Colorado Underclass Invitational: Catcher Analysis
March 6, 2020
Mike Anderson
Colorado Scouting Director
ENGLEWOOD, C.O.- The Colorado Underclass Invitational took place on Sunday, January 26th at Slammers South. Immediately following event, we took a quick glance at some of the top performers in each statistical category.
Yesterday, we began our analysis by taking a look at the arms in attendance. Today, we continue our coverage by taking an in-depth look at the catchers.
*Players listed in alphabetical order
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Caleb Cancino OF / RHP / Castle View , CO / 2022
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6’0” 170
Run: 4.26 Home to 1st
Hit: RHH. Narrow base to start. Stride foot has no weight transfer. Gets to great Stack position to launch. Hand and arm angles have rhythm movements prior to load. Barrel flat and arm angles have some extension. Swing has some length and bat head in zone early. Caleb shows Bat speed and strength. Momentum tendency and path demonstrate pull side. Will benefit with added balance. Exit Velo 87.
Power: Potential with development of short compact swing
Arm: OF Velo 78 Short backside action to clean delivery and extension. Catcher Velo: 76 Pop 1.98 Quick Catch to Release and very quick arm speed. Long follow through.
Defense: Good Athletic movements, OF fields ball in rhythm off left foot and in stride
INF: Fields ball deep, sits back on balls. Good hand/eye and gather to throw. Catcher: Set up is high. Footwork is quick, with energy. Good Potential
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Parker Hansen C / 1B / Brighton, CO / 2023
Positional Profile: 1B/C
Body: 5’11” 165
Run: 4.50 Home to 1st
Hit: RHH. Narrow upright stance. Rhythm rock to stride foot. Stride is slight leg lift and weight distribution is forward. Hands remain back on load and bat head is behind head. Arm angles have some extension. Pull side to Mid field tendency. Path has some intentional lift. There is demonstrated strength and bat speed in swing Exit Velo 86
Power: Future power would be based on his development for repeatable swing. Good Strength
Arm: Catcher Velo: 72 Pop 2.12 Some length to arc, with long finish.
Defense: Adjusted Footwork for throws. Right foot set behind. Momentum shift to 3B. Side. Good forward tilt for block
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Dylan Hearn C / 3B / Green Mountain , CO / 2022
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6’0” 190
Run: 4.46
Hit: RHH Shoulder width upright stance. Stride is independent of weight transfer. Stays stacked at the point of launch and lowers into legs. Hands high and barrel upright. Uses his lower half very well. Creates kinetic chain for strength. Mid to Pull Tendencies. Path is downward and follow through high, sometimes shortened. Exit Velo: 86
Power: Can see the strength in Dylans body and swing. Potential for power as he develops
Arm: Catcher Velo 71 Pop 2.12 Quick catch to release with momentum to 3B side
Defense: High wide set up. Avg Block Movements. Receiving is Good. Confident hands. Some length and time through throw. Potential is evident
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Dillon Hebel C / RHP / Dakota Ridge, CO / 2022
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5’8’’ 200
Run: 5.03 Home to 1st
Hit: RHH Shoulder width base. Starts is a stacked position. Simple up/down movement for stride. Weight distribution is to front side at launch. Hands start at shoulder, barrel is parallel to the ground. Hands and path have slight uphill approach. Path has some length to it. Follow through is extended with release of top hand. Exit Velo 82
Power: See Dillon as Singles type hitter
Arm: Catcher Velo 67 Pop 2.13 Some length on arc of backside.
Defense: Stance is wide and remains upright. Feet have quickness and good movement into throw. Must improve agility and flexibility in blocking skills. Aggressive movements with confidence
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Cooper Hertz C / 2B / Mountain Vista, CO / 2022
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5’8” 176
Run: 4.51 Home to 1st
Hit: RHH Open stance. Uses Stride for light sway into load. Gets to stacked position and as stride foot lands. Hands at shoulder level. Arm Angles are maintained, bat head in a upright position. Grip has some wrap. Lower half has rotation with some linear movement. Hands direct path with tendency to Middle and Pull side. Short to contact and has limited in follow through. Exit Velo 80
Power: Plus Bat Speed and demonstrated strength, would benefit by extended follow through. Potential
Arm: INF Velo 71 High arc with consistent release point. Arm strength and velo have potential for improvement Catcher Velo: 71 Pop 2.03
Defense: Fields ball deep in stance. Good footwork to gather and momentum to throw. Good Feel on redirection on double play throws Catcher: Set up is right foot staggered. Footwork creates momentum towards 3B. Arm and footwork are quick. Will benefit with development of progression through throw to 2B. Potential!
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River Jackson C / SS / University, CO / 2022
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5’7” 155 Strong Build
Run: 4.5 Home to 1st
Hit: RHH Slight sway to load and is strong in legs. Very consistent lower half and created a balanced position at launch. Rear Side Accel-with rotation. Hands maintain angles and are direct to the ball. Very compact. Have seen River a number of times, this round not as consistent, but still demonstrated good tools for development. Exit Velo 89
Power: Singles/Double guy with brickhouse catcher body. Will develop as hitter of AVG and hit is pitch out
Arm: INF Velo: 72 Quick release and hands. Short arc to extended release.
Defense: Athlete who has abilities as INF/Catcher. Good Hand/Eye. Gather to release good on Slow Roller and Double Play. Good Tools to develop C: Velo 73 Pop 2.0 Consistent. Great quick movements with great effort. Desire to Catch! Aggressive mentality. Good Catcher Follow
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Cole LaCrue C / 3B / Erie, CO / 2023
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6’1” 165
Run: 4.31 Home to 1st
Hit: RHH. Open Stance with aggressive leg lift stride. Gets to front side on Launch. Hands at shoulder and high. Barrel is parallel to ground at start and loads to upright position. Arm Angles are maintained. Path is downward to it and through contact with a high extended finish. Good Contact in Event round. Exit Velo 81
Power: Cole has bat speed and strength, can see potential as he continues to refine swing
Arm: INF Velo 73 Long to Long with some front side creating leverage. Quick arm and easy finish Catcher Velo: 70 Pop 2.04 Long arc on back side
Defense: No Pre Pitch approach. Fields ball deep, good quick movements to ball. Tools are there for development Catcher: Set up is high, glove down in zone. Upright throw, can refine. 2023 with potential
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Sean Marlow C / 3B / Mountain Vista, CO / 2023
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5’8” 140
Run: 4.19 Home to 1st
Hit: RHH Open stance. Lowers on load and stride. Closes to parallel on stride. At Launch, has a slight tilt to front side. Sean is Max Aggressive with lower half and top half. Hands have movement to load, Bat head is upright at launch. Direct path to ball with lift to finish. Attack Mode and a follow. Exit Velo 86
Power: Yes. Would see his development as hitter of AVG 1st, with future Power Potential
Arm: INF Velo 79 Good feel at different release points in the INF. Good Carry. Short to long extended release. Demonstrated arm strength and potential Catcher Velo 75 Pop: 2.0
Defense: Good Actions as INF. Raw with athletic potential. Aggressive and confident movements. Gather to release is quick as INF Catcher: One Knee set up. High energy, quick movements Feet are established with momentum through throw. Good hands on receiving.
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Finn O'Connor SS / 2B / Regis Jesuit, CO / 2022
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5’9” 162 Squared up Frame, Athletic
Run: 4.55 Home to 1st
Hit: RHH Wide base with front to back sway load. Gets to rear side with slight coil. Stride has back to front low lift. Hands at shoulder level with movement to load. Barrel small wrap. Bat speed and strength evident with 1st swing. Direct path with some lift. Follow through is extended and clean to 1 hand. Ball Jumps Exit Velo 9. Would consider Finian Top Follow in State.
Power: Yes. Creates a good Kinetic Chain, I see great potential for him
Arm: INF Velo 80. OT with demonstrated strength. Quick arc to easy release. Accurate on throws from all arm angles Catcher: Velo 72 Pop 2.03 Block body type.
Defense: Great feel with hand/eye. Quick feet and positioning to ball. Played through back hand with momentum. Catch/Gather to Release with Rhythm. Catcher: Good energy. Aggressive movements, momentum glide through throw. Firm confident hands. Very projectable as Catcher
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Kaden O'Toole C / OF / Legacy, CO / 2022
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6’ 173”
Run: 4.52 Home to 1st
Hit: LHH Upright stance to crouched position. Rhythm movement to load to the backside. Stride foot creates momentum, Weight Distribution is on front side at point of launch. Hands are high and tight to body. Hands are direct to ball after load. Strong intention to stay inside ball. Aggressive attack with Lower and Upper body Wants to get to front. Middle of field approach. Good Contact in Event round Exit Velo 70
Power: Singles/Doubles hitter
Arm: OF Velo 62 Segmented arm action. Ball gets to high backside, slight pause, Shoulders and hips stay front facing….room for additional arm strength as he develops
Catcher Velo: 55 Pop 2.45 High arc, with slight pause to throw
Defense: More of an infield style in the OF. Feet square up, fields ball in front. Stays back. Can continue to develop as OF Catcher: Good lateral blocking. Wide base set up. Footwork is upright to throw. Will benefit with added strength.
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Camden Ross C / 1B / Broomfield, CO / 2022
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6’1” 191
Run: 4.31 Home to 1st
Hit: Parallel shoulder width base. Stride is independent of weight transfer. Hip slide to a 50/50 distribution at launch. Hands have movement down and back. Rear Side Acceleration is great, in sync. Hands direct path, with slight lift and extended follow through. Attacking approach with purpose and balance. Exit Velo 92 Plus Contact in event round. Would consider Camden as a top follow in the 2022 Class as Hitter and Catcher
Power: Yes. Demonstrated Bat speed/strength and continued development would give Camden great potential for future power.
Arm: Catcher Velo: 74 Pop 2.0 Plus arm speed
Defense: Good movements to block with positive tilt. Great set up, confident hands. Some momentum to 3B on throw. Quick feet, aggressive. Potential
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Blake Young C / 3B / Mountain Vista, CO / 2022
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5’10” 4.29
Run: 4.29 Home to 1st
Hit: RHH Shoulder width base, Minimal lower half load with a simple leg lift. Weight distribution is 50/50 at launch. Hands consistent and remain near back shoulder. Barrel has some movement, but gets to repeatable upright position. Aggressive rear side acceleration. Would benefit with development of balance throughout swing...very athletic. Path has some intentional lift and purpose. Demonstrated Bat Speed. Top Follow
Power: Can see potential for power as he progresses
Arm: Catcher Velo: 70 Pop 1.91 Great catch to release!
Defense: Good tilt positioning and movements blocking. Confident hands, quick feet and progression into throw. A Top 2022 Catcher to follow in state
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Cruz Zamudio C / 2B / Frederick , CO / 2023
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5’8”140
Run: 4.32 Home to 1st
Hit: RHH Open stance with 50/50 weight distribution. Minimal load and minimal stride. Great consistent balance to launch. Stride foot closes to parallel. Lower half would benefit with emphasis on rear side acceleration. Momentum is driven with upper half and strength. Hands and angles are maintained during light load. Path is downward with length in finish. Finish is extended and high. Cruz demonstrated solid contact in his round with Exit Velo at 82
Power: See him as a Singles/Doubles hitter in the future
Arm: Catcher Velo 66 Pop 2.05 Avg accuracy on throws
Defense: Strong Fundys on Blocking. Good Footwork with momentum through throw. Good Actions to develop
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