Prep Baseball Report

Chicagoland Open: Catcher Analysis


By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

On Sunday, August 26th, Triton JC played host to the annual Chicagoland Open. The Chicagoland Open was the final summer Showcase of 2018 and has a rich history of unveiling top prospects from around the state. This year’s event was no different, as a number of players emerged as high-follows in their respective classes.

After previously publishing our Statistical Analysis and Quick Hits from the showcase, we begin our position-by-position roll-out of the event with a look at the catcher’s 

One of the top defensive catcher’s was LHH unsigned senior Evan Orzech. Orzech was quick out of the crouch, has a short loose arm action, registered pop times of 2.01-2.10 and was 75 mph from the crouch.

Another unsigned senior catcher to keep an eye on is Jake Bergquist. Bergquist made hard contact to the pull-side in his round of BP, was 77 mph from the crouch and registered a low pop time of 2.05.

Below is a look at all of the catcher’s from the Chicagoland Open (listed alphabetically):

Catching Prospects

David Andolina, RHP/C, Oak Park-River Forest, 2022
5-foot-10, 170-pound, strong, well-proportioned, two-way prospect. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, methodical, repeatable, drop and drive delivery, rides his front hip down the mound. Delivery works on-line, lands square and regular effort throughout. Long, loose arm action, out of a ¾ window. Fastball, slight arm-side-run action, thrown for strikes, sat 77-78 mph, touched 80. Curveball, 11/5 shape, tight spin at times, 66-67 mph. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, arm-side-run and fade action, feel, 71-74 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, short stride, long, uphill bat path; 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, open setup behind the plate, long arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate throws, topped at 73 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.29-2.36. Ran the 60 in 8.45.

Jake Bergquist, C, Tinley Park, 2019
6-foot, 180-pound, strong, well-proportioned, right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, pre-pitch movement, balanced setup and leg-kick trigger. Aggressive swing, present bat speed, level bat path, pull approach and strength through contact. 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, clean out of the crouch, short arm action, ¾ slot, accurate throws, topped at 77 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.05-2.15. Ran a 7.44 laser-timed 60.  

Jose De Hoyos, C, Andrean (IN), 2019
5-foot-10, 185-pound, right-handed hitting catcher, solid lower half. At the plate, balanced, slightly open setup, leg-kick trigger. Uphill bat path, looks to pull the baseball and registered an 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, sits low in the crouch, sure hands, clean release. Arm works short and out of a high ¾ window. Topped at 70 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.14-2.27. Ran a 7.78 laser-timed 60.

William Higgins, C, Lincoln-Way Central, 2020
5-foot-11, 165-pound, athletically-built, right-handed hitting catcher. At the plate, balanced, tall, quiet setup, smooth load, toe-tap stride, fluid rhythm and maintains balance throughout. Simple swing, short bat path, occasional lift and line-drive approach; 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, flexible hips in the crouch, quiet receiver, soft, sure hands, strong wrists, sticks and presents pitches well. Directional out of the crouch, gains ground, short arm action, over-the-top slot and throws clocked at 74 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.10-2.20. 7.47 runner in the 60, laser-timed.  

Evan Orzech, C, Homeschool, 2019
6-foot, 160-pound, left-handed hitting catcher, lean, projectable build. Defensively, soft, receptive hands, quick feet out of the crouch, early at times, clean, fluid transfer and actions. Short, loose arm action, ¾ slot, throws consistently around the second base bag. Throws topped at 75 mph from the crouch and pop times ranged between 2.01-2.10. Ran a 7.28 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced, closed setup, drops during load and short stride. Short, level bat path, line-drive approach and 85 mph exit velocity from a tee.

Josh Reifsteck, C, Yorkville, 2019
5-foot-10, 160-pound, wiry, right-handed hitting catcher. At the plate, quiet closed setup, minimal pre-pitch load and short stride. Short to the ball, handsy swing, level through the zone, line-drive, opposite field approach; 76 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, clean out of the crouch, works on-line, long arm action, over-the-top slot. Throws were around the bag at second base, topped at 71 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.22-2.29. 8.05 runner in the 60.  

Jose Troche, C, Lincoln Park, 2020
5-foot-11, 205-pound, thick, right-handed hitting catcher. At the plate, narrow, closed setup, quiet load and short stride. Long, uphill bat path and 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, short arm action from a high ¾ slot and throws topped at 63 mph from a crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.50-2.60. Ran an 8.54 60.

Noah Wenberg, C, Stillman Valley, 2019
5-foot-9, 140-pound, lean, right-handed hitting catcher. 7.24 runner in the 60, laser-timed. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth load and leg-kick timing trigger. Long bat path, pull approach and registered a 75 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, directional out of the crouch, fundamentally sound blocker. Short arm action, over-the-top slot, throws topped at 73 mph out of the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.09-2.19.

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