On January 11th, the Prep Baseball California team hosted the Los Angeles Preseason ID at Buena High School in Ventura, Cal. This was an open event for high school classes (2026-2030), and gave our staff an ample look at the area’s top prospects.

• To view the post-event content from the event, click here.
• To find the statistics from the event, click here.
• To view the full event roster, click here.

Today, we will we’re taking a look at all of the catchers from the event in alphabetical order:

CATCHER ANALYSIS

Francisco Aguirre, Sierra Canyon School (CA), 2027
Positional Profile: C/OF Intriguing catcher with defensive upside and a contact, all field approach at the plate.
Body: 5-5.4, 159-pounds. Short, compact frame with present athleticism
Hit: SH. R & R: Upright upper body with squatted lower half. Hands stay low near the chest throughout the swing. Early leg kick initiates load, timing mechanism, and forward lunge. Flattened path from the right side and slight uphill path from the left. Contact driven approach from both sides with direct, compact swings. mph bat speed with g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 84 mph max exit velocity (75.5 avg.); 290-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. Short, efficient arm path that ends over the top. Quick and direct and fires accurate throws.
Defense: 2.21-2.31 pop time range; Works from a one-knee stance and maintains strong base and and efficient forward movement throughout the throw. Utilizes athletic, active footwork.
Athletic Testing: 8.13 runner in the 60-yard dash.

Kegan Anderson, Centennial High (CA), 2028
Positional Profile: C/1B Developing catcher with contact-oriented approach at the plate.
Body: 5-8.7, 194-pounds. Compact frame with present strength
Hit: RHH. Wide, squatted stance with high hands and a flat barrell. Rocks into the back leg and lifts barrel in sync with a slight front toe tap. Utilizes a short, downward bat path. Looks to catch balls deep in the zone to line up the middle or to the right side. 60.9 mph bat speed with 5g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 85 mph max exit velocity (79.9 avg.); 267-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Short arm action that works over the top. Compact and stays close to the ear.
Defense: 2.21-2.30 pop time range; Works out of a one leg stance and presents good direction towards 2B. Consistent gather and throw.
Athletic Testing: 8.29 runner in the 60-yard dash.

Holden Backus, Westlake High (CA), 2028
Positional Profile: C/1B Physical backstop with powerful gap-to-gap approach and strong arm behind the dish.
Body: 6-4.1, 203-pounds. Tall, physical frame with clear athleticism.
Hit: RHH. Narrow, upright stance with slight knee bend. Creates rhythm and timing with a double toe tap. Stacks onto pack hip to generate forward force. Hands get barrel on plane early. Drives liners to both sides of the field. Looks to get the hands extended. 65.4 mph bat speed with 13g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 98 mph max exit velocity (88.5 avg.); 334-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 80 mph. Short and quick arm motion from a high 3/4 slot. Arm fully extends through the throw.
Defense: 2.11-2.19 pop time range; Utilizes a strong base to explode out of the squat. Maintains strong lower half through the throw and footwork.

Tyler Beaver, Thousand Oaks High (CA), 2029
Positional Profile: C/RHP Two-way player with sound mechanics behind the plate and a contact approach.
Body: 5-4.7, 125-pounds. Wiry frame with room to fill out and add strength.
Hit: RHH. Shoulder-width stance with slight knee bend and hands close to the body and back shoulder. Minimal load and movement and a slight forward move with a low stride. Flat bat path with a low, one hand finish. Looks to get hands extended and out in front for a pull-side approach. 58.4 mph bat speed with 10g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 82 mph max exit velocity (72.6 avg.); 298-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 68 mph. Short, compact and aggressive arm motion from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.40-2.50 pop time range; Quick, athletic footwork and explosive out of the squat to generate a strong forward move. Fast glove-to-hand transitions.
Athletic Testing: 8.29 runner in the 60-yard dash.

Justin Castellanos, El Segundo High (CA), 2027
Positional Profile: C/3B Defensively sound backstop with strong catch-and-throw ability. Upside for power at the plate.
Body: 5-8.5, 222-pounds. Physical frame with sturdy lower half.
Hit: RHH. Relaxed, balanced stance with slight pre-load into the back leg. Utilizes a long stride to generate forward momentum and power. Hands stay locked and quiet at back shoulder. Short, direct swing with a level bat path through the zone. Compact swing and tight core translates to pull-side power and line drives. 60.7 mph bat speed with 8g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 92 mph max exit velocity (85.3 avg.); 252-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Short, consistent and repeatable arm action that shows considerable accuracy to the bag
Defense: 2.20-2.42 pop time range; Strong lower half that generates power throughout the throw. Drives out of the squat with quick and efficient glove-to-hand transfers.
Athletic Testing: 8.80 runner in the 60-yard dash.

Matthew Favela, Loyola (CA), 2027
Positional Profile: C/1B Physical catcher with present pull-side power and line-drive approach.
Body: 5-11.4, 202-pounds. Physical frame with present athleticism.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup with a slight knee bend and flat barrell. Pre-loaded coil and weight in the back leg. Uses a rocking motion and toe tap for timing and load. Flat path with depth and direction through the zone. Present pull-side power and consistent barrels. 68.3 mph bat speed with 23g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 99 mph max exit velocity (89.7 avg.); 295-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Quick, compact arm motion, small arm circle and overhead slot with minimal arm extension after the throw.
Defense: 2.25-2.30 pop time range; Active, athletic footwork provides good direction to 2B. Consistent pop out of the squat.
Athletic Testing: 7.62 runner in the 60-yard dash.

Tay Fink, Calabasas High (CA), 2028
Positional Profile: C/2B Physical backstop with accurate throws and strong offensive profile.
Body: 5-7.2, 172-pounds. Proportional, compact frame with strong lower hald.
Hit: RHH. Wide, squatted stance with rhythmic hand and body movements. Hands stay high just above the shoulder. Slight upward bat path gets the barrel on plane early. Presents consistent barrels and sprays the ball to all parts of the field with authority. 54.9 mph bat speed with 15g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 85 mph max exit velocity (81 avg.); 292-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Short, easy and loose arm action that shoots the ball out of the hand. Compact and repeatable arm motion.
Defense: 2.20-2.30 pop time range; Utilizes a one leg stance and shoots out of the squat with force. Athletic footwork and consistent direction toward 2B.
Athletic Testing: 8.78 runner in the 60-yard dash.

Andrew Garcia, Rio Mesa (CA), 2029
Positional Profile: C/OF Intriguing LHH with middle of the order potential and line-drive approach.
Body: 5-11.1, 164-pounds. Athletic, proportional build with lean strength.
Hit: LHH. Narrow, open stance with slight knee bend and quiet hands. Utilizes a pre-set hip coil and inward shoulder rotation to generate tension. Flat, consistent bat path. Hands fire in sequence with tight hip rotation. Maintains posture throughout the swing. 65.9 mph bat speed with 12g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 94 mph max exit velocity (82 avg.); 310-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. OF - 80 mph. C: Long arm circle with shortened extension coming from a 3/4 slot. OF: Long arm circle starting behind and around the body to an overhead release.
Defense: 2.23-2.43 pop time range; C: Quick exit out of the squat and powerful forward move. OF: Slow, methodical approach to the ball with a simple gather into the throw.
Athletic Testing: 8.33 runner in the 60-yard dash.

Jakob Kerr, Castaic High (CA), 2026
Positional Profile: C/OF Defensively sound catcher with accurate throws and consistent contact at the plate.
Body: 5-8.6, 176-pounds. Lean, athletic build with more room to fill out.
Hit: RHH. Narrow stance with pre-coiled back hip. Bat begins on the shoulder and lifts off during the forward move. Simple, repeatable weight shift and leg kick. Forward bat tilt encourages barrel whip. Flat, level bat path with barrel depth and zone coverage. Consistent contact when hands get extended out in front. 66.3 mph bat speed with 9g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 94 mph max exit velocity (82 avg.); 342-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph. Short arm action with a quick transfer and a whippy finish. Arm extends all the way through the throw. Strong, accurate, consistent throws to 2B.
Defense: 2.05-2.11 pop time range; Works from a one knee stance and explodes out of the squat towards 2B. Quick and fluid glove transitions.
Athletic Testing: 7.81 runner in the 60-yard dash.

Taehan Kim, Redondo Union High (CA), 2027
Positional Profile: C/1B Defensively sound catcher with present strength and power potential at the plate.
Body: 5-8.5, 186-pounds. Proportional, Physical frame with present strength and athleticism.
Hit: RHH. Narrow, open stance with heavy pre-load into the back leg. Rhythmic double toe tap load works in sequence with hand movements and back hip coil. Hands lift the barrel and extend to create tension. Downhill bat path creates backspin and hard line drives. Hips and torso fire with power to a long one hand finish. 68 mph bat speed with 21g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 99 mph max exit velocity (91.4 avg.); 360-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. Quick, compact arm motion that stays close to the ear and finishes in a 3/4 slot. Arm fully extends with noticeable recoil.
Defense: 1.85-1.92 pop time range; Works from a one-knee set up and utilizes quick, athletic footwork to maintain direction to 2B. Explosive out of the squat and follows through with accurate throws. Seamless glove-to-hand transitions.
Athletic Testing: 8.58 runner in the 60-yard dash.

Parker Medlin, Paraclete (CA), 2028
Positional Profile: C/OF Developing catcher with contact swing.
Body: 5-7.4, 142-pounds. Wiry, lean frame with room to fill out and add strength.
Hit: RHH. Wide stance stacked on back leg with heavy foward move. Quiet hands with noticeable bat wrap. Excessive dowhill bat path results in line drives or back spun pop ups. 62 mph bat speed with 9g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 89 mph max exit velocity (80.3 avg.); 263-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Works from a high over the top slot. Arm is quick and efficient.
Defense: 2.07-2.18 pop time range; Starts in a one knee stance and uses athletic footwork to maintain direction towards 2B. Clean transfers out of the glove.
Athletic Testing: 7.65 runner in the 60-yard dash.

Quinn Melton, San Marcos High (CA), 2028
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: -, -pounds. Sturdy, physical frame with present athleticism.
Hit: LHH. mph bat speed with g of rotational acceleration.
Power: mph max exit velocity ( avg.); -foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Extended arm motion into an overhead arm slot. Produces accurate throws to 2B
Defense: 2.14-2.21 pop time range; Explosive base with quick and fluid glove-to-hand transfers. Sturdy wrists while framing.

Andrew Nicklaus, Simi Valley High (CA), 2027
Positional Profile: C/OF Versatile catcher with a hard line-drive apporach at the plate and athletic ability behind the plate.
Body: 5-10.1, 156-pounds. Lean, athletic build with room to fill in.
Hit: RHH. Narrow, upright stance with high hands and a flat barrel. Utilizes a heavy forward shift to generate momentum and power. Braces hard off the front leg. Violent hip rotation and quick hands through the zone combined with a flat bat path produces hard hit line drives. Stays on plane with balls at varying heights and locations. 69.7 mph bat speed with 11g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 97 mph max exit velocity (90.6 avg.); 340-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. Compact and repeatable arm action that stays close to the ear. Arm extends through with minimal recoil.
Defense: 1.95-2.05 pop time range; Works out of a one leg stance with clean, athletic footwork. Makes powerful moves towards 2B and utilizes legs for power.
Athletic Testing: 7.57 runner in the 60-yard dash.

Cruz Rodriguez, Chaminade College Preparatory-High School (CA), 2027
Positional Profile: C/1B Intriguing hitter with present power and a whole-field approach and a defensively sound catcher.
Body: 5-9.6, 184-pounds. Proportional, athletic build with present strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance with quiet hands through the load. Utilizes a controlled double toe tap for timing and rhythm. Slight upward bat path gets the barrel on plane through the zone and produces hard hit line drives to all areas of the field. Consistent barrels and hard contact. 65.6 mph bat speed with 9g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 92 mph max exit velocity (85.6 avg.); 348-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 80 mph. Compact arm motion with loose, whippy arm. Arm extends through the throw.
Defense: 2.00-2.08 pop time range; Works from a one knee position and moves with smooth intention and quick footwork towards 2B.
Athletic Testing: 7.65 runner in the 60-yard dash.

Jack Sweeney, St. Augustine Academy (CA), 2027
Positional Profile: SS/C Intriguing hitter and emerging power potential with the body still maturing.
Body: 5-10.2, 142-pounds. Wiry, long levered frame with room to fill out.
Hit: RHH. Narrow, balanced stance. Utilizes a drastic back hip coil and inward rotation to store power and create tension. A heavy forward move is braced by the front leg. Level bat path gains depth through the zone and squares up line drives. Hands whip through the zone and find consistent barrels. 65.1 mph bat speed with 7g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 96 mph max exit velocity (91.3 avg.); 306-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. INF - 82 mph. C: Short, repeatable arm motion that stays close to the ear. Arm whips into extension. INF: Arm gets longer and more extended and finishes from a 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.08-2.11 pop time range; C: Explodes out of the squat and utilizes lower half and upper body rotation for power. Clean glove transitions. INF: Slow, controlled approach and clean hand actions.
Athletic Testing: 7.72 runner in the 60-yard dash.

Bret Warner, Thousand Oaks High (CA), 2026
Positional Profile: C/1B Physical backstop with a gap-to-gap approach at the plate and projectable power.
Body: 6-0.8, 232-pounds. Strong, physical build with present athleticism.
Hit: RHH. Wide, squatted stance. Hands work opposite to forward stride to create tension and stretch. Rocking motion onto backside to generate timing and intiate the load. Short, compact swing that works in sequence. Drives balls from gap-to-gap. 66.1 mph bat speed with 9g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 96 mph max exit velocity (90 avg.); 289-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph. Throws from and over the top slot and snaps the ball down on release. Lower arm action that circles near the chest.
Defense: 2.17-2.25 pop time range; Explodes out of a strong base with direction towards 2B. Maintains strong lower half through the throw. Quick, seamless glove transfers.
Athletic Testing: 8.27 runner in the 60-yard dash.

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