Ethan
Finch

Samford Commit. 5-foot-10, 185 pounds. It’s very rare to find this type of athlete at the C position, as his build and plus speed seem like just as good of a fit in CF! There’s no doubt he could play there, but he just does too many things well behind the dish to even consider him playing another position. He made quite a name for himself at Future Games last summer as a defender, stopping multiple runners dead in their tracks on steals and back picks. Nothing has changed this spring defensively, except for the fact he’s turning in plus pop times on the regular now in the 1.89 - 1.91 range. What used to be his best pop time has now become his average pop time, as his awesome work ethic and never ending motor deserve all the credit. Defense at his position is more valuable to a team than any other skill, and it's very much Ethan’s strong suit. He’s an impressive receiver, is ridiculously quick laterally on blocks, and has a 6th sense to what's happening on the basepaths. He has an unheard of 1.000 fielding %, meaning he didn't make a single error in the field this season. If that doesn’t speak loudly to his defensive talent, I don’t know what does. Where Finch has improved most this spring is at the plate, where he’s toned down his aggression in the approach and movement in the swing. He’s now got the discipline and inside-out swing to drive the ball to the opposite field, something I’ve seen him do in all 3 games scouting him this spring. The results speak for themselves - .352 AVG, .485 OBP, 3 HR, 6 2B, 2 3B in 24 games with more walks than K’s (14 BB, 12 K’s)! This is all despite missing considerable time during the season with injury. Not only is this one of the most toolsy catchers in the southeast, but he’s easily one of the toughest players I’ve ever been around. Nothing changes next year for Parkview as they have a handful of draft prospects, and this is surely one of them.
 

Underclass Games - Catcher Analysis 

Positional Profile: C/RHP A top performer who has solidified himself as one the state's top catchers.
Body: 5-foot-10, 180-pounds. Strong, sturdy frame, athletically build.
Hit: RHH. Slightly open with an athletic bend in his knees, hands start back with smooth rhythm, and deepen into a near arm bar, short leg kick timing trigger, good balance, some explosiveness in lower half. Gap-to-gap hitter with power potential, swing path works uphill through the zone with extension, looks to lift and drive with each swing, consistently able to do so and with back spin, ultra quick bat speed.
Power: 93.1 max exit velocity, averaged 89.7 mph. 360’ max distance. Present gap-to-gap power with plenty more on the way.
Arm: RH. C - 84 mph. Short, loose arm action to an over-the-top slot, premium arm strength, throws carry with ease and are accurate.
Defense: 1.91-2.02 pop times. Plays through the ball with fluid footwork and ultra quick hands, gets to release point in a hurry. Agile mover, good blocker and receiver.
Run: 6.87 runner in the 60.