Fox Cities Preseason I.D.: Catcher Analysis
March 5, 2018
Of the 70 players in action at the Fox Cities Preseason I.D. event on Feb. 17, close to 20 took reps from behind the plate but none made more of an impactful impression than Bryce Miller (Franklin, 2020). Miller was very much improved from his freshman season one year ago. Then, he was probably more of an offensive prospect than a defensive one -- he had shown advanced barrel control for his age while still getting a feel for things out of the crouch.
But a few weeks ago, Miller took a great leap. He recorded an event-best 1.98 pop time and his throws were strong and on target. This development came in addition to his natural progression as a hitter, too.
Two names to watch emerge from the 2021 class include Joey Spence (West Bend East) and Kaden Kosobucki (West De Pere). Maybe we’ll be talking about them next year like we’re talking about Miller now.
To read how the top-five prospects of the group shook out, continue on below.
Top Catching Prospects
1.Bryce Miller, C, Franklin, 2020
6-foot-1, 197-pound catcher, strong lower half build, sturdy catcher’s physical makeup. Defensively arm played short and over the top, accurate to second, showed carry, 77 mph. Efficient actions out of the chute, simple exchange, quick and clean with soft hands, 1.98-2.08 pop times. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short minimal stride. Hands work well, strong, short and quick to the baseball, quiet lower half. Showed hard contact, above average pop, 89 mph exit velocity from the tee.
2. Beau Schumacher, C, Kimberly, 2019
6-foot-2, 175-pound catcher, lean athletic frame with broad squared shoulders. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, leg kick stride, strong balance. Path is slightly uphill, good approach, swing is on time and repeats, athletic hitter in rhythm. Contact is mostly line drive and works the middle of the field. 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.50 runner in the 60. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, accurate to the bag, 76 mph out of the crouch, occasional carry. Exchange is clean, feet work, athletic receiver, pop times range 2.12-2.19.
3. Hunter Olson, C/INF/RHP, Oconomowoc, 2019
5-foot-10, 170-pound two-way player, carries some strength. Profiles best behind the plate, 2.11-2.26 pop times, exchange is clean, deliberate at times. Arm action is short and over the top, advance arm strength, carries to target, 79 mph. On the infield arm plays similar, 83 mph across. Right-handed hitter, slightly open setup, arm bar load, short stride. Path has length above average bat speed. Contact was mostly on a line, pull side tendency, occasional hard contact. 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.39 runner in the 60. On the mound delivery is simple and direct. Long high ¾ slot. Fastball has slight arm side run, 79-80 mph, touched 82 mph. Curveball played 68-71 mph, 11/5 shape. Changeup fades, 76-78 mph.
4. Joey Spence, C, West Bend East, 2021
5-foot-9, 180-pound left-handed hitting catcher, strong compact build. Hits from a balanced setup, short stride, stays balanced. Loose hands create above average bat speed, short to the baseball. Pull side approach at times, in rhythm, flashed hard contact, 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, 74 mph out of the crouch. Clean catch and thrown, hands show softness, 2.08-2.12 pop times. Solid blocker, soft and quiet receiving. 7.54 runner in the 60.
5. Brice Peth, C, Ripon, 2020
6-foot-1, 175-pound catcher, lean athletic frame. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, leg lift stride with length. Path is level, loose hands, hits off front foot, linear approach. 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, showed accuracy, flashed carry, 75 mph out of the crouch. Pop times played at 2.10-2.19. Ran a 7.49 in the 60.
5. Kaden Kosobucki, C/RHP, West De Pere, 2021
5-foot-8, 175-pound two-way player, strong stocky build, projects best behind the plate. Bloodlines present, older brother Kyle was a Winona State commit out of West De Pere 2017. Right-handed hitter, open setup, leg kick trigger, average balance. Aggressive swing, cuts it loose, slight uphill path with bat speed. Gap to gap contact, 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Runs well, 7.27 in the 60. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, 73 mph out of the crouch. Clean catch and throw, 2.17-2.20 pop times, consistent out of the crouch. On the mound arm works similar, over the top slot, simple delivery. Fastball has slight run to arm side, 78-80 mph. Slider has 10/4 shape, 72-74 mph. Changeup fades, 73-74 mph.
Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)
Trevor Bengson, C, Lourdes, 2019
6-foot-2, 180-pound catcher, strong rigid frame. Right-handed hitter, crouched stance, short stride, minimal hand load. Path is uphill with length, some strength, 76 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays with length from a ¾ slot, 70 mph out of the crouch. Pop times ranged 2.41-2.57. Ran the 60 at 7.60.
Noah Berndt, C, Winneconne, 2021
6-foot-1, 185-pound catcher, strong build, large frame for age. Right-handed hitter, open stance, short stride to even, loads and stays on back side. Path has length, 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is firm, high ¾ slot, 76 mph out of the crouch. 2.17-2.26 pop times, works direct.
Brett Bradison, OF/C, De Pere, 2019
6-foot, 165-pound catcher, lean frame with strength. Profiled best in the outfield, actions played through the baseball, clean transfer to over the top slot, 76 mph from the outfield. 7.23 runner in the 60. Pop times ranged 2.16-2.26, similar exchange and arm action as in the outfield. 71 mph out of the crouch. Right-handed hitter, open stance, leg lift stride, athletic setup. Path has slight uphill plane, occasional length. Contact worked the middle of the field, line drive type, 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Jack Carlson, C, Neenah, 2020
5-foot-8, 170-pound catcher, stocky frame. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, loads hands back, leg kick trigger. Pull tendency approach, occasional hard contact mostly line drive to left-center gap. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ran the 60 at 7.76. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, 69 mph out of the crouch. Exchange is clean, 2.19-2.26 pop times.
Eli Davila, C, Oshkosh North, 2019
5-foot-7, 150-pound catcher, average build. Right-handed hitter, open stance, reverse load leg lift stride, short abrupt load, average balance. Path is level, some length, produces average bat speed. Line drive type contact, 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, occasional carry and accuracy, 73 mph out of the crouch. Pop times range 2.11-2.15, flashed quick feet and hands, stays low, ability to block. 7.48 runner in the 60.
Connor Diedrich, C/RHP, Ripon, 2021
5-foot-10, 168-pound two-way player, lean build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, quick trigger. Level path, line drive contact at times, 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action and transfer has length, over the top slot, 74 mph out of the crouch. 2.25-2.26 pop times. 7.41 runner in the 60. On the mound works exclusively from the stretch, over the top slot. Fastball runs to arm side, 77-79 mph. Curveball has depth at times, 63-65 mph. Changeup fades, 70-72 mph.
Cameron Dupont, C, West De Pere, 2020
6-foot-2, 188-pound catcher, long lean frame, projects. Strong arm out of the crouch, flashed carry, short over the top slot, 78 mph. Pop times played 2.12-2.25, clean exchange. Setup is low and flexible, presents low target at bottom of the zone. Right-handed hitter, slightly crouched setup, loads hands lower, slight arm bar load, small leg lift trigger. Occasional hard contact, long uphill path, occasional late timing, bat speed present, loose hands, 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ran a 7.70 in the 60.
Levi Jensen, C, Luck, 2020
5-foot-11, 190-pound catcher, strong build. Above average runner for age and position, 7.26 in the 60, laser timed. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, regular stride, average balance. Has bat strength, path works uphill, 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, 73 mph out of the crouch. Pop times range 2.18-2.28.
Tim Kelly, C/RHP, De Pere, 2021
5-foot-9, 155-pound two-way player, lean build. Left-handed hitter, tall setup, lift and hang stride, average balance. Path works uphill, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is long and firm, over the top slot, 69 mph out of the crouch. Pop times ranged 2.47-2.61. 7.73 runner in the 60. On the mound arm plays high ¾. Fastball slightly runs to arm side, 72-73 mph. Changuep sinks at times, 66-67 mph.
Tucker Kohl, C/OF, New London, 2020
6-foot, 180-pound catcher/outfielder, athletic build. Right-handed hitter, slightly open stance, lifted stride, bat waggle load. Path is level, some length, shows bat strength. Hard contact at times, 92 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is long, high ¾ slot, shorter out of the crouch, 69 mph as a catcher, 77 mph from the outfield. Pop times are 2.17-2.26. Plays through the baseball in the outfield. 7.27 runner in the 60.
Connor Weigman, C, Little Chute, 2019
6-foot, 167-pound left-handed hitting catcher, lean frame. Hits from an open stance, short toe tap stride. Path scoops with some length, uphill plane, occasional line drive contact. 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.69 runner in the 60. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, 73 mph out of the crouch. Direction gets wide out of the crouch, pop times are 2.07-2.12.
Carson Williquette, C, Pulaski, 2019
5-foot-9, 175-pound catcher, strong stocky build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, loads hands back. Path has length, barrel casts, pull side approach. Contact made mostly to pull side in BP, 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, 74 mph out of the crouch. Gets tall out of the chute, 2.11-2.18 pop times. 7.59 runner in the 60.