West Milwaukee Preseason I.D.: Catcher Analysis

The PBR Wisconsin staff traveled to Waukesha on Feb. 17 for the West Milwaukee Preseason ID. The event hosted 90+ prospects from The Badger State and provided a surplus of talent to recap and track throughout the WIAA season.

Immediately after the showcase at STiKs Academy, we released our Statistical Analysis and Quick Hits. Today, we rank and roll out the backstops to conclude our coverage behind the dish. This also marks the beginning of the week-long positional release.

Bryce Miller (2020; uncommitted) takes the top spot after showing continuous rise in his stock. A durable frame and pop from the right side makes him the ideal two-way threat. Jonah Wronski (2020; uncommitted) put together a strong event reaching a personal best in his pop-time, while flashing a strong arm. Elijah Jenkins (2022; uncommitted) is the youngest rank. He shows above average defensive actions and tools for his age.

Here’s a look at the rest of the catchers from the West Milwaukee Preseason ID.

TOP CATCHING PROSPECTS

1. Bryce Miller, C, Franklin, 2020
6-foot-2, 210-pound catcher, large frame, strong build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, smooth loading action, short stride, lower half works, stay balanced. Bat strength present, showed gap to gap pop, above average bat speed. 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed plus arm strength for his age, 79 mph out of the crouch, carried with accuracy. Hands played soft and agile blocker, quick clean transfer. 2.00-2.10 pop times. Ran a 7.73 in the 60 yard dash.

2. Jonah Wronski, C, Marquette University, 2020
5-foot-10, 185-pound catcher, above average strength, sturdy build, durable for the position. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, maintains his balance through contact, simple pre pitch approach. Path is short, flashed oppo contact, 93 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, carried to target, advanced arm strength, 78 mph out of the crouch. 2.11-2.19 pop times, athletic receive, hands play soft. 7.23 runner in the 60.

3. Thomas Ward, C, Waukesha West, 2020
6-foot-2, 215-pound right-handed hitting catcher, solid durable build. Hits from a slightly open stance, tall setup, short stride to even. Bat path is short, showed some bat strength, hard contact, line drive opposite field contact. 93 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 74 mph out of the crouch, over the top slot. 2.12-2.36 pop times. 7.95 runner in the 60.

4. Chase Ketterhagen, C, Burlington, 2021
5-foot-11, 160-pound catcher, lean frame. Right-handed hitter, open stance, wide setup, loads hands back, short stride, good balance through contact. Path is loose, gap to gap contact, 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Long over the top arm action, played at 74 mph out of the crouch. 2.22-2.29 pop times, above average blocking skills. 7.50 runner in the 60.

5. Elijah Jenkins, C, West Bend East, 2022
5-foot-6, 134-pound catcher, lean build. Defensively showed quick actions out of the chute, feet work quick and directional, soft hands, above average receiver and defensive skill set for his age. 2.04-2.19 pop times. Arm action plays lower for position, short and loose, 73 mph out of the crouch, showed accuracy. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, loads hands back. Path worked slightly uphill, compact and showed quick hands, should improve with strength. 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.54 runner in the 60.

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Justin Bausch, C, LaCrosse Aquinas, 2020
5-foot-10, 160-pound catcher, lean frame. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, smooth loading action, hands load back. Path is long, level through contact, favors opposite field contact. 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short high ¾ slot, 72 mph out of the crouch. 2.43-2.51 pop times. 7.79 runner in the 60.

Alex Gavrilos, C/3B, La Crosse Logan, 2020
5-foot-10, 185-pound catcher/infielder, solid build. Right-handed hitter, open stance, leg kick stride. Path works uphill, with length, front foot hitter, 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played long and over the top, 71 mph out of the crouch, 76 mph across the diamond. 2.15-2.22 pop times. 8.24 runner in the 60.

Sam Holling, C, Waukesha West, 2021
5-foot-11, 155-pound catcher, lean athletic frame. Right-handed hitter, crouched setup, leg kick stride, good balance through contact. Path is slightly uphill, occasional gap to gap contact. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. 2.12-2.22 pop times. Arm action is long, high ¾ slot, 76 mph out of the crouch. 7.54 runner in the 60.

Will Johannes, C/3B, Mukwonago, 2022
5-foot-10, 165-pound catcher/infielder, carries strength for age. RIght-handed hitter, balanced setup, slightly crouched, short stride, lift and replace, solid balance through contact. Slight pull side approach, present bat strength, occasional pop. 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action plays long, high ¾ to ¾ slot, 70 mph out of the crouch, 73 mph across the infield. On the infield showed body control and an athletic arm action. Soft hands behind the plate, 2.32-2.40 pop times. 8.45 runner in the 60.

Mason McKellar, C, Arrowhead, 2022
6-foot-0, 155-pound catcher,lean wiry frame. RIght-handed hitter, balanced stance, smooth loading action, reverse toe tap stride, hands load back and slightly down. Path works with length, opposite field contact. 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Long arm action, high ¾ slot, 70 mph out of the crouch. 2.32-2.44 pop times, gets tall out of the crouch. 8.40 runner in the 60.

Christian Pederson, C, Mukwonago, 2020
6-foot-1, 206-pound catcher, solid build. Right-handed hitter, tall balanced stance, smooth loading action, short stride. Long path slightly uphill, in rhythm. 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays long and over the top, 69 mph out of the crouch. 2.43-2.57 pop times, gets tall out of the chute. 8.15 runner in the 60.

Otto Schenk, C, Sussex Hamilton, 2021
6-foot-0, 170-pound catcher. Right-handed hitter, balance setup, hands load back, short stride. Path is long, slightly uphill, opposite field contact, 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is long and over the top, showed accuracy, 66 mph out of the crouch. Pop times ranged 2.32-2.44. 8.12 runner in the 60.

Anthony Tomczak, C, Muskego, 2021
5-foot-10, 180-pound catcher, strong build. Right-handed hitter, open stance, leg lift trigger, minimal lower half. Bat strength present, short path creates bat speed, 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.64 runner in the 60. Arm action plays over the top, 72 mph. 2.19-2.29 pop times out of the crouch.  

Evan Wagner, C/RHP, Grafton, 2021
5-foot-11, 145-pound two-way player, thin build. Right-handed hitter, open stance, smooth load, short stride, solid balance through contact. Path is long, uphill plane. 72 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is long out of a high ¾ slot, 69 mph out of the crouch. 2.22-2.39 pop times. 7.88 runner in the 60. On the mound arm action is long, high ¾ slot. Fastball is straight, 69-72 mph. Curveball plays 65-66 mph. Slider showed better, 11/5 shape, 64-65 mph. Changeup is 67-70 mph.

Richard Wauer, C, Muskego, 2020
6-foot-1, 170-pound catcher, athletic shape, sloped shoulders. Right-handed hitter, slightly open stance, loads hands back, short stride, good balance through contact. Path works through contact, opposite field contact, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is long and over the top, 75 mph out of the crouch. 2.16-2.26 pop times. 8.01 runner in the 60.