The inaugural Chicago Preseason I.D. was held on Feb. 23 at the Pullman Community Center in Chicago, IL. The event saw 80+ players from the greater Chicagoland area ranging from all HS classes, 19' to 22'.

Shortly following the event we shared an instant analysis from the showcase with our Quick Hits and Stat Story. Today we begin the positional breakdown with a look at the catchers in attendance.

Recent Xavier commit, Emmanuel Scott (St. Ignatius), once again proved he is one of the top 2021 prospects in the state and led the list of catchers from the day. Scott is a high-ceiling right-handed hitter, who is natural behind the plate with a quick athletic release.

Fellow 2021 Justin Cappis (Nile North) came in right behind Scott. Cappis has a loose left-handed swing with power potential. Unsigned senior Jaime Sanchez, also a Niles North product, rounds out the Top-3 from the event.

To see how the top-three list played out along with analysis on all other backstops at the event in Chicago, continue on below.

TOP CATCHING PROSPECTS

1. Emmanuel Scott, St. Ignatius, 2021
Xavier commit.
Positional Profile: C One of the top 2021 catchers in the state.
Body: 6-foot, 165-pounds. Athletically-built, high-waisted, plenty of room for continued physical development.
Defense: 1.94-2.06 pop times. Natural catcher actions, soft confident hands, quick feet, clean and directional out of the crouch, Soft blocker, agile.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Short, loose arm action, over-the-top slot; true ball, consistently around the bag.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, smooth load, hands get separation and short stride. Swings with intent, fast bat, long through the zone and consistent hard gap-to-gap contact.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.07 runner in the 60. Clean, straight-line runner; advanced runner for age and position.

2. Justin Cappis, Niles North, 2021
Positional Profile: C Follow 2021 left-handed bat.
Body: 5-foot-11, 175-pounds. Thick, strong build, strength in lower half.
Defense: 2.07-2.20 pop times. Replaces feet on transfer, clean out of the chute.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Easy arm, works short and from an over-the-top slot.
Hit: LHH. Relaxed, open, tall setup, smooth load, leg-lift stride. Easy, controlled swing, fluid rhythm, loose hands, present bat speed and natural lift in swing.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Flashes easy pull-side power.
Run: 7.94 runner in the 60.

3. Jaime Sanchez, Niles North, 2019
Positional Profile: C One of the top unsigned senior catchers in the state.
Body: 5-foot-10, 200-pounds. Strong, durable build; thick lower half
Defense: 1.90-2.04 pop times. Natural catcher actions, athletic out of the crouch, quick release, advanced block.
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph. Efficient, short, over-the-top.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, closed setup, short stride. Fast bat, short, uphill bat path, consistent hard contact.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Present bat strength.
Run: 7.84 runner in the 60.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Joseph Cousineau, Nazareth, 2021
Positional Profile: C 
Body: 5-foot-6, 170-pounds. Compact frame.
Defense: 2.18-2.35 pop times. Steady hands, quick and clean out of the crouch.
Arm: RH. C - 68 mph. Short, over-the-top arm action.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, short leg-kick trigger. Long path, works uphill through the zone and gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 71 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 8.29 runner in the 60.

Charles Gannon, Dekalb, 2020
Positional Profile: C 
Body: 6-foot, 155-pounds. Long-limbed, projectable build.
Defense: 2.20-2.37 pop times.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Short and loose from a high 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, smooth load, leg-lift timing trigger, hands separate. Long, uphill bat path, works gap-to-gap.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.16 runner in the 60. Above-average runner for position.

Jorge Garcia, Chicago Bulls College Prep, 2021
Positional Profile: C 
Body: 5-foot-9, 145-pounds. Smaller, well-proportioned.
Defense: 2.18-2.36 pop times. Clean and quick out of the crouch. Advanced block.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. Short and loose from an over-the-top slot.
Hit: RHH. Athletic setup, smooth load, leg-kick timing trigger. Short path, opposite field, line-drive approach.
Power: 79 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 8.07 runner in the 60.

Jack Gilbert, Mount Carmel, 2020
Positional Profile: C 
Body: 6-foot-3, 190-pounds. Highly-athletic build with plenty of room for continued physical development.
Defense: 2.10-2.22 pop times. Reliable hands, gains ground out of the crouch, soft confident block.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, slightly closed stance, long stride. Loose hands, long bat path and pull approach.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.62 runner in the 60. Clean, straight-line runner.

Adam Graham, Hanover Central (IN), 2021
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-foot-11, 190-pounds. Durable, strong frame, present physicality.
Defense: 2.30-2.44 pop times. Reliable hands on the infield. Behind the plate, clean release from the crouch, occasionally gets tall through exchange.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. INF - 80 mph. Long, high 3/4 arm action from both positions.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, minimal loading action and leg-kick timing trigger. Aggressive swing, quick hands, strong wrists, present bat speed and works gap-to-gap
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.26 runner in the 60. Above-average runner for a catcher.

Parker Jacobson, Grand Haven (MI), 2021
Positional Profile: C 
Body: 6-foot-3, 203-pounds. Advanced frame; strong, well-proportioned build.
Defense: 2.28-2.41 pop times. Receptive hands.
Arm: RH. C - 67 mph. Short arm action from a high 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Balanced quiet setup, pre-pitch rhythm and short stride. Loose hands, easy effort, long bat path and gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ball jumps off the barrel at times.
Run: 8.66 runner in the 60.

Garrett Powell, Kenwood, 2020
Positional Profile: C 
Body: 5-foot-10, 190-pounds. Barrel-chested, strong build.
Defense: 2.19-2.32 pop times. Soft hands, agile blocker.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Short and firm from an over-the-top slot.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, minimal load and short stride. Compact swing, short path, pull approach.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Flashed bat strength
Run: 7.64 runner in the 60.

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