Prep Baseball Report

TPG II: Catcher Analysis


John Nolan
Virginia Scouting Director & Managing Editor

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In early August, PBR VA/DC hosted the Top Prospect Games II at Virginia Tech University. Over 30 players from multiple classes and all corners of Virginia took part in the event, and we begin our analysis of those players today with the catchers.

 


 

Trevor Bush C / 3B / Colonial Forge, VA / 2021

Bush is 5-10 with a lankier athletic frame that has plenty of projection left to it. He hits from the right side from a slightly open athletic stance, short stride on line, minimal load back. Hips rotate completely and he maintains some lower half balance. Keeps hands inside, short to the ball. Level line drive swing path, showed a pull approach with some natural loft in his swing, exit velocity was 78. Behind the plate, clean exchange, throws from a high three-quarters arm slot with a short arm action, catcher velocity was 65 and pop times were 2.17-2.19. Showed some accuracy with his throws.

 

Preston Robbins C / 3B / Manchester, VA / 2021

Robbins is 5-9 with an athletic frame and a strong lower half that has some projection left to it. He hits from the right side from a balanced athletic stance, short stride on line, short smooth load back. Hips rotate completely with some violence and he maintains some lower half balance. Keeps hands inside, short to the ball, some strength at contact. Slightly uphill swing path, showed primarily a pull approach with some loft in his swing, showed ability to use the whole field, exit velocity was 81. Behind the plate, clean exchange, throws from a three-quarters arm slot with a short arm action, catcher velocity was 69 and pop times were 2.08-2.12. 

 

Jackson Severt C / 3B / Dinwiddie, VA / 2021

Severt is 6-1 with a lankier athletic frame that has a lot of projection left to it. He hits from the right side from a balanced athletic stance, low leg kick stride on line, smooth load down and back. Hips rotate completely with some violence and he maintains good lower half balance. Keeps hands inside, short to the ball, strength at contact with extension through the ball, very long levers. Uphill swing path, showed primarily a pull approach with natural loft in his swing and power present with potential for more, exit velocity was 89. Behind the plate, quick clean exchange, throws from a three-quarters arm slot with a short quick arm action, catcher velocity was 77 and pop times were 1.90-1.97. Showed some accuracy on his throws. Showed versatility taking balls in the outfield, where his arm was 86. Ran a 7.31 60 yard dash.

 

Bennett Shealor C / OF / Blacksburg, VA / 2022

Shealor is 6-1 with an athletic frame that has some strength and some projection left to it. He hits from the right side from a balanced athletic stance, low leg kick stride on line, smooth load back to a slight wrap. Hips rotate completely with violence and he maintains some lower half balance. Keeps hands inside, short and quick to the ball, strength at contact with some extension through the ball. Uphill swing path, showed a pull approach with natural loft in his swing and power potential as he gets stronger, exit velocity was 81. Behind the plate, quick clean exchange, throws from a high three-quarters arm slot with a short fast arm action, catcher velocity was 75 and pop times were 1.91-1.95. Showed accuracy on his throws. Ran a 7.21 60 yard dash.

 

Tyler Sparrer C / 1B / Auburn, VA / 2022

Sparrer is 6-0 with a strong athletic frame that has some projection left to it. He hits from the right side from an upright balanced athletic stance, toe-tap stride on line, smooth load back. Hips rotate completely and he maintains some lower half balance. Keeps hands inside, short to the ball, some strength at contact with extension through the ball. Uphill swing path, showed a pull approach with natural loft in his swing and power potential as he gets stronger, exit velocity was 80. Behind the plate, clean exchange, throws from a higher three-quarters arm slot with a short arm action, catcher velocity was 68 and pop times were 2.07-2.20. Showed some accuracy on his throws.

 

Caden Swartley C / OF / Turner Ashby, VA / 2023

Swartley is 5-10 with a strong athletic frame that has some projection left to it. He hits from the right side from a slightly open balanced athletic stance, low leg kick stride on line, smooth load back to a slight wrap. Hips rotate completely with violence and he maintains some lower half balance. Keeps hands inside, short to the ball, some strength at contact with extension through the ball. Uphill swing path, showed a pull approach with natural loft in his swing and some batspeed, exit velocity was 80. Behind the plate, clean exchange, throws from a high three-quarters arm slot with a long arm action, catcher velocity was 65 and pop times were 2.06-2.30. Showed some accuracy on his throws. 

 

 


 

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