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Fall Underclass Games: Catching Analysis

November 11, 2014

By Sean McCann
Prep Baseball Report Kansas

Prep Baseball Report Kansas hosted the Fall Underclass Games at Tointon Family Stadium on the campus of Kansas State University in Manhattan on October 19, 2014. This was an invite-only event for Kansas high school class of 2017 and 2018 prospects.

There were several two-way players (pitcher + position player) at this event, but keep in mind that the evaluations below are based on the position player side only. 

Below are the scouting reports on the catchers that participated in the event. It was a talented group highlighted by three of the top right-handed hitters in the entire event: Jordan Maxson (Maize South HS, 2017), Brady Garrison (Mill Valley HS, 2017) and Traice Hartter (Topeka Seaman HS, 2017) in addition to projectable 6-foot-2, 180-pound left-hand hitting catcher Jackson Cobb (Washubrn Rural, 2017).

Click on the player's headline link to be directed to their profile with video from their performance.

Top class of 2017 Prospects

1. Jordan Maxson, C/OF, Maize South HS (2017)
Maxson is a strong, athletic 6-foot, 190-pound right-hand hitting catcher and outfielder. At the plate has a balanced set-up, open stance, inline stride, smooth hand load, short bat path, fast bat, extension through the baseball, maintains balance throughout. Powerful swing that repeatedly produces hard contact in the gaps. Recorded an exit velocity of 88 mph, the second best mark in camp. In the games, drove the ball to the middle of the field with authority collecting a single and triple, both to center field. He also threw out a would-be base stealer at second base.  In the outfield showed athletic footwork, clean exchanges and high three-quarters arm action, throwing velocity up to 82 mph. Runs well for a physical player registering a 7.10 60-yard dash and 4.39 home-to-first from the right side. Maxson’s bat projects in a big way and he has the athleticism to play multiple positions.

2. Brady Garrison, C, Mill Valley HS (2017)
Garrison is a strong 6-foot, 207-pound right-hand hitting catcher. Balanced set-up at the plate, slightly open stance, strides slightly closed, minimal hand load, maintains balance throughout, extension through the baseball, repeats, very aggressive swing with bat speed. Line drive gap-to-gap approach with exit velocity as high as 86 mph. In the game singled twice and hit a laser to left field for a loud out.  Behind the plate showed quick feet and exchanges, short high three-quarters arm action, throws had carry, throwing velocity of 75 mph (top mark in camp), pop times in the 1.95-2.09 range, all throws on or near the bag. Ran a 7.63 60-yard dash and 4.73 home-to-first from the right side. Talented class of 2017 catching prospect with a chance to hit at a high level. 

3. Traice Hartter, C/SS, Topeka Seaman HS (2017)
Hartter is a 5-foot-8, 145-pound switch-hitting catcher and shortstop. He was the starting shortstop for Topeka Seaman’s 5A state tournament team as a freshman. From the left-side has a balanced set-up, open stance, smooth hand load, strides inline, loose hands, maintains balance throughout, middle-oppo approach. Exit velocity high of 73 mph. Hitting right-handed showed a balanced set-up, open stance, strides slightly closed, finishes with extension, aggressive swing. Line drive, slight pull approach. Exit velocity up to 81 mph. In the games, Hartter had an MVP-like performance at the plate going 4-for-4 (two singles, a double and a triple), very aggressive base runner – took the extra base at every opportunity and also stole a base. At shortstop showed sound footwork, clean exchanges, high three-quarters arm action, very solid defender, throwing velocity up to 77 mph. Behind the plate throws had carry, clocked as high as 74 mph, pop times in the 1.95-2.02 range. Ran a 7.64 60-yard dash and 4.51 home-to-first from the left side. Aggressive player with a high motor that has improved in all areas over the last year.

top class of 2018 prospect

Jackson Cobb, C/OF, Washburn Rural HS (2018)
Cobb is a projectable 6-foot-2, 180-pound left-hand hitting catcher and outfielder. At the plate has an athletic set-up, weight loaded back, slightly open stance, minimal hand load, dives, strides slightly closed, short bat path, backside in sync, short finish, maintains balance throughout. Line drive, gap-to-gap approach. Exit velocity high of 83 mph. Behind the plate showed quick, simple footwork, clean exchanges, short three-quarters motion, throws had carry, throwing velocity up to 74 mph with pop times in the 1.96-2.14 range, all throws on or near the bag at second. In the outfield, moved well, clean exchanges, long three-quarters arm action, throws clocked as high as 79 mph. Ran a 7.69 60-yard dash and 4.43 home-to first. Impressive class of 2018 prospect.

Best of the rest (alphabetical order)

Connor Hughes, C, Olathe North HS (2018)
Hughes is a 5-foot-10, 165-pound right-hand hitting catcher. At the plate, starts with a wide inline stance, short stride, drops hands during load, upper half dominant swing, maintains balance throughout, finishes with extension. Line drive, oppo approach. Exit velocity up to 79 mph. Behind the plate throws with short high three-quarters arm action, throwing velocity 67 mph, pop times 2.25-2.32, mostly accurate throws.  In the games threw a runner out at third base. 

Clayton Leathers, C/OF, Blue Valley Northwest HS (2018)
Leathers is a 5-foot-9, 158-pound right-hand hitting catcher. Balanced set-up at the plate, slightly open stance, short inline stride, minimal hand load, upper half dominant. Middle of the field line drive approach. Exit velocity high of 76 mph. In the games notched three hits in four plate appearances including two doubles to left field. Behind the plate showed a short over-the-top throwing motion, throwing velocity of 70 mph and pop times in the 2.02-2.12 range. Ran a 7.65 60-yard dash and 4.82 home-to-first.

Braedyn Woborny, C, Manhattan HS (2017)
Woborny is an athletic 5-foot-9, 165-pound switch-hitting catcher. At the plate, from the left side showed a balanced set-up, open stance, inline stride, smooth hand load, short bat path, lower half works, maintains balance throughout and finishes with extension. Simple, repeatable line drive swing. Exit velocity 71 mph. Hitting right-handed has a balanced set-up, open stance, strides slightly open, smooth hand load, hands work, maintains balance throughout, finishes with extension, flattens the ball out in the middle of the field, exit velocity 76 mph. Behind the plate showed quick, simple footwork, short over-the-top throwing motion, 72 mph throwing velocity and pop times in the 2.26-2.31 range. Ran a 7.47 60-yard dash and 4.53 home-to-first from the left side.

Nicholas Wohler, C/1B, Manhattan HS (2017)
Wohler is a 6-foot-1, 155-pound right-hand hitting catcher and first baseman. At the plate showed a tall set-up, open stance, strides inline, hand load with length, lower half works, some bat speed, maintains balance throughout. Line drive approach, 81 mph exit velocity. In the games went 2-for-4 at the plate including a triple to right center field. Behind the plate showed athletic footwork, clean exchanges, short over-the-top throwing motion, easy thrower, throws had carry, throwing velocity up to 75 mph (top mark in camp), pop times in the 1.98-2.09 range. Ran a 7.77 60-yard dash and 4.98 home-to-first from the right side. Projectable frame with plenty of room to fill out physically.

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