Prep Baseball Report

New York Pro Clinic - Showcase: Catching Analysis From Dec. 21




Dan Cevette

Director, New York

Yesterday's Holiday Pro Clinic-Showcase was a tremendous baseball experience in Rochester, NY only four short days until Christmas. Nearly 40 players came out to show us their baseball skills including one player who drove nearly six hours from Staten Island, NY. 15 college coaches showed up for this Holiday event making this New York's premier winter clinic-showcase. Some very impressive numbers were recorded, and considering the time of year, and players not being in baseball shape, my staff (including myself) were thoroughly impressed. Here's a deeper look at the Catcher's from yesterday's event.

Sean Putnam, C, Fayetteville-Manlius, NY (2016)
Putnam stands 5-foot-11, 170-pounds with an athletic build, solidly built frame. Above average skill-set behind the plate. Quick transfer, clean arm action, throws from a high-3/4 slot with arm strength at 78 mph. Pop time came in at 1.98 and accurate. At the plate his setup is open, hands loose, relaxed and upright. On the pitch uses a small toe tap, strides back to even. Hands power inside the ball, short path. Barrel stays slightly inclined through the zone, extension out in front, one arm shoulder height finish. Above average exit velocity off a tee at 87 mph.

Sal Trancucci, C, Staten Island Academy, NY (2016)
Tracucci stands 5-foot-10, 180-pounds with a lot to like behind the plate. Wide base, receives big with smooth, soft hands. Shows athleticism behind the plate on his blocks, keeps ball close with plus technique. His transfer is fast, clean, with quick release. Throws from a high-3/4 slot, 78 mph arm strength, 1.94 pop time. Next-level behind the dish. At the plate his setup is slightly open and athletic. On the pitch he back loads, gets front leg to even with a small stride. He gets around the ball at times rolling on his front ankle, when he stays through the ball it jumps off his bat. He gets long extension out in front, high finish. 80 mph exit velocity. Exciting, hard working player to follow.

Philip Ferranti, C, Webster Schroeder HS, NY (2017)
Ferranti stands 5-foot-9, 180-pounds with solid size behind the plate. He receives with a wide base, soft hands. He drops his knees on blocks keeping the ball in front, has great size and projections at his position. He has a high, clean transfer on throws, uses an over-the-top slot, arm strength 71 mph with a 2.25 pop time. He has plenty of time to grow only being a 2017 graduate, look for him to be very good in the near future behind the dish. At the plate his setup is shoulder width, hands relaxed. On the pitch he uses a back load, stride for timing, short path to the ball, barrel gets to the ball quick, slightly uphill. Long extension out in front, balanced swing with high finish. Catching prospect to keep an eye on.

Jacob Sisto, C, Liverpool HS, NY (2017)
Sisto stands 5-foot-10, 165-pounds with a solidly built frame. He looks the part behind the plate using proper technique receiving, makes his body big, soft quiet hands. He has above average blocking skills. His glove to hand transfer is very good, clean and fast. Throws from a high-3/4 slot with 68 mph arm strength. Pop time was 2.25-2.3 and accurate. With a focus on arm strength and footwork Sisto will catch at the next level.  At the plate his setup is athletic. He uses a leg kick on the pitch, hands stay inside the ball, barrel stays mostly level through the zone, with slight extension after contact, shoulder height finish. 78 mph exit velocity off a tee.

Blake Hildman, C, Victor HS, NY (2017)
Hildman has great size for a catcher at 6-foot-1, 172-pounds. Great target to throw at just needs more innings and game maturity to develop at the position. His transfer is clean, but needs to be quicker. Arm action is fine, throws from a high-3/4 slot with 71 mph arm strength. Feet are heavy with a 2.38-2.4 pop time. If he works on his footwork, glove to release quickness he will see that number decrease. At the plate his setup is slightly open, hands relaxed. On the pitch he strides to even, back load for timing. Short path to the ball, barrel slightly inclined through the zone, high finish. Exit velocity was 78 mph. With some hard work Hildman projects well in a few years.

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