June 19 Top Prospect Games Scout Analysis: Catchers
June 24, 2019
June 19 Top Prospect Games Scout Analysis: Catchers
There were 10 catchers present at the Top Prospect Games at Troy University and each one brought their own unique skill set to the event. 5 of the 10 catchers showed a sub 2.0 pop time during the defensive morning workout. Over the next few days we will take a look at all of the outfielders and infielders that took part in the event, but let's take a look at those 10 catchers today.
Austin Embrey (2020, C/3B, Russell County) Quite simply, the guy is just a big time defender behind the plate with elite catch and throw skills. Does a nice job of extending the plate both side for pitchers and is very natural blocking balls in the dirt with a quick recovery. No doubt whatsoever with the throw to 2B ad he threw nothing above a 1.95 to 2B and was as low as 1.75. He has thrown multiple 1.7’s at our events. The bat has come on and he shows much more pop off of the barrel than a year ago. If you need an elite defensive catcher in the ‘20 class, here is your guy.
Hunter Sute (2021, C/OF, American Christian) Nice looking player that showed advanced athleticism in all areas, including running a 7.18 60. Was 1.87- 1.95 on the throws to 2B with nice accuracy. Showed a quick transfer and the arm strength is there. Nice flexibility in the hips with quick recovery on blocked balls. Uses the whole field at the plate with some quickness in the hands. Showed nice barrel control and the ball really came off the barrel. Showed some strength in the lower half. Very impressive ‘21.
Cannon Daversa (2020, C/RHP, Madison County) A physical player all the way around. Arm strength is plus on the mound and behind the plate. Has a nice, low set up behind the plate and did a nice job receiving pitches down in the zone. Very accurate throws to 2B in the high 1.9- low 2.0 range. Real quick transfer. Switch hitter that has a real synched up swing from both sides and does a nice job with the lower half. The bat path has some tilt in it and there is definite thunder in the hands. Big time juice from the left side. On the mound, he again did a nice job using his lower half creating some drive off of the mound. The FB was up to 86 mph (sat 83-85) as he commanded the zone with the FB. The CB showed nice shape and can ultimately be a “put away” pitch in his arsenal. Loved the tempo change he used on the mound.
Peyton Cowart (2020, C/3B, Faith Academy) A ‘20 catching prospect that has really showed marked improvement in a year behind the plate. Showed a much more relaxed appearance and seemed very comfortable in his set up. Very consistent, accurate throws (1.99-2.05) all day showing quick arm action. Very fundamental blocking balls in the dirt and showed the ability to recover very well. At the plate, he showed a solid middle of the field approach during BP and really created some back spin off of the bat. The set up has some nice rhythm and he did a nice job keeping the barrel through the zone for a long time. Like the make up of this ‘20.
Ellis Yohn (2021, C/RHP, Smiths Station) This ‘21 prospect shows some nice actions behind the plate and is a powerful young player that can easily play the OF as well. Although he did not pitch at this event, he can be a big time RHP as well. Low 2.0’s all day behind the plate and really showed legit arm strength (81 mph). Really explosive hands at the plate which resulted in big tie juice off the barrel. Showed a very simple load with nice gap to gap juice. Hard a loud 1B to right in game play. Can be a big time player in the ‘21 class.
Tyler Waugh (2021, C, Briarwood) A very solid catcher that does a ton of nice things behind the plate. Loved the LH stroke at the plate that was a very simple set up and approach. No wasted movement in the swing and the head stayed still throughout. Showed an open stance and nice rhythm in the approach. Did a nice job of staying inside the ball with slight tilt in the bat path. Really solid arm action with a quick transfer on throws to 2B. Throws were accurate and the ball did not tail on him. Showed legit quickness blocking balls in the dirt and was quick to recover. Had a couple loud contact AB’s during game play.
Logan McKeever (2020, C/RHP, Fairhope) Seems to be a bit of a “throwback” type player that really gets after it behind the plate and on the mound. The bat plays as he really kept the barrel through the zone and stayed on the ball. Shows a swing with some violence in it and really stayed gap to gap during BP. Had one of the better AB’s in the game with a 3B off of the CF wall. Behind the plate, the fundamentals are solid and he showed an advanced approach blocking balls in the dirt. Was as low as 1.94 pop to 2B showing a quick transfer. On the mound, the FB was up to 80 mph and he struggled with command to begin with but settled down, attacked the zone and got several soft contact outs, including one a well shaped breaking ball at 70 mph.
Austin Brewer (2020, C/OF, Gadsden City) Athletic C that can double as an outfielder as well. Nice flexibility in the hips that showed an athletic set up and solid throwing mechanics to the 2B bag. Short arm action. Love the low target he presents to pitchers. Showed an athletic stance from the right side and did a nice job of keeping the barrel inside the ball and kept the barrel through the hitting zone. During BP, he showed nice juice to the RCF gap from a slightly tilted bat path. Had a 1B up the middle during game play.
Connor White (2021, C/RHP, Tuscaloosa County) At the plate, he showed a leg kick approach to generate some pop off of the barrel and the swing path was fairly level with nice extension through the zone. He showed a pull approach during BP but had a hard line drive 1B up the middle in game play. Solid set up and fundamentals behind the plate. Showed nice flexibility in the hips and the feet worked well on the throw to 2B. On the mound, the FB was up to 79 mph and showed an over the top arm action with a little bit of a different delivery that seemed to cause some deception in his pitches. The breaking took nice shape and the change up showed some “disappearance” at 65- 66 mph.
Tyler Williams (2020, C/2B, Goshen) Had a middle to oppo approach during his round of BP and showed nice balance during the swing. Really stayed inside the ball and looked like a 2 hole type hitter with his inside out approach. The bat path was fairly flat which resulted in hard ground balls and line drives. Behind the plate, the set up was athletic and he showed well receiving balls down in the zone. The transfer was fairly quick and throws stayed on line to the bag.