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Capital City Open: Catcher Analysis

October 24, 2016

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor - Illinois/Wisconsin

Often times, prospects dwelling south of I-80 can go under the radar for quite some time. After visiting Lincoln-Land CC in Springfield, IL earlier this month, we’ve found several prospects that should be putting their names in the spotlight as they continue their high school career.

Starting our positional analysis with the catchers, in particular Rochester’s Ben Chapman stood out as the top catch and throw prospect at the event. As a junior, his above average arm strength played up, showing carry and pin point accuracy to bases.

Here’s a look at all of the catching prospects in alphabetical order.

Jackson Bland, C/RHP, Pawnee, 2019
6-foot, 185-pound two-way player. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, quick leg lift stride, average balance. Showed bat strength for age, gap to gap contact in BP. 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short, 70 mph out of the crouch. Pop times ranged 2.26-2.33. Ran an 8.53 in the 60. On the mound arm played from a high ¾ slot. Uptempo delivery, occasional cross fire. Fastball sat 75-77 mph, topped at 78 mph. Curveball has some depth, gradual action, 63-65 mph. Changeup played from a slightly lower slot at times, 67-72 mph. Flashed a knuckleball at 62-65 mph.

Ben Chapman, C, Rochester, 2018
6-foot, 180-pound catcher, solid average build. Defensively showed advanced catch and throw skills, arm action is short and over the top, accurate arm to second, carried at 75 mph. Good actions behind the dish, quick clean transfer, hands showed softness. Pop times ranged 2.07-2.15. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, smooth loading action, short stride, good balance. Loose easy swing, fluid hitter, level path that goes gap to gap. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.65 runner in the 60.

Collin Elvers, C, Edwardsville, 2018
Left-handed hitting catcher, 5-foot-10, 180-pounds, solid strong build. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, solid accurate arm that plays. 73 mph out of the crouch. Showed soft hands at times, tends to get fingers down when receiving the baseball. Clean transfers on pop times, 2.16-2.19 pops. Hits from a taller setup, with even base, short stride. Stays upright, path is uphill, flashed shortness to the baseball, lacked extension. Pull side contact, 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.32 runner in the 60.

Chad Haller, C, Springfield, 2019
5-foot-6, 180-pound catcher. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, short stride, can get lower half involved more, solid balance. Showed bat strength, some looseness in hands, above average bat speed for his age. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is firm and underneath the baseball, 60 mph out of the crouch. Pop times ranged 2.51-2.66. 8.29 runner in the 60.

Lucas Ryan, C, Chatham-Glenwood, 2020
5-foot-11, 155-pound left-handed hitting catcher, thin build with some projection. Offensively hits from a tall setup, slightly open, short stride. Hands are loose and creates good bat speed for his age. Path is level, athletic hitter, some lift in his swing. 72 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is long, showed some accuracy, average arm strength for age, 69 mph out of the crouch. Pop times ranged 2.29-2.36.

Kevin Ulrich, C, Roanoke Benson, 2017
6-foot, 200-pound catcher. Right-handed hitter, short stride from a squared setup. Average bat speed, longer path, rotational approach. 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short, high ¾ slot, 69 mph out of the crouch. 2.11-2.18 pop times out of the crouch, exchange worked quickly. 7.48 runner in the 60.

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