Prep Baseball Report

Top Prospect - Milwaukee: Catcher Analysis


By Wisconsin Staff

On July 14, the PBR Wisconsin staff made its return trip to The Rock Complex to host its annual Top Prospect - Milwaukee showcase for prospects headed into their senior years of high school. Each year, this showcase does well to spotlight some of the best incoming, uncommitted seniors in the area, and this year’s roster was especially talented.

We previously began our coverage of this showcase in the days that followed the event, in the form of our Quick Hits and Statistical Analysis posts.

Today, we’re beginning to roll out our position-by-positional analysis, starting with this event’s catchers. Several names on this list have since landed commitments to play at the next level, led by the brawny backstop Trett Joles (Boyceville, 2021; Indiana State), but Menomonie’s Brigs Richartz (2021) put together a tremendous summer, and his left-handed bat and advanced actions behind the plate make him one of the top uncommitted names on the state’s ‘21 board.

Check out their scouting reports below, as well as the rest of the seniors who took reps behind the dish at this mid-July event.

TOP CATCHER PROSPECTS

1. Trett Joles, Boyceville (WI), 2021; Indiana State
Positional Profile: C; one of the top right-handed power threats in the state’s senior class.
Body: 5-10, 195-pounds. All-around muscular frame. Broad-shouldered, strong forearms and wrists.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, bat rests over back shoulder, smooth load, leg lift timing trigger.  Strong hands, short path, slightly elevated attack angle, gap-to-gap approach. Showed prominent power to the pull-side, capable of hammering the baseball with ease. Fluid rhythm throughout.
Power: 98 mph exit velocity from the tee. Max exit speed of 100.98 mph with an average exit speed of 93.59 in BP, per TrackMan. Also recorded a max fly ball distance of 379 feet.
Arm: RH. C - 83 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot. Plus arm strength from the crouch; accurate throws to the bag.
Defense: 2.00-2.07 pop times. Confident actions, quiet and balanced stance, feet work in rhythm, clean to release.
Run: 7.27 runner in the 60. 

2. Brigs Richartz, Menomonie (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: C; High-riser in the state's 2021 rankings after a strong showing this summer. Remains one of the state’s top uncommitted prospects.
Body: 5-9, 180-pounds. Compact frame; strong lower half.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, wide base, smooth load, strides to even, controlled through contact.  Strong hands, loose bat speed, short path with an elevated attack angle, naturally elevates through contact. Gap-to-gap approach, fluid rhythm through contact, silky-smooth left-handed stroke.
Power: 94 mph exit velocity from the tee. Consistently makes hard contact with the baseball; recorded a max exit speed of 97.75 mph with an average of 89.10 mph in BP, per TrackMan.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: 1.97-2.04 pop times. Athletic stance, fluid feet that maintain linear progression towards target, quick exchange, clean release.
Run: 7.16 runner in the 60.

3. Nick Nowak, Waukesha South (WI), 2021; Madison JC
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-10, 160-pounds. Lean and athletic frame. Added room for physical development.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, balanced lower half, high hands, slight bat wrap at load, steady leg lift timing trigger.  Simple swing, quick hands with twitch, short and uphill bat path, middle-in approach. Feel for the barrel, sneaky power from lean strength. Consistently hits in rhythm, fluid right-handed stroke.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Short and loose arm action, over-the-top slot. Quick arm; accurate around the bag.
Defense: 2.02-2.08 pop times. Comfortable stance, athletic hip flip, flexible lower half, feet work in line to target. Clean transfer, quick trigger to release.
Run: 6.90 runner in the 60. Above-average foot speed. 

4. Jack Snyder, Manteno (IL), 2021; McHenry County JC
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-11, 180-pounds. Strong, athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, bat rests vertical pre-load, hands set high, quick leg lift trigger.  Loose hands with twitch, short and uphill path, naturally elevates the baseball, extension through contact. Natural power to the pull-side.
Power: 92 mph exit velocity from the tee. Recorded a max exit speed of 95.75 mph in BP, per TrackMan, with a max FB distance of 359 ft.
Arm: RH. C - 81 mph. Compact arm action, high 3/4 slot. Plus arm strength, throws played true to the bag.
Defense: 1.90-2.01 pop times. Athletic setup, clean hand transfer leads to quick release, athletic feet, works in line to the bag.
Run: 7.17 runner in the 60. 

5. Anthony Vivian, Dodgeville (WI), 2021; Wisconsin-La Crosse
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-11, 195-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, balanced lower half, hands rest high by ear, bat wraps, strides in line.  Strong wrists, natural bat speed and strength, short path with an uphill trajectory, gap-to-gap approach. Flashed pull-side power.
Power: 93 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Compact arm path, over-the-top slot.
Defense: 2.01-2.15 pop times. Balanced stance, feet gain ground and work in line, clean transfer with a quick release.
Run: 6.94 runner in the 60.

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Charlie Bogue, Mount Horeb (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-11, 185-pounds. Sturdy lower half.
Hit: RHH. Quiet setup, narrow base, minimal load, short stride to even.  Short and uphill path, hits inside the baseball, pull-side approach; flashed juice that way.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot; recoil finish.
Defense: 2.04-2.09 pop times. Balanced from the crouch, quick to release, feet shuffle towards the bag.
Run: 7.76 runner in the 60.

Colby Davis, Verona Area (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-0, 190-pounds. Athletic build, strong lower half.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, bat rests vertical, minimal load, quick leg lift timing trigger.  Simple swing, athletic hands, short and level path, pull-side approach. Flashed juice to left field when on time.
Power: 91 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Short arm path, over-the-top slot.
Defense: 2.17-2.20 pop times. Quiet stance, sits back on the baseball, smooth transfer to release, feet work in line.
Run: 7.67 runner in the 60. 

Blaine Guthrie, Baldwin-Woodville (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-0, 190-pounds. Well-proportioned linebacker-esque frame.
Hit: RHH. Active movement in the box, balanced setup, pre-pitch bat waggle, quick toe-tap trigger.  Strong hands with quick twitch, short and level path, gap-to-gap approach. Natural lift to the pull-side, showed feel for the barrel.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Recorded a max exit speed of 93.91 mph in BP, per TrackMan, with a max FB distance of 331 feet.
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. Short arm path, over-the-top slot.
Defense: 2.04-2.12 pop times. Deep stance, sits back into his hips, clean transfer, winds up to release at times.
Run: 7.62 runner in the 60. 

Carson Dubach, Edwardsville (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: 2B
Body: 5-8, 145-pounds. Lean, wiry, high-waisted frame. Projects.
Hit: LHH. Slightly open setup, narrow base, active pre-pitch movement, quick bat tip at load, short stride to even.  Long and uphill path, works under the baseball, pull-side approach. Swings with intent, one-hand finish through contact.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot; quick arm circle.
Defense: 2.06-2.16 pop times. Wide stance, athletic feet, aggressive hand transfer to release, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.26 runner in the 60. 

Keegan Kapocius, Greendale (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 5-11, 200-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Slightly open setup, weight starts with a slight shift onto back leg, quick leg kick trigger, strides to close.  Short and uphill bat path, natural loft through contact, gap-to-gap approach, repeats well.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 66 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot. Some accuracy around the bag.
Defense: 2.26-2.40 pop times. Feet work direct to target, length to release.
Run: 8.28 runner in the 60. 

Jason Van Den Langenberg, Seymour (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-11, 160-pounds. Athletic frame, room for physical development in the lower half.
Hit: RHH. Quiet in the box, slightly open balanced setup, bat rests vertical pre-load, slight bat wrap, steady leg lift timing trigger.  Simple swing, short and level bat path, pull-side tendency, line drive type approach.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Short arm action plays from a tight window and over-the-top slot. Accurate throws around the bag.
Defense: 2.04-.216 pop times. Quiet and comfortable setup, athletic hand transfer, quick to release, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.66 runner in the 60. 

Colten Schillinger, Stratford (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-0, 195-pounds. Athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Open balance setup, long stride. Athletic hands, short bat path, gap-to-gap approach. Knack for the barrel; ball jumps when he's on plane.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Twitchy strength; recorded a max exit velocity of 95.38 mph with an average exit speed of 90.15 mph in BP, per TrackMan.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot, throws play accurate.
Defense: 2.07-2.23 pop times. Fluid feet with an athletic base, smooth transfer, length to release.
Run: 6.88 runner in the 60; hard, athletic gait.

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