Prep Baseball Report

Class of 2019 Showcase: Catcher Analysis


By Illinois Scouting Staff

The Class of 2019 Showcase took place on Sunday, October 15 at the MAX in McCook, IL. This event featured over 90 prospects from the Class of 2019. Shortly following the event we rolled out the full Statistical Analysis and Quick Hits from the event.

Today we begin the positional analysis, taking a look at the catchers from the event. 

Top Catching Prospects

1. Alec Bolanowski, C, Crystal Lake Central, 2019
5-foot-11, 177-pound catcher, lean athletic frame. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, loads hands back, solid balance. Projects well with the bat, loose strong hands, worked the middle of the field. Hits in rhythm, level path with extension. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed arm strength, 76 mph out of the crouch, short ¾ slot. 2.19-2.29 pop times. 7.47 runner in the 60.

2. Zachary Rocke-White, C, Richwoods, 2019
5-foot-10, 180-pound catcher, strong physical build. Right-handed hitter, open stance, narrow setup, leg kick trigger. Strong hands and swing, path is short and level through contact, flashed pull side pop. 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short, over the top slot, advanced arm strength for his age 79 mph out of the crouch, carried to target. 2.17-2.30 pop times. Ran the 60 at 7.25.

3. Lucas Danielewicz, C, Deerfield, 2019
5-foot-10, 175-pound catcher, stocky, solidly built frame. Right-handed hitter, slightly open stance, short stride and maintains balance. Loose swing, flashes quick twitch, lot of hard contact off the bat. Bat speed present, 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played short and over the top, 70 mph out of the crouch. Athletic defender, plays with bounce, soft hands receiving the baseball. 2.26-2.40 pop times. 7.33 runner in the 60.  

4. Logan Riley, C/INF, Sycamore, 2019
5-foot-10, 165-pound catcher/infielder, average build. Arm plays short and over the top with quick release out of the crouch, 75 mph out of the crouch, 78 mph across the diamond. 2.11-2.18 pop times. Projects best behind the dish. Right-handed hitter, open setup, long stride. Loose levers, showed bat speed, 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.50 runner in the 60.

5. Spencer Testa, C, Glenbrook North, 2019
5-foot-6, 140-pound catcher, compact build. Active receiver, moves well with quick twitch out of the crouch, active and energetic in bullpens. 2.26-2.33 pop times. Arm plays short and over the top, 74 mph arm out of the crouch. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride. Gap to gap approach. 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.64 runner in the 60.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Brendan Conroy, C, Neuqua Valley, 2019
6-foot-1, 150-pound switch-hitting catcher, lean slender build. Hits from a balanced stance, with short stride from both sides of the plate. Showed loose hands, longer path, more natural from the right side. 79 mph exit velocity right-handed, 81 mph exit velocity left-handed. Defensively arm played at 68 mph, short high ¾ slot. 2.25-2.28 pop times. 7.57 runner in the 60.

Brandon Gonzales, C, Glenbard North, 2019
6-foot, 215-pound catcher. Right-handed hitter, open stance, leg kick trigger, average balance. Long path with some effort, uphill plane, 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short, ¾ slot, 67 mph out of the crouch. 2.51-2.63 pop times. 8.82 runner in the 60.

Sam LaBarbera, C, Metea Valley, 2019
5-foot-11, 155-pound catcher, lanky frame. Left-handed hitter, open stance, toe tap stride, slight arm bar load, good balance. Easy swing, long weeping path, uphill plane. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Pop times ranged 2.19-2.26. Arm action is short from a high ¾ slot, 73 mph out of the crouch. 7.75 runner in the 60.

Gabe McCall, C/1B, Maine South, 2019
5-foot-10, 170-pound catcher/first baseman. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, slight reverse lift. Path has length, works uphill. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Arm plays short and over the top, 74 mph out of the crouch, 72 mph from first base. 2.16-2.32 pop times. Hands worked, feet get flat at times. 7.69 runner in the 60.

Jonathan Mroz, C, Hampshire, 2019
6-foot, 195-pound catcher. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, slightly open stance, smooth loading action with short stride. Path is short and worked uphill, 86 mph exit velocity from the tee, bat strength present. 2.51-2.64 pop times, got tall out of the chute. Arm played over the top, 67 mph out of the crouch.

John Pappas, C/OF, Lincoln-Way East, 2019
5-foot-4, 150-pound catcher, strong stocky build. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, slightly closed, short stride. Path is level, minimal effort, 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played long, 69 mph from the outfield, 67 mph out of the crouch. 2.84-2.94 pop times. Ran the 60 at 7.91.

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