Underclass Trials: Catcher Analysis
August 20, 2018
Kicking off our position-by-position breakdown of June’s Underclass Trials at The Rock Complex in Franklin, Wis., we’ll examine the day’s group of catchers. This mix of 2020s, 2021s, and even a couple 2022s showed very well in late June, but none made a more impactful impression than Burlington’s Christian Brenner (2020).
The Burlington backstop exudes confidence as a receiver behind the dish and has the catch-and-throw skills to cut it at the next level. His bat, though, is what separates him. From the left side, he’s got a short, sweet swing that, in combination with his traits as a defender, gives him a high ceiling.
As far as the group of incoming sophomores in attendance, two stood out physically: Anthony Vivian (Dodgeville) and Josh Caron (Sun Prairie). Both have advanced strength for their ages and it shows in the box. Behind the plate, Caron moves athletically paired with an arm that actually touched 80 mph on the mound. Vivian has the frame that should hold up well back there too.
For the rest of this week, we’ll be dissecting the Underclass Trials, and the infielders are on deck for tomorrow. To read reports on each of the catching prospects in attendance, continue on below.
Top Prospects
1. Christian Brenner, C, Burlington, 2020
6-foot-1, 185-pound left-handed hitting catcher, athletic strength. Hits from an open stance, loads hands back into short stride, lower half works and maintains balance. Loose hands, creates level bat path, above average bat speed. 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short, high ¾ slot, accurate to target, flashed carry, 71 mph out of the crouch. Above average actions, agile blocker, hands are soft, works to present pitches. 2.12-2.19 pop times. Ran the 60 at 7.62.
2. Anthony Vivian, C/INF, Dodgeville, 2021
5-foot-11, 190-pound catcher, advanced physical build, carries loose strength. Right-handed hitter, open stance, leg lift stride. Quick bat with strength, jumps of bat at times, path is short and strong, slight pull side approach. 93 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, 72 mph out of the crouch, 78 mph across the diamond. Showed best at catcher, durable build, strong block, efficient footwork. 2.16-2.25 pop times. Ran the 60 at 7.25.
3. Josh Caron, C/RHP, Sun Prairie, 2021
5-foot-10, 170-pound two-way player, strong loose build, projects best behind the plate. Right-handed hitter, open stance, loads hands back with slight bat wrap, long leg kick trigger. Aggressive hitter, attacks the baseball, hard contact with bat speed, path is level and loose, occasional pull side approach. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, loose arm, flashed carry, 72 mph. Strong block, hands are soft, feet work fluid to target. 2.11-2.22 pop times. On the mound arm is short and over the top. Fastball is straight, 76-78 mph, topped at 80 mph. Curveball has depth on 12/6 plane, 58-61 mph. Changeup is straight, gets underneath at times, occasional fade, 65-66 mph.
4. Kyle Murphy, C, Madison Memorial, 2020
5-foot-10, 185-pound catcher, strong build. Right-handed hitter with bat strength, balanced setup, short stride, lower half works. Path is short and quick, generates bat speed. Gap to gap contact, jumped off the bat at times, 76 mph exit velocity from the tee. 70 mph arm out of the crouch, action is short and over the top, side saddle setup, sits tall, exchange is quick, 2.10-2.25 pop times. 7.50 runner in the 60.
5. Kellan Short, C/INF/RHP, Catholic Memorial, 2021
5-foot-8, 150-pound C/RHP, wide shouldered, carries some strength for age. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, short lifted stride. Line drive approach, level path, 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm is short and over the top, accurate arm, 72 mph out of the crouch, 78 mph across the diamond. Showed playable hands at both positions, funnels to release on the infield, works to play through the baseball. Pop times ranged 2.16-2.19. 7.80 runner in the 60. On the mound, arm worked similar. Fastball is mostly straight, worked down, 74-77 mph. Curveball has depth, 12/6 action, 61-64 mph. Changeup sinks, 64-65 mph.
Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)
Justin Bausch, C, La Crosse Aquinas, 2020
5-foot-10, 160-pound catcher. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, loads hands back into slight arm bar, short stride, solid balance. Simple approach, worked to all fields, path is level. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. 2.40-2.58 pop times. Arm action is long and low out of the crouch, 69 mph. Footwork gets long out of the chute, side setup. 8.21 runner in the 60.
Matt Dworsky, C, Deerfield (IL), 2022
5-foot-8, 170-pound catcher. Right-handed hitter, tall open setup, stride varies between toe tap and long stride. Repeats line drive contact with level path, average bat speed. 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is long, 61 mph out of the crouch. Exchange has some length, 2.37-2.50. 8.81 runner in the 60.
Sam Holling, C, Waukesha West, 2021
5-foot-10, 145-pound catcher, lean frame. Right-handed hitter, open stance, leg kick trigger, average balance. Path is level and firm, 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 70 mph out of the crouch. 2.18-2.26. Feet showed bounce out of the crouch, quick exchange, commands the infield on bunt play. 7.91 runner in the 60.
Quentin Jehn, C, Waterford Union, 2020
5-foot-7, 140-pound catcher. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, loads hands back. Simple, mechanically inclined approach, short path occasional line drive contact to all fields. 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm worked short and over the top, occasionally accurate, 70 mph out of the crouch. 2.26-2.33 pop times. On the infield arm played at 68 mph across, feet play to a spot, sits on his fielding position, two-piece through the baseball. 7.45 runner in the 60.
Brady Katterhagen, C/INF, Union Grove, 2021
5-foot-9, 155-pound left-handed hitting catcher/infielder. Hits from a balanced stance, short leg lift stride, good balance. Middle of the field, line drive approach. Repeats level bat path, hands work loose. 76 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, 70 mph out of the crouch, 71 mph across the diamond. 8.75 runner in the 60. Pop times posted at 2.32-2.36.
Mason Krznarich, C/1B, Arrowhead, 2022
5-foot-8, 145-pound left-handed hitting C/1B. At the plate hits from a balanced setup, smooth loading action, slight leg lift stride. Path has length, slight collapse with uphill path. Pull lift approach, above average bat speed at age. 74 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays long from a high ¾ slot, 70 out of the crouch, 68 mph across the diamond. Pop times ranged 2.36-2.51. 8.55 runner in the 60.
Anthony Tomczak, C, Muskego, 2021
5-foot-10, 165-pound catcher, lean strength. Right-handed hitter, open stance, loads hands back, short stride. Bat strength present, hard contact at times, slight uphill path, eyes vertical at contact. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Pop times ranged 2.35-2.42. Arm played at 64 mph, short arm action. 7.78 runner in the 60.