Joey
Spence

Notre Dame recruit. 6-foot, 200 pounds; stocky/strong frame, prototypical catcher’s build. Above-average runner for build/position; efficient, athletic gait. Recorded a 7.23 here on the new, soft turf but ran a 7.09 in the summer at the ProCase. Has earned a bat-first profile, but has consistently improved his defensive skillset, and projects to stick behind the plate in college. Left-handed hitter; fluid, repeatable swing with advanced barrel feel that helps him utilize the entire field, offensively, with natural loft in batted-ball profile – favors the left-center gap. Recorded a max exit speed of 96.22 mph in batting practice, at a 343-foot max estimated distance. Spence generates prominent bat speed, measured at 74.83 mph on average, per Blast Motion. Defensively, low crouch set, vocal and confident; handled some power arms during the pitching session and showed no trouble receiving big velocity, quiet receptions. Steady and efficient work from reception through transfer and release during catcher defense reps. Throws were consistently on target, controlled one-hop to infielder; pop times ranged from 1.94-2.02 and his arm strength was recorded at an 80 mph high. The state’s top-ranked catcher is a sneaky draft prospect, and could hit the ground running if/when he reaches South Bend.

Making hard contact throughout the day, Spence’s bat is his carrying tool. With a smooth, repeatable swing and plenty of strength in his 5-foot-11, 195-pound mature frame, he squared up lasers to center and left center in two of his four at-bats. With top level bat-to-ball skills, the left-handed hitting Spence generated 96 mph exit velocity with a powerful core and strong forearms. His 7.09 sixty was loose with lower effort, something his compact body type may suggest otherwise. Behind the dish Spence displayed near average arm strength (78 mph) with fair carry and consistent pops in the 2.03-2.09 range. His footwork was short and direct, while his throwing motion compact. He will head to Notre Dame next fall and has all the tools and skills to make an immediate impact on the program.

6-foot, 195 pounds; compact strength in catcher’s build. One of the top left-handed bats in the Midwest. Spence brings about a quiet confidence to the batter’s box with an inherent feel for hitting. Simple approach allows him to smoothly square up contact, looking to line the ball back up the middle first and foremost, but he can spray lofted, hard-hit balls to all fields. His receiving skills have helped his pitch selection as a batter, and it’s made him a middle-of-the-order menace for opposing pitchers. He’s an above-average receiver with quick actions out of the chute, with arm strength, and he has proven to be an athletic and mobile blocker.

6-foot, 195 pounds; compact strength in catcher’s build. One of the top left-handed bats in the Midwest. Spence brings about a quiet confidence to the batter’s box with an inherent feel for hitting. Simple approach allows him to smoothly square up contact, looking to line the ball back up the middle first and foremost, but he can spray lofted, hard-hit balls to all fields. His receiving skills have helped his pitch selection as a batter, and it’s made him a middle-of-the-order menace for opposing pitchers. He’s an above-average receiver with quick actions out of the chute, with arm strength, and he has proven to be an athletic and mobile blocker.

Notre Dame commit; No. 2-ranked prospect in the state’s 2021 class. 5-foot-10, 190-pound catcher with a strong, compact, durable build. Spence has some of the best bat-to-ball skills in the Midwest inside the ‘21 class, and it was on full display last weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, Spence went 6-for-9 and was integral to STiKS Black’s climb to the championship. The left-handed-hitting catcher has a smooth, quick swing with natural loft and bat strength. He has all of the actions from behind the plate, too, and is already an above-average receiver with a short, strong arm out of the chute.

The No. 2 overall player in the Wisconsin 2021 class, went 5-for-5 with two extra-base hits and a walk over a two-game span on Saturday afternoon. The left-handed hitting catcher drilled a triple to center field in his second at-bat of the day and followed that up by hammering a double to the right-field wall in his third at-bat. He’s one of the top-ranked players in the Wisconsin 2021 class and is a high-follow. 

11/9/18 - Verbally committed to Notre Dame.

10/1/18 - Above avg. defensive catcher. Low 2.0 pop times. Accurate with clean release. Handles pitching staff, receives baseball well, solid build behind dish. Also shows ability with bat while hitting from the left-side.

9/16/18 - 5-foot-9, 185-pound, compact, strong-bodied, left-handed hitter. DH’d in the second game on Saturday. Offensively, confident look in the box, ready to hit when he steps in. Simple, compact aggressive swing, hunts the fastball. Natural lift in swing, quick, strong hands and ball jumps off the bat at times. Hit a line-drive single to center field in his first at-bat and later scored. In his second at-bat, hit a sharp line-drive double into the right-center field gap, scoring two runs. One of the top 2021 hitters in the state of Wisconsin.

7/23/18 - 5-foot-9, 185-pound left-handed hitting catcher, compact build with strength. Hits from a slightly open stance, smooth loading action, small leg lift stride, strong lower half and maintains strong balance. Path is compact and strong, aggressive swing with intent, hands generate above average bat speed and strength. Natural hitter with feel for the barrel, above average hand eye, ball jumps off the barrel to the middle of the field. 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. 4.69 runner down the line. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, flashed carry, 74 mph out of the crouch. Pop times ranged 2.11-2.19. Above average receiver at his age, plays athletically behind the dish.

7/8/18 - 5-foot-9, 185-pound, strong, compact frame, left-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, balanced setup, low leg kick timing-trigger, hands load back smoothly, present bat speed. Patient, mature approach at the plate, looked for his particular pitch and did not chase, drew four walks in four at-bats. Added two more walks in semifinal game and had a base hit up the middle against a tough left on left matchup. Defensively, arm action is short, over-the-top, throws carry.

2/17/18 - 5-foot-9, 180-pound left-handed hitting catcher, strong compact build. Hits from a balanced setup, short stride, stays balanced. Loose hands create above average bat speed, short to the baseball. Pull side approach at times, in rhythm, flashed hard contact, 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, 74 mph out of the crouch. Clean catch and thrown, hands show softness, 2.08-2.12 pop times. Solid blocker, soft and quiet receiving. 7.54 runner in the 60.

10/28/17 - 5-foot-9, 170-pound left-handed hitting catcher with a strong frame. Offensively hits from a wide base, short leg lift stride with good balance. Line drive middle of the field approach. Short, uphill swing path with fluid rhythm. 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.76. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Throws showed carry out of the crouch, popped 2.18-2.25 and threw 71 mph from the crouch. Quick footwork and exchange, gets out of the crouch quickly. Showed flexibility in the lower half receiving.