The Metro East Open returned to the St. Louis area once again on Tuesday, June 25th. The showcase, which took place at GCS Ballpark, the home of the Gateway Grizzlies, was an open event that featured 50 players from all high school classes. Earlier in the summer we began the analysis of the event with a Quick Hits and Statistical Analysis. 

Today we continue the roll-out with a look at the catchers in attendance. 

Left-handed hitting Carson Dubach (Edwardsville, 2021) had one of the more complete showings. Dubach has loose hands, controls the barrel and made a lot of hard line-drive contact. Defensively, he is quick and athletic behind the plate with an accurate arm. 

Missouri’s Ayalew Sisay (Timberland) is a versatile 2022 who worked out all over the diamond. Sisay has a strong arm for his age and a developing right-handed bat. 

Austin Toler (Highland, 2020) was another left-handed bat who showed well at the event. Toler has a quiet, handsy swing with natural lift and flashed a fast bat. 

CATCHER ANALYSIS (Listed Alphabetically)

Austin Atkins, Wesclin, 2020
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-foot, 185-pounds. Thick, strong lower half; durable build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, minimal load, short stride. Short, uphill path through the zone, pull-side approach, elevated the baseball.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Present bat strength.
Arm: RH. C - 66 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot, accurate on his throws.
Defense: 2.30- 2.42 pop times. Soft hands behind the plate.
Run: 7.83 runner in the 60. 

J.T. Brissenden, Highland, 2022
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-foot-9, 135-pounds. Lean frame.
Hit: LHH. Closed setup, wide base, toe-tap stride.  Long and level path to the baseball, pull-side approach.
Power: 77 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 61 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.54- 2.70 pop times.
Run: 8.18 runner in the 60. 

Carson Dubach, Edwardsville, 2021
Positional Profile: C. Follow 2021 left-handed hitting catcher.
Body: 5-foot-7, 140-pounds. Lean, wiry frame.
Hit: LHH. Tall, open setup, narrow base, smooth load, long stride.  Level path through the zone, line drive approach, barrelled up the baseball, fluid rhythm through contact.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot, accurate arm.
Defense: 2.10- 2.28 pop times. Quick footwork, clean, quick exchange, athletic behind the plate, adept blocker.
Run: 7.23 runner in the 60. 

Jacob Kitchen, Edwardsville, 2020
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-foot-1, 220-pounds. Broad-shouldered, strong lower half. 
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, smooth load, short knee-knock stride. Present bat speed, uphill bat path, natural lift, pull-side approach.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Present bat strength, pull-side power potential.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.30- 2.47 pop times. Steady hands, clean exchange.
Run: 7.75 runner in the 60. 

Hayden Ott, Freeburg, 2021
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-foot-9, 180-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Narrow, open setup, leg-lift trigger and utilizes lower half. Stays short to the ball, level through the zone, controls the barrel, line-drive, spray approach.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. Short arm action, ¾ to high 3/4 slot, throws consistently around the second base bag.
Defense: 2.29- 2.45 pop times. Clean actions, directional out of the crouch. Active, willing blocker during bullpens.
Run: 8.51 runner in the 60. 

Ryan Robinson, Rochester, 2022
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-foot-9, 145-pounds. Lean, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, short stride. Long, uphill bat path, pull-side approach.
Power: 72 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 64 mph. Short, over-the-top, high ¾ slot.
Defense: 2.57- 2.61 pop times. Stays on-line out of the crouch.
Run: 7.22 runner in the 60. 

Ayalew Sisay, Timberland (MO), 2022
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-foot-8, 150-pounds. Lean, athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall, balanced setup, pre-pitch rhythm, smooth load, leg-kick timing trigger.  Short path through the baseball, line drive, opposite field approach.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. INF - 82 mph. OF - 84 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot. Throws carry from the outfield.
Defense: 2.26- 2.32 pop times. Attacked the baseball in the outfield, quick arm, athletic in the field. Showed a clean exchange behind the plate.
Run: 7.56 runner in the 60. 

Austin Toler, Highland, 2020
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 165-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned build.
Hit: LHH. Crouched, balanced setup, smooth load, short leg-lift trigger and maintains balance through contact. Handsy swing, short, uphill path, gap-to-gap approach and fluid rhythm throughout.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. Long arm action, over-the-top slot, throws consistently around the second base bag. 
Defense: 2.26- 2.30 pop times. Flexible hips, sure-hands, natural catcher actions.
Run: 7.35 runner in the 60. 

Gavin Welker, Northwest (MO), 2021
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-foot-9, 210-pounds. Thick build, strong lower half.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, short leg-lift trigger.  Short, uphill path to the baseball, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 76 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 67 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.43- 2.49 pop times. Low, flexible setup, clean exchange, occasional effort.
Run: 8.32 runner in the 60. 

Luke Willis, Mount Vernon, 2021
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-foot-11, 190-pounds. Strong build, thick lower half.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, quiet setup, minimal load, short stride. Simple swing, short bat path, level through the zone. Controls the barrel, line-drive, pull approach and consistent hard contact. 
Power: 79 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 67 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.15- 2.28 pop times. Plays tall out of the crouch, quick and clean release.
Run: 7.64 runner in the 60. 

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