Eastern Wisconsin Open: Catcher Analysis

On Aug. 20, we visited Wildwood Baseball Park in Sheboygan, Wis., to host the Eastern Wisconsin Open. Nearly 50 prospects attended the Sheboygan-area event, and a couple have even committed since. This event is becoming a feature along the tail end of the summer’s busy showcase circuit.

Today, we’ll analyze the group of backstops who came out to perform in this pro-style workout.

Among the prospects who stood out most from this group of catchers was Boyceville sophomore Trett Joles. We first saw Joles in Eau Claire back in July where he had proved to be one of the most physical and impressive at the positions, regardless of his age. His defense warrants specific mentioning, too. The compact 5-foot-10 backstop looked comfortable behind the plate in Eau Claire but even better in Sheboygan. He recorded both the quickest pop time and highest velocity out of the crouch. He’s also a switch hitter with some natural bat strength, especially from the right side.

Read Joles’ report, as well as the rest of the six catchers who came out to the Eastern Wisconsin Open, by continuing on below. We’ve already published a Statistical Analysis from the showcase, too. Also, keep an eye out tomorrow when we break down the prospects who manned the outfield.

ALL PROSPECTS (Listed Alphabetically)

Jack Carlson, C, Neenah, 2020
5-foot-9, 170-pound catcher, durable stocky frame. Arm action is short and over the top, 69 mph out of the crouch. Natural catching actions out of the crouch, hands played and soft blocker. 2.28-2.44 pop times out of the crouch. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, short stride. Path is short and made hard live drive contact at times, hits in rhythm. 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.83 runner in the 60.

Jack Chestnut, C, Kenosha eSchool, 2019
5-foot-11, 152-pound catcher. Right-handed hitter, balanced, wide setup, short stride, maintains balance. Low effort swing, level path, some length, 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays short and over the top, 70 mph out of the crouch. 2.12-2.22 pop times, gets tall in transition, sound blocking ability. 7.61 runner in the 60.

Vinnie Fonti, C, Stevens Point, 2020
5-foot-10, 170-pound catcher, solid build. Arm played short and over the top out of the crouch, 72 mph, occasional carry. Natural catchers actions, exchange is quick and clean, flashed soft hands. 2.18-2.29 pop times. Right-handed hitter, short toe tap stride, average balance. Hits off front foot at times, slight uphill path. 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.90 runner in the 60.

Trett Joles, C, Boyceville, 2021
5-foot-10, 190-pound catcher, strong compact build. Plus arm for his age, short over the top arm action, carries well 80 mph out of the crouch, played on line with accuracy. 2.00-2.15 pop times quick efficient exchange. Switch hit in BP, open setup, short stride, slightly dives. Swing looked more natural from the right side, showed bat strength, low effort, left-handed swing has a firm pull side approach. 92 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.43 runner in the 60.

Tucker Kohl, C, New London, 2020
6-foot, 180-pound catcher, strong physical build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, loads hands back. Strong hands, produced hard contact with some length in swing, pull side approach, fluid rhythm, bat speed present. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.56 runner in the 60. 2.19-2.29 pop times, exchange plays long at times with some effort. Arm is highly accurate, 70 mph out of the crouch, long over the top slot.

Ian Merry, C, Sheboygan North, 2022
5-foot-9, 150-pound catcher. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, short stride, minimal lower half. Path is level, 71 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is firm from a ¾ slot, 62 mph out of the crouch. 2.55-2.72 pop times. 8.33 runner in the 60.

Brady Wittig, C, Ashwaubenon, 2021
5-foot-11, 160-pound catcher, lean build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short lift and replace stride. Path is short at times, flashed line drive contact, pull side approach. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Arm plays short and over the top, played on line and accurate, occasional carry, 72 mph out of the crouch. 2.26-2.33 pop times, hands played and worked through the baseball. 7.67 runner in the 60.

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