Ridge
Erickson

A former PBR Future Games member and the #3 ranked player in the Utah class of 2024, Erickson is a defensive specialist and one of the better defensive catchers I’ve seen come through Utah since MLB catcher Payton Henry from Pleasant Grove in 2016. Erickson has an advanced feel for footwork, framing and blocking balls, where he rolls his shoulder forward to create a funnel in keeping balls in front. Not only does he block well, he can pick balls clean off the dirt or turf in front, which allows him to get a difficult clean exchange in catching runners off guard when they look to advance on balls in the dirt. Always looking to throw, Erickson can back pick with the best of them. His quick feet, clean exchange and quality hand/eye coordination, allows for the ball to exchange from glove to hand in the blink of an eye. With pop times abv avg on the MLB scouting scale, routinely Erickson is in the 1.85-1.90 range and between innings on the throw down to 2B, he gave me a clean effortless 1.93. At the plate, Erickson hit .400+ as a sophomore, but finished below at .293 as a junior in large part to missing 3 weeks of action, due to a concussion that left him less than 100% health wise. But the swing is clean, efficient, short and direct to the ball with sweet sour contact on a line with backspin. An abv avg grade on the MLB scale as a defender right now, Erickson is committed to BYU and should walk onto campus as the odds on favorite to play everyday right away. Reminds me of Buster Posey and former big league defensive specialist Jeff Mathis as well. Bright future for this young man.

The state’s top defensive catcher, Erickson has taken a bit of a step back with his offense, but that is common, when a team also takes a step back offensively as well. A .400+ hitter a year ago, Erickson is not seeing the type of pitches he could get, as he is the one providing the protection for others to improve their offensive production. But one thing that has been a constant is top shelf receiving and blocking ability, to go along with a 1.9 consistent in-game pop times in cutting down over half of the runners or more that dare to run on him. A Buster Posey type look and feel to his game, as the offense comes around, Erickson could be a D1 star at his college of choice BYU, as he doesn’t K out and puts the ball in play, taking his walks and working deep counts in the majority of his AB’s. 

(Shooter Hunt - PBR Future Games Top 25 Position Player Prospects)

Ridge Erickson (UT) Erickson's ability to receive at a high level is matched only by the catch-and-throw capability, and he turned in workout pop-times at a 1.92-1.97 clip. Quick on the transfer with a strong, 80mph arm, the defend-tool is advanced, and he looked the part of a leader on the diamond, even in a quick look. Compact and athletic at 5-foot-11, 185-poundswith some natural strength throughout, the right-handed hitter showcased a simple stroke that promises more power on the way with an easy gap-to-gap approach presently. With so many programs desperate to find elite defenders behind the plate, Erickson stands out as one to follow, and with a strong right-handed stroke, there is also potential that he may develop into a run-producer at the next level.

This has been the one player that has climbed the board the fastest since the start of the summer. A glove over bat right now, but the bat is not that far off. The defense is just that good! A lean athletic Buster Posey type build and look right now at the same age! Ridge caught really well at the Future Games, as well as all summer. The setup behind the plate is really good w/a balanced athletic base, moves well side to side and can shift his hips to the corners, to stick pitches. Works underneath the ball and shows a low target, while dropping to block abv avg. He can pick balls to the backhand side, as well as glove and scoop balls on the short hop that others would block. Smothers balls in front and prevents base runners from moving up. Is adept at back picks to both corners and has picked a large number of runners off this summer. With a twitchy lower ½ and fast feet, Erickson gets off throws to 2B in times of 1.87-1.96 at the Top Prospect Games and 1.92-1.97 at the Future Games. The bat shows power potential and has a conventional semi crouched stance, with the bat held at a 45-degree angle with rhythm in loading the bat and driving his hands to and through the baseball with a short to/long through swing pattern. There is some slight uphill path to project lift and carry into an extended one hand follow through. Is gaining a following with a couple D1 offers on the table and others to come. This kid is the best catch/throw kid in the state and should develop into a premium next level defender as he has two years of HS remaining! 

Positional Profile: C/SS

Hits: RHH.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 86.3 MPH. 322' max distance.
Arm: RH.
Defense:
Run: 7.45 runner in the 60.
Vizual Edge: 58.37 Edge Score

A young 15 yr old catcher from a top Utah HS program and showed really well, with the 2nd best pop times of the event at 1.96-2.07 and his throws were accurate and on the bag. He showed quick feet laterally and has a quick, short compact arm stroke. The bat is a plus as a catcher, as he showed a solid setup and bat turn in the load phase. The hand speed and bat speed are there with his data at 23 and 70.2, and the ball jumps off the bat on a line with 90.6 EV's. Most likely a back up this coming spring to a college bound senior catcher, but finding a way to get his bat in the lineup should be a must.