On September 26th, the Prep Baseball California team hosted the West Coast Super Sophomore Games at the University of Oregon and Bushnell University. This was an invite-only event for 2028 prospects, and gave our staff an ample look at the area's top prospects.

50 players made their way to Oregon and participated in a pro-style workout, gathering unrivaled access to data through our state-of-the-art tech partners, as well as in-depth scouting analysis from our Prep Baseball California staff.

Today, we’re looking at all of the catcher’s scouting reports from the event:

CATCHER ANALYSIS

Griffin Arnold, Santa Barbara High School (CA), 2028
Positional Profile: C/3B High upside backstop with present hit tool and room to continue to develop.
Body: 6-1, 169-pounds. Long, athletic frame with room to add significant strength.
Hit: LHH. Tall, balanced setup with slight knee flex and hands preset deep. Quick barrel that works uphill through contact, generating natural lift. Long, fluid finish with efficient rotation. 65.3 mph bat speed with 6g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 92 mph max exit velocity (77.6 avg.); 306-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. INF - 76 mph. High 3/4 release with a long, loose arm path and half-circle takeaway that creates carry to the 2B bag and across the diamond.
Defense: 2.00-2.04 pop time range; C: Balanced, athletic crouch with clean footwork out of the stance. Transfer is serviceable and should tighten with strength gains. INF: Active lower half with smooth, steady actions and early signs of above-average lateral range.
Athletic Testing: 7.67 runner in the 60-yard dash; 23.00-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 70.28 Edge Score.

Cooper Cantrell, Martin Luther King Jr. (CA), 2028
Positional Profile: C/OF Backstop who creates consistent lift with fast, developing pull-side power.
Body: 5-6, 154-pounds. Compact, well-proportioned frame with more strength coming.
Hit: RHH. Upright, open stance with hands at shoulder height and a vertical barrel. Small leg kick into a short stride, creating separation at foot strike. Works short to the ball with an uphill path that generates lift, showing a pull-side/LCF approach with frequent hard contact. 65.7 mph bat speed with 13g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 mph max exit velocity (89.2 avg.); 338-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. Compact arm stroke from an over-the-top slot with accurate throws; strength should continue trending up.
Defense: 1.95-2.00 pop time range; Low, balanced crouch with soft hands. Quick out of the stance with efficient footwork and clean transfers.
Athletic Testing: 7.36 runner in the 60-yard dash; 22.00-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 65.76 Edge Score.

Conner Cleary, Ukiah High (CA), 2028
Positional Profile: C/1B Highly projectable catcher with strong defensive tools and emerging impact potential from the left side.
Body: 5-11, 188-pounds. Broad, well-proportioned frame with present strength and room to continue adding physicality.
Hit: LHH. Wide, balanced base with a quiet upper half and hands set just below the back shoulder. Slightly flared back elbow. Loads mainly with the upper half into a low leg-kick stride. Hands work outward early, creating length but generating leverage through the zone. Strong hip rotation helps produce firm contact, flashing impact when synced. 69 mph bat speed with 16g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 94 mph max exit velocity (87.6 avg.); 361-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. High 3/4 slot with a short, quick arm stroke. Fast release, keeping the throws low to the bag.
Defense: 2.00-2.06 pop time range; Athletic, flexible setup with a clean transfer. Quick lateral movement and efficient footwork allow him to get out of the crouch rapidly. Receiving continuing to refine.
Athletic Testing: 7.56 runner in the 60-yard dash; 20.20-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 74.67 Edge Score.

Zephyr Gesuale, Huntington Beach High (CA), 2028
Positional Profile: C/3B Physically mature catcher with a sturdy, well-balanced frame and a smooth left-handed swing
Body: 6-0, 196-pounds. Strong, well-proportioned build with present physicality.
Hit: LHH. Sets up relaxed and square with a level barrel. Employs a quiet hand move during a controlled leg lift, generating a long but well-timed stride. Creates repeated line-drive contact with a naturally upward finish, showing comfort working the entire field. 65.9 mph bat speed with 11g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 mph max exit velocity (84.5 avg.); 348-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph. Longer takeaway into a high three-quarter arm slot, delivering accurate throws with consistency.
Defense: 2.18-2.23 pop time range; Maintains direction toward the target; stays under control through the exchange and keeps throws on line.
Athletic Testing: 7.34 runner in the 60-yard dash; 20.80-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 74.75 Edge Score.

Daniel Jay Gonzalez, El Diamante High (CA), 2028
Positional Profile: C/SS Two-way talent with a multiple position profile and upside as a long-term backstop.
Body: 5-9, 172-pounds. Compact frame with present strength throughout and more development coming.
Hit: SH. Switch hitter, similar setup and swing from sides. Wide and crouched with hands behind the ear; slightly higher from the left side. Relaxed hand load with short foot stride, maintaining balance throughout. Level swing that shows the ability to hit the ball hard to all fields. Let's the ball get deep with two strikes. 64 mph bat speed with 13g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 mph max exit velocity (82.3 avg.); 311-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Short arm action that works tight and behind the ear. Quick, efficient release with noticeable carry and consistent accuracy to the bag.
Defense: 2.00-2.25 pop time range; Stays wide and athletic in the crouch, maintaining stability throughout. Footwork is quick and efficient, helping him stay on line during exchanges to 2B. Soft, quiet hands while receiving, showing feel for the position.
Athletic Testing: 7.23 runner in the 60-yard dash; 26.90-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 69 Edge Score.

Kole (KJ) Henrich, Oaks Christian (CA), 2028
Positional Profile: C/OF High upside, line-drive oriented hitter with present strength and developing power.
Body: 6-0, 185-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned frame with present strength and room for continued physical growth.
Hit: RHH. Starts open with a controlled leg lift that gathers into the back hip before moving forward. Shows a relaxed bat waggle and a vertical hand load that helps create quickness through the zone. Barrel works with some natural whip, producing steady line-drive contact to all fields. Showing signs of power to all fields with natural leverage in the swing. 71.9 mph bat speed with 9g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 101 mph max exit velocity (92.4 avg.); 351-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. OF - 81 mph. OF: Uses a short arm path from an over-the-top slot, showing accuracy on his throws. C: Works with a quick release and keeps the throwing hand tight behind the ear, maintaining accuracy to the bag.
Defense: 1.99-2.22 pop time range; OF: Efficient routes to the ball, maintaining consistent footwork. Under control throughout the play. C: Quick feet with mobility on blocking the ball and keeping pitches in front.
Athletic Testing: 6.86 runner in the 60-yard dash; 19.80-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 77.88 Edge Score.

Conner Kingston, Calabasas High (CA), 2028
Positional Profile: C/3B Developing catcher with clear physical upside as the frame continues to mature.
Body: 6-2, 185-pounds. Long-levered frame with clear physical projection. Big, developing build with plenty of room to add strength.
Hit: RHH. Starts with a high back elbow and a flatter barrel, then drops the hands slightly during the load, driving into an uppercut swing. Shows present ability to drive the ball hard to the opposite field. 71.4 mph bat speed with 12g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 95 mph max exit velocity (88 avg.); 364-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. Uses a side-arm release, delivering throws accurately to the bag.
Defense: 2.06-2.25 pop time range; Frames a large target from behind the plate, beginning in a right-knee-down stance and gaining ground toward 2B during the transfer.
Athletic Testing: 7.67 runner in the 60-yard dash; 17.80-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 75.05 Edge Score.

Quinn Melton, San Marcos High (CA), 2028
Positional Profile: C/1B Power-hitting catcher/corner outfielder with true middle-of-the-order potential as he continues to develop.
Body: 5-11, 202-pounds. Strong, well-built athlete with a tall, durable frame and clear present strength throughout.
Hit: LHH. Sets up with a wide, grounded base and a confident, physical presence in the box. Hands start high near the ear with the barrel active throughout the load. Works into a deep hip hinge and sinks into the back leg, creating noticeable torque as the hips fire. Barrel snaps through the zone with authority, producing loud pull-side contact and consistent impact. 69.7 mph bat speed with 19g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 100 mph max exit velocity (84.4 avg.); 394-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. Short arm action, hand to ear, still working to find a consistent release point. Shows accuracy when timing and body mechanics align properly.
Defense: 1.99-2.17 pop time range; Shows a large, imposing target behind the plate. Vocal presence with clear leadership qualities. Mobile for his size, able to effectively block balls in the dirt.
Athletic Testing: 7.63 runner in the 60-yard dash; 21.70-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 74.56 Edge Score.

Julian Suarez, Woodcrest Christian School System (CA), 2028
Positional Profile: C/3B Physical, power-oriented catcher with dependable defensive actions behind the plate.
Body: 5-6, 170-pounds. Compact, strong frame with a well-built lower half that provides a stable base and present strength.
Hit: RHH. Begins from a tight, upright setup with a slight inward lean and the majority of his weight stacked on the back leg. Hands sit near the back shoulder with the elbow elevated, while the barrel rests flatter before working into a more vertical position during the load. Uses a controlled leg lift to gather, allowing the hips to coil before driving forward with intent. Lands slightly closed and fires the lower half aggressively, allowing the hands to work quickly through the zone with a slight uphill swing path. 66.1 mph bat speed with 9g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 92 mph max exit velocity (87 avg.); 341-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Short, efficient arm stroke from a three-quarter slot.
Defense: 1.99-2.11 pop time range; Works primarily from a one-knee setup. Receives with soft, confident hands and transitions quickly through the exchange.
Athletic Testing: 7.47 runner in the 60-yard dash; 20.90-inch max vertical jump.

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