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2017 Top Prospect Games: Catcher Analysis

August 19, 2015



Follow @PBRVirginiaDC

By Sammy Serrano
Director of Scouting

On July 22nd and 23rd,  Prep Baseball Report Virginia/DC hosted the 2017 Top Prospect Games at English Field on the campus of Virginia Tech.  Some of the best 2017's in the Commonwealth showcased their skills for various colleges and the PBR staff. Here is the catcher analysis from the event...

Complete Statistical Analysis from the 2017 Top Prospect Games, CLICK HERE.

For a link to the event with Player Profiles, CLICK HERE.

2017 TOp Prospect games: catcher analysis

Ty Bennett, Catcher, Rockbridge County, 2017
Hits from a balanced stance with slightly bent knees. Smooth load back. Utilized a tap step with a short stride that stayed on line. Maintained good balance throughout the swing with a limited use the lower half. Took a good approach during the round with a somewhat fragmented rhythm. Had a short/level that path with a line drive stroke. Had average bat speed with an exit velocity of 79 mph. Behind the plate, threw from the high three-quarter arm slot with a short arm action. Throws were accurate and had some carry. Showed average hands and footwork. Exchanges were clean and showed good arm strength in game with a pop at 2.01. Somewhat athletic at the position. Still raw. Could blossom into a good defensive catcher. Had a position velocity of 79 mph. Pop times were 2.01–2.18.

Michael Johnson, Catcher, Cosby, 2017
Hit from a balance stance that was tall. Had a smooth load back with a slight arm bar. Took a short stride that was on line. Showed good balance throughout the swing with a good lower half.  Had a good approach during around with a good rhythm. Bat path was short. When rhythm was late, casted hands. Had a line drive/gap to gap swing. Had average bat speed with an exit velocity of 78 mph. Behind the plate, threw from a high three-quarter arm slot with a short arm action. Throws were accurate and had carry. Showed soft hands when receiving.  Fluid footwork to go along with quick and clean exchanges. Moves well behind the plate. Was on his heels at times. Had a positional velocity of 78 mph. Pot times were 1.89- 2.02.

Daegan Phillips, Catcher, Rustburg, 2017
Hits from a balanced stance that was crouched slightly. Smooth load back with an arm bar. Short stride the stayed on line. Did not use the lower half. Maintained good balance throughout the swing. Took a good approach to the round with a fluid rhythm. Showed outstanding bat speed with an exit velocity of 87 mph. Short/level bat path with extension. Has a line drive/gap-to-gap stroke. Aggressively moved the barrel through the zone. Stayed behind the ball very well. Behind the plate, threw from a high three-quarter arm slot with a short arm action. Showed some accuracy. Throws had some carry. Showed athletic footwork with soft hands. Exchanges were clean but inconsistent. Has the make up to be a good receiver. Had a position velocity of 76 mph. Pop times work 2.02–2.13.

Cade Pickette, C/RHP, Patriot, 2017
Hit from a balance stance was slightly bent knees that was tall. Smooth load back with an arm bar. Took a short stride that stayed on line. Maintained good balance during the swing with a good lower half. Had a fluid rhythm and took a good approach during the round. Bat path was level but long at times. Had a line drive stroke that was in and out of the zone. Has a tendency to cast the hands.  Showed bat speed with an exit velocity of 86 mph. Behind the plate, threw from an over the top of arm slot with long arm action. Throws were accurate with average carry. Showed average hands and footwork. Exchanges were clean but could be faster.  Had a positional velocity of 70 mph.  Pop times were 2.05–2.17.

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