Santino
Ycaza

Stands at an athletic 5-foot-9, 170-pounds. Has good feel behind the plate, receives with clean, soft hands, has an average transfer and decent footwork, releases with an over-the-top arm motion and has good arm strength. Starts with a slightly opened stance, uses a fluid load and long stride to the pitch, hands stay short to the ball and shows average bat speed, bat path has some extension and hitter stays balance through the point of contact and finish.

Preseason All-Long Island Showcase (February 20, 2015)

Santino who stands in 5-foot-9 170-pounds shows an impressive lower half.   Foot work shows that both feet leave the ground as he transfers from glove to hand.  Clean transfer, brings ball straight back to his ear.  He finishes towards his targets and glove tucked underneath his arm-pit.  Arm velocity is 78mph.  Blocks the ball great with good movement around the ball.  Hands are smooth and sways nicely with the pitch.  Pop times range from 1.84-1.94.  Shows to be an above average catcher in the high school level.  At the plate he stands a bit open with his hands right by his shoulders.  Turns his body into the catcher as he loads up.  Hands stay inside the ball with a nice balanced stride.  Hips and shoulders stay closed. Full extension on the ball.  Exit velocity was 87mph and home to first time was a 4.63.

Ycaza stands 5-foot-9, 170-pounds with a strong lower half. Behind the plate he receives the ball with a big target, soft hands. On his throws to second he uses quick footwork getting in front of the plate, clean fast exchange, throws from an over-the-top slot, fast hand speed at 78 mph, pop times were consistently 1.84-1.92 and accurate. Next level catcher. At the plate he shows a relaxed, athletic setup, slightly open. On the pitch he strides to even, back load, hands fire inside the ball (87 mph exit velocity), short path, barrel stays level through the zone, high finish, needs more extension through the ball. Shows bat speed and power potential, very solid prospect.