Unsigned Senior Games: Catcher Analysis

September 1, 2016

By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The Unsigned Senior Games took place on August 9th at Hoffer Field on the campus of Judson University in Elgin, IL. Position players took place in a pro-style workout in the morning followed by game play in the afternoon.

Following the event the PBR scouting staff compiled all of the notes from the workout and game play. Over the next few days we will be breaking down the event position by position, today looking at the catchers.

Below is a list of the top five catchers from the Unsigned Senior Games.

Top Catching Prospects

1. Michael Bieterman, C, Aurora Central Catholic, 2017
6-foot-2, 195-pound right-handed hitting catcher with a strong frame. At the plate hits from a tall, open stance with a long, toe tap stride. Pull hitter with a level swing path and a fast bat. Showed strength thru contact with 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.44. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Accurate throws with carry. Quick exchange with soft hands. Popped 2.04-2.11 and threw 78 mph from the crouch.

2. Joe Rizzo, C, Huntley, 2017
5-foot-11, 190-pound right-handed hitting catcher. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Throws showed carry out of the crouch. Fluid footwork with a quick, clean exchange. Popped 2.07-2.08 and threw 80 mph out of the crouch. At the plate hits from a balanced, slightly open stance with a short heel lift stride. Good balance with fluid rhythm. Line drive hitter with a level swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 89 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.47.

3. Brian Vance, C, Loyola, 2017
5-foot-11, 180-pound right-handed hitting catcher with an athletic frame. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Good flexibility in the lower half receiving. Quick, clean transfer with soft hands. Blocks well. Popped 2.07-2.14 and threw 75 mph from the crouch. Hits from a balanced, open stance with a short stride and wrap load. Gap to gap hitter with a long swing path. 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.41.

4. Nick Airola, C, Minooka, 2017
5-foot-11, 170-pound right-handed hitting catcher. Defensively, short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Quick transfer and footwork behind the plate. Pop times ranged between 2.01-2.09 and was clocked at 79 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from a tall setup with a short stride. Simple mechanically. Line drive hitter with a level swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.03.

5. Nickolas Strysik, C, Lockport, 2017
6-foot-1, 180-pound right-handed hitting catcher with an athletic frame. At the plate hits from an open stance with a short leg lift stride back to even. Pull, power hitter with a level swing path and good balance. Showed strength thru contact with 89 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.26. Hit a homerun to left field in game. Right-handed power is his best tool, bat plays in game, could project at first base at the next level. Defensively has a long arm action from an over the top slot, uphill throws. Popped 2.22-2.28 and threw 72 mph from the crouch.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Anthony Gutierrez, C/OF, Plainfield South, 2017
5-foot-11, 185-pound left-handed hitting C/OF. At the plate hits from a closed, spread out stance with an arm bar setup. Leg lift trigger with average balance. Opposite field hitter with an uphill swing path. 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.58. Defensively behind the plate has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Clean exchange. Popped 2.35-2.44 and threw 69 mph from the crouch. Also took dills in the outfield, plays thru the ball, threw 73 mph.

Trevor Niedzwiecki, C, Lake Zurich, 2017
5-foot-11, 170-pound right-handed hitting catcher. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Throws showed carry throwing 75 mph from the crouch. Clean exchange with athletic actions behind the plate. Popped 2.11-2.19. At the plate hits from a wide base with a heel lift stride. Pull hitter with an uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.28. Did not pitch at the event but have seen him up to 86 mph in the past.

Dan Opem, C, Glenbard South, 2017
6-foot-1, 200-pound right-handed hitting catcher. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot with a clean transfer. Popped 2.16-2.25 and threw 71 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride. Pull hitter with an uphill swing path and stiff rhythm. Showed strength thru contact with 90 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.45.

Victor Perez, C, Warren, 2017
5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed hitting catcher with a strong frame. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and good balance. Pull hitter with some pop. Good approach with fluid rhythm. Showed strength thru contact wit 92 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.68. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Accurate throws with quick footwork behind the plate. Popped 2.08-2.13 and threw 71 mph from the crouch.

Jake Schmeling, C, Menomonee Falls (WI), 2017
6-foot, 205-pound right-handed hitting catcher. At the plate hits from a wide base with an arm bar, weight shift load. Gap to gap hitter with a long swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 93 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.66. Defensively has a long arm action from an over the top slot. Popped 2.25-2.40 and threw 69 mph from the crouch.