Prep Baseball Report

Preseason Trials: Catching Analysis


Jordon Banfield
Arizona Scouting Director

The Preseason Trials took place on Wednesday, December 27th at Corona del Sol HS in Tempe. The event featured prospects from the 2019-2021 classes and served as an identifier for future invite-only events such as the upcoming Preseason All-State Games and next summer’s Top Prospect Games and Future Games. This week we continue our positional analysis from the event with the catchers. Complete data, pictures, video and scouting reports from the event are posted to players' profiles. As always contact [email protected] or direct message @PBRArizona on Twitter with any questions and/or information.

2020 Ben Click is our top-rated catcher from the event after putting on easily the best offensive showing for a catcher. As he continues developing arm strength, Click could become a high-level 2020 catching prospect. Switch-hitting 2021 Cole Sheehan is a definite follow as he continues to develop physically and 2019 Jeremey Davidson was the most polished defender in attendance, making consistently accurate throws as low as 2.01. 2020 Jacob Peterman also turned in a solid showing and is one to watch.

Top Catching Prospects

Ben Click C / 3B / Corona del Sol, AZ / 2020

Stocky 5-foot-10, 185-pound frame with thick lower half fits well at the catcher position. Consistently barreled balls out front in his round of BP with a simple swing, using a short hand load and generating very little separation. Power will increase as his swing continues to develop; 83 mph exit velocity. Used a quick transfer and short arm action to turn in a best pop time of 2.08 with 72 mph velocity. 8.01 60-yard dash.

 

Cole Sheehan C / 3B / Mountain Pointe, AZ / 2021

5-foot-10, 150-pound frame. Switch-hitting catcher showed well for freshmen prospect and is a definite follow moving forward. Swing is stronger and more advanced from the right where he does a better job creating separation and was consistently on time. Posted 78 mph exit velocity. Ball tended to get stuck in glove at times on throws to 2B, which explains the wide variance in pop times (2.16-2.31) with 71 mph velo from the crouch. Feet work well; further development and cleaning up his transfer should result in times consistently on the lower end of that range. 7.44 60-yard dash. 

Jeremey Davidson C / RHP / Liberty, AZ / 2019

5-foot-8, 170 pound frame. Davidson was easily the most advanced defensive catcher at the event, showing solid receiving ability with a low setup and quiet hands. Used a quick transfer and good footwork to turn in a best pop time of 2.01 with 74 mph velocity and on-line carry. Offensively, hits from tall, open setup, getting his foot down early and inconsistently incorporating his back side in the swing. Contact oriented approach produced 76 mph exit velocity. Also pitched, showing advanced feel for three-pitch mix with a compact delivery. Did show a tendency for his head to race forward ahead of his body at times. Fastball sat 80-81, topping out at 82, with a 63-66 mph curveball that he varied the shape on and a mostly straight 70-73 mph change. 

Best of the Rest (Alphabetical Order)

Antonio Ficara, Corona del Sol, HS, 2019

John Mettham, Desert Vista HS, 2020

Thomas Napolitano, Chaparral HS, 2020

Jacob Peterman, Desert Mountain HS, 2020