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Unsigned Senior Games: Catching Analysis

August 23, 2013

By Steve Nielsen and Griffin Phelps
Scouting Director - Illinois/Wisconsin

After the Unsigned Senior Games the PBR scouting staff got to see a lot of the top unsigned 2014 graduates from around the state, both in showcase and in game format. Over the next few days we will be breaking down the event position by position, today looking at the catchers.

Colton Wagner stood out as the top backstop as displayed advanced bat speed and strength from the left side. With the strongest arm out of the crouch Wagner also put up the top pop time with a best of 2.04. Here's a look at all the catchers from the Unsigned Senior Games.

Top Catching Prospects

1. Colton Wagner, C/3B, Lake Zurich, 2014
6-foot-2, 195-pound strong, athletic position player with plus potential.  From behind the plate he throws with a short arm action, from an over the top slot, at 78 mph. He showed solid catch and throw skills posting pop times in the 2.04-2.19 range with above average carry. Offensively, he has an open stance with a leg kick trigger, and maintains balance throughout the swing. His bat path is slightly uphill, with explosive bat speed, producing an exit velocity of 96 mph off the tee. In game action he showed his power potential with a double off of above average fastball velocity.  Wagner also showed above average foot speed for a catcher running a 7.02 60. One of the more impressive physical specimens in attendance Wagner shows a lot of potential behind the plate couple with the fact that he swings a strong bat from the left side.

2. Seth Dvorak, C, York, 2014
5-foot-11, 165-pound catcher with a strong arm.  From behind the plate he had short footwork, an over-the-top arm slot, and a 76 mph arm with solid carry. His pop times ranged from 2.05-2.18.  Offensively, he has an open setup, smooth load, short stride, and explosive lower half, producing an exit velocity of 84 mph. Showcased a line drive swing with a short, level bat path that flashed above average bat speed (84 mph exit velocity fro the tee). In game action he collected multiple base hits, 3 RBI, scored 4 runs and showed the ability drive the ball up the middle consistently.  He ran a 7.27 60.

3. Matthew Kouri, C, Peoria Notre Dame, 2014
6-foot, 180-pound catcher with mechanically sound blocking and receiving skills. From behind the dish he had a clean exchange, with an over-the-top slot at 74 mph, producing pop times in the 2.08-2.19 range.  He was clocked at 7.33 in the 60. Offensively, has a balanced setup with a short stride. Uses his lower half well and maintains balance throughout the swing, while showing the ability to make consistent contact with an up-the-middle approach. Displayed above average bat speed with extension and had an exit velocity of 78 mph off the tee. In games he made line-drive contact, including a triple, and scored a couple of runs.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Kory Klicker, C, Richmond Burton, 2014
Klicker is a 5-foot-10, 160-pound left handed hitting catcher. Offensively hits from an open stance, short toe tap stride. Showed balance throughout, hits off back side, occasional long uphill swing. 62 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively posted pop times at 2.33-2.40, arm played at 71 mph from a high ¾ arm slot. Ran a 7.60 60.

Nathan Giacchino, C/3B, Bradley Bourbonnais, 2014
5-foot-9, 186-pound catcher/infielder.  As a catcher he had a short arm, throwing from an over-the-top slot, with average arm strength, throwing down to second at 74 mph. His pop times ranged from 2.07-2.22 with solid accuracy. Offensively, he had a narrow and balanced setup with a toe tap load and launch trigger.  He showcased average bat speed with an exit velocity of 83 mph off a tee. During game action he showed solid strike zone discipline by drawing a couple of walks.

Daniel Laberry, C, Lincoln-Way West, 2014
Stronger build, 5-foot-11, 195-pound catcher, sturdy lower half. Offensively hits from a wide stance, short load and short stride. Made consistent hard contact in BP round, flashed occasional pop, mostly pull side approach. Showed gap pop in games with a double. Defensively showed soft hands receiving the baseball, arm worked over the top, 73 mph arm strength out of the crouch. Posted 2.20-2.36 pop times. Showed above average speed for a catcher, 7.13 runner in the 60.

Joey Locasto, C/MIF, Joliet West, 2014
5-foot-8, 185-pound, strong bodied player with wide shoulders. As a catcher he showcased blocking and receiving skills. His catch and release skill set featured soft hands, quick feet, and a clean exchange, producing pop times in the 2.19-2.33 range. His arm action is short and loose, from and over-the-top slot at 71 mph. Offensively, he has a standard setup and stance, and uses a short stride.  His swing is balanced, with a level and extended path with average bat speed, producing an exit velocity of 75 mph off a tee. He ran a 7.76 60.

Jake Mahy, C/3B, Lincoln-Way West, 2014
5-foot-10, 190-pound, left hand hitting position player.  From behind the plate he throws with a short arm, and an over-the-top slot with standard arm strength at 71 mph. His pop times were in the 2.19-2.37 range.  At the plate he has an open stance with a smooth loading action and a short stride and a balanced swing.  Showed a level bat path with quality extension and above average bat speed. His exit velocity off the tee was 83 mph. He looks to pull the ball, as all hits over the weekend were to the pull side. He ran an 8.29 60.

Connor Quinn, C, Schaumburg, 2014
6-foot-3, 175-pound, lanky, catcher.  Behind the dish, he throws from an over-the-top slot with a long arm action. Down to second he threw 70 mph, with pop times in the 2.26-2.44 range. Offensively, he has an open stance, with a short stride and solid balance. His swing has an uphill path with extension. Off the tee he had an exit velocity of 82 mph. He ran a 7.9 60.

Joseph Seegers, MIF/C, Oconomowoc (WI), 2014
5-foot-8, 150-pound multi-positional player who ran a 7.12 60. In game action he used that speed to steal one base. From behind the dish he showed a clean exchange, with pop times in the 2.23-2.36 range with a velocity of 73 mph. As an infielder he showed a short arm action with an over-the-top slot. He throws across the diamond with a velocity of 75 mph. Offensively, he has a balanced setup with a short stride, and maintains balance through the swing. He showcased average bat speed and had an exit velocity of 78 mph off the tee. Swing has fluid rhythm to it and played as a contact style swing, collecting two base hits during the games.

Vincent Surdo, C, Notre Dame College Prep, 2014
5-foot-10, 180-pound, left handed hitting catcher. From behind the dish, he displayed solid catch and release skills, posting pop times in the 2.12-2.18 range, with average carry at 76 mph. In game action he showcased solid receiving skills. Offensively, he had a narrow stance with a long stride and was able to stay balanced through the swing. He showcased average to above average bat speed, posting an exit velocity of 82 mph off the tee. Has an uphill bat path, with quality extension and looks to pull. In game action he scored a couple of runs and stole one base.

Tyler Veart, RHP/C, Plainfield East, 2014
5-foot-11, 170-pound two way player.  Behind the plate he throws with a loose arm, from a high ¾ slot, with average carry at 69 mph. His pop times ranged from 2.22-2.43. Offensively, he has a wide stance, slightly opened, and uses a short stride. His exit velocity off the tee was 81 mph. In game action he stole one base. He ran a 7.82 60. On the mound, he has a tall and fall delivery, a short arm action, and a high ¾ slot. His fastball was 72-75 mph, flashing 76 mph. He threw a breaking ball with slurve tilt and action at 67 mph. He threw a straight changeup at 66 mph.

Travis Weber, C, Loyola, 2014
5-foot-9, 175-pound catcher with quality blocking and receiving skills. He showcased average catch and release ability with pop times in the 2.14-2.22 range. His arm strength was 70 mph from behind the dish.  Offensively, he had a balanced setup with a short stride and repeatable swing. He showcased average to above average bat speed producing an exit velocity of 81 mph off the tee. During the games he showed a strong eye, collecting 3 walks in 2 games, to go along with a couple of hits, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored. He ran a 7.52 60.

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