Gates
Shoemaker

C/3B, (2021) The Baylor School, TN. 6-foot-2, 205-pound sturdy frame. In the 60-yard dash, his time was 7.57. Starts in a tall balanced stance with a compact controlled load, then uses a small leg kick. Has uphill rotational swing plane, above average bat speed and good extension on his finish. Created loud contact and found multiple barrels. Gap to gap approach. the left-handed hitter had an exit velocity of 82 mph. He recorded a position velocity of 77 mph during throw downs; shows a clean exchange, sure consistent hands and average feet. Some flexibility and wide setup.Behind the plate, produced pop times of 2.01-2.07. Showed a compact arm action and a ¾ slot with decent accuracy to the base. 

Skilled lefty bat who sneaks his way into the top 50 (62 à49, +13). Showed the ability to hit for average and power throughout the summer and continues to make strides behind the dish.  The Baylor product is a left-handed stick to follow in 2020. 

2/3/19 - 60: 7.32, C Velo: 75, Pop Time: 2.03-2.07, Exit Velo: 84

6-1, 200-pound catcher is getting closer to generating exit velocities equivalent to his BP’s and bat speed, posting a 4 mile per hour improvement from last fall.  Medium, athletic frame w/ well-proportioned present strength, some physical projection.  Offensively, hits w/ a very slightly closed, slightly crouched stance w/ short hand rhythm into knee to knee leg kick and proper load.  Quiet head w/ barrel feel.  Ball jumps off the barrel to his pull side w/ easy back-spin.  Chance to be a big-time hitter, hitting for both average and power.  As a receiver, presents a solid target knee high for his pitchers.  Has taken a step forward, setting it early and moving well behind the plate.  Learning to stick the baseball and present it to the umpire.  As a thrower, features solid release and footwork w/ projectable carry to target arm strength.

10/14/18 - Pop Time: 2.00-2.06, Position Velocity:  C-74, Exit Velocity: 76

6-foot-1, 200-pound, LHH reached base in every at bat in game while showing significantly better bat speed than the exit velocity indicates, had a very loud round of BP.  Medium, athletic frame w/ well-proportioned present strength, some physical projection.  Offensively, hits w/ a slightly open, crouched stance w/ short hand rhythm into short shift of weight, short knee to knee leg kick and proper hand load.  Generates above average bat speed through the zone.  Pull oriented approach w/ some natural loft, looking to elevate the baseball.  Patient approach on this day, picked up 2 walks and a hit by pitch to go with a hard single.  Chance for above average pull power.  Defensively, needs to work on presenting a target for his pitchers.  Needs to open up the glove, ends up in the correct position with his glove slightly under the hitters knees, just needs to open it to provide a better visual cue, target gets higher in his action stance.  Big glove rest can take him out of position and create extra movement.  Some stabbiness as a receiver, likely due to the glove rest.  As a thrower, shows high level catch and throw ability w/ developing consistency.  Quick release w/ good footwork, projectable carry to target arm strength.

9/30/18 - Home-1^st: 4.85, Pop Time: 1.88-2.09, Position Velocity:  C-77, Exit Velocity: 80
6-foot-1, 200-pound, LHH shows advanced frame w/ flashes of being a high-level thrower behind the plate.  Medium, athletic frame w/ well-proportioned present strength, some physical projection.  Offensively, hits w/ a straight on, slightly crouched stance w/ short hand rhythm into stride and short hand load.  Generates bat speed through the zone.  Flashes ability to stay through the baseball, keeping hips in line just a little longer will determine ultimate power ceiling.  Repeatable swing w/ still head.  Stood out in BP w/ his bat speed and projectable power.  Projectable all fields power as frame matures.  As a catcher, needs to learn to present a target for his pitchers while opening his glove.  When does set a small target, keeps it high, need to set it below the hitter’s knees.  Developing receiver, learning to beat the ball to the spot.  Stands out as a thrower, featuring projectable carry through target arm strength.  Erratic thrower at this stage of his development, flashes on the bag accuracy.