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2.16 Underclass Invitational East: Catchers Analysis

March 12, 2015

Shon Plack
Missouri Scouting Director

On Monday, February 16, Prep Baseball Report-Missouri held the Underclass Invitational East showcase for players in the 2017 and 2018 class.  Over 60 players from around the state participated to show their skills in front of the PBR staff.

CLICK HERE to view the Instant Analysis article reviewing the top performers from the event in the various stat areas.

Over the next week we will be releasing position-by-position analysis articles with scouting reports on each player and identifying the top prospects. We will also be updating the Missouri class of 2017 and 2018 player rankings over the next few weeks.

Today we take a look at the catchers that participated in the event. The talent level was high and included many of the top class of 2017 and 2018 catching prospects from Missouri.

Top Catching Prospects

Koltyn Kessler, C, Rockwood Summit, 2017
Kessler is a strong 6-foot-2 210-pound left-handed hitting catcher, on upward trend from last event, 1.94 to 2.10 pop-times, 74 mph velo from crouch, fluid exchange, quick footwork, soft hands, mostly accurate throws, offensively, balanced set up, smooth rhythm, no wasted movement, level path to extension, uses middle of field, pull power, advanced approach, 84 mph exit velo, 4.84 home-to-first.

Nick Hagedorn, C, Smith-Cotton, 2017
Hagedorn is a 5-foot-10 165-pound left-handed hitting catcher, showing considerable improvement from last event, 1.93 to 2.12 pop times, mostly accurate throws, 73 mph velo, quick exchange and release, quick feet, has mobility, at the plate, 89 mph exit velo, 4.06 home-to-first, starts open and loaded in back leg in stance, lands slightly closed, minimal hand movement, fast bat speed, pull approach with power.

Weston Schad, C, Westminster, 2017
Schad is a 6-foot-4 205-pound catcher, pop-times between 2.00 and 2.30, clean exchange and release, 73 mph positional velo, athletic/projectable build, at the plate, starts with open stance, lands square, smooth rhythm, gap-to-gap approach, level bat path to extension, fast bat, 88 mph exit velo, 5.01 home-to-first

The Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Brennan Fitzpatrick, C, CBC, 2017
Fitzpatrick is a 5-foot-8 155-pound catcher, athletic behind the plate, quick catch and release, has good arm strength, 80 mph velo, 2.01 to 2.10 pop times, accurate throws, as a hitter, 80 mph exit velo, 5.03 home-to-first, athletic stance, has leg kick, gap-to-gap approach, flat path through zone.

Connor Haigh, C, Kirkwood, 2018
Haigh is a sturdy 6-foot-1 184-pound catcher, pop-times in the 2.22-2.29 range, 72 mph velo from the crouch, clean exchange, over-the-top release, mostly accurate throws, offensively, starts in a balanced stance, level path through zone,  consistent quality contact during BP, middle-to-oppo approach, 81 mph exit velo, 4.61 home-to-first

Drew Kirchoff, C, SLUHS, 2018
Kirchoff is a 5-foot-2 192-pound catcher, pop-times between 2.30 and 2.40, 69 mph  velo, over-the-top release, fluid footwork and exchange, at the plate, balanced set-up, smooth rhythm, no stride, line drive to opposite side approach, 80 mph exit velo, 5.03 home-to-first

Sam Pagano, C, St. Dominic, 2017
Pagano is a 5-foot-9 145-pound catcher with pop times in the 2.18-2.30 range, 72 mph velo from the crouch, accurate throws, clean exchange, fluid footwork, offensively, starts with a narrow stance, lands square, tends to get under ball, uses middle of field, 77 mph exit velo, runs 4.81 home-to-first

Wade Stauss, C, Lafayette, 2017
Stauss is a 5-foot-11 170-pound left-handed hitting catcher, pop-times between 2.15 and 2.18, 73 mph velo from behind the plate, at the plate, balanced set-up, slight dive with stride, oppo line-drive approach, no wasted movement in hands, balanced finish, 84 mph exit velo, 4.41 home-to-first

Cole Wood, C, Valle Catholic, 2017
Wood is a slim 6-foot-1 160-pound catcher, at the plate, athletic stance, smooth rhythm, no wasted movement, middle-to-pull approach, some pop to pull gap, 83 mph exit velo, 4.47 home-to-first, behind the plate, 2.05 to 2.15 pop-times, 74 mph velo, mostly accurate throws, stands up a bit to throw, fluid exchange, projectable/athletic build.

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