Ben
Rortvedt

6/9/16 - Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the second round out of Verona Area HS.

4/12/16 - Arkansas commit. Currently ranked No. 22 in the PBR Draft 100. 5-foot-11, 180-pound left-handed hitting catcher with a strong and flexible frame. Third game of the season, with multiple crosscheckers in attendance. Offense separates himself from the rest of the catchers in the draft class. Hits in the leadoff spot for Verona in hops of seeing more pitches to hit. Projects as a middle of the order hitter with power to all fields. Balanced, relaxed setup at the plate, with a short, smooth weight transfer to the backside. Middle away approach at the plate with good feel for the barrel. Plus strength in the wrists and forearms generating good bat speed. Went 1-3 on the day with a double. Defensively has a loose arm action, showed ability to throw from different arm angles in pregame. Popped 1.82-2.01 in warm-ups, throws showed carry. Still working on receiving consistently in games.

2016 Super 60 - Arkansas recruit. Muscular 5-foot-10, 190-pound frame, proportional strength, defined lower half, superior strength in hands/forearms. One of the top left-handed hitters in the country, high-level draft prospect; only solidified his status with all-around stellar performance at Super 60. Offensively turned in arguably the best two rounds of BP of the day. Extremely quiet and short to ball, consistent strong contact, power to all fields, naturally worked the middle of the field, high level of barrel awareness, ball jumps off the bat with backspin carry; 103 mph exit velocity. Mechanically quiet and simple; short stride, fluid load, maintains rhythm; explosive lower half, gets off backside well, excellent balance throughout; generates easy bat speed, stays strong through the ball, high finish. Defensively, possesses plus arm strength, 84 mph from the crouch, on-line throws with carry, some effort involved; recorded top pop times of 1.82, 1.88, 1.91. Traditional catcher’s arm action, footwork is quick and direct, agile blocker; athleticism evident by 7.19 laser-timed 60.

7/12/15 - High level prospect, 2016 draft prospect. Physically advanced. Left-handed bat with pop, showed pull power in game with a ringing double off the right-center wall. Finished with two hits, two hard hit balls. Defensively showed arm strength, quick catch and throw guy, 1.93-2.05 pops between innings, will back pick runners.

2/8/15 - Verbally committed to Arkansas. Physically advanced 5-foot-10, 175-pound left-handed hitting catcher, strong build, solid sturdy frame, excellent physical composition for the catching position. Defensively looks to be one of the top catch and throw guys in the 2016 class. Plus arm strength, plays from a short over the top slot, traditional catchers arm action, gets carry through the bag, 83 mph arm strength out of the crouch. Stays underneath the baseball, footwork is quick and direct, highly athletic catcher, posted pop times at 1.85-1.94. Hands are soft receiving the baseball, comfortable and confident behind the dish, agile blocker. 7.15 runner in the 60, advanced for position. Offensively hits from a slightly open stance, smooth loading action with short stride, athletic setup with strong balance through contact. Explosive bat speed, strong hands/forearms, line drive gap to gap approach, power potential. 92 mph exit velocity from the tee. Projects to be an interesting draft follow in 2016.

7/28/14 - Verbally committed to Arkansas.

2/9/14 - Physical left handed hitting catcher, 5-foot-10, 175-pounds, chiseled build, highly athletic, carries advanced strength for age. Defensively has one of the best arms out of the crouch in the 2016 PBR coverage area (82 mph). Arm carries well and is on target, short over the top arm slot. Rortvedt has immensely improved his receiving skills in the last year and showed softer hands and mechanically sound blocking skills. Posted pop times of 1.86-1.94. Offensively hits from the left side, balanced setup, short stride, arm bar load. Bat path produces advanced bat speed, 92 mph exit velocity from the tee. Line drive gap to gap type hitter with gap power. Athletic hitter with loose hands, makes consistent hard contact. Rortvedt is one of the most highly sought after catchers in the 2016 class.

7/23/13 - Highly physical 2016 prospect, shows advanced strength, 5-foot-10, 170-pound left handed hitting catcher and outfielder. Rortvedt was one of the most eye catching prospects at the event. Hitting from the left side he showed easy explosive bat speed. Posted exit velocity of 92 mph from the tee. Hit from a balanced stance, lower half worked well, good balance throughout. Advanced bat speed, impressive whip through the zone. Showed advanced approach at the plate in game, showed the ability to take what is given and hit the ball where its pitched with hard contact. Went 4-for-7 with a double. Advanced foot speed, excellent base runner. Defensively showed improved hands behind the plate, highly agile, high flexibility. Arm played at 79 mph from the crouch, over the top slot, with accuracy and carry. Recorded event best 2.00 pop time. Rortvedt is physically impressive, it is obvious to see he puts in hard work and should progress at a steady pace. The left handed hitting catcher is a high follow in Wisconsin and the region.

3/3/13 - Shows advanced strength for his age, 5-foot-9, 170-pound catcher. Defensively stays low coming out of the crouch, feet work well, 3.97 runner home to first. Arm works well, 72 mph out of the chute, 2.09-2.25 pop times. Receiving abilities will improve with experience. Offensively hits from a slightly open stance, minimal load, short stride, good balance throughout. Shows excellent bat speed for his age, 88 mph exit velocity from the tee.