Class of 2020 Showcase: Catcher Analysis
August 27, 2018
Lee Pfund Stadium at Wheaton College played host for us and the Class of 2020 Showcase on July 18, a high-profile event for the state’s incoming juniors.
We previously published our Statistical Analysis from the event as well as our Quick Hits post, but today we’ll begin our look at the players from each position, beginning with the day’s catchers.
This event’s group of catchers might have been the deepest and most talented on the day, making it tough to limit this position to a top five. There was one backstop, however, who stood out most: Jack Kuchel (Sandburg).
The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Kuchel made use of his above-average athleticism by excelling behind the plate, defensively. He was smooth out of the crouch and demonstrated some real arm strength. And it’s possible that the Sandburg catcher was even more impressive in the batter’s box. Kuchel has a gap-to-gap profile and created bat speed that produced some serious power potential.
Cole Conn (St. Charles East) was one of the most polished defenders at the position at the showcase, tallying the quickest pop time at the event, just edging out Chase Mason (Washington). Conn’s solid switch-hit profile did however separate him from the pack. While Mason narrowly trailed Conn in pop, he did however top 80 mph out of the crouch, the firmest at the event by three ticks.
The talent within this group goes beyond these three names, so to learn more continue on below for full reports on each of those who attended. Tomorrow, we’ll examine the outfielders who visited Wheaton College, with infielders and pitchers to come later in the week.
TOP PROSPECTS
1. Jack Kuchel, C, Sandburg, 2020
5-foot-11, 180-pound, right-handed hitting catcher, athletically-built. Offensively, open setup, quiet, loads hands back smoothly, short stride, maintains good balance. Gap-to-gap hitter, swings aggressively, long barrel path through the zone, uphill at-times, present bat speed, 93 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.06 laser-timed 60. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ slot, kept throws on-target with carry, 77 mph out of the crouch. Receives with soft hands, fluid footwork, clean on exchanges, pop times ranged 2.12-2.22.
2. Cole Conn, C/OF, St. Charles East, 2020
5-foot-11, 165-pound, switch-hitting catcher and outfielder, athletic frame. Defensively, plays with a short, loose arm action, over-the-top slot, accurate from behind the plate as well as in the outfield, throws carry, 77 mph out of the crouch, 83 mph from the outfield. Plays through the ball athletically, receives and fields with soft hands, attacks with quick footwork, quick on exchanges, pop times ranged 2.08-2.18. Offensively, similar from both-sides, balanced setup, smooth load, low leg kick stride, maintains balance. Loose hands, generates line drive contact, long, uphill barrel path from left-side, 84 mph exit velocity, short, level barrel path form right-side, 87 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.20 laser-timed 60.
3. Logan Delgado, C, Antioch, 2020
6-foot, 185-pound, athletic, strong frame, left-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, tall, open setup, hands load back smoothly, long stride, maintains balance. Power approach, makes hard contact to pull-side, long, uphill barrel path, fluid rhythm, present bat speed, 93 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.38 laser-timed 60. Defensively, short arm action, over-the-top slot, works downhill, kept throws around bag, 76 mph out of the crouch. Flexible setup, soft hands receiving, fluid footwork, clean upon exchanges, pop times ranged 2.22-2.32.
4. Chase Mason, C, Washington, 2020
6-foot, 165-pound, lanky, athletically-built catcher. Defensively, long, loose arm action, ¾ slot, throws carried at 80 mph from the crouch. Plays through the ball, short, fluid footwork, clean on exchanges, pop times ranged 2.00-2.11. Offensively, tall, open setup, hands load back, long stride, maintains good balance through contact. Line drive hitter, short, level barrel path through the zone, fluid rhythm, 88 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.23 laser-timed 60.
5. Tyler Wessels, C, Elmwood, 2020
6-foot, 175-pound, left-handed hitting catcher, strong frame. Offensively, tall, open setup, smooth load, even stride, maintains good balance. Gap-to-gap type hitter with pull-side power, long, uphill barrel path through the zone, fluid rhythm, 86 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.54 laser-timed 60. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ slot, 72 mph out of the crouch. Fluid footwork, clean on exchanges, pop times ranged 2.16-2.30.
Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)
Michael Ciesla, C, Lemont, 2020
6-foot-1, 180-pound, right-handed hitting catcher, strong build. Offensively, open setup, loads weight back, short stride, maintains balance. Pull-hitter, long, uphill barrel path through the zone, 77 mph exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, short arm action, over-the-top slot, 72 mph out of the crouch. Plays through the ball, fluid footwork, clean exchanges, pop times ranged 2.17-2.37. Ran a 7.70.
Michael Davis, C/INF, St. Charles North, 2020
5-foot-9, 155-pound, right-handed hitting catcher and infielder. Defensively, short, firm arm action, high ¾ slot, kept throws around target, 78 mph across the infield, 72 mph out of the crouch. Plays through the ball, fluid feet, clean on exchanges, pop times ranged 2.25-2.31. Offensively, wide setup, loads back, long stride, maintains balance. Pull-hitter, short, level barrel path, 81 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.64 laser-timed 60.
Eli Drake, C, Woodberry Forest, 2020
5-foot-11, 175-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, balanced setup, hands load back, short stride, maintains balance through contact. Line drive approach, uphill barrel path, fluid rhythm, 81 mph exit velocity. Defensively, short arm action, over-the-top slot, fluid movements, clean exchanges, 65 mph out of the crouch, pop times ranged 2.51-2.60. Ran a 7.91 laser-timed 60.
Matthew Flaherty, C, Lake Zurich, 2020
5-foot-11, 185-pound, thick frame, strong lower half, right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth load, long leg lift stride, maintains balance. Made consistent hard contact, power approach, long barrel path, gets extension at-times, fluid rhythm, 87 mph exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, short arm action, over-the-top slot, 71 mph out of the crouch. Plays through the ball, quick footwork, quick exchanges, pop times ranged 2.12-2.20. Ran an 8.28 60.
Johnny Hernandez, C, Plainfield South, 2020
5-foot-11, 160-pound, athletically-built right-handed hitting catcher. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ slot, kept throws around bag, 73 mph out of the crouch. Agile defender, fluid footwork, clean on exchanges, pop times ranged 2.17-2.26. Offensively, balanced, open setup, hands load back and drop, leg kick timing-trigger, maintains good balance. Level barrel path through the zone, gains extension, gap-to-gap hitter, made line drive contact, 86 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.61 laser-timed 60.
Bryce Howser, C/RHP, Metea Valley, 2020
5-foot-11, 155-pound, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ slot, 68 mph out of the crouch. Capable hands receiving, fluid footwork, pop times ranged 2.29-2.39. Offensively, tall, open setup, barrel wrap, long stride, maintains balance. Pull-hitter, long, uphill barrel path, 70 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.42 laser-timed 60. On the mound, firm arm action, over-the-top slot, regular effort. Tall and fall delivery, slide-step out of stretch, lands toe-closed, heel square. Fastball, mostly straight, sat 77-78, touched 79. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 62-65. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, sinking action, 71-73.
Ricky Kanak, C/RHP, Barrington, 2020
6-foot-1, 200-pound, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Offensively, balanced, wide setup, short stride, maintains balance through contact. Power approach, long, uphill barrel path 85 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.47 laser-timed 60. Defensively, short arm action, ¾ slot, clean on exchanges, 70 mph out of the crouch, pop times ranged 2.43-2.54. On the mound, long arm action, high ¾ slot, regular effort. Tall and fall delivery, pitches with some rhythm, lands square. Fastball, run action, sat 75. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 59-63. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, fade and sink action, 67-68.
Albert Kiszka, C, Schaumburg, 2020
5-foot-6, 155-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Defensively, short arm action, over-the-top slot, kept throws around bag, 71 mph out of the crouch. Plays through the ball, fluid footwork, clean exchanges, pop times ranged 2.26-2.37. Offensively, right-handed, open setup, short stride, maintains balance throughout. Middle of the field approach, hard line drive contact at-times, uphill barrel path through zone, 80 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.60 laser-timed 60.
Jordan Krasner, C, Vernon Hills, 2020
5-foot-9, 165-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, balanced setup, loads weight back, short stride, maintains balance. Line drive contact, pull-side tendency, long, level barrel path through zone, 79 mph exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, short arm action, over-the-top slot, fluid footwork, clean exchanges, 66 mph out of the crouch, pop times ranged 2.43-2.59. Ran an 8.38 laser-timed 60.
Myles Mitchell, C, Seneca, 2020
5-foot-10, 185-pound left-handed hitting catcher, strong build. Offensively, wide, open setup, hands load back, barrel head wraps, leg kick timing-trigger, maintains balance. Pull approach, long, uphill barrel path, fluid rhythm, 86 mph exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ slot, fluid footwork, clean on exchanges, 68 mph out of the crouch, pop times ranged 2.19-2.36. Ran an 8.28 laser-timed 60.
Christopher Rogul, C, St. Ignatius, 2020
6-foot, 185-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, balanced setup, barrel wrap, toe-tap stride, maintains balance through contact. Pull-hitter, long, uphill barrel path, 83 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.95 laser-timed 60. Defensively, short arm action, over-the-top slot, kept throws around bag, 69 out of the crouch. Fluid footwork, clean on exchanges, pop times ranged 2.20-2.27.
Steven Russell, C, Lemont, 2020
6-foot, 185-pound, right-handed hitting catcher, strong build. Offensively, open setup, long stride, maintains balance through contact. Line drive hitter, pull approach, long barrel path, level at-times, fluid rhythm, 79 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.95 laser-timed 60. Defensively, long arm action, over-the-top slot, clean on exchanges, 63 mph out of the crouch, pop times ranged 2.51-2.60.
Sean Sajdak, C, Plainfield North, 2020
6-foot, 190-pound, right-handed hitting catcher, strong frame. Offensively, balanced setup, hands load back, toe-tap stride, maintains balance through contact. Long barrel path, level at-times, line drive contact, 80 mph exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, short arm action, over-the-top slot, kept throws on target, 73 mph from the crouch. Fluid footwork, clean on exchanges, pop times ranged, 2.19-2.29. Ran a 7.62 laser-timed 60.
Colin Summerhill, C, Loyola, 2020
6-foot, 160-pound, athletic, lanky, right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth load, leg lift stride, maintains good balance. Middle approach, made consistent line drive contact, repeats swing, long barrel path, gains extension through zone at-times, fluid rhythm, 82 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.53 laser-timed 60. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ slot, kept throws around bag, 72 mph from the crouch. Fluid footwork, clean on exchanges, pop times ranged, 2.25-2.32.