Prep Baseball Report

N. CA Underclass ID - Catcher Analysis


Ryan Ozella
N. California Area Scout

Islanders Field, Lathrop, CA - 40+ players from the 2021-2023 classes took part in the open pro-style workout with PBR scouts on hand to evaluate players and record their stats while going through the workout. Today we break down the Catchers at the event including The Five players who really stood out. Be sure to click players names to see full stats, videos and previous notes. Previous coverage from the event below as well.

Quick Hits

Stats Leaders

Outfielders

Catchers:

2022 C/2B Tyson Smith - St. Francis, 5-9, 135, L/R

Long, medium frame with high waist and very young body; some strength (7.91 60yd). Tall, slightly open stance with low even hands. Knee tucks with good weight transfer; keeps head on the baseball with strong rotation around the center of body. Bat is compact with level path staying to the middle of the field and pull side showing good bat-to-ball skills (72 EV). Clean transfer with glove to hand drives off his back leg for throws to bag (2.25-2.30 Pop) with compact arm (64 MPH). Presents good target with some ability to get to his knees quickly for blocks; quiet receiving hand.

2022 C/2B Justin LaFortune - Vista Del Lago, 5-10, 145, R/R

Medium frame with length through middle and lithe build; space to continue to grow and develop. Effort inline runner (7.89 60 yd). Tall, narrow, slightly open stance with high hands and flared elbows. Strides closed gaining some ground with slight foot lift as hands work upwards wrapping bat around his head. Flashes some bat speed with hands working through quick arc to high finish; shows strong ability to stay behind the baseball with controlled swing to the pull side of the field (77 MPH). Wide, balanced stance pulls glove to throwing arm with agile 1-2 step to 2nd (2.19-2.26); compact arm with balls online to glove side of the bag flashes carry (68 MPH). Legs drive back with smooth glove when blocking; some side to side sway when catching with soft glove hand.

2022 C/RHP Jason Pimentel - Hilmar, 5-5, 140, R/R

Small, compact and strong frame showing sloped shoulders, long torso and high waist. Hard-effort runner inline (7.77 60yd). Balanced stance with even hands wide away from body keeping high back elbow. Front foot swings back before gaining some ground as bat casts to the zone working around back arm and up through the zone focusing to the middle and pull side (75 EV). Narrow, turned stance receiver showing ability to transfer the ball from glove to throwing arm (2.22-2.39 Pop); gains some ground using compact arm to keep the ball on the bag (71 MPH). Rounded blocker with some ability to kick feet out quickly and recover from block. Flashes clean receiving skills when working lower in zone and some strength in receiving arm.

2021 C/1B Charles Wetzel - Wood, 6-0, 180, R/R

Medium, full frame with rolled shoulders and strength in legs; high straight-line runner (8.15 60yd). Slight crouch with high hands and high back elbow as he keeps front shoulder higher than back. Rocks into back hip with knee turn as hands are direct to the baseball. Backspins the ball to the opposite side of the field and into pull side gap (81 EV) with fair turns; needs to use lower half more consistently to tap into strength. Wide, quick feet with compact arm consistently on the bag (2.04-2.25); arm is quick release (70 MPH). Solid blocking skills using flexibility and wide legs; strong glove hands working up through zone and underneath baseball.


The Five Standouts:

Five more players (2021-2022 classes) below with notes and video on the Players for Members.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
SoCal ProCase CA 06/08 Hart Park
Northern California ProCase CA 06/09 Delta College - Nick Cecchetti Field
Bay Area Open Showcase CA 06/26 Laney College
Inland Empire Top Prospect ID CA 07/23 Santiago High School
Northern California Top Prospect ID CA 07/24 St. Mary's College
Junior Future Games NATIONAL 07/30 LakePoint
2019 PBR Future Games (California Invite) CA 07/31 LakePoint - Cartersville, GA
California State Games CA 08/17 Vanguard University
Kern County Prospect I.D. CA 09/07 Cal State Bakersfield
Rising Stars Showcase CA 09/21 Santiago High School

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