Hoosier Holiday Showcase: Catchers Analysis

December 17, 2013

By Phil Wade & Blake Hibler
PBR Indiana

On Sunday, December 15th, PBR Indiana hosted the Inaugural Hoosier Holiday Showcase at Trinity Ballpark's Indoor Facility in Noblesville, Indiana. The event consisted of 46 players from across the state, and one player from Illinois. A total of 11 catchers participated in the event. Below we analyze each catcher.

Top 5

1. Cody Burton, C, Columbus North HS, 2015: 6-foot, 210 pound junior showed plus actions behind the plate. Possess a strong frame with good foundation. Above average arm strength at 77 mph. Pop times were 2.01-2.10. Footwork needs some improvement along with his exchange, but projects well behind the plate at the next level. Offensively, starts open with a long stride. Minimal load back with a big weight transfer going forward. Lower half works with good balance. Swing path is short and gets to extension producing gap-to-gap power with occasional HR power. Exit velo was 88 mph. High follow in the 2015 class.

2. Joshua Wooten, C, North Central HS (Indpls.), 2016: 5-foot-11, 175 pound sophomore is athletic and quick behind the plate. Possesses soft hands and a good setup. Very projectable catcher. Showcased good arm strength at 76 mph. Produced an event best pop time of 1.95. Pop times ranged between 1.95-2.05. At the plate hits from a wide base with no stride. Hands are quick. Lower half is inconsistent with good feet. Gets long at times. As he gets more consistent at the plate, projects to be a high level player.

3. Alec Parker, C, Noblesville HS, 2015: 5-foot-11, 185 pound junior moves well behind the plate with above average feet and exchange. Reactions are a little slow and needs to improve his setup. Pop times were 2.00-2.11 and was 72 mph from the crouch. At the plate uses a simple approach with a toe drag. Bars during his load. Makes hard contact with projectable power. Swing plane is uphill generating good lift. Exit was 86 mph.

4. Luke Elliot, C, Eastbrook HS, 2016: 5-foot-10, 180 pound sophomore possesses a good frame and solid foundation behind the plate. Actions are raw as he needs to improve footwork and receiving. Displayed good arm strength at 74 mph and was 2.18-2.25 with his pop times. Offensively is a switch hitter. From the right side hits from a tall, narrow setup and uses a leg kick with above average bat speed (84 mph exit velo). Projectable power from the right side. On the left side is more raw mechanically. More of a pull side hitter. Lower half needs refined on both sides of the plate.

5. Brayden White, C, Cloverdale HS, 2016: 5-foot-10, 210 pound sophomore shows good footwork with a quick release behind the plate. Shows average blocking ability with a good base. Feet are slow. Pop times were 2.03-2.18 and was 70 mph from the crouch. Offensively, starts wide with a big load. Swing is violent and aggressive. Makes hard contact with long swing path. No stride. Posted an exit velo of 78 mph.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Nick Bantz, C, Delta HS, 2016: 6-foot-2, 170 pound catcher moves well behind the plate. Shows some stiffness. Overall defensive actions need refined. Was 62 mph from the crouch. Pop times were 2.58-2.64. At the plate uses a short, simple approach with a minimal load. Average use of lower half with good balance throughout. Bat drags through the zone. Exit velo was 71 mph.

Cole Frybort, C, North White HS, 2015: 5-foot-8, 205 pound catcher was 2.30-2.41 with his pop times and was 66 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from a slight crouch, with closed setup. Uses a long uphill swing plane to generate lift. Exit velo was 79 mph.

Chase Gadau, C, SJ-Ogden HS (IL), 2015: 5-foot-11, 205 pound junior moves well behind the plate. Showcased flexibility with a solid foundation. Good potential. Arm strength is average and needs to improve his exchange and footwork. Pop times were 2.18-2.33. Offensively, starts with high hands. Strides wide gaining forward momentum. Bat speed is average with an inconsistent swing path. Line drive type hitter.

Logan Green, C, Huntington North HS, 2016: 5-foot-5, 175 pound catcher receives it well for a 2016, handling all pitches well. Possesses a quick exchange with quick feet. Pop times were 2.08-2.15 with accurate throws on the bag. Arm strength is average. Good foundation behind the plate. Offensively, starts open with high elbows. Swing is short and compact, finishing two-handed. Good balance throughout the swing. Produces gap-to-gap power.

Preston Husband, C, Huntington North HS, 2016: 5-foot-8, 170 pound sophomore shows quiet actions behind the plate with average receiving skills. Pop times were 2.32-2.35 with erratic throws to 2B. Offensively starts open with a high back elbow. Swing plane is flat through the zone. Lower half needs refined. Recorded a 70 mph exit velo.

Tanner Lilly, C, Mt. Vernon HS, 2017: 5-foot-8, 135 pound freshman is currently raw behind the plate. Starts low with long feet. Possesses good athleticism for his size. Pop times were 2.28-2.45. Offensively, starts wide and open. Drops hands during the load with an arm bar. Possesses good hand speed for a 2017.