Underclass Invitational: Catcher Analysis
March 23, 2015
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By Sammy Serrano
Director of Scouting-Prep Baseball Report VA/DC
On Sunday, February 15, Prep Baseball Report Virginia/DC hosted its first event of 2015, the Underclass Invitational for members of the 2017 and 2018 graduating classes. Over 70 players showcased their skills for PBR staff at Virginia Sports Complex in Ruther Glen, Virginia. All of these players will be eligible to receive invites to the Top Prospect Games (2017 Grads) at English Field on the campus of Virginia Tech and the Top Prospect Games (2018 Grads) at Liberty University this summer. Players from this event will also be eligible to be selected to represent Team Virginia/D.C. in the Future Games Powered by Under Armour that will take place in Westfield, IN on July 29 – August 1.
Here is the breakdown of the Catchers from the event...
Complete Statistical Analysis from the Underclass Invitational, CLICK HERE
catcher analysis:
+Ryan Davis, Catcher, Oakton, 2017
Hit from a tall stance. Had a small, smooth load back. Stride was short for the most part but jumped at the ball at times. Had a good approach during the round with a quiet rhythm. Had a short, level bat path with extension. Line drive stroke that will find the gaps. Hands are strong and fast. Had an Exit Velocity of 80 mph. Behind the plate, threw from a short, high ¾ arm slot. Accurate with average arm strength. Set up was a bit stiff. Feet were quick. Hands were soft at times. Transfers were quick and clean. Gained ground towards the bag on throws. Pop times to second were 2.06-2.09. Positional Velocity was 70 mph.
+Kyle Deering, Catcher, Patriot, 2017
Hit from a balanced stance that was slightly closed with flexed knees. Minimal load back with slight arm bar. Hands move away from body during load. Takes a short stride with a small leg kick and had balance. Took a great approach during the round and had a fluid rhythm. Very confident hitter. Had a short bat path that was uphill at times. Got through the ball. Gap-Gap stroke with plus power potential. Lower half and hands are explosive. Had an Exit Velocity of 88 mph. Behind the plate, threw from a short, over the top, arm action with some accuracy. Throws had carry. Showed arm strength. Set up was stiff and somewhat compact for size. Feet were quick. Hands were hard at times, due to set up. Transfers were quick. Pop times to second were 2.01-2.10. Positional Velocity was 72 moh.
+Tyler Dodson, Catcher, Southhampton, 2017
Hits from a balanced stance. Loads the hands back creating a slight arm bar. Takes a very short stride and stays on line. Had balance. Good approach during the round with a somewhat fluid rhythm. Short, level bat path. Line drive stroke. Feels for the ball at times. Good contact approach. Had an Exit Velocity of 64 mph. Behind the plate, threw from a short, ¾ arm slot that was very accurate. Dropped his elbow at times. Lacked some arm strength. Feet were average. Gained ground to the bag. Hands were soft and was comfortable receiving. Pop times to second were 2.44-2.50. Positional Velocity of 66 mph.
+Kaleb Marshall, OF/Catcher, Orange, 2017
Hit from a balanced stance. Had a smooth load with a slight arm bar. Dropped hands. Short stride with balance throughout the swing. Took a good approach during the round and had a somewhat stiff rhythm. Level bat path to the ball that had some length. Line drive stroke that over time will be more gap-gap. Had an Exit Velocity of 79 mph. In the field, threw from a high ¾ arm slot with a short arm action. Throws were accurate and had some carry. Allowed the ball to get deep in his fielding stance. Exchanges and footwork were very methodical. Showed average hands. Had a Positional Velocity of 78 mph. in the outfield. Behind the plate, threw from a short, loose, high ¾ arm slot that was accurate. Throws had some carry. Footwork and transfers were rigid. Set up was a bit stiff as well. Hands had the ability to soft at times. Pop times to second were 2.0-2.22. Positional Velocity was 73 mph.
+Hayden Mitchell, MIF/C, St. Christopher’s, 2017
Hit from a tall/athletic stance that was balanced. Had a minimal load back with a small stride. Utilized an inward turn of the knee to create torque. Was confident at the plate. Had inconsistent rhythm. When on time, stayed on line and the bat had life. Good path to the ball, had extension. Line drive stroke that will produce gap-gap results. Had an Exit Velocity of 79 mph. In the field, threw from a high ¾ arm slot with a long, loose arm action with accuracy. Had athletic actions and played through the ball. Showed soft hands with fluid footwork and quick/clean exchanges. Showed average arm strength with a Positional velocity of 69 mph in the infield. Behind the plate, throws from a high ¾ arm slot with loose arm action. Throws were accurate and had average carry. Footwork was quick and fluid. Transfers were quick and clean. Came around the ball at times. Gains ground to the bag. Athletic. Soft hands and fluid actions. Pop times to second base were 2.19-2.20. Positional Velocity was 69 mph.
+Nicco Oliveira, Catcher, Jeb Stuart, 2017
Hit from a athletic/balanced stance that was slightly open. High hands. Leverage. Minimal load back with the hands. Takes a short stride with a leg kick. Good balance throughout the swing. Took a good approach during the round with fluid rhythm and a lot of confidence. Bat path is short and level with extension. Line drive stroke with gap-gap future. Hands were strong and fast. Had some flick. Had an Exit Velocity of 82 mph. Behind the plate, threw from a short, high ¾ arm slot that was very accurate. arm swing was stiff at times. Showed average arm strength. Footwork was fluid. Exchanges took some time but throws were accurate. Set up was slightly upright. Hands were soft. Received well in the session. Pop times to second were 2.22-2.40. Positional Velocity was 64 mph.
+Richard Ortiz, Catcher, C.D. Hylton, 2017
Hits from a balanced/athletic stance. Smooth load back. Short stride with a leg kick and stayed on line. Had very good balance throughout. Great approach during the round with a very fluid rhythm and a great deal of confidence. Had a very short path path that was level and had extension. Line drive stroke. Hands were a blur. Strong. Had an Exit Velocity of 88 mph. Behind the plate, threw from a high ¾ arm slot that was very accurate. Showed very good arm strength matches with quickness. Footwork was clean, quick,, and very fluid. Was athletic in stance. Hands worked well in transfers. Great feel for receiving. Plus receiver. Pop times were 1.91-2.03. Positional Velocity was 73 mph.
+Daegan Phillips, Catcher, Rustburg, 2017
Hit from a balanced stance with bent knees. Pushes hands back in the load causing a bar and some wrap. Took a short/medium stride and came off of his backside. Stayed on line. Had balance. Took a good approach and had a somewhat rigid rhythm. Had a level bat path with some length. Line drive stroke. Hands drag a bit due to the arm bar/wrap but are strong. Had an Exit Velocity of 86 mph. Behind the plate, threw from a high ¾ arm slot that was short and loose. Throws were accurate and had some carry. Feet were quick and fluid. Traditional two hand catcher. Bare hand tracked the glove well in the secondary stance. Transfers were quick. Showed soft hands receiving. Pop times were 1.97-2.19. Positional Velocity was 72 mph.
+Cade Pickette, Catcher/RHP, Patriot, 2017
Hits from a balanced stance with flexed knees. Smooth load back. Slight arm bad. Takes a short stride and stays on line. Balanced. Took a good approach during the round with fluid rhythm that was late at times. Bat path had some length and was uphill at times. Line drive stroke. Has tendency to spin. Had an Exit Velocity of 73 mph. Behind the plate, threw from a high ¾ arm slot with a long arm action. Throws were accurate and had average carry. Footwork was fluid. Slow at times. Transfers were clean. Gained ground to the bag. Hands were average while receiving. Pop times to second were 2.25-2.31. Positional Velocity was 69 mph.
+Brian Rall, Catcher, Patriot 2018
Hit from a balanced stance that was slightly open. Small load back. Took a short stride back to neutral. Was on line and balanced. Good approach during the round with a somewhat fluid rhythm. Had a short, level bat path and had extension. Line drive stroke. Had an Exit Velocity of 74 mph. Behind the plate, threw from a high ¾ arm slot with a short loose arm action. Elbow dropped at times. Throws were accurate and had carry. Footwork was quick and fluid. Gained ground to the bag. Transfers were clean and quick. Hands were soft. Great receiver. Good set up. Athletic in stance. Pop times to second was 1.97-2.13. Positional Velocity was 74 mph.
+Matthew Thomas, Catcher, Lake Braddock, 2018
Hit from a tall/athletic stance that was balanced and slightly open. Smooth load back. Short stride with a leg kick. Utilized a small tap step. Took a great approach during the round and had a good rhythm that was sometimes early. Bat path was short. Line drive stroke that will be gap-gap. Had good hands. Had an Exit Velocity of 73 mph. Behind the plate, threw from a high ¾ arm slot with short, loose arm action. Throws were accurate and had carry. Feet were very quick. Very athletic in stance. Moved well. Footwork was clean and fluid. Hands were soft and very fast. Stayed down and gained ground to base. Good stance. Pop times were 2.16-2.25. Positional Velocity of 72 mph.
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