First Thoughts: Preseason West Catchers

March 1, 2018
Dan Cevette
President, New York

Last week (February 19, 2018) more than 100 players worked out in front of our New York boots-on-the-ground scouting staff. Overall, the talent was exciting to say the very least. Several new names to the system impressed while some veterans to PBR continue to improve and raise their stock. Today we take a look at a few catching prospects that impressed last February, 19. Let's get started. ** Rankings have not been updated to reflect most recent events..

2019

Andrew Sanchez C / Rush-Henrietta, NY / 2019

Rankings StateRank: 95 / POS: 12

Sanchez stands 6-foot-0, 190-pounds from a strong athletic build behind the dish. He ran a 6.92 60 yard dash on lasers showing off premium athleticism from the catching position. At the plate he uses a narrow stance slightly open, hands high with a loose bat waggle, on the pitch small stride back to even, barrel path is fluid and level, compact to the ball, long finish shoulder-high, exit velocity of 89 mph off of tee, signs of gap-to-gap power. Defensively, receives the ball from a slightly narrow stance behind the dish, soft hands, extra fast footwork, quick release from a short arm action to the ear, an impressive 77 mph arm strength from the catching position with a 1.94 pop time, very exciting catching prospect from the Greater Rochester New York area.

Adam Wojciechowski C / RHP / West Seneca East, NY / 2019

Rankings StateRank: 125 / POS: 16

Wojciechowski stands a towering 6-foot-4, pushing 190-pounds yet still able to hold more positive weight, ideal new-age size for catchers. At the plate, he uses an upright stance, back load and small stride for timing on the pitch. Hands drop to the contact zone, short and repeatable swing, barrel path is mostly level with a high extended finish, 88 mph exit velocity showing advanced bat-speed with power projections. Behind the dish, although his 60-time is a 7.86, his footwork behind the plate appear faster, hands are soft with the transfer to his hand consistently clean. Arm-strength was up from his last event now peaking 75, continued work will see the pop time down near the 2.0 mark this summer. Nice looking prospect behind the dish from WNY.

Amaury Samalot Jr. C / Churchville Chili, NY / 2019

Rankings StateRank: 167 / POS: 21

Samalot weighs 180-pounds, from a 5-foot-8 frame, thick strong lower half, ideal for the demands of the catching position. At the plate he uses a wide base hands high around his head, on the pitch he uses a back load knee lift for timing with a stride, hands power inside the ball on an aggressive path, strong, drops some on back side, fluid long finish, 80 mph exit velocity off a tee, but expect that number to rise come this summer. Defensively, uses a wide base to receive the ball, soft hands, gets the ball out of his glove quick with a fast release near his ear, over the top slot 73 mph arm strength from the catching position, 2.09 pop time was his best on the day. Catching Prospect to keep an eye on come this spring - summer.

Jordan Maher C / OF / Midlakes , NY / 2019

Rankings StateRank: 251 / POS: 34

Maher stands at 5-foot-11, 165 pounds. Ran a 7.28 60, which shows athleticism for his position. This is also an improvement from last February where he ran a 7.59. Offensively- Slightly opened stance with hands held at shoulder height. Slight toe tap to engage with minimal stride. Swing plan flat through the zone with a slight incline following contact. Exit velocity recorded at 78-MPH which is a 5-MPH increase from a year ago. Defensively- starts with an even square base. Comfortably received the ball with a smooth ball to hand transfer with a pop time ranging from 2.09-2.15. Arm at a high 3/4- slot measuring 73-MPH arm strength. Maher could benefit from off-season strength training to continue to increase arm his bat and arm strength.

Connor Fitzsimmons 1B / C / Pittsford Sutherland, NY / 2019

Rankings StateRank: 116 / POS: 5

6-foot-5, 215-pounds backstop from the WNY area. At the plate narrow stance from an open approach. On the pitch loads back, dives his upper half over the inside of the plate, would like to see him a little more upright, hands stay inside the ball with a level barrel through contact, 87 mph exit velocity and we expect to see that number keep climbing. Defensively, arm-strength is up 3-mph from 75 to now 78 mph showing continued growth. Big frame, slightly narrow for his size, receives with soft hands, quick footwork to a high 3/4 slot release. Pop times are consistent in the low- 2.0's.

2020

Nicholas Castellana C / 1B / Lancaster , NY / 2020

Rankings StateRank: 16 / POS: 2

Standing 6-foot-2, 190-pounds with a strong athletic appearance, ideal size behind the plate. In the box he uses a slightly open stance, very relaxed setup, strides back to even on the pitch. Hands are strong and aggressive, powers inside the ball on a mostly level barrel plane, at times there is some slight lift, full shoulder high extension, 90 mph exit velocity off a tee and he is just scratching the surface with the bat, chance to be a very special catching prospect with the bat. Behind the dish it's very clear he has put the time in to become one of the top 2020 catchers in the state. Wide soft setup, quick footwork and glove to hand transfer, throws have plenty of strength behind them at 75 mph with an impressive 1.93 pop-time. Sky is the limit for the WNY catching prospect.

Tyler Coy C / 3B / Canisius, NY / 2020

Stands 6-foot-2, 190-pounds, from a very projectable body frame with more signs to come. He ran a 7.38 60 yard dash time on lasers. At the plate he uses a wide set up hands back at shoulder height, Barrel path is mostly level through the contact Zone, impressive exit velocity of 92 mph. Defensively, use a wide stance receives the ball with a soft glove, throws from a high 3/4 slot using proper footwork, 74 mph arm strength with a 2.00 pop time. very good-looking catching prospect in WNY.

Henry Juan C / 3B / Horseheads, NY / 2020

Rankings StateRank: 52 / POS: 6

Stands a firm 5-foot-11, 185-pounds with a strong looking appearance. He ran a 7.56 60-yard dash showing improvement from the last event. At the plate, slightly crouched stance with shoulder width apart feet, on the pitch he slides his front foot back for timing, loading on his back side. Hands power forward, strong and compact to the ball, barrel plane is mostly level through contact with a high finish, exit velocity of 90 mph, up five-mph since last summer showing continued growth. Defensively, more of a prototypical build for the catching position, receives the ball soft with balance, footwork quick gaining ground, clean fast release from a high 3/4 slot, 75 mph arm-strength with a career best 1.95 pop-time on his best throw. Look for Juan to break out this summer.