Prep Baseball Report

Top Prospect - Chicago: Catcher Analysis



By Illinois Scouting Staff

The Top Prospect - Chicago brought some of the top uncommitted 2018 prospect to Silver Cross Field in Joliet, IL. This week we begin our analysis of the event, starting with catchers. St. Rita’s Jake Zylman took the top spot as a physical gap to gap hitter with a strong arm who receives well.

Top catching Prospects

1. Jake Zylman, C, St. Rita, 2018
5-foot-10, 185-pound right-handed hitting catcher with a strong frame. At the plate hits from a balanced slightly open setup. Leg lift stride with average balance. Gap to gap power hitter with fluid rhythm and a long, uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 93 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.35. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot, 77 mph out of the crouch. Athletic defender, blocks pitches well. Showed flexibility in the lower half, soft hands receiving. 2.01-2.12 pop times.

2. Cam Redding, C, New Trier, 2018
6-foot-1, 195-pound right-handed hitting catcher with a strong, athletic frame. At the plate hits from a balanced, athletic setup. Short stride with good balance. Drives the ball gap to gap gets extension thru contact. Loose hands generating easy bat speed. Showed strength thru contact with 92 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.26. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Quick footwork, gets out of the crouch quick. Struggles with transfer at times. Popped 2.08-2.19 and threw 72 mph from the crouch. Showed flexibility in the lower half and soft hands receiving.

3. Brandon Bannon, C/2B, Richmond Burton, 2018
5-foot-11, 160-pound right-handed hitting C/2B with a wiry frame. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a short leg lift stride. Line drive hitter with a long, uphill swing path and fast bat. 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 6.95. Defensively behind the plate has a short, loose arm action from an over the top slot. Quick, clean exchange. Throws showed carry. Popped 2.00-2.07 and threw 73 mph from the crouch. Also took drills in the infield throwing 77 mph across the diamond.

4. Liam Oreskovich, C, Jacobs, 2018
6-foot-1, 175-pound right-handed hitting catcher. At the plate hits from a tall, open setup. Leg lift stride with a long, uphill swing path. 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.65. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Clean exchange with average hands. Popped 2.00-2.18 and threw 80 mph from the crouch.

5. Mason Schaller, C, Mundelein, 2018
5-foot-8, 155-pound right-handed hitting catcher with a small frame. Stands out of his work behind the plate. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Quick footwork with a clean transfer. Accurate throws with carry. Popped 2.04-2.11 and threw 77 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and good balance. Fluid rhythm with a level swing path. 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.30.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Simon Grashoff, C, Joliet Catholic, 2018
6-foot-1, 220-pound right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a short, leg lift stride. Long, uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 91 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.34. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Popped 2.12-2.19 and threw 73 mph from the crouch.

Bryce Moskiewicz, C, Lyons, 2018
5-foot-9, 192-pound right-handed hitting catcher with a strong, compact frame. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Long transfer, accurate throws with carry out of the crouch. Popped 2.05-2.17 and threw 82 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from a tall, open setup with a leg kick stride. Showed strength thru contact with 95 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.08.

Zac Styka, C, Mount Carmel, 2018
6-foot, 200-pound right-handed hitting catcher with a strong frame. At the plate hits from a tall, open setup with a long, leg kick stride. Showed strength thru contact with 92 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.29. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Stand and throw with a slight hitch on the transfer. Popped 2.04-2.12 and threw 75 mph from the crouch.

Jake Wenz, C, Neuqua Valley, 2018
6-foot, 170-pound right-handed hitting catcher. At the plate hits from a wide base with a balanced setup. Toe tap stride with fair balance. Line drive hitter with an uphill swing path. 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.11. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Popped 2.18-2.30 and threw 73 mph from the crouch.

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