Prep Baseball Report

Underclass Trials: Catching Analysis



By Illinois Scouting Staff

Over the next week we will be rolling out our analysis from the Underclass Trials in early June. This event featured some of the top up and coming prospects in the state and we will kick off our analysis with the catchers.

Top Catching Prospects

1. Justin Janssen, C, Princeville, 2019
6-foot-2, 185-pound catcher, strong athletic frame, projects well. Let-handed hitter, balanced stance, smooth loading action, short stride, good balance. Slight dive with pull side approach, hard pull side contact, path is slightly uphill, easy bat speed, 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short, over the top slot, 69 mph out of the crouch. Short footwork, replaces feet and gets tall, 2.11-2.33 pop times. 7.37 runner in the 60.

2. Lucas Ryan, C, Chatham-Glenwood, 2020
6-foot, 165-pound left-handed hitting catcher, lanky frame, slender build. Offensively hits from a tall slightly open stance, short stride, crouched into load. Loose hands, flashes quick twitch, flashed hard contact at times to pull side. 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays over the top, showed some accuracy, occasional carry, 76 mph out of the crouch. Pop times registered at 2.22-2.35, athletic footwork but can can shorten up. 7.35 runner in the 60.

3. Kyle Crawford, C, Dixon, 2019
5-foot-10, 160-pound catcher, strong above average frame. Big arm strength out of the crouch, long and loose, 80 mph, lacked accuracy. Average hands, receives out front, fluid footwork, 2.10-2.21 pop times. Right-handed hitter, balanced and slightly open stance. Path has some length with lift, pull side contact, occasional gap to gap type with hard contact. 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.61 runner in the 60.

4. Paul Africano, C, University, 2019
6-foot, 205-pound catcher, large strong build. Right-handed hitter, slightly open stance, slight leg lift stride back to even. Strong loose hands at the plate, creates bat speed and flashes pull side pop. 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, 71 mph out of the crouch. Gets tall early out of the chute, exchange work, hands are soft, showed he can remain quiet receiving. 2.15-2.26 pop times. 7.87 runner in the 60.

5. Joseph Batusich, C, Joliet Catholic, 2020
Switch-hitting catcher, 5-foot-10, 175-pounds, strong athletic frame. Defensively arm action has length, loose and quick, 69 mph out of the crouch. Pop times ranged 2.19-2.33. 8.19 runner in the 60. Offensively hit best from the left side, open stance, short stride. Showed hard contact, line drive type with some bat speed, 75 mph exit velocity from the left side, 76 mph exit velocity from the right side.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Kevin Ahler, C/3B, Marian Central, 2020
5-foot-8, 145-pound catcher/infielder. Defensively arm action plays short and over the top, 64 mph out of the crouch, 67 mph across the diamond. Hands are soft, exchange works. 2.32-2.47 pop times out of the crouch. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, average balance. Two-piece action, level path, occasional pull side tendency. 8.51 runner in the 60.

Dylan Baker, C, Fisher, 2019
5-foot-9, 160-pound catcher, strong build. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, slightly open stance, short stride, average balance. Mechanical approach, short path at times, stays on top, got line drive contact. 75 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short, over the top slot, 63 mph out of the crouch. Pop times posted at 2.32-2.45. 7.27 runner in the 60.

Joe DeHaan, C, Andrew, 2020
6-foot-1, 180-pound catcher, long lanky frame, wiry with projection. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, slightly closed, short stride. Simple approach, static lower half, hands are loose. Path is short, line drive gap to gap. 74 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.34 runner in the 60. Arm plays at 71 mph out of the crouch, some length in arm, high ¾ slot. Pop times registered at 2.29-2.36.

Braden Ogden, C, Washington, 2019
5-foot-9, 155-pound catcher, average frame. Right-handed hitter, open stance, reverse lift and slight hang stride, average balance, linear lower half. Flashed aggressiveness and attacking the baseball, raw aggressive approach, path showed ability to stay flat, occasional lift. 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is firm, high ¾ slot, 62 mph out of the crouch. Gets tall out of the chute, 2.47-2.54  pop times. 7.62 runner in the 60.

Ben Wright, C, Benet Academy, 2020
6-foot-1, 180-pound catcher, strong physical build, strong lower half. Right-handed hitter, open stance, short stride back to even. Has bat strength, sprayed hard contact, path has some length on uphill path. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played short and over the top, 68 mph out of the crouch. 2.36-2.47 pop times. 7.90 runner in the 60.

Related Content