By Matt Huck
Area Scout

The Underclass Games at UIC has quietly became one of the more premier events for incoming sophomores in Illinois and Wisconsin. This year’s event took place on Monday, July 24th and featured more than 60 rising sophomores.

The event was as deep as it has ever been with talent and a number of guys elevated their stock. Today we begin the analysis of the event with a look at the catchers in attendance.

Illinois’ left-handed hitting catcher Trevor Davis (Danville) looked to be the top backstop in attendance from Illinois. Davis has a big arm and his bat continues to show well.

Thomas Otto (Appleton North) is a high-follow catcher from the Badger state. Otto is advanced physically and was one of the top offensive catchers in attendance. Otto made a lot of hard contact and registered a 93 mph exit velocity from a tee.

Below is reports on every catcher in attendance, many of whom, should be followed moving forward.

CATCHING PROSPECTS (Listed Alphabetically)

Isaac Crabb, C, Harrisburg, 2020
6-foot-1, 200-pound right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a short heel lift stride and simple load. Gap to gap hitter with a short swing path and fluid rhythm. 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. 5.11 runner down the line. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Gets out of the crouch early. Popped 2.04-2.25 and threw 74 mph from the crouch.

Trevor Davis, C, Danville, 2020
6-foot, 175-pound left-handed hitting catcher with a strong, solid frame. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short heel lift stride and good balance. Line drive hitter with a short, uphill swing path and fast bat. 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. 4.91 runner down the line. Defensively long arm action from an over the top slot. Accurate throws with carry, threw 78 mph from the crouch. Clean exchange with fluid footwork and soft hands. Pop times ranged 2.04-2.15.

Cameron Dupont, C, West De Pere (WI), 2020
6-foot-2, 170-pound right-handed hitting catcher with a lanky, projectable frame. At the plate hits from an open setup with a leg kick stride and average balance. Long, uphill swing path with fluid rhythm. 89 mph exit velocity from a tee. 5.15 runner down the line. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Easy arm strength out of the crouch throwing 78 mph. Clean exchange with soft hands. Popped 2.04-2.10.

Ryan Maloney, C, Providence Catholic, 2020
6-foot-1, 205-pound right-handed hitting catcher. At the plate hits from a tall setup with a long, leg lift stride. Short, uphill swing path, opposite field hitter. 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. 4.97 runner down the line. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Clean exchange, rises out of the crouch early. Popped 2.18-2.27 and threw 72 mph from the crouch.

Jake Masini, C, Prairie Ridge, 2020
6-foot, 150-pound right-handed hitting catcher. At the plate hits from a tall, slightly open setup. Long leg kick stride with average balance. Uphill swing path. 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. 4.85 runner down the line. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot, throws tail. Popped 2.19-2.26 and threw 75 mph from the crouch.

Thomas Otto, C, Appleton North (WI), 2020
6-foot-1, 190-pound right-handed hitting catcher with a strong frame. At the plate hits from a balanced, open setup. Leg lift stride with good balance. Pull, power approach at the plate with a long, uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 93 mph exit velocity from a tee. 4.69 runner down the line. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Showed raw arm strength behind the plate. Popped 2.08-2.18 and threw 74 mph from the crouch.

Brice Peth, C, Ripon (WI), 2020
6-foot, 165-pound right-handed hitting catcher with a lanky frame. At the plate hits from a balanced, upright setup with a long stride and good lower half involvement. Short, level swing path with fluid rhythm. 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. 4.76 runner down the line. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Quick, clean exchange. Popped 2.19-2.27 and threw 73 mph from the crouch.

Lucas Ryan, C, Chatham-Glenwood, 2020
6-foot, 165-pound left-handed hitting catcher with a lanky, athletic frame. Balanced setup at the plate with a short stride and average balance. Pull hitter with a short, uphill swing path. 75 mph exit velocity from a tee. 4.65 runner down the line. Short arm action from an over the top slot. Long, clean exchange with average hands. Popped 2.29-2.34 and threw 72 mph from the crouch.

Patrick Straub, C/RHP, Metea Valley, 2020
6-foot, 155-pound right-handed hitting C/RHP with a lanky frame. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Accurate throws on the bag with carry. Athletic defender behind the plate with a clean exchange, active blocker. Popped 2.12-2.19 and threw 74 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from a balanced, slightly open setup. Long, uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 91 mph exit velocity from a tee. 5.01 runner down the line. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall delivery with regular effort. Fastball sat 79-81 topping out at 83 mph. Curveball has 12-6 shape with sharp breaking action at 69-72 mph. Changeup has sinking action at 75-77 mph. Lost command from the stretch.

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