Fox River Open: Catcher Analysis

Rain pushed the Fox River Open indoors on Monday, June 11, at The MAX in McCook, but it was still another successful summer showcase. Nearly 50 prospects from all high school classes participated in a pro-style workout in front of the Illinois scouting staff.

Today we continue the event analysis with a look at all of the catchers in attendance. A pair of 2019s, Logan Riley and Joseph Marcucci, emerged as two of the more interesting backstops from the day. Riley has an athletic frame, loose levers and an accurate arm with carry. Marcucci is a left-handed hitter with present bat strength.

Joseph Batusich is a 2020 switch-hitting catcher to keep an eye on moving forward. Batusich has a physically-advanced frame and was 77 mph from the crouch.

Below is a look at all the catchers from the day, listed alphabetically.

Catching Prospects (Listed Alphabetically)

Constantino Alivia, C/RHP, Carmel Catholic, 2019
6-foot, 165-pound lanky two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, open setup, smooth load, short stride, maintains balance. Gap-to-gap hitter with effort, fluid rhythm, present bat speed, 83 mph exit velocity. Defensively, short arm action, over-the-top slot, quick footwork, 76 mph out of the crouch, pop times ranged 2.26-2.34. Ran a 7.29 laser-timed 60. On the mound, long arm action, high ¾ slot, regular effort. Drop and drive delivery, works on-line, lands closed. Fastball, slight run, 76-78. Slider, 10/4 shape, near fastball arm speed, 68-71. Knuckleball, tumble at-times, 64-68.

Joseph Batusich, C, Joliet Catholic, 2020
6-foot-1, 195-pound, physically-built switch-hitting catcher. Defensively, long arm action, slot varied between over-the-top and high ¾, kept throws around bag with carry, 77 mph out of the crouch. Fluid footwork, clean exchanges, pop times ranged 2.11-2.23. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth load back, short stride on right-side, longer stride from the left-side, maintains balance. Gap-to-gap type hitter from both sides, long, level barrel path through the zone, 85 mph exit velocity from right, 80 from left-side. Ran a 7.87 laser-timed 60.

Charles Gannon, C/OF, Dekalb, 2020
5-foot-11, 142-pound, lanky catcher and outfielder. Defensively, in the outfield, plays through the ball, short, loose arm action, over-the-top slot, clean exchanges, 73 mph from the outfield. Behind the plate, short, loose arm action, over-the-top slot, clean on exchanges, 68 mph out of the crouch, pop times ranged between 2.33-2.40. Ran a 7.11 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, hands drop on load, leg kick timing-trigger, maintains balance. Line drive contact, long barrel path varying between level and uphill, 79 mph exit velocity.

Dominic Gazzillo, C, Beecher, 2019
5-foot-10, 220-pound, catcher. Offensively, right-handed, balanced, slightly open setup, short leg lift stride, maintains balance, long, uphill barrel path through the zone, 85 mph exit velocity. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ slot, clean on exchanges, 74 mph out of the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.23-2.33. Ran an 8.38 laser-timed 60.

Levi Kline, C, Baraboo (WI), 2022
5-foot-11, 155-pound, athletically-built right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, open, athletic setup, leg kick timing-trigger, maintains good balance. Calm, advanced approach at the plate, consistent line drive contact, short barrel path, level at-times, fluid rhythm, 77 mph exit velocity. Ran a 6.98 laser-timed 60. Defensively, short arm action, over-the-top slot, 66 mph out of the crouch, pop times ranged 2.40-2.50.

Joseph Marcucci, C, Rolling Meadows, 2019
6-foot, 205-pound, physical, durable build, left-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, open setup, fluid rhythm, hands load back smoothly, uses lower half to generate power. Uphill barrel path, pull hitter, present bat speed, 89 mph exit velocity. Defensively, long arm action, high ¾ slot, kept throws on target. Plays through the ball, fluid footwork, clean exchanges, 74 mph out of the crouch, pop times ranged 2.10-2.23. Ran a 7.45 laser-timed 60.

Nikolas Panico, C/RHP, Kaneland, 2019
6-foot-3, 225-pound, physically-built, strong upper and lower halves, two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, weight starts back, short toe-tap stride, maintains balance. Power hitter with pull-side tendency, uphill barrel bath, gains extension through the zone, present bat speed, 93 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.46 laser-timed 60. Defensively, short, over-the-top slot, soft hands, clean on exchanges, 78 mph out of the crouch, pop times ranged between 2.16-2.24. On the mound, long, loose arm action, gets out front, high ¾ slot. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands square, finishes in an athletic position. Fastball, mostly straight, 83-86. Curveball, 11/5 shape, thrown with intent, has depth, tight spin, feel for, 70-73. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, sinking action, 76-78. Split-finger, late tumble, located, 69-73.

Logan Riley, C, Sycamore, 2019
5-foot-10, 165-pound, athletically-built catcher. Defensively, long arm action, over-the-top slot, kept throws around bag with some carry, 74 mph out of the crouch. Soft receiver, fluid footwork, quick, clean exchanges, pop times ranged 2.10-2.20. Ran a 7.43 laser-timed 60. Offensively, open, narrow setup, toe-tap stride. Line drive hitter with pull-side tendency, barrel path works long and level through the zone, 80 mph exit velocity.  

Logan Romasanta, C/RHP, South Elgin, 2019
6-foot-1, 235-pound, physical two-way prospect. On the mound, stretch-only, short, quick arm action, high ¾ slot, regular effort. Momentum works down the mound toward home, lands square, finishes walking down the mound. Fastball, slight sink, 83-85, touched 86. Curveball, 11/5 shape, late action, thrown with near fastball arm speed, glove-side feel, 69-71. Offensively, tall setup, wrap load, leg kick timing-trigger. Long, uphill barrel path, power hitter with pull-side tendency, 92 mph exit velocity. Defensively, long arm action, high ¾ slot, 77 mph out of the crouch, pop times ranged 2.12-2.19. Ran a 7.78 laser-timed 60.

John Seagrist, C, Barrington, 2019
6-foot, 175-pound right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, balanced setup, hands load back, short stride, maintains balance through contact. Long, uphill barrel path, 85 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.25 laser-timed 60. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ slot, 73 mph out of the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.12-2.25.

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