By Matt Yarber and Sean Duncan

In the final installment of our analysis of the Prep Baseball Report Preseason All-State Showcase, we saved the best for last. The catchers at the February 19 event at The Max were especially strong.  The list is highlighted by the 6-foot-2, 215-pound Brent Gibbs, who impressed with his strength (84 mph from the crouch) and physicality.

A look at the catchers at the Prep Baseball Report Preseason All-State Showcase:

1. Brent Gibbs, C, Alton HS, Class of 2013
Verbally committed to Indiana University, Gibbs is an elite catching prospect. The physically impressive 6-foot-2, 215-pounder has incredibly strong legs and arm strength: He was clocked at 84 mph from the crouch. His arm strength and advanced footwork added up to a top pop time of 1.91. Furthermore, Gibbs consistently was on the bag with his throws and receives with a firm wrist and soft hands. At the plate, Gibbs has a balanced setup and a strong lower half that he used to get good rotation.  He consistently barrels up the baseball and showed power potential to all fields.

2. Bradley Margolin, C/RHP, Glenbrook North HS, Class of 2013
Margolin impressed behind the plate, proving to be not only one of the best catchers at the event, but also one of the premier receivers in the Class of 2013. He exhibited one of the strongest arms from the crouch (79 mph), and had dead-on accuracy with every throw.  His quick, concise footwork allowed him to post the best pop time of the event with a 1.87 and 1.89.  At the plate, Margolin showed some pop in his bat as he sprayed line drives to all fields.  On the mound, Margolin has a feel for three pitches, featuring a fastball that was 80-83 mph with run and sink, he has been clocked at up to 85 mph.  His off-speed pitches consist of a sharp-breaking slider that has late action in the 70-75 mph range.  He also has a 75-76 mph changeup.  Additionally, Margolin ran a 7.0 60, and has been clocked before at 6.7.

3. Derek Bangert, C/3B, Lockport Township HS, Class of 2013
Bangert is a 6-foot-3, 225-pound physical specimen and uses his strength in every aspect of the game.  Bangert impressed at the plate with his ability to consistently square up the baseball with authority. Bangert has impressive juice in his bat; the ball comes off his barrel differently than most. For his power potential, he has remarkably quiet and balanced swing mechanics. Defensively, Bangert moves well for a big man, and showed off a strong arm, 84 mph from across the diamond.  Behind the dish, Bangert was 81 mph from the crouch and posted a top pop time of 2.0.

4. Adam McGinnis, C/3B, Normal West HS, Class of 2013
McGinnis is a 5-foot-11, 185-pounder who proved himself to be one of the better defensive catchers in the class. Behind the dish, McGinnis exhibited an accurate arm (77 mph) and had a best pop time of 1.98. Furthermore, he demonstrated quick feet and soft hands during bullpens.  At third base, McGinnis moved well laterally and once again showed an accurate arm across the diamond, being clocked at 79 mph.  Offensively, McGinnis has a balanced setup and takes an aggressive approach at the plate.  He consistently squared up the baseball with authority, showing gap-to-gap power.

5. Bill Hayes, C, Lemont HS, Class of 2013
Hayes is a 5-foot-11, 165-pound catcher who has proven to be one of the Class of 2013’s better defensive backstops. He impressed with his quick, athletic feet, ability to stay low, and solid, accurate arm. Hayes was clocked at 77 mph from the crouch and had a best pop time of 2.07 at the event. His throws were on the bag.  Offensively, Hayes has a balanced setup and a short, compact swing.  He sprayed line drives to all fields, and displayed some gap-to-gap power. 

6. Ryan Lidge, C, Barrington HS, Class of 2013
Lidge is an athletic 6-foot-2, 180-pound switch-hitting catcher who impressed at the plate with his economical approach to the baseball.  Lidge showed especially well from the left side of the plate, using an explosive lower half to consistently barrel up the baseball to all fields.  He uses his strong hands to create good whip through the zone.  Defensively, Lidge showcased solid fundamentals and glovework while in bullpen session. Lidge was clocked at 80 mph from the crouch and had a top pop time of 2.03.

7. Seth Rosenberg, C/RHP, New Trier HS, Class of 2013
Rosenberg is a 6-foot, 200-pound two-way player. As a position player, Rosenberg is a left-handed hitting catcher who showcased some pull-side power potential.  Defensively, Rosenberg was clocked at 75 mph from the crouch and had a top pop time of 2.07.  On the mound, Rosenberg throws out of the stretch and operates from a high 3/4 arm slot.  His three-pitch mix consisted of a 82-83 mph fastball, a 69-71 mph breaking ball that flashed sharp break when down in the zone, and a 75-76 mph changeup.

8. Zach Trusk, C/3B, Plainfield North HS, Class of 2013
Trusk was one of the event’s biggest surprises, as he impressed with his ability to play multiple positions well.  Behind the dish, Trusk exhibited soft hands and the ability to handle all types of pitching with ease.  He posted a best pop time of 2.00 and was clocked at 75 mph from the crouch.  Trusk continued to impress at third base with soft hands and good lateral range, being clocked at 78 mph from across the diamond.  At the plate, Trusk had a balanced setup and a compact swing, maintaining excellent balance throughout.  Trusk has a strong lower half and an easy swing in which he sprayed line drives to all fields.

9. Taje Frazier, C/OF, Thornton HS, Class of 2013
Frazier is a 5-foot-10, 165-pound multi-positional athlete who ran a 6.82 60 and impressed with his all-around raw tools.  Frazier showcased arm strength from both positions: 82 mph from the crouch and 84 mph from the outfield.  Behind the dish, Frazier had a pop time range of 1.98-2.11, highlighted by his quick feet and arm strength.  In the outfield, Frazier continued to showcase his athleticism and live arm.

10. Matthew Malecki, C/OF, Richmond Burton HS, Class of 2013
Malecki is a 6-foot-1, 190-pound multi-positional talent who impressed at the plate with his advanced approach and easy swing.  Malecki has a balanced setup with a smooth load and takes an economical approach to the baseball.  He gets good extension on his swing and maintains solid balance throughout. The ball comes off his bat with considerable authority.  Defensively, Malecki showed solidly behind the plate, posting a best pop time of 2.06 and was clocked at 78 mph from the crouch.  In the outfield, Malecki showed his athleticism with an accurate arm (84 mph) and solid hands.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Taylor Field, C/3B, Newton HS, Class of 2013
Field is an athletic 5-foot-11, 175-pound multi-positional player who impressed with his defensive abilities.  Field showed best at third base with a quick exchange and athletic lateral movements.  He showed athleticism and the ability to play through the ball well; he was clocked at 74 mph from across the diamond.  Behind the plate, Field showed soft hands and the ability to receive the ball well.  He had sound, fundamental footwork and was clocked at 76 mph from the crouch with a best pop time of 2.09.  Offensively, Field has a balanced setup with a smooth load and a short compact swing.  He showed fluid rhythm throughout and excellent balance as he sprayed line drives to all fields.

Dominic Fornino, C, Glenbard North HS, Class of 2013
Fornino is a 5-foot-9, 190-pound catcher who showcased an accurate arm from the crouch (75 mph).  He received the ball well and showed fundamental footwork. His pop times ranged between 2.05-2.16. At the plate, Fornino has a balanced setup and maintained good balance throughout contact.  Additionally, Fornino ran a 7.45 60.

Gabriel Gage, C/1B, Proviso East HS, Class of 2013
Gage is a 6-foot, 195-pound multi-positional player who was clocked at 75 mph from the crouch and had a best pop time of 2.26.  Additionally, Gage ran a 7.85 60.

Will Harvel, 3B/C, Prairie Ridge HS, Class of 2013
Harvel is an athletic 6-foot-1, 180-pound multi-positional player who showed well defensively.  Behind the plate, Harvel was clocked at 77 mph and had a best pop time of 2.15.  At third base, Harvel showed sound lateral movement.  Offensively, Harvel has a slightly open setup and has good extension through his swing.

Brett Jungles, C/OF, St. Francis HS, Class of 2013
Jungles is a 5-foot-9, 145-pound multi-positional player who showed well behind the plate with his ability to receive the baseball.  Jungles displayed soft hands and athletic feet as he moved well laterally behind the dish.  He was clocked at 73 mph from the crouch and had a pop time range of 2.0-2.2.  In the outfield, Jungles gets on top of his throws and was clocked at 79 mph, and was clocked at 73 mph from third base. 

Malik McNeal, C/OF, Crete-Monee HS, Class of 2013
McNeal is an athletically built 5-foot-11, 170-pound multi-positional player who showed a solid arm from both positions.  He was clocked at 77 mph from the crouch and 82 from the outfield.  Behind the dish, McNeal had a best pop time of 2.14.  Offensively, McNeal has a balanced setup with a line drive swing and uses his strength to create some whip through the zone.  Additionally, McNeal ran a 7.36 60.

John McNulty, C, Plainfield South HS, Class of 2013
McNulty is a 5-foot-11, 187-pound switch-hitting catcher.  McNulty looked more natural from the left side, as he maintained good balance throughout his swing.  He has a balanced setup and uses his lower half well to drive through the baseball.  Behind the plate, McNulty was clocked at 77 mph from the crouch and posted a pop time range of 2.03-2.25.

Ryan Supple, C, Andrew HS, Class of 2013
Supple is a strong-bodied 6-foot, 185-pound catcher who was clocked at 77 mph from the crouch and had a best pop time of 2.19.  Supple showed well in bullpens with his ability to receive the ball. His athleticism shined in the 60 when he ran a 7.25. At the plate, he showcased some raw power potential.

Reed Watson, C, Rochester HS, Class of 2013
Watson is a physically impressive 6-foot-1, 225-pound catcher who has extremely strong legs. Offensively, Watson showed power potential, as the ball jumped off his bat with authority. Defensively, Watson was clocked at 71 mph from the crouch and posted a best pop time of 2.19.

Collin Young, C, Mt. Vernon HS, Class of 2013
Young is a 5-foot-11, 175-pound catcher who showed soft hands and the ability to block the ball well.  From the crouch, Young threw 68 mph and had a pop time range of 2.2-2.3.  Offensively, Young has a balanced setup and economical approach to the ball.

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