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Preseason Identification Showcase 3.3.13: Catching Analysis

March 11, 2013

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director - Wisconsin

This week we will break down the Preseason Identification Showcase from March 3rd in Madison, WI. Today we take a look at the catchers and rank the top catchers from the showcase. Pete Schuler stood out as the top catcher at the showcase displaying a strong arm that showed carry and accuracy. His presence in the left handed batter’s box is what separates him from the pack. His swing showed easy pop and should project well at the next level. Here’s a look at the top catching prospects from the event.

Top Catchers

1. Pete Schuler, St. Joseph Catholic HS, C, Class of 2015
Athletic frame, lean build, long limbed, 6-foot-3, 180-pound left handed hitting catcher. Defensively shows arm strength, 76 mph from the crouch, carries well, stays on line, shows accuracy. Solid hands behind the plate, receives well, added forearm strength will help receiving the low pitch. 2.04-2.14 pop times. Offensively hits from the left side, excellent quiet setup, open stance, smooth load, short stride, starts hands lower, excellent balance throughout. Bat path is short, creates extension, line drive gap to gap hitter, good leverage. Easy swing creates backspin and lift, has power projection, 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.

2. Will Doherty, Wisconsin Heights HS, C, Class of 2014
6-foot-1, 175-pound catcher, sturdy build with length to his frame. Arm shows excellent accuracy to second base, with carry, 74 mph arm strength out of the crouch. 2.04-2.12 pop times. 4.26 runner home to first. Balanced stance, minimal stride, lower half is partial involved. Flat path, some extension, 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.

3. Rudy Rott, La Crosse Aquinas HS, C, Class of 2015
Sturdy build, solid frame, 5-foot-10, 185-pound left handed hitting catcher. Offensively shows an advanced approach at the plate. Excellent setup, balanced stance, smooth load, short stride, excellent balance through finish. Bat path repeats well, simple actions, short path with extension, line drive gap to gap hitter. Makes consistent contact, fluid rhythm, 79 mph exit velocity. Defensively show a short arm action, 72 mph arm from the crouch, 2.11-2.18 pop times. Footwork lacks quickness but makes up for it with good direction to second base.

4. Brady Stolzman, Stratford HS, C, Class of 2015
Solid build, strong lower half, 5-foot-10, 192-pound catcher. Defensively stands up quickly out of the crouch, shows some accuracy, 71 mph arm out of the crouch, 2.26-2.44 pop times to second base. Offensively hits from a slightly open stance, smooth load, uses short stride. Barrel awareness, squares up the baseball regularly, quiet approach, throws hands to the baseball well. Bat speed present, 80 mph exit velocity, line drive gap to gap style hitter, fluid rhythm.

5. Jensen Hinton, La Crosse Logan HS, C/RHP, Class of 2015
Lean build, 6-foot, 170-pound left handed hitting catcher. Defensively uses a short arm action, 73 mph from the crouch, 2.15-2.33 pop times. Shows above average footwork behind the plate, 4.22 runner home to first. Offensively hits from an open stance, uses short stride, bat wrap load. Lower half has some involvement, good balance. 73 mph exit velocity from the tee, lacks extension.

6. Ben Rortvedt, Verona HS, C, Class of 2016
Shows advanced strength for his age, 5-foot-9, 170-pound catcher. Defensively stays low coming out of the crouch, feet work well, 3.97 runner home to first. Arm works well, 72 mph out of the chute, 2.09-2.25 pop times. Receiving abilities will improve with experience. Offensively hits from a slightly open stance, minimal load, short stride, good balance throughout. Shows excellent bat speed for his age, 88 mph exit velocity from the tee.

7. Tyce Wheeler, Holmen HS, C, Class of 2015
5-foot-9, 175-pound catcher. Recorded pop times ranging 2.18-2.26, 73 mph arm strength from the crouch, arm stays on line, shows some carry, short over the top arm action, feet work well, 4.08 runner home to first. Hits from a slightly open stance, slightly drops hands at load, short stride. Shows rhythm at the plate, some uphill tendencies, slight pull side approach.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Tyler Anderson, Holmen HS, C/INF, Class of 2014
Strong build, 5-foot-10, 170-pound catcher/infielder. Behind the plate recorded pop times at 2.25-2.37, 72 mph arm strength from the crouch, average hands, some athleticism. Lacks infield actions. Offensively hits from a crouched wide stance, uses short stride, balanced throughout. Pull side approach, hits off backside, 74 mph exit velocity.

Nolan Girard, Catholic Central HS, C, Class of 2015
5-foot-10, 155-pound catcher. Feet show signs of athleticism out of the crouch, short arm action, 67 mph out of the crouch. Hits from an open stance, uses short stride. Barrel head creates some whip, fluid rhythm, gets extension, slight uphill tendencies.

Reece Lade, West De Pere HS, C, Class of 2015
Athletic build, shows physical strength, 5-foot-10, 160-pound catcher. Defensively arm works from a short arm action, some stiffness, 64 mph arm strength. Pop times range from 2.39-2.43. Offensively hits from an open stance, short stride. Bat path is level, flat through the zone, shows extension. 4.19 runner home to first.

Tyler Osterday, Oconomowoc HS, C, Class of 2016
Lanky frame, slender build, 6-foot, 155-pound catcher, has some projection. Defensively uses a long arm action, 67 mph arm strength from the crouch, 2.3-2.43 pop times. Offensively hits from a tall stance, shorter stride. 75 mph exit velocity from the tee, 4.43 runner down the line.

Evan Wick, East Troy HS, C, Class of 2015
5-foot-7, 150-pound catcher. Recorded pop times of 2.25-2.4, 65 mph arm strength from the crouch, comes out of the crouch tall. Offensively hit from a slightly open stance, lower half is active, good balance throughout. Two piece swing, shows occasional bat speed, 72 mph exit velocity.

Bennett Young, Applpeton East HS, C, Class of 2014
5-foot-10, 175-pound left handed hitting catcher. Defensively shows good blocking technique, long arm action, over the top slot. Sets up well behind the plate, low setup. Offensively hits from the left side balanced setup, smooth load, short stride, stays balanced throughout. Bat path gets extension, line drive tendencies, shows bat speed, 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Keep checking back this week for more positional analysis

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