Brian
Rapanan

Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-foot-7, 160-pounds. Strong lower half.
Hit: RHH. Quiet, balanced setup, short stride and maintains balance.  Compact, repeatable swing, utilizes lower half, quick hands, extension through contact and consistent hard line-drive contact to all fields.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 80 mph. Loose, whippy arm, over-the-top slot, accurate throws.
Defense: 1.94-2.08 pop times. Athletic defensive actions, clean and repeatable from the crouch, stays on-line. Low setup, sticks pitches in the zone and advanced blocks; deadens ball.
Run: 7.24 runner in the 60. 

Delivery: Smooth delivery, works with rhythm, minimal effort, on-line and lands front toe closed.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose, quick arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T86, 85-86 mph. Thrown for strikes, occasional arm-side-run.
SL: 68-71 mph. Tight spin, late 10/4 shape, feel.
CH: 76-78 mph. Maintains arm speed, feel for the bottom of the zone, late fade.

Currently ranked No. 35 in the Illinois’ 2021 class. 5-foot-7, 150-pound, compact build, strong lower half, right-handed hitting multi-positional prospect. Started at shortstop and later came into the game to pitch. Best position may be behind the plate. Advanced middle-infield defender, smooth easy actions, confident hands, plays under control and calm overall demeanor. Arm works loose and easy, accurate across the diamond and plenty of arm strength for the left-side. At the plate, loose swing, long path, controls the barrel and gap-to-gap approach. Finished 1-for-2 with a double to deep left-center field, two RBI’s and a walk. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, clean arm action and easy effort. Fastball, arm-side-run, thrown for strikes, sat 83-84 mph. Mixed in a slurvy breaking ball, feel, 71 mph. Threw the final two innings, allowed one hit, no runs, struck out four and walked one.

2.17.19 - 5-foot-7, 150-pound right-handed hitting two-way player, durable frame. Athletic, natural catch and release actions defensively, sticks pitches, feet and transfers work quick and clean, cushioned blocks. Short and loose arm action, high ¾ slot, 86 mph from the crouch with accuracy. Event best pop times, ranged 1.94-2.10. At the plate, sets up even, short stride and load, excellent balance throughout. Fluid path with extension, works uphill with lift, repeated hard contact to pull side. Exit velocity topped 86 mph from a tee. 7.47 runner in the 60. On the mound, simple delivery, low hanging leg balance, stays over rubber, short, open toe stride in-line, smooth rhythm. Arm plays short and loose, speeds through a clean, high ¾ slot, effort seems easy. Pounded the zone with three. Fastball, slight run, 81-84 mph. Curveball, sharp 11/5 break, can spin it, 65-67 mph. Changeup, faded with fastball arm speed, 73-76 mph.

7.23.18 - 5-foot-7, 150-pound two-way player, compact build with present strength. Right-handed hitter, balanced spread stance, loads hands back, short stride, maintains balance throughout. Path is short and level through contact, gets extension, present bat speed. Spray line drive contact, 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, 75 mph out of the crouch, played at 77 mph across the diamond. Catcher/second base defensively profile, hands play soft and clean, athletic actions. 2.11-2.19 pop times. 4.68 runner down the line. On the mound arm action plays similar to that on the field, compact delivery, repeats. Fastball is mostly straight, 80-82 mph. Curveball played 70-72 mph, 11/5 action.

2.18.18 - 5-foot-7, 150-pound, multi-positional prospect. Highly-advanced defensive catcher. Athletic, quick footwork, clean transfer, works on-line and repeatable. Soft hands, flexible and agile behind the plate. Strong arm for age; 76 mph from the crouch. Accurate throws consistently around the bag and pop times ranged between 1.97-2.05. Also, worked out on the infield. Athletic actions, sure hands, ranges well to both sides, maintains body control. Athletic, loose arm action and throws topped at 80 mph across the diamond. 8.00 runner in the 60. At the plate, right-handed hitter, loose, athletic swing. Balanced setup, smooth load, short stride and maintains balance throughout. Stays short the baseball, feel for the barrel and line-drive approach; 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, tall and fall delivery, fluid rhythm, highly repeatable and works on-line. Loose arm action, clean arm swing and comes out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball thrown for strikes, arm-side-run at times, sat 78-80 mph. Cutter, fastball arm speed, 10/4 action, 74-76 mph. Changeup, feel, down in the zone, 71-73 mph. Also, featured a curveball, 11/5 shape, 66-70 mph.

11.5.17 - 5-foot-7, 150-pound, multi-positional prospect. Advanced defensive catcher, extremely quick, athletic out of the crouch. Strong, highly-accurate arm. Held his own receiving an arm that was up to 91 mph in a bullpen setting. Flexible, loose hips, active blocker. Offensively, right-handed hitter, loose hands, controls the barrel, line-drive, spray approach. Got on the mound to finish the day. Repeatable delivery, quick, clean arm action and ran his fastball up to 80 mph. High-follow 2021 prospect.

9.23.17 - 5-foot-5, 150-pound, athletic two-way prospect. Defensively, traditional catcher actions, short, athletic arm action, over-the-top slot. Gains ground on reception, throws are accurate with carry. Recorded a 2.08 pop time in-game. On the mound, slot varied between over-the-top and high ¾, lands toe-closed. Fields the position well and showed situational awareness. Fastball, 77-78, arm side run and sink actions. Changeup, fade and sink at-times, 70-71. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 68-69.

5.5.17 - Athletic middle infielder. Defensively showed off quick footwork, soft, clean hands, athletic arm action, made a nice backhanded play in the hole, throwing the runner out with time to spare. Offensively, open setup, stays open, short, quick swing. Patient at the plate, drawing multiple walks.