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Gurnee Preseason I.D. Showcase: Catching Analysis

March 16, 2015

Ryan Quigley
Illinois Scouting Director

The Prep Baseball Report’s Gurnee Preseason I.D. Showcase took place on Sunday February 22nd at Bat Speed Academy in Gurnee, IL. The showcase featured 105 prospects from the 2015-2018 classes who showcased their talents in front of our scouting staff.

CLICK HERE to view the Top Statistical Performers

CLICK HERE to view the Top Tools Breakdown

Over the next several days we will breakdown the top prospects from the event by position, culminating in the Top Overall Prospects. Today, we’ll take a look at the catchers, highlighted by New Trier sophomore Max Rosenthal. Rosenthal posted 85 mph exit velocity, and impresses with his power potential at the plate. He also posted the lowest pop time of the event at 1.92 seconds.

Libertyville’s Jackson Petersen is another underclass catcher that has stood out at several events. Peterson impressed with a fluid left-handed swing (83 mph exit velocity) and posted some of the most consistent pop times of the event at 2.03-2.11. He also displaying one of the more accurate arms at the event.

Switch-hitting 2018 graduate Anthony Calarco will give New Trier another option behind the plate in the upcoming years and he impresses with his versatility. He displays arm strength behind the dish and on the mound, while showing legitimate switch-hitting ability with low-80’s exit velocity from both sides of the plate.

Let’s take a look at the top overall catching prospects from the Gurnee Preseason I.D.

Top Overall Catching Prospects

1.Max Rosenthal, C, New Trier, 2017
6-foot-3, 215-pound, left-handed hitting catcher with a strong build. In the field has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Some accuracy with carry on throws. Athletic fielder with average hands, and a clean exchange. Popped 1.92-2.09 and threw 82 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from a wide base with an athletic setup. Minimal load with a heel lift stride and an explosive lower half. Power hitter who sprays line drives gap to gap. Short, uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first in 4.32.

2. Jackson Petersen, C, Libertyville, 2017
6-foot, 185-pound, left-handed hitting catcher. In the field has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Accurate throws with carry. Quick release with fluid footwork. Popped 2.03-2.11 and showed good arm strength throwing 75 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from a tall, open setup, hands start low and rise on load. Line drive, gap to gap hitter with a long, uphill swing path, and fluid rhythm. Creates whip, strong thru contact with 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.43.

3. Anthony Calarco, C/RHP, New Trier, 2018
6-foot-2, 175-pound, switch-hitting multi-positional player with a lanky, athletic build. Behind the plate has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Accurate throws with carry. Soft hands, with quick, fluid footwork. Popped 2.11-2.18 and threw 75 mph from the crouch. In the field has a long, loose arm action from a ¾ arm slot. Threw 82 mph across the infield. From the right side hits from a wide base with a linear lower half. Long swing path with extension and whip. Showed more pop from the right side. From the left side hits from a wide base with a heel lift stride. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee right-handed and 83 mph exit velocity from a tee left-handed. Home to first at 4.68. Showed projection on the mound working from a ¾ arm angle with a long, loose arm action, with a slight wrap. Slight drift to the plate with some rhythm and a closed landing. Fastball missed armside high showing armside run sitting 79-82 mph. Curveball showed 11-5 shape at 60-63 mph. Changeup sat 70-73. High level prospect.

4. Will Pudik, C, Peoria Notre Dame, 2018
5-foot-11, 180-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. In the field has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Accurate throws with carry, and soft hands. Popped 2.04-2.11 and threw 73 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a high hand set, and a smooth load. Short stride with average balance. Short, level swing path with fluid rhythm. Gap to gap, line drive hitter. 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.29. Will continue to improve with strength.

5. Nathaniel Segura, C, St. Patrick, 2016
5-foot-9, 200-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. In the field has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Accurate throws with fluid footwork and a clean exchange. High set up receiving. Popped 2.04-2.14 and threw 71 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from an open spread out, knee to knee stance. Line drive, gap to gap hitter with short, uphill swing path. Fluid rhythm with a fast bat. Showed strength thru contact with 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.76.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Bill Blank, C, Cary Grove, 2018
6-foot, 180-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. In the field long arm action from a high ¾ arm slot, with some flexibility in the lower half. Popped 2.26-2.33 and threw 65 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from a balanced, knee to knee setup. Short stride with average balance. Average bat speed with a long swing path and extension. Will continue to improve with more lower half involvement in swing. 73 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first in 4.97.

Collin Brown, C, Bremen, 2018
5-foot-9, 170-pound, right-handed hitting catcher with a strong build. Behind the plate has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Good arm strength with some carry on throws. Raises out of crouch early to receive in drills. Popped 2.10-2.12 and threw 71 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from a balanced stance with a short stride and linear lower half. Pull hitter with a fast bat. 80 mph exit velocity form a tee. Home to first at 4.25.  

Sam DeLuca, SS/C, Warren, 2018
5-foot-6, 135-pound, left-handed hitting SS/C. Behind the plate has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Popped 2.29-2.35 and threw 68 mph from the crouch. In the infield has a short arm action from a low ¾ arm slot. Some accuracy on throws with soft hands and slower actions. Threw 68 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a Balanced setup with a smooth load and short stride. Loose athletic swing with good balance and an uphill swing path. 75 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.18. Will continue to improve with maturity.

Christian Dutler, C, Stevenson, 2016
5-foot-11, 175-pound, left-handed hitting catcher with a lanky build. In the field has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Some accuracy with average arm strength and hands. Showed flexibility in the lower half and solid receiving skills in pens. Popped 2.09-2.18 and threw 69 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from a balanced stance with a smooth load and a short stride. Fast bat with a short level swing and extension. 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 5.01.

Alex Gamache, C, Lake Forest Academy, 2017
5-foot-9, 182-pound, right-handed hitting catcher with a strong build. In the field has a short arm action from a ¾ arm slot. Sets up facing first in drills, raises up early receiving. Popped 2.12-2.35 and threw 64 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from a closed stance with a leg kick stride and average balance. Power hitter who looks to pull with a fast bat. Long swing path with extension and a good approach. Showed strength thru contact with 93 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.69.

JR Johnson, C/3B, Antioch, 2018
 5-foot-9, right-handed hitting C/3B. Behind the plate has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Average hands, sets up to first base receiving in drills. Popped 2.32-2.44 and threw 65 mph from the crouch. In the infield has a loose arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Shuffle and throw with slower actions and ok footwork. At the plate hits from a tall, balanced setup. Short stride with a long, uphill swing path. 73 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.40.

Jeff Korus, C/RHP, Barrington, 2017
5-foot-10, 175-pound, right-handed hitting C/RHP with a strong frame. In the field has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Some accuracy with life on throws. Popped 2.00-2.08 and threw 76 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from an open spread out stance. Short load with good balance and a fast bat. Opposite field hitter with a level swing plane. 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.33. On the mound works form a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Short leg lift with toe up at balance. Level shoulders with an online delivery. Fastball showed slight run sitting 76-77 topping out at 78 mph. Curveball sat 61-63 mph. Slowed arm on changeup at 59-62 mph.

Jake Motley, C/RHP, Wauconda, 2018
5-foot-10, 152-pound, right-handed hitting C/RHP with a lanky build. In the field has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Gains ground towards second and a quick release. Popped 2.18-2.26 and threw 67 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from a wide base, arm bar on load, with a short stride. Long level swing path. 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.53. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle. Tall and fall online, slow paced delivery. Threw fastball for strikes at 71-73 topping out at 74 mph. Curveball with slurve shape sat 64-67 mph. Changeup showed sink at 65 mph. Will continue to improve with maturity.

Gabriel Panza, C, Oswego, 2017
5-foot-8, 175-pound, right-handed hitting catcher with a strong build. Behind the plate has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Quick foot work with a clean exchange. Raises up early receiving in drills. Popped 2.12-2.19 and threw 70 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from an open stance with a toe tap stride and good balance. Pull hitter with a short swing path, short finish, and a fast bat. 76 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.45.  

Victor Perez, C, Warren, 2017
5-foot-8, 160-pound, right-handed hitting catcher with a projectable frame. In the field has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Good actions with a clean exchange. Popped 2.33-2.37 and threw 67 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from an open stance with a short stride and average balance. Loose swing with some whip. 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.58.

Cam Redding, C/OF, New Trier, 2018
5-foot-10, 160-pound, right-handed hitting C/OF with an athletic build. Behind the plate has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Raises out of crouch early to receive throws. Popped 2.19-2.37 and threw 68 mph from the crouch. In the outfield has a loose arm action with a quick exchange. Threw 71 mph from the outfield. At the plate has a loose, athletic swing. Tall balanced setup with hands close to the body. Short stride with good balance and a fast bat. Confident approach, gap to gap hitter who looks to pull occasionally. Uphill swing path with good extension and fluid rhythm. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.88. Will continue to improve with maturity.

Justin Ruehl, C/RHP, Notre Dame College, 2018
5-foot-9, 160-pound, right-handed hitting C/RHP. Behind the plate has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Popped 2.26-2.43 and threw 70 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from a tall, open stance, with a short stride and average balance. Long swing path with average bat speed. 70 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.82. On the mound Works from a ¾ to high ¾ arm angle with a long, loose arm action and regular effort. Tall and fall, online delivery with a closed landing. Fastball showed some run at 77-79 mph. Curveball with sweeping action at 65 mph. Changeup with cutting action at 69-71 mph.

Jack Swain, C, Metamora, 2017
5-foot-11, 200-pound, left-handed hitting catcher. In the field has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Slower actions, receives tall. Popped 2.37-2.46 and threw 66 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from a tall, balanced setup with a high back elbow. Long stride with a long, uphill swing path. 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.90.

Ethan Unger, C, Grant, 2016
6-foot-1, 160-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. In the field has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Online throws with average arm strength and a swing transfer. Popped 2.11-2.20 and threw 69 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from a tall, balanced setup. Long stride with a linear lower half. Average bat speed with extension and early rhythm. 76 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first at 4.81.

Jake VanGilder, C, Oswego, 2017
6-foot, 205-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. In the field has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Popped 2.35-2.43 and threw 65 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from a tall balanced setup with a short stride. Pull hitter with good extension. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Home to first in 4.94.

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