LAKE CHARLES, LA - The third annual I-10 Border Battle between Texas and Louisiana was a huge success, with over 75 players from both states showcasing their skills and then competing in three games. Everyone on hand battled the elements. Today, we begin the player analysis with catchers.

CATCHERS

Beckett Vine, C/RHP,  St. John’s, 2020
Vine is going to be a nice pickup for some lucky school as he can fill a number of rolls on the field. With a 6-foot, 190-pound strong frame, the right-handed hitter has solid bat speed and made hard, loud contact during BP with gap power. In the game, he destroyed a ball to deep centerfield into the teeth of a steady gale force wind. Repeats his hack with simple rhythm as he triggers his hands down and back, taking a short stride and using quick-strong hands that deliver the barrel with strength and lift to finish and a 90 mph exit velocity. Vine’s arm strength allows him to play two premium positions as he threw 77 mph from the crouch and had pop times of 2.1-2.12. On the mound, the right-hander works from a high slot with short arm swing and a quality FB/SL mix. Fastball showed occasional tilt at  82-84, and he threw a short breaking 74 mph slider.

Mason Tomchesson, C, Klein Collins HS, 2019
5-foot-11, 170-pounds. Tomchesson is an offensive backstop that started the day with a 7.03 60-yard dash, and showed a quality feel to hit during the games, where he laced a two strike double down the right field line on a breaking ball. We have seen this guy a bunch and he plays with a blue-collar mentality. Behind the plate, he posted a top exit velocity of 76 mph from the crouch with pop times ranging from 2.03-2.18. Receives with soft hands during games, active blocker with solid mobility.

Sergio Guerra, SS/C, San Diego HS, 2021
Listed at 6-foot, 180-pounds, Guerra posted some of the best pop times of the event (1.94-2.07) and played easy catch to second base with a top velocity from the crouch of 79 mph. The right-handed hitter was on time and on the barrel during BP. Uses a short leg kick to load back, loose-strong hands with good lag in the barrel, he drove the ball to the gaps with a top exit velocity of 86 mph. On the infield, he has quick footwork and soft hands with directional shuffles to throw from over the top arm swing with a top velocity of 87 mph.

Andrew Carter, C, Montgomery HS, 2020
Broud shouldered, muscular frame at 5-foot-10, 175-pounds. The left-handed hitter has a smooth hack with relaxed rhythm and short stride that allows him to repeat his swing with relative ease, while a strong top hand finishes the barrel. He drove the ball with gap power, but expect to see more in the future with a 92 mph exit velocity. Behind the plate, he posted a top velocity from the crouch of 73 mph with pop times ranging from 2.18-2.26.

Trey Vento, RHP/C, Harlingen South HS, 2020
5-foot-10, 205-pounds. From the right side of the plate, Vento showed power to the opposite field gap while posting a top exit velocity of 97 mph. Coils his hips with a short leg lift as his hands slide back and down, slotting the barrel in the zone early. Powerful weight shift as he rotates to contact with an upward path and loose high finish that creates lift. From the left side, he glides forward, hitting off his front foot with a flatter path. Behind the dish, he threw 73 mph from a lower slot to second base with pop times of 2.11-2.19. On the mound, the right-hander will change slots, varying between an over the top or a low-¾ release. His fastball ranged from 76-81 mph, and he spun a 63-66 mph curveball with early break.

UP NEXT: Outfielders

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