. In BP, shows a middle to opposite field approach with consistent lift, some pop, some barrels, 80 mph exit velo. Runs a 8.13 60. Defensively, receives from a tall setup while his left foot is dropped with developing hands and blocking. On throws down, shows developing feet and uses a lengthy arm stroke coming through a three quarter slot with developing accuracy at 74 mph for showcase pop times of 2.28-2.32.


Kane Springer C / 1B / Washington, OK / 2023

A 5-foot-10, 138-pound frame with lots of room to physically develop. Offensively, the right-hitter bats from an open stance with forward shift before rocking into his load. Uses a small load onto back leg with quiet hands that turn the barrel up before launching bat with an even path through the zone. In BP, shows and middle of the field approach with some lift, some barrels, 72 mph exit velo.  Runs a 8.76 60. Defensively, receives from an even and tall setup with developing hands and blocking. On throws down, shows clean feet and uses a short arm stroke coming through an over the top slot with average accuracy at 66 mph for showcase pop times of 2.19-2.22. 


Reese Voegele C / OF / Moore, OK / 2023

A 5-foot-9, 160-pound lean frame. Offensively, the right-hitter bats from a tall and open stance using a forward rocking motion to create some rhythm before his load. Uses a slight weight shift with counter rotation in the shoulders for a load while the hands shift back and turn the barrel up before launching the bat with an even path through the zone. In BP, shows pull and flat/ground approach, few barrels early and ended his round strong, 78 mph exit velo.  Runs a 6.94 60. Defensively, receives from a narrow setup with the right foot dropped with developing hands and blocking. On throws down, shows long feet and uses a short arm stroke coming through a high three quarter slot with developing accuracy at 73 mph for showcase pop times of 2.03-2.15. 


Brock West C / SS / Choctaw , OK / 2023

A 5-foot-10, 165-pound frame with room to add strength and size. Offensively, the right-hitter bats from a quiet, balanced and slightly open stance. Uses a deep load with a leg kick. Not much head vertical head movement as the eyes stay pretty level throughout the entire swing. Hands have quiet rhythm before launching the bat with an even path through the zone. In BP, shows a middle to opposite field approach, some lift, mostly barrels, 83 mph exit velo. Runs a 7.52 60. Defensively, receives from an even and compact setup with average hands and blocking. On throws down, shows short and clean feet and uses a deep arm stroke coming through a high three quarter slot with developing accuracy at 76 mph for showcase pop times of 1.98-2.13.