Romeville Preseason ID: Catching Analysis

March 9, 2015

By Matt Huck
Area Scout

The Prep Baseball Report's Preseason ID showcase took place on Sunday February 16th at the Romeoville Athletic Center in Romeoville, IL. 111 prospects completed a pro-style workout for the PBR Illinois Scouting Staff, several of whom were new to PBR.

Click Here to view complete statistics from the even in PDF format.

Over the next few days we will rank the prospects by position. Today we'll take a look at the top catching prospects. Lead by St. Francis catcher Brett Whelton. Whelton showed solid catch and throw skills behind the plate with pop times between 2.03-2.18. At the plate Whelton used his large, strong frame to show easy power with 90 mph exit velocity.

Let's take a look at the top 5 catching prospects from this February's Romeoville Preseason ID Showcase:

Top Catching Prospects

1. Brett Whelton, C, St. Francis, 2016
6-foot, 200-pound, left-handed hitting catcher. In the field showed solid catch and throw skills. Short arm action from an over the top arm slot, blocks well. Popped 2.03-2.18 and threw 72 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from an open, spread out stance, smooth load and short stride. Line drive, gap-to-gap hitter with a short uphill swing, and a fast bat. Showed strength thru contact with 90 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.76.

2. Jimmy Quinn, C, Lincoln-Way North, 2017
6-foot-3, 215-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Strong, wide shouldered frame. In the field has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot, with a tall setup behind the plate. Popped 2.18-2.22 and threw 71 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from a wide, balanced setup with a heel lift stride. Gap to gap hitter with a short, uphill swing path. Showed some strength thru contact with 84 mph exit velocity. Ran the 60 at 8.27.

3. Robby McGaha, C, Stevenson, 2016
6-foot-1, 175-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Good makeup. In the field has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot, and a quick, clean exchange. Some softness in the hands receiving. Popped 2.14-2.22 and threw 72 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from an open stance, back load, and good balance. Long, uphill swing path, flashes good batspeed. 90 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.18.

4. Kyle McBrady, C, Providence Catholic, 2017
5-foot-9, 160-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. In the field has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot, showed soft hands while receiving. Popped 2.10-2.26 and threw 72 mph from the crouch. At the plate hit from an open stance with a short stride and average balance. Showed good batspeed with a long, uphill swing path. 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.38.

5. Michael Massaro, C, Providence Catholic, 2017
5-foot-11, 165-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. In the field has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Quick feet and quick transfer. Popped 2.01-2.08 and threw 74 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from a tall, open stance, with a short stride and average balance. Collapse backside on swing with an uphill path. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.71.

Best Of The Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Noah Ernst, C, Neuqua Valley, 2018
5-foot-11, 190-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. In the field has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. High setup behind the plate in drills, flashes some softness in his hands receiving. Popped 2.18-2.26 and threw 71 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from a balanced setup, with a short heel lift stride, and a long load. Line drive hitter with an uphill swing path. 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.93.

Thomas Langley, C, Joliet Central, 2017
5-foot-11, 200-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. In the field has a short arm action from an over the top arm angle, stand and throw. Popped 2.54-2.61 and threw 65 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from open stance with a long stride. Opposite field hitter with a long, uphill swing path. 74 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.53.

Devin Myers, C, Metea Valley, 2017
5-foot-11, 158-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. In the field has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Online, accurate throws, good footwork, with slower actions. Popped 2.28-2.42 and threw 69 mph form the crouch. At the plate hits from a narrow setup, smooth load, and heel lift stride. Line drive, gap to gap hitter, with a long, level swing path. 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.49. Will improve with maturity.

Erik Rabin, C, St. Charles North, 2016
5-foot-8, 180-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Behind the plate has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Online throws with ok footwork. Popped 2.18-2.33 and threw 70 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from a balanced setup, with a short stride, and average balance. Average bat speed, with a short, uphill swing path. Showed strength with 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.51.

Dakota Slagle, C, Romeoville, 2015
6-foot-1, 165-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. In the field has a long arm action from an over the top arm slot, and gains ground to second. Popped 2.22-2.44 and threw 71 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from a balanced setup, short stride, and average balance. Pull hitter with a long, uphill swing path. 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.28.

Joe Spano, C, Waubonsie Valley, 2016
6-foot, 185-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. In the field has a short arm action, form an over the top arm slot. Quick, clean transfer with decent footwork. Popped 2.23-2.29 and threw 70 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from a wide, balanced stance with a short stride. Good balance with a long, uphill swing path. 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.81.

Max Warren, C, Yorkville, 2017
5-foot-10, 165-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Online throws, decent footwork, and blocks well behind the plate. Popped 2.19-2.25 and threw 68 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from wide, balanced setup with a high back elbow, short, leg kick stride. Pull hitter with a long, uphill swing path. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.26. Will continue to improve with maturity.

Jake Wenz, C, Neuqua Valley, 2018
5-foot-11, 155-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Behind the plate has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Accurate throws, blocks well, with some softness receiving. Popped 2.12-2.22 and threw 72 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from an open stance, with a heel lift stride, and average balance. Up the middle approach, with a long, uphill swing path. 72 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.57.

Romeville Preseason ID: Catching Analysis

Top Catching Prospects

Best Of The Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

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