Prep Baseball Report

Breaking Down the Catchers at the Eatern PA Top Prospect Showcase



The Eastern PA Top Prospect Showcase was a catcher's event. One third of all prospects in attendance were catchers. Several catchers were impressive, but walking away with the honor of "Top Prospect of the Day" was Deon Stafford Jr. (Lower Dauphin). The 5-foot-11, 200-pound right handed hitting catcher is currently ranked No. 39 in the Class of 2014, but based on his performance could easily be making a move up the rankings. Stafford, fresh off his performance for Team Pennsylvania at the Under Armour Midwest Future Games, stole the show. His day began by topping all runners with a 7.02 60-yard dash. He threw 78mph from the crouch and displayed a top pop time of 2.06 from his catcher's position. Stafford topped all hitters with a bat exit speed velo of 89mph that he put to good use as he put on a clinic in batting practice driving 4 balls out of the park and hitting several other balls off the wall.

Stafford Jr.

                                                 A look at the catchers by class:

2013:

Nat Hughes (Anville Cleona) showed pop times of 2.12-2.20 on 74mph throws out of the couch. The 5-foot-9, 205-pound right handed hitter is a physical prospect with a mechanically sound swing. Hughes had one of the top bat exit speed velos of the day at 84mph.

2014:

Garett Blank (St. James School, MD) ran a solid 7.31 60-yard dash and had the second best bat exit speed velo of the event at 88mph. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound backstop showed solid receiving skills and displayed pop times of 2.19-2.28 with a top throw of 73mph out of the crouch. Blank showed good pop during his round of batting practice.

David Clay (Owen J. Roberts) showcased well in all facets of the game. The 5-foot-9, 185-pound C/1B ran a 7.68 60-yard dash and had a bat exit speed velo of 79mph. Offensively he squared the baseball consistently and showed some power potential hitting out of an open stance. Clay threw 76mph out of the crouch with pop times ranging between 2.08-2.13.

Alex Salesky (Wilson) showed very well. The 5-foot-9, 155-pound C/3B had pop times that ranged from 2.13-2.25 on 75mph throws out of the crouch. Wilson's work as a third baseman demonstrated that he is versatile and will give coaches options at the next level. Offensively Salesky showed a compact swing that produced consistent line drives to all fields.

Kole Aumiller (Cumberland Valley) threw 72mph out of the crouch with pop times ranging from 2.20-2.35. At 5-foot-11, 200-pounds, he has the physical size for the position. Offensively Aumiller was impressive, squaring the ball regularly and showing signs of gap power. He had a bat exit speed velo of 80mph.

Jack Baer (Friends School of Baltimore) ran a 7.91 60-yard dash and showcased an impressive bat exit speed velo of 84mph. The 5-foot-9, 185-pound right handed hitter used a short stroke to produce consistent line drives in his round of batting practice. Defensively his pop times ranged from 2.28-2.38 on 68mph throws out of the crouch.

Sean Williamson (Pope John Paul II) ran a 7.66 60-yard dash and had a bat exit speed velo of 78mph. Williamson showed solid actions behind the plate with pop times of 2.16-2.22 on throws of 76mph out of the crouch. The 5-foot-8, 175-pound right handed hitter had a good round of batting practice. Hitting out of an open stance he consistently hit line drives and squared the baseball regularly.

2015:

Johnathon Smith (Red Lion) is a catcher to watch in the Class of 2015. The 5-foot-11, 155-pound right handed hitter has a good frame and should mature physically in time. Smith ran a 7.48 60-yard dash and had a bat exit speed velo of 79mph. Offensively Smith showed quick hands that allowed him to stay inside the baseball. He displayed above average power to the pull side and squared the ball consistently. Defensively Smith shows promise. His pop times of 2.06-2.13 and a top velo of 75mph to second base were impressive for a catcher of his age.

Connor Macaulay (Council Rock South) has projectable size at 5-foot-11, 170-pounds. He had a top velo to second base of 73mph and pop times of 2.12-2.20. Macaulay had a bat exit speed velo of 75mph that he used well in his round of batting practice. Macaulay has a solid set up and impressed with good pop and consistent gap power. Macaulay is a hitter to watch in the Class of 2015.

PA Top Prospect Games 2012