On Sunday, February 23, the PBR Illinois team hosted its first-ever Libertyville Preseason I.D. showcase at the Libertyville Sports Complex where over 70 prospects participated in this open event. 

Shortly after the event’s conclusion we posted an early analysis of the event with our Quick Hits and Statistical Analysis pieces. We’ll jumpstart our position-by-position breakdown today by taking a dive into the catchers. 

When it comes to ranking the catchers, Brandon Hanley (Huntley, 2022), took home the top spot. Hanley stood out defensively with his natural catcher actions, clean repeatable transfers, accurate arm and quiet receiving abilities.

Behind Hanley was a freshman with upside; Daniel Connelly (Mundelein, 2023). Connelly showed athletic actions and an aggressive right-handed swing. 

Read on below for reports on all of the catchers from this event. 

TOP CATCHING PROSPECTS

1. Brandon Hanley, Huntley (IL), 2022
 Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-foot, 170-pounds. Well-proportioned strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Athletic balanced setup, smooth load, leg-lift timing trigger. Athletic hands, utilizes lower half, level bat path, pull approach.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Short, quick arm action, over-the-top slot. Throws carried and played accurate.
Defense: 2.08 - 2.16 pop times. Athletic actions, plays light on his feet, clean and efficient out of the crouch, repeatable. Soft hands, agile blocker.
Run: 7.64 runner in the 60. 

2. Daniel Connelly, Mundelein (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 5-foot-11, 150-pounds. Shorter build with strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Balanced upright setup, pre-pitch load and leg-lift timing trigger. Swings with intent, fast hands, long level path, extension at times and works gap-to-gap.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot and throws played accurate.
Defense: 2.18 - 2.33 pop times. Flexible hips, sits low in stance, athletic out of the crouch, replaces feet, clean release. Reliable hands, quiet receiver.
Run: 7.67 runner in the 60. 

3. Ryan Risch, Warren Township (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-foot-2, 185-pounds. Athletic, strong build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, pre-pitch rhythm, smooth load and short stride. Simple strong swing, quick hands, present bat speed, level bat path and worked gap-to-gap.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 82 mph. Advanced arm strength. Carried and was consistently around the second base bag. Arm plays short and from an over-the-top slot.
Defense: 2.18 - 2.23 pop times. Flexible hips, presents low target, soft receptive hands, clean actions. Directional and repeatable out of the crouch.
Run: 7.29 runner in the 60. Above-average runner for the position.

4. Colin Husko, Wauconda (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/C
Body: 5-foot-9, 145-pounds. Smaller, athletic build.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, smooth load, short stride and maintains balance through contact. SImple swing, stays short to the ball, controls the barrel, line-drive approach and uses the middle of the field.
Power: 77 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. INF - 75 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot; accurate arm.
Defense: 2.15 - 2.18 pop times. Worked out on the infield and behind the plate. Behind the plate, quick release, soft block and repeatable out of the crouch. Steady receiver, quiet actions, sticks pitches in the zone.
Run: 7.54 runner in the 60. 

5. Kyle Odeshoo, Prospect (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 5-foot-10, 165-pounds. Strong, durable build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, smooth load and toe-tap stride. Aggressive swing, loose hands, flashed bat speed, long level path and consistently worked the pull-side gap.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. INF - 77 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: 2.18 - 2.33 pop times. Worked out behind the plate and at first base. Clean and directional out of the crouch, squared soft blocks. Steady defender at first base, clean footwork and feel for the bag.
Run: 7.61 runner in the 60.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically) 

Ryan Cummings, Carmel Catholic (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-foot-9, 160-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced quiet setup, minimal load and short stride. Simple swing, level path and line-drive approach.
Power: 76 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. INF - 70 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot. Throws played accurate from behind the plate.
Defense: 2.34 - 2.44 pop times. Worked out behind the plate and on the infield. Clean and directional out of the crouch. Reliable receiver, quiet actions, steady hands.
Run: 7.68 runner in the 60. 

Logan Griglione, Lake Zurich (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-foot-1, 195-pounds. Durable lower half.
Hit: RHH. Balanced upright setup, deep pre-pitch load and toe-tap stride. Aggressive swing, flashed bat speed, short bat path and gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.28 - 2.36 pop times. Steady hands, transfer has length, works on-line. Quiet receiver.
Run: 7.87 runner in the 60. 

Corben Krofel, Wauconda  (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-foot-10, 140-pounds. Lean frame with room for added strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, minimal load and short stride.  Quiet simple swing, level bat path and line-drive approach.
Power: 64 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: 2.29 - 2.36 pop times. Squared setup, clean out of the crouch, directional and repeats.
Run: 7.50 runner in the 60. 

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