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Southwest Suburban Prospect ID: Catching Analysis

November 19, 2013

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director – Illinois/Wisconsin

Marmion unsigned senior catcher Brady Roberts stood out as the top receiver at the Southwest Suburban Prospect I.D. Roberts showed advanced arm strength behind the plate topping out at 81 mph out of the crouch. He also posted the top pop times ranging from 2.05-2.13.

Here’s a look at the top catching prospects from the event.

Scouting Reports by Griffin Phelps

Top Catching Prospects

1. Brady Roberts, C/3B, Marmion, 2014
5-foot-10, 185-pound multi positional player. Behind the dish he receives with a wide setup. Arm works quickly with acceleration, 81 mph from a crouch with accuracy. Showed solid catch and release skills, posting pop times in the 2.05-2.13 range. On the infield he throws it 74 mph across the diamond. Ran a 7.59 60. Offensively he hits from a balanced, slightly open stance, smooth loading action. Hands work well in the swing, gets to quality extension, creates aggressive barrel whip. Exit velocity off the tee was 81 mph.

2. Gabriel Wair, C, Plainfield South, 2016
5-foot-8, 197-pound, left handed hitting catcher. Behind the plate he has a solid setup, strong receiver. Has high quality arm action for a catcher, works short and quick, over-the-top slot, 67 mph from the crouch. Pop times were 2.15-2.26 with accuracy. At the plate he hits from a balanced setup, smooth loading action, balanced through contact. Swing is strong and aggressive, generates lift, gap-to-gap approach, solid extension. Exit velocity off the tee was 74 mph. ran an 8.21 60.

3. Nicholas Tortorici, C/3B/RHP, Lincoln Way East, 2017
5-foot-9, 140-pound multi positional player with solid potential. At the plate he hits from a balanced, slightly open stance, no stride, solid lower half, quality balance through the swing. Swing has fluid rhythm, keeps hands inside, solid bat speed for age. Exit velocity was 64 mph off a tee. Behind the dish he receives well from a solid setup. Arm works short, 68 mph from a crouch, pop times were 2.20-2.28. On the infield throws from high ¾ slot, 69 mph with accuracy. Ran an 8.37 60. On the mound his arm works from a high ¾ slot, short action. Fastball was 70-72 mph with cutting action. Breaking ball has 11/5 shape, slurve breaking action, 60-63 mph, near fastball arm speed. Changeup showed sinking action, sitting 61 mph, touching 63 mph.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Ray Braun, RHP/C, Waubonsie Valley, 2016
6-foot, 165-pound lanky, two-way player. On the mound his arm works long, ¾ arm slot. Delivery has regular effort. Fastball is straight, sitting 72-74 mph. Throws a sweeping breaking ball, loose action, 58-61 mph. Changeup was 66-69 mph. Behind the dish his arm works at 67 mph with some accuracy. Pop times were 2.22-2.43. Offensively he hits from an open, crouched stance. Upper body dominates the swing, long bat path. Exit velocity off a tee was 67 mph. Ran a 7.85 60.

Angel Comas, C, Lakeview, 2015
5-foot-8, 170-pound catcher. Offensively he hits from a balanced, slightly open stance, short stride, maintains balance through contact. The swing is quiet, strong, flat bat path, solid bat speed. Exit velocity was 77 mph off a tee. Defensively he posted pop times in the 2.22-2.29 range, 72 mph with accuracy from the crouch. Ran a 7.64 60.

Aaron Cusimano, C/RHP/INF, Harlem, 2016
5-foot-9, 145-pound two way player. Offensively, hits from a narrow stance, smooth backward loading action. Hands work well in the swing, long bat path, choppy rhythm. Exit velocity off a tee was 73 mph. From behind the plate his arm works long, high ¾ slot, 67 mph from a crouch, some accuracy. Pop times were 2.41-2.51. On the infield showed standard actions, similar arm action as behind the plate, 68 mph across the diamond. Ran a 7.77 60. On the mound the delivery works with some rhythm, and above average effort. Arm works long, high ¾ slot. Fastball was straight, 69-71 mph. Breaking ball has one plane action, 65-67 mph. Throws his changeup from a different arm slot, straight, 64-68 mph.

Nathan Given, C/OF, Naperville North, 2015
5-foot-11, 175-pound left handed hitting multi-positional player. At the plate hits from a balanced setup, smooth loading action, quality plate coverage. Keeps his hands in well, inside out swing, quality extension, creates barrel whip. Exit velocity off a tee was 81 mph. From behind the dish has a quality setup. Arm works at 71 mph from the crouch. From the outfield his arm works at 75 mph. Ran a 7.5 60.

Gabriel Panza, C, Oswego, 2017
5-foot-7, 150-pound catcher. Behind the plate he receives well, quality footwork during his catch and release. Pop times ranged from 2.31-2.37, 62 mph from a crouch. Offensively he hits with a balanced stance, no load, short stride to contact, maintains balance. Bat path is short, swing is top hand dominant. Exit velocity off a tee was 50 mph. Ran an 8.28 60.

Colton Renier, C/OF, Marmion, 2015
5-foot-10, 155-pound multi-positional player. Offensively he hits from a crouched stance, smooth loading action, short stride to contact, quality lower half. Swing has choppy rhythm, flat path, middle approach, solid bat speed. When on time swing produces hard contact. Exit velocity was 76 mph off a tee. Behind the plate showed quality footwork, solid receiver, blocks well. Arm works short, 76 mph from the crouch. Pop times were 2.12-2.26. From the outfield arm works like a catcher’s, 78 mph. Ran a 7.45 60.

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