Underclass Showcase: Catching Analysis

November 17, 2015

By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

This week we begin rolling out the Underclass Showcase analysis starting behind the plate. Leading the way is Dylan Janke a 2019 catcher impressed defensively with his blocking abilities during bullpens, arm strength and pop times. 2018 Luke Plunkett also made a strong case as the left-handed hitter flashed a quick bat and short path to the baseball.

Top catching Prospects

1. Dylan Janke, C, Huntley, 2019
5-foot-9, 157-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Accurate throws with carry. Tall receiver in drills, quick transfer and release. Popped 2.00-2.07 and threw 75 mph from the crouch. Active blocker in bullpens. At the plate hits from a crouched, slightly open stance. Short stride with a linear lower half. Pull hitter with a short, uphill swing path. 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.63.

2. Luke Plunkett, C, Libertyville, 2018
5-foot-10, 175-pound, left-handed hitting catcher with a strong, athletic frame. Offensively hits from a wide, balanced setup with a short heel lift stride. Good balance with a short swing path. Fluid rhythm with a fast bat. Flashed some power in batting practice. Showed strength thru contact with 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.66. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Quick, fluid footwork, gains ground towards second with a long exchange. Solid receiver in bullpens, blocks well. Popped 2.26-2.34 and threw 72 mph from the crouch.

3. Connor Bauer, C/3B, Hinsdale Central, 2018
Lanky frame at 5-foot-10, 155-pounds. Right-handed hitting C/3B. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a smooth load and short stride. Looseness in the hands, creates whip. Gap-to-gap hitter with a level swing path and fluid rhythm. Showed strength thru contact with 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.74. Defensively took drills at both catcher and infield. Behind the plate has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Fluid footwork, gains ground towards second base. Popped 2.27-2.32 and threw 71 mph from the crouch. Showed flexibility in the lower half, stays quiet with soft hands receiving in bullpens. In the infield has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Accurate throws with carry, showed lateral agility ranging up the middle. Threw 73 mph across the infield.

4. Grant Leader, RHP/C, Lyons, 2019
5-foot-8, 130-pound, right-handed hitting RHP/C. Works from an over the top arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Smooth rhythm with an open landing and athletic finish. Tends to leak out front early. Threw fastball for strikes with slight running action at 85-86 mph. Curveball showed 12-6 shape with sharp action at 67-69 mph. Slider showed 10-4 shape at 75 mph. Showed feel for changeup while maintaining arm speed at 71-72 mph. One of the top arms in the 2019 class. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Accurate throws showed carry popping 2.11-2.19 and throwing 81 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from a balanced setup, preloaded to backside, with a short linear stride. Line drive hitter with a short, level swing path. 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.27.

5. Eric Olvera, C, Nazareth, 2018
6-foot, 160-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. At the plate hits from a tall, open stance. Deep hand load towards catcher with a big leg kick stride. Average bat speed with an uphill swing path. 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.53. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Fluid footwork behind the plate, receives deep. Popped 2.18-2.26 and threw 76 mph from the crouch.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Sam Butler, C, Champaign Central, 2019
5-foot-10, 145-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively hits from a wide base with a low hand set and a short stride. Opposite field hitter with a long, uphill swing path. Showed some strength for age in batting practice. 74 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.82. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot, with slower actions. Popped 2.29-2.37 and threw 69 mph from the crouch.

Alex Chapman, C, Francis W. Parker, 2018
5-foot-6, 165-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively hits from a wide, balanced setup. Started out barred with hands away from the body. Long leg lift stride. Gap-to-gap hitter with an uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.70. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ arm angle with a high draw out of the glove. Showed fluid footwork. Popped 2.29-2.44 and threw 70 mph from the crouch.

Lucas Clemetsen, C, Huntley, 2019
5-foot-7, 140-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. At the plate hits from a tall setup, loads to backside with a short stride. Level swing path with stiff rhythm. 75 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.07. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Online actions, gains ground towards second on throws. Showed flexibility in the lower half receiving. Popped 2.35-2.41 and threw 66 mph from the crouch. Will continue to improve with maturity.

Jared Holt, C, Dunlap, 2018
5-foot-8, 175-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. At the plate hits form a balanced, open stance with a short leg kick stride. Stays open thru contact with fair balance. Pull hitter with an uphill swing path. Showed pop in batting practice. 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.01. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Stand and throw with a long exchange. Showed above average arm strength throwing 76 mph from the crouch. Popped 2.18-2.29.

Justin McGuigan, C, Plainfield South, 2019
5-foot-7, 130-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a low hand set. Bars on load with a short leg lift stride. Collapse on backside with fair balance. Pull hitter with an uphill swing path. 76 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.54. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top arm angle. Tall receiver with quick, fluid footwork gaining ground towards second base. Popped 2.15-2.26 and threw 74 mph from the crouch.

Mason Schaller, C, Mundelein, 2018
5-foot-8, 135-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Defensively has a short, floppy arm action from an over the top arm slot. Accurate throws with quick footwork. Popped 2.13-2.22 and threw 73 mph from the crouch. Strong receiver in bullpens with good blocking ability. At the plate hits from a balanced, slightly open setup. Short stride back to even with a short, uphill swing path. 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.36.

Owen Waunn, C, Fenwick, 2018
5-foot-9, 140-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. At the plate hits from a balanced setup, loads hands to backside, with a short stride. Gap-to-gap hitter with a level swing path. 68 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.22. Defensively has a long arm action from an over the top arm slot. Popped 2.41-2.51 and threw 63 mph form the crouch. Showed flexibility in the lower half during bullpens and strong hands receiving.

Dominic Zupo, C, Oswego East, 2018
5-foot-9, 140-pound, switch-hitting catcher. Defensively has a short arm action from a ¾ arm slot. Gains ground towards second on throws. Popped 2.25-2.36 and threw 69 mph from the crouch. Offensively the switch hitter is more natural from the right side. Right-handed hits form a balanced setup with a deep hand load to back side with a short stride. Short, uphill swing path. 76 mph exit velocity from a tee. Showed 78 mph exit velocity from the left side. Ran the 60 at 7.80.

Underclass Showcase: Catching Analysis

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

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