Prep Baseball Report

Analyzing the Catchers at the Western PA Open ID Showcase (Session 2)



By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

A small group of catchers showcased their abilities at the Western PA Open ID Showcase (Session 2) on January 19 at the Family First Sports Dome in Erie, PA. Each of the backstops showed potential with Patrick Brennan (Harbor Creek HS, 2014) taking top honors. A detailed look at each of the prospects follows.

BrennanPatrick Brennan, C/1B, Harbor Creek HS, Class of 2014
Brennan was the top catching prospect at the event. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound prospect ran a 7.60 60-yard dash and showcased an 82 mph bat exit velocity. Brennan has a strong lower half to his swing and creates good barrel whip leading to the ball jumping off his bat when he squares the baseball. Brennan will need to continue to work on staying inside the baseball to become more consistent in his ability to get the barrel to the baseball consistently. He displayed pop times of 2.05-2.13 on throws of 75 mph out of the crouch. Brennan showed solid receiving and blocking abilities during his bullpen sessions.

NicholsJoshua Nichols, C/OF, Sharon HS, Class of 2013
Nichols is a 6-foot-1, 160-pound unsigned senior catcher who showcased 2.25-2.31 pop times on throws of 69 mph out of the crouch. He ran a 7.20 60-yard dash and displayed a 78 mph bat exit velocity. Nichols had a solid round of batting practice, squaring the baseball consistently to all fields. Nichols displayed a line drive stroke with a short swing path.

StevensAlex Stevens, C/RHP, Girard HS, Class of 2014
Stevens had a solid showcase in all facets of the game. The 5-foot-7, 150-pound prospect ran a 7.47 60-yard dash and used a 73 mph bat exit velocity to square the baseball consistently in his round of batting practice. Stevens utilized a short swing path and really gets after it with his lower half. Defensively he showcased pop times of 2.25-2.35 on throws of 75 mph out of the crouch.

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