McHenry Preseason I.D.: Catcher Analysis
February 11, 2019
On Jan. 27, the PBR Illinois team made its way back to McHenry, Ill., to host its annual McHenry Preseason I.D. event. This was the fourth year the team has made the trip up to host the showcase at Pro Player Academy. Every year, we uncover more and more prospects from this event to add to our watch lists and the same can be said about this year, too.
At the end of January, we posted our rapid analysis on the event in our Quick Hits post and we broke down each of the measured statistics in our Statistical Analysis story.
Over 100 prospects made it out to Pro Player for this event, including 16 backstops. The top-ranked among them was, as expected, Wauconda’s Camden Janik (2021; Illinois commit). The strong and compact catcher was his usual self in McHenry, looking advanced as a receiver and blocker with quick and clean catch-and-throw skills from out of the chute. That strength plays in the right-handed batter’s box, too.
Two more sophomores earned spots on the top-five rankings below, including Michael Rastarelli (Mundelein; uncommitted) and Daniel Contreras (Boylan Catholic; uncommitted). Between the two, Rastarelli looks more comfortable behind the plate, while Contreras has a physical frame and strength in his swing.
And while he just missed a spot on the rankings below, freshman Nico Acevedo (Crystal Lake Central) warrants a mention. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound 2022 catcher has advanced strength and swung a physical right-handed bat in front of our staff. He will be a bat to watch in the coming year's
For complete reports on each of the catchers who took reps from behind the plate last month, continue on below. On deck for tomorrow is outfielder analysis, so keep an eye out for that until then.
TOP PROSPECTS
1. Camden Janik, C, Wauconda, 2021
5-foot-9, 185-pound, right-handed hitting catcher; strong, compact build. One of the top defensive catchers in the 2021 class. Behind the plate, highly-flexible, loose hips, presents square low target. Quiet receiver, receptive hands, strong wrists, sticks pitches in the zone. Clean, quick and efficient out of the crouch. Arm is quick and strong from an over-the-top slot. Throws carry, consistently around the second base bag and topped at 81 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged from 2.00-2.12. At the plate, open setup, stride gets back to even and hits with rhythm. Aggressive swing, present bat strength, strong pull-side contact and 89 mph exit velocity from a tee. 4.45 runner, home-to-first.
2. Drew Stengren, C, Cary-Grove, 2020
6-foot-1, 180-pound, strong, well-proportioned, right-handed hitting catcher. At the plate, balanced, quiet setup, smooth load and incorporates lower half. Fluid, simple swing, highly-repeatable and efficient bat path. Loose athletic hands, line-drive approach and consistent hard contact. 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, flexible, loose hips, presents a low target, soft hands. Exchange is clean and works on-line. Short, loose arm action from a high ¾ slot. Throws topped at 76 mph from the crouch and pop times ranged between 2.03-2.18. Ran a 4.77 home-to-first.
3. Jake Masini, C, Prairie Ridge, 2020
6-foot-1, 165-pound, wiry, athletically-built, right-handed hitting catcher. Defensively, has advanced arm strength behind the plate. Arm works short, over-the-top and throws were accurate with carry, clocked at 81 mph. Soft, strong hands, light on his feet, clean out of the crouch, exchange has length. Pop times ranged between 2.07-2.18. At the plate, open setup, pre-pitch load and leg-kick timing trigger. Strong, quick hands, creates bat speed, stays short to the ball and works gap-to-gap. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. 4.50 runner, home-to-first.
4. Michael Rastrelli, C, Mundelein, 2021
5-foot-10, 150-pound, wiry, right-handed hitting catcher. Defensively, soft hands, athletic actions, quick and clean out of the crouch. Short, loose arm action, over-the-top slot. Arm plays up, true four-seam carry, consistently on the bag and clocked at 77 mph. Pop times ranged between 2.05-2.19. Offensively, open quiet setup, smooth load, short stride and utilizes lower half in swing. Easy swing, loose hands, creates whip, short bat path, line-drive approach and 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. 4.72 runner, home-to-first.
5. Daniel Contreras, C, Boylan Catholic, 2021
5-foot-11, 205-pound, catcher; physically-advanced, strong lower half. Offensively, tall, open setup and quick leg-kick trigger. Swings with intent, quick strong hands, short bat path and creates bat speed. Consistent hard contact, gap-to-gap approach and 89 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, flexible behind the plate, receptive hands, clean exchange. Loose arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 73 mph. Pop times ranged between 2.16-2.25. Ran a 4.70 home-to-first.
Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)
Nico Acevedo, C/RHP, Crystal Lake Central, 2022
5-foot-10, 185-pound, strong, athletically-built, two-way prospect. At the plate, balanced, open setup, short stride gets back to square. Present bat speed and bat strength, looks to drive the baseball with authority. Uphill path, gap-to-gap approach and 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, sure-handed, strong wrists and flexible behind the plate. Throws from a high ¾ slot and clocked at 69 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.12-2.30. 4.86 runner, home-to-first. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, tilt and topple delivery, works on-line, lands closed with some effort throughout. Quick arm from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, straight action, sat 76-77 mph, touched 78. Slider, sat 60-61 mph. Cutter, 10/4 shape, slider action, sat 62-64 mph.
Adam Guazzo, C/RHP, Huntley, 2022
5-foot-11, 165-pound, strong frame, catcher and right-handed pitcher. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, filled up the strike zone with all three pitches. Repeatable delivery, works on-line down the mound, lands front toe close and finishes athletically. Short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, slight running action, sat 72-73, touched 74. Curveball, 10/4 shape, feel, 60-63 mph. Changeup, thrown for strikes, 61-64 mph. At the plate, right-handed hitter, tall, balanced setup, short stride, long and level bat path. Line-drive approach and registered a 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, behind the plate, steady hands, short arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 68 mph. Pop times ranged between 2.18-2.36. 4.87 runner, home-to-first.
Brice Klepfer, C, Huntley, 2020
5-foot-7, 140-pound, left-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth load, short leg-kick timing trigger and maintains balance through contact. Quick hands, short, uphill bat path, consistent hard contact and pull approach. 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, natural catcher arm action, works short and over-the-top. Accurate throws, consistently on the bag, clocked at 69 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.19-2.38. 4.55 runner, home-to-first.
Connor Moore, C, Crystal Lake South, 2021
5-foot-8, 155-pound, well-proportioned, catcher. At the plate, right-handed hitter, pre-pitch rhythm, minimal load and short stride. Stays short to the ball and registered a 72 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, quick feet, efficient transfer, short arm action, works from an over-the-top slot. Throws topped at 66 mph from the crouch and pop times ranged between 2.36-2.47. Ran a 5.00 home-to-first.
Brenden Naylor, C, Lake Zurich, 2021
5-foot-10, 152-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, tall setup, short stride and maintains balance through contact. Simple swing, uphill bat path, works the middle of the field and registered a 70 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, short arm action, works over-the-top and throws topped at 68 mph. Pop times ranged between 2.50-2.68. Ran a 5.07 home-to-first.
Noah Riley, C, Cary-Grove, 2021
6-foot-1, 160-pound, left-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, balanced quiet closed setup, early short stride, level bat path, line-drive approach and registered a 72 mph exit velocity. Defensively, low setup, quick release, short arm action, over-the-top slot. Throws consistently around the second base bag, clocked at 67 mph. Pop times ranged between 2.26-2.37. 4.68 runner, home-to-first.
Connor Rodgers, C, McHenry, 2022
6-foot-1, 172-pound, long, athletically-built, right-handed hitting catcher. 4.68 runner, home-to-first. At the plate, open tall setup, even stride, level bat path, and pull approach. 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, firm arm action, works from a high ¾ slot and throws topped at 68 mph. Pop times ranged between 2.30-2.40.
Jake Rudolph, C, Crystal Lake Central, 2020
6-foot-1, 165-pound, right-handed hitting catcher; long, athletic build with plenty of room for continued physical development. At the plate, balanced, open setup, smooth load, short stride and balanced throughout. Fluid swing, loose hands, uphill bat path and gap-to-gap. 81 mph exit velocity. Defensively, clean out of the crouch, short arm action, over-the-top slot and throws clocked at 70 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.25-2.36. Ran a home-to-first in 4.69.
Jimmy Taylor, C, Grant, 2020
5-foot-11, 180-pound, catcher, strong, durable build. 4.18 runner, home-to-first. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, minimal load, short stride and maintains balance through contact. Compact swing, short uphill bat path, hard pull-side contact and 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, short, firm, over-the-top arm action. Throws topped at 76 mph from the crouch and pop times ranged between 2.12-2.36.
Michael Wanhala, C/OF, Huntley, 2022
5-foot-5, 165-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. 4.69 runner, home-to-first. At the plate, crouched setup, slight pre-pitch load, short leg-kick trigger. Long bat path, works uphill at times and registered a 72 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, worked out as a catcher/outfielder. In the outfield, works through the baseball, long arm action and throws topped at 65 mph. Behind the plate, reliable hands, long firm arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 63 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.36-2.44.
Tyler Waterson, C, Woodstock, 2020
6-foot, 190-pound, strong, wide-shouldered, right-handed hitting catcher. At the plate, balanced, wide setup, minimal load and short leg-kick timing trigger. Uphill bat path, present bat strength and 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, long arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 72 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.26-2.31. Ran a 4.69, home-to-first.