Fall Underclass Showcase Analysis: Catchers
December 10, 2019
On October 27th, our PBR boot-on-the-ground staff held the Fall Underclass Showcase at Franklin Ranch. This showcase featured talented underclassmen from every corner of the state. Today is a look at an in-depth analysis with scouting reports of all the catchers in attendance. Be sure to stay tuned for the continued releases of analysis from the Fall Underclass Showcase.
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Catchers
Owen Farris, C/SS, Ridge Point HS, 2023
5-foot-8, 130-pounds, wiry, right-handed hitting catcher. Tall, balanced set-up, quiet hand load, short stride, maintains balance through swing. Direct bat path, line drive approach to the gaps, stays inside the baseball, two-hand finish. Posted a 79 exit velocity off of a tee. Active feet behind the plate, works in line towards second base on throw down, baseball shows some carry across the diamond, showcased a 2.18-2.30 pop time. Ran a 7.95 60-yard dash.
Nicholas Fernandez, C/OF, Bridgeland, 2022
5-foot-9, 150-pounds, athletic left-handed hitting catcher and outfielder. Crouched, athletic set-up, smooth hand load, controlled leg kick into long stride. Direct bat path on an uphill plane, bat speed present, loose hands, aggressive lower half. Posted a 76 MPH exit velocity off of a tee. In the outfield, attacks the baseball with tempo, uses a pro-step gather. Threw 79 MPH from the outfield. Behind the plate, clean exchange with a quick release, baseball carries across the diamond. Showcased a 2.04-2.19 pop time. Ran a 7.57 in the 60-yard dash.
Zachary Mazoch, C/1B, Hendrickson, 2022
6-foot-0, 175-pounds, Strong, athletic left-handed hitting catcher. Crouched, athletic set-up, quiet hand load, long stride into wide finish. Direct, level bat path with extension through the baseball, produces natural lift, gap to gap approach with power to the pull-side. Posted an 83 MPH exit velocity off of a tee. Behind the plate, efficient footwork on throwdown, displayed flexible blocking technique. Arm works over the top, quick and clean release. Showcased a 2.19-2.26 pop time. Ran a 7.82 in the 60-yard dash.
Kevin Borque. C/OF, Hardin Jefferson, 2021
At the plate, sets up and gets his front foot down early, flat stroke, stayed inside the ball well in BP, also posted an 82 MPH exit velocity off of a tee. Ran a 7.63 in the 60-yard dash. Threw 75 MPH from the outfield with a long arm path and threw the ball slightly uphill. Behind the plate Borque was accurate with his throws, showcased a 2.19-2.30 pop time behind the plate.
Trace Holcomb, C/OF, Weatherford, 2022
5-foot-10, 155-pounds, right-handed hitting catcher. Balanced athletic set-up, hands load back and down, controlled leg kick into short stride, tall finish. Level bat path, loose hands, line-drive approach to the pull-side. Posted an 82 MPH exit velocity off of a tee. Behind the plate, quick exchange, efficient footwork on throw down, clean blocking technique. Showcased a 2.16-2.27 pop time. Ran a 7.92 in the 60-yard dash.
Nicholas Olivarez, C/3B, Clear Springs, 2021
5-foot-7, 190-pounds, strong and sturdy right-handed hitting catcher. At the plate, crouched set-up, smooth hand load with a slight barrel tilt, short stride into balanced and athletic finish, repeatable motions. Direct bat path on a slightly uphill plane, produces natural lift, bat speed present. Posted a 78 MPH exit velocity off of a tee. Behind the dish, stays in legs through exchange, feet work in line towards second base, clean blocking technique. Short arm action from a ¾ slot. Showcased a 2.23-2.25 pop time. Ran a 8.07 in the 60-yard dash.
Tanner Phillips, C/INF, Deer Park, 2021
5-foot-8, 155-pounds, strong left-handed hitting catcher and infield. Wide, athletic set-up at the plate, quiet hand load, controlled leg-kick into long stride. Short bat path on a slightly uphill plane, line drive approach to the gaps, loose hands. Posted a 76 MPH exit velocity off of a tee. On the infield, early glove presentation, works from the ground up, plays through the baseball with some rhythm and tempo, clean exchange. Threw 70 MPH across the diamond. Behind the plate, quick feet, efficient exchange, natural actions. Posted a 2.15-2.19 pop time. Ran a 7.90 in the 60-yard dash.
Dillon Lopez, C/OF, Holmes HS, 2023
5-foot-9, 175-pounds, strong right-handed hitting catcher and outfielder. Athletic and open-set up, hands load straight back with barrel tilt, hovering leg kick into long stride. Aggressive swing, direct bat path on a slightly uphill plane, power approach to the gaps, bat speed present. Posted an 83 MPH exit velocity off of a tee. In the outfield, fields off of left foot, soft hands, utilizes a pro-step gather. Threw 80 MPH from the outfield. Behind the plate, clean exchange, quick release from a high ¾ arm slot, ability to the put the ball on the bag efficiently. Showcased a 2.06-2.14 pop time. Ran a 7.82 in the 60-yard dash.
Adrian Herrera, C/3B, Central Catholic HS, 2023
5-foot-10, 165-pounds compact right-handed hitting catcher and infielder. Tall, open-set up with slight knee bend, hands start close to body, smooth hand load with barrel tilt, controlled leg kick into long stride. Direct bat path on a slightly uphill plane, swings with intent, loose hands, bat speed present. Posted an 84 MPH exit velocity off of a tee. On the infield, plays through the baseball with tempo, ability to field on the move. Short arm action from multiple angles. Threw 77 MPH across the diamond. Behind the plate, gains ground on throw down, quick exchange, baseball carries towards second base. Showcased a 2.00-2.14 pop time. Ran a 7.83 in the 60-yard dash.
Ethan Blanchette, C/OF, Johnson HS, 2021
6-foot-1, 180-pounds, athletic right-handed hitting catcher and outfielder. Balanced set-up, smooth hand load, controlled leg kick into long stride, wide and balanced finish. Direct and level pat path, extension through the baseball, produces line drives, stays up the middle. Posted an 84 MPH exit velocity. On defense,, fields off of glove-side foot, utilizes a pro-step gather. Threw 79 MPH from the outfield. Behind the dish, clean exchange, gains ground towards second on throw down. Short arm action, over the top release. Showcased a 2.26-2.37 pop time. Ran a 7.87 in the 60-yard dash.
Wyatt Alexander, C/INF, Lehman HS, 2023
5-foot-10, 205-pounds, right-handed hitting catcher and infielder. Crouched set-up, hands set high by back ear, quiet hand load with short stride. Hands work to stay inside the baseball through swing. Posted a 62 MPH exit velocity off of a tee. On the infield, glove works out front, two-hand gather. Arm works from a low ¾ slot. Threw 63 MPH across the infield. Also took a round behind the plate where he showcased a 2.80-2.97 pop time. Ran a 10.16 in the 60-yard dash.
Ethan Gonzalez, Smithson Valley, 2023
6-foot, 175-pounds, behind the dish showed a quick release with a short arm action, inconsistent with accuracy on throws but was able to have POP times of 1.97 to 2.07. On the infield was able to show athletic feet and good carry on his throws across the diamond at 83 mph. At the plate, has moving parts in the load and swing with some length, wanted to pull the ball during BP. From the tee had an exit velocity of 78 mph. Gonzalez also ran a 7.98 60-yard dash on the day.