Unsigned Senior Showcase: Catcher Analysis
January 21, 2019
On Jan. 13, PBR Illinois hosted its first showcase of 2019, the winter’s Unsigned Senior Showcase. Approximately 50 prospects came out to The MAX facility in McCook, Ill., to participate in the day’s workout in front of our staff and over 25 colleges.
We started our coverage last week with our Quick Hits post and a Statistical Analysis, but today marks the start of our position-by-position breakdowns, beginning with the showcase’s group of catchers.
This group of backstops was one of the more well-rounded positional groups of the day and included a couple of stand-out defenders. Among them, was New Trier’s Donald Stricklin. He was the only catcher in the group to notch a pop time under 2.00 and made accurate throws down to second, too. Sterling’s Camden Bailey may have had the strongest arm of the bunch, topping 79 mph out of the crouch.
Continue on below for full reports on each of the six catchers from the group. And remember to check back tomorrow when we examine the day’s group of infielders.
TOP PROSPECTS (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)
Alec Akerman, C, Rock Falls, 2019
5-foot-9, 170-pound catcher, strong build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, loads hands back, long stride, reverse load. Path is long and level, occasional line drive contact. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played short and over the top, 76 mph out of the crouch, accurate to target. 2.18-2.27 pop times. 7.28 runner in the 60.
Camden Bailey, C, Sterling, 2019
Lean projectable frame, 6-foot-2, 165-pound catcher. Plus arm for his age and position, plays short and loose out of the crouch, over the top, plays accurate to his target, carries well, 79 mph out of the crouch. Exchange gets long out of the chute, showed soft hands, pop times will improve with shorter exchange. 2.11-2.25 pop times. 7.38 runner in the 60. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, slightly wider setup, short stride. Path has some length, uphill plane, 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Nicholas Kracik, C, Maine South, 2019
5-foot-9, 135-pound catcher, build carries lean strength. Right-handed hitter, crouched setup, short stride, slight leg lift. Path has some length, creates opposite field contact, occasional inside out approach. 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Receiving setup is low and quiet, presents fastball well. Exchange gets long out of the crouch at times, arm action plays over the top, 70 mph arm out of the crouch, 2.23-2.34 pop times. 7.71 runner in the 60.
Nathan Sanchez, C, Lake View, 2019
5-foot-9, 152-pound left-handed hitting catcher, athletic proportional frame. Hits from a balanced stance, smooth load action, drops hands into load, short stride, maintains good balance through contact. Level path, line drive approach, showed feel for the barrel with hard opposite field contact. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Confident defender, showed soft hands, sets up low, quiet target, athletic block. Arm action is short and over the top, 75 mph out of the crouch. Pop times ranged 2.02-2.15. 7.53 runner in the 60.
Donald Stricklin, C, New Trier, 2019
5-foot-9, 170-pound catcher, durable stocky frame, strong lower half. Natural catching actions, soft easy receiver, sets up low and quiet. Gets out of the crouch quick and efficient, short actions quick release. Pop times ranged 1.97-2.14. Arm played accurate, 74 mph from short over the top arm stroke. Right-handed hitter, keeps simple, balanced stance, loads hands back, short stride, maintains balance. Level path, line drive contact. 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.76 runner in the 60.
Zachary Walthers, C, Shepard, 2019
6-foot-1, 185-pound catcher. Right-handed hitter, open stance, stride varies between short toe tap and long leg kick. Path is long and level, line drive contact, made opposite field contact in BP. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played 71 mph out of the crouch, low slot. Pop times are 2.22-2.38, receives soft at times, worked well with low pitch. 7.46 runner in the 60.