Prep Baseball Report

2016 Recruiting Trail: A Couple Defensive-Minded Catchers and an Offensive-Minded Infielder



By Justin Burgess
Florida Area Scout

This week’s article will feature a couple of catchers and an offensive-minded infielder, all of who are uncommitted. These players caught my eye this past weekend and are legitimate college prospects. All of them can really handle a wood bat and the catchers are advanced behind the plate with the ability to consistently gun down runners. Multiple D2 schools were in attendance watching their games and likely noticed these players.

Christopher Tidwell C/3B, George W. Jenkins HS 2016

Tidwell is 6 feet 165 pounds with a lean, athletic, and projectable body. He has loose actions all over the field, especially behind the plate where he looks very comfortable. He is a soft receiver, has a quick transfer, and plenty of arm catch at the next level. Tidwell also shows a consistent 2.0 pop time. At the plate he is quiet, does not have much of a load, and has a nice swing plane. His short, quick swing allows him to consistently square up good pitching. Defensively, Tidwell looks like a D1 prospect, it will come down to how he hits this summer to see what schools will be interested.

Mark Coleman C/1B, Palm Harbor University HS 2016

Coleman stands at 6-foot-2 195 pounds with a large, strong, and athletic frame. He has a strong arm, receives the ball softly, and has a quick transfer. At the plate he gets a nice separation for his load, has a flat swing, and shows average bat speed. Coleman has a short swing and good hands that allow him to hit with authority to all fields. Mark has the body and actions behind the plate to be a D1 catcher, but, like Tidwell, it will come down to how has bat plays this summer.

Ja’Kobi Dasher 3B/1B, Palatka HS 2016

Dasher is 5-foot-11 195 pounds with a strong, stalky, and athletic body. He was the DH in the game I saw him but looked like he has an advanced approach at the plate. Has a nice base and stays fairly quiet which allows him to maintain great balance. His hands start off somewhat high but come down with his load. He has very good bat speed and a nice swing plane. The ball jumps off his bat. He also possesses light, athletic feet that probably suit him well for third base. Dasher has the physical presence and bat of a D1 prospect, but he will be more of an asset as a third baseman rather than a first baseman. I have not seen him field and that will play a big role in what schools recruit him.

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