Winter Watchlist: Uncommitted 2022 Catchers

Charlie Jarvis C / OF / Catholic Memorial, WI / 2022

Represented Team Wisconsin at the PBR Future Games; scouting report from the Badger State Battle (7/2/20): 6-foot-1, 195 pounds; prototypical catcher’s build with athleticism and strength in build. He’s one of the top catchers in the state’s incoming junior class, especially defensively, with easy athleticism behind the plate that translate to his range on blocks and his pops from the crouch. Carry arm strength that plays up in-game with his accuracy. His mobility, flexibility, and situational awareness also contribute to his high-profile status defensively. Jarvis has also been improving offensively; a right-handed hitter with a short, level bat path with bat speed that produces some hard-hit contact into both gaps. He’s also a good runner, especially for his size and position; both allow him to play a passable left field, though his value is obviously tied to his glove and action behind the plate.

Will Johannes C / Mukwonago, WI / 2022

Represented Team Wisconsin at the PBR Future Games; scouting report from the Badger State Battle (7/2/20): 6-foot-2, 185-pound right-handed-hitting catcher. Strong, athletic frame with more room to add muscle. Ideal frame for a modern-day backstop. Balanced setup, slight hand hitch at load, short stride to even. Present bat speed, uphill bat path, elevates the baseball, gap-to-gap approach at the plate. Advanced raw power for age. Quality defender behind the dish. Soft hands receive the ball well with advanced arm strength. Recorded 2.18-2.22 pop times in game. Threw a handful of runners out this weekend, including a back pick to first base on Saturday afternoon. A major arrow-up prospect in this class.

(8/2/20)

Heath Venne C / OF / Muskego, WI / 2022

Scouting report from All-State Games (6/30/20): 

Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-0, 190-pounds. Strong compact build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup towards the front of the box, slightly crouched with short stride. Stays connected and maintains strong balance. Simple short powerful swing, strong hands create bat speed on level path with extension. Ball jumps off the bat at times, hard middle of the field contact.
Power: 96 mph exit velocity from the tee. Power potential bat.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Short firm arm action, over the top slot.
Defense: 2.04-2.17 pop times. Firm actions, feet work slightly across body, hand exchange is quick.
Run: 7.30 runner in the 60.

(6/30/20)

Reece Stangel C / Roncalli, WI / 2022

Scouting report from Southern Wisconsin Open (10/17/20): 

Positional Profile: C; A rising junior who put together a strong fall.
Body: 6-1, 180-pounds. Tall, physical stature; proportional strength.
Hit: RH. Athletic, balanced setup; fluid load, short stride, soft landing. Short, simple bat path to the zone; aggressive swings, extension through impact. Fast hands, bat, loose barrels. Up-the-middle approach with barrel feel.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Hard, repeated line-drives at an average exit speed of 85.1 mph during batting practice.
Arm: RH. C - 81 mph. Loose, over-the-top arm action; throws carry, with accuracy.
Defense: 2.04-2.15 pop times. Efficient exchanges; simple and direct to target. Overall athleticism behind the plate, sure hands, fluid actions.
Run: 7.62 runner in the 60.

(10/17/20)

Alec Campbell C / 1B / Milton, WI / 2022

Scouting report from All-State Games (6/30/20): 

Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-2, 182-pounds. Large frame, projectable.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, no stride, heel lift load, minimal load action, maintains strong balance. Short level path, line drive contact, strong hands and ability to backspin the baseball.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Short over the top slot, played accurate at times.
Defense: 2.20-2.25 pop times. Tall setup, gets tall out of the crouch, solid blocking skills.
Run: 7.54 runner in the 60.

(6/30/20)

Cade Milton C / Notre Dame Academy, WI / 2022

Scouting report from Underclass Trials (6/24/20): 

Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-11, 170-pounds. Proportional strength in athletic frame.
Hit: RH. Balanced setup, calm approach, hands set low, slightly open. Arm bars back in load as foot strides forward and even. Simple, level approach makes for some consistent line-drive contact. Long path through contact with loose hands, some bat speed.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Short, loose throws from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.13-2.25 pop times. Athletic receiver, does well to get throws off quickly all around the plate. Ranges well on blocks, stifles the ball in front. Natural catcher actions.
Run: 7.27 runner in the 60. Athletic gait.

(6/24/20)