Caden
Popp

Popp was a winner from the showcase on Tuesday, as he put on one of the best shows of the day during BP. His hard hit percentage was at 100%, leading all hitters. Popp’s hits led all bats in average distance traveled as well, as he averaged 328 feet per ball he hit. At a 5-foot-11, 180-pound frame, Popp has a quiet body in the batters box, and a bat path that allows him to launch the baseball. His BP session translated to gameplay as well, as the uncommitted to-be senior went 2-for-3 with a triple, walk, and two runs scored. Popp helped raise his status as an offensive power in the 2023 class.

Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-11, 175-pounds. Strong build, round shoulders.
Delivery: Athletic/controlled leg-lift into a slight drop/drive lower-half, remaining in-line with a closed landing foot.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm out of the glove into a high 3/4 slot.
FB: T83.6, 81.1-83.1 mph. Running action to the arm-side, navigates around the zone.  T1759, 1644 average rpm.
CB: 68.5-70.1 mph. Tight 11/5 shape, sharp action with feel.  T2177, 2130 average rpm.
CH: 73.8-75.6 mph. Heavy running action to the arm-side, feel for the zone and clean out of the hand.  T1939, 1872 average rpm.

Hit: RHH. Crouched, balanced setup. Methodical, balanced leg lift. Aggressive foot strike. Slight hand/barrel wiggle pre-swing.  Flat path, connected rotation. Closes the swing off with violence. Stable swing, quality transmission of effort. All fields with some pop.
Power: 96.3 max exit velocity, averaged 90.1 mph. 355’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 84 mph.
Defense: Narrow base, sets feet up to play through, glove works under center at times, showed ability for quick exchange.
Run: 6.90 runner in the 60.

Popp is a dynamic 5-foot-11, 175-pound athlete from Appleton North. Popp ran a 6.90 in the 60-yard dash and rolled straight into an impressive batting practice session, where his athleticism was on display as he averaged the highest average bat speed mark (78.3 mph). This is the second event of the winter that Popp has shown top of event bat speed. He also generated exit speeds as high as 96 mph with a flat, connected swing. He finished his swing with violence and logged a sweet spot rate at 80 percent for his round. Popp coupled his offensive performance with a solid round of infield defense that flashed quick hands and above-average arm strength at an 84 mph max. Later in the day, Popp hopped on the mound and also caught our staff’s attention. His fastball worked in the 81-83 mph range with noteworthy running action and control of the zone. He also showed feel for two separate off-speed pitches; the first being a sharp 11/5 curveball at 68-70 mph, and the second being a heavy fading changeup that is clean out of the hand with feel for the zone, 74-75 mph.

Popp is a quality athlete that moves well with strong proportions, showing that athleticism off early by running a 6.95 in the 60-yard dash. In the box he utilizes a moderate leg kick from a narrow setup, generating high intent swings as high as 81.5 mph barrel speed through the zone. On the dirt, he throws from a high 3/4 slot with carry, is accurate to his target, and owns a feel for the different plays around the infield. Popp completed a strong all-around workout by hopping on the mound and pumping his fastball in the low-80s with a 2,300-plus rpm curveball to pair.

Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-11, 175-pounds. Athletic frame, explosive moves, strong throughout.
Hit: RHH. Preset coil in a narrow setup. Barrel cocked with wiggle rhythm. Moderate leg kick with firm plant.  Vertical barrel set. High intent through the zone favoring pull-side lift. Rotational attack.
Power: 95.4 max exit velocity, averaged 83.4 mph. 346’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. High 3/4 with carry. Accurate to target and feel for the different plays.
Defense: Quality footwork and athleticism. Organized with clean transition and exchange.
Run: 6.95 runner in the 60. 

Delivery: Simple, short stride action with explosiveness.
Arm Action: RH. Rigid action with a higher pocket to flip up. Somewhat of a stab to the outfield. Much more in the tank.
FB: T82.1, 79.4-81.4 mph.  T1693, 1606 average rpm.
CB: 69.0-70.2 mph.  T2352, 2191 average rpm. 

Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-foot-9, 145-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Quiet setup, short stride, loads hands back with barrel tilt. Pull side tendency, path works around the baseball to make best contact to pull side.
Power: 77 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 72 mph. Short arm action, works out of high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Hands play out front as feet work through the baseball, celan exchange, showed body control.
Run: 7.57 runner in the 60.