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Elite Prospect Showcase Analysis: Class of 2017/2018 Catchers

November 17, 2015

By Jacob Gill
Pennsylvania Assistant Director of Scouting

The 2015 Elite Prospect Showcase took place Saturday, November 7th at Keystone State Baseball Academy in Manheim, PA with 75 prospects from four states displaying their skills. Today we continue our analysis of all prospects in attendance by reviewing catchers in the sophomore and junior classes.

Conestoga Valley 2017 Luke Trainer posted the top defensive performance among this cohort at the event. In addition to solid receiving and blocking skills (good lateral agility; soft wall), his 72-mph arm strength from the crouch played up (2.00-2.09 pop times) due to quick feet, fundamental ball-to-ear transfer, and short, quick arm action. The 6-foot, 180-pound left-handed hitter demonstrates current gap power (87-mph exit velocity) and reasonable wheels for the position (7.41 60-yard dash). High back elbow and deep launch point create some length in his swing, although he does flash bat speed.

 

Caravel Academy (DE) 2017 Colin Adams stood out for his performance during his BP session. The physical 5-foot-11, 195-pound right-handed hitter barreled the baseball throughout his round and generated a 91-mph exit velocity. He starts from a slightly open stance and strides to square, showing an ability to repeat his swing, keep his eyes level, and create backspin. No slouch himself defensively, he exhibited a strong glove hand and solid blocking skills, while posting pop times of 2.06-2.13 with carry on his throws.

 

Michael Beimel, 2017, St. Mary's Area
5-foot-10, 170-pound switch-hitter. Similar approach from both sides of the plate. Starts from a slightly open stance, rocks weight to back side, controlling the forward action, staying behind his front side, and flashing some bat speed (83-mph exit velocity). Defensively, he showed a strong glove hand and solid blocking skills, along with 73-mph arm strength and pop times of 2.19-2.31.

Christian Corado, 2017, Hershey
5-foot-7, 170-pound right-handed hitter. Hits from a slightly open stance with some rhythm in his load and a late hitch with his hands. Stayed inside the baseball and registered an 87-mph exit velocity. Defensively, he's an aggressive blocker who logged 70-mph arm strength from the crouch and pop times of 2.28-2.34, which could improve if he shortens his arm action and footwork.

Jacob Jones, 2017, Neshaminy
6-foot-2, 210-pound right-handed hitter. Hits from a slightly open stance and body really drifts forward with toe-tap stride. Hands start low and he raises them in his load. Brute strength in frame generated a 96-mph exit velocity. Despite his big build, he showed an ability to set low, while posting 69-mph arm strength from the crouch and pop times of 2.22-2.35, with room to shorten his footwork and arm action.

Josh Kieffer, 2017, Fox Chapel Area
5-foot-11, 170-pound right-handed hitter. Starts from an open stance and takes a short, horizontal stride to slightly open. Barreled the baseball throughout his BP round, utilizing a short path, some batspeed, and strong forearms to register an 86-mph exit velocity. A solid athlete, he ran a 7.10 60-yard dash. Defensively, he showed an ability to stick the pitch when receiving along with a quick transfer and ball-to-ear arm action when throwing. Had a solid sophomore year offensively, hitting .305 with eight extra base hits and 20 walks against nine strikeouts.

Zach Klapak, 2018, Delaware Valley
6-foot-1, 185-pound left-handed hitter. Hits from a square stance with a medium-length stride that pulls his body forward some, but he stays behind his front side. Limited use of lower half leads to a long and strong (90-mph exit velocity) swing at the present time. Ran a 7.30 60-yard dash. Defensively, he exhibited solid receiving and blocking skills, along with a quick transfer and long, pitcher-like arm action (he threw a good bullpen later in the day) that generated arm strength of 77-mph from the crouch and pop times of 2.06-2.19.

Nick Laman, 2017, Hershey
5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed hitter who ran a 7.27 60-yard dash and recorded an 81-mph exit velocity. Starts from a slightly open stance and takes a knee-to-knee stride to square. Would benefit from consistently getting his front foot down and hands loaded on time, as well as fuller incorporation of his lower half into his swing. Defensively, he logged 71-mph arm strength from the crouch with solid transfer and release that generated pop times of 2.15-2.25. Would present a better look to the umpire by consistently getting his thumb underneath the ball when receiving.

Garrett Matheny, 2017, Calvert Hall (MD)
5-foot-10, 175-pound right-handed hitter who ran a 6.92 60-yard dash and posted an 85-mph exit velocity. Starts from an open stance and body drifts forward with stride to square. Swing has some length plus bat speed, and he showed pullside power potential while barreling the baseball throughout his BP round. Defensively, he exhibited solid receiving and blocking ability, in addition to a quick transfer and short arm action that led to pop times of 2.12-2.25 and 72-mph arm strength from the crouch.

Jared Matte, 2018, Bishop McDevitt
5-foot-8, 175-pound right-handed hitter starts from a square stance and utilizes a heel-raise stride to initiate his swing. Some arm-bar during load leads to some length in his swing, but demonstrated a feel for the barrel and a bat exit velocity of 74 mph. Demonstrated a soft glove hand, a clean transition and quick feet defensively. Physical maturity and improved arm strength will benefit current 65 mph arm strength and top pop time of 2.25 out of the crouch.

Tyler Peterson, 2017, Hollidaysburg Area
6-foot-2, 190-pound right-handed hitter who ran a 7.38 60-yard dash and posted a 92-mph exit velocity. Hits from a slightly open stance and stays through contact. Swing has some length with bat speed, while he would benefit from letting the ball travel into the zone a bit further, in order to take full advantage of his strong lower half. Defensively, he recorded 76-mph arm strength from the crouch and pop times of 2.10-2.24, the time and accuracy of which should improve when he learns to get his front foot all the way around toward second base.

Joshua Rich, 2018, Northeastern
5-foot-9, 150-pound right-handed hitter who ran a 7.38 60-yard dash and posted a 75 mph bat exit velocity. Starts from a wide square stance and strides to a soft front foot that he tends to roll over. Limited pre-swing movement and a deep load lead to some length in his swing. Showcased a soft receiving hand, a clean transition and quick feet during his defensive workout. Flashed pop times of 2.03-2.12 on throws of 72 mph from the crouch. Will continue to progress in all facets of the game with physical maturity and strength gains.

Dan Stauffer, 2017, Elk County Catholic
6-foot-1, 175-pound right-handed hitter who ran a 7.24 60-yard dash and posted an 84-mph exit velocity. Starts from a slightly open stance and strides to square. Elbow flare can creates some stiffness and length in swing, although he keeps his bat on plane a long time. Defensively, he exhibited good direction with his feet and recorded 71-mph arm strength from the crouch with pop times of 2.12-2.28.

Mike Winter, 2017, Nativity BVM
6-foot-1, 170-pound right-handed hitter. Starts from a slightly open stance and rocks his weight to his back side with a knee-to-knee stride before drifting forward to square. Eyes rock and bounce and he would benefit from minimizing his head movement as well as additional strength gains (80-mph exit velocity). Defensively, he sets with his elbow in between his knees below the glove and would strengthen his receiving ability by holding his forearm more horizontal from the start. He posted 67-mph arm strength from the crouch with pop times of 2.22-2.31.

Jordan Zilka, 2017, Belle Vernon Area
6-foot, 195-pound right-handed hitter. Hits from a slightly open stance with minimal stride, gets hands to good launch position, and flashes bat speed with some length. Recorded exit velocity was down from previously observed 88-mph and he has room to get more out of his strong lower half with further incorporation of his back side into his swing. Defensively, he recorded 74-mph arm strength and pop times of 2.12-2.28, which could become more consistent if he maintains his quick feet, but gets his front foot more directional toward second base.

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