By Chris Fuller
Kentucky Scouting Director

On Sunday, December 15, PBR Kentucky hosted the Winter Unsigned Senior Showcase at Legends Sports Academy in Louisville.  The event afforded unsigned prospects in the 2014 class the opportunity to showcase their abilities in front of the PBR Kentucky staff and college coaches from six states. 

It was a big day for players in attendance as several received multiple phone calls before they even returned home to set up visits to schools, and multiple players have received offers since the conclusion of the event.

Following is a look at the small but solid group of catchers that participated in the event.

Blake Hart, C/1B, Conner HS, 2014
6-foot-1, 210-pound prospect, displays solid receiving and blocking skills, good footwork and very quick transfer and release, continues to improve pop times each time we see him, 72 mph arm from the crouch with pop times ranging from 1.92-1.97.  At the plate, left-handed hitter generates some barrel whip with good use of strong lower half, aggressive approach, shows some power potential, registered a 5.09 home to first base time, 85 mph tee exit velocity (has been 88 at previous event), solid left-handed hitting catching prospect.

Graham Smith, C, Lexington Christian Academy, 2014
6-foot-4, 215-pound prospect with strong frame, shows solid receiving and blocking skills, quick glove to hand exchange, 73 mph arm from crouch with pop times ranging from 2.00-2.03.  At the plate, Smith followed up his 10-for-22 performance in the Fall Prospect Program with a good round of BP with consistent hard line-drive contact, hits from a balanced setup with a short stride, generates good bat speed, 90 mph tee exit velocity (+1 from fall program), showed improved home to first base time of 4.91.

Blake Brangers, C, Bethlehem HS, 2014
6-foot, 225-pound prospect, strong lower half and foundation behind the plate, good blocking skills, solid glove to hand transfer, footwork inconsistent at times, 71 mph arm strength from the crouch with pop times of 2.04-2.13.  At the plate, hits from a slightly open stance, foot gets down late at times, good raw strength in swing, creates some lift with potential to hit for some power, registered event best 93 mph tee exit velocity, 4.77 home to first base time.

Royal Woernley, OF/C/RHP, Muhlenberg County HS, 2014
6-foot, 178-pound, multi-postional player, sets up well behind the plate, receiving skills need some refinement, receives ball deep at times, 73 mph arm strength from the crouch with pop times ranging from 2.18-2.23, room to improve pop times with quicker transfer and release.  At the plate, hits from an open stance with a short stride, gets some lower half involved, long swing path, average bat speed, registered a 5.03 home to first base time, 81 mph tee exit velocity.