On Monday, February 16th, our staff hosted the Chicago Preseason ID at the Pullman Center in Chicago, IL. This event was host to over 50 players from the area, and allowed our staff to get a good look at the gains these players have made in the off-season in a pro-style workout. 

Today we are beginning our post-event rollout with a look at all the catchers from the day, found below. 

Catching Prospects (Listed Alphabetically)

Matejo Blakes, Homewood-Flossmoor (IL), 2029
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-7, 179.2 pounds. Strong build with more strength coming.
Hit: RHH. Balanced set up, easy and controlled move to the hitting position on time.  Easy, loose wrists, flat swing, very clean with more strength coming, middle of the field approach.  62.1 mph bat speed with 11g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 80 mph max exit velocity (72.1 avg.); 266-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. INF - 72 mph.  INF: 3/4 slot, short and repeatable, carry with accuracy. C: Short and compact arm circle, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.32-2.43 pop time range; INF: Has fluid and athletic actions moving to all sides, steady glove. C: Intentful operation down to second, clean transfers while working in-line.
Athletic Testing: 8.76 runner in the 60-yard dash; 16.70-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 56.67 Edge Score.

Sean Merrill, St. Rita (IL), 2029
Positional Profile: 1B/C
Body: 5-8, 168 pounds. Athletic and strong build, will add.
Hit: RHH. Wide and athletic base, smooth move to the hitting position, short stride, rhythmic, hitterish feel to it.  Easy, simple swing, flat swing, controlled and balanced, whole field approach.   mph bat speed with g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 88 mph max exit velocity (83.2 avg.); 257-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. High 3/4 slot, accurate throws around the bag.
Defense: 2.11-2.18 pop time range; Soft receiver of the baseball, works under the ball. Steady transfers while working in-line from the chute.
Athletic Testing: 7.67 runner in the 60-yard dash; 17.00-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 52.29 Edge Score.

Zaire Presley, Homewood-Flossmoor (IL), 2029
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-8, 175 pounds. Strong build, should add to frame.
Hit: RHH. Crouched and athletic set up, strong back elbow trigger on time.  Strong hands, natural lift at times up the middle.  62.8 mph bat speed with 5g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 86 mph max exit velocity (77.2 avg.); 299-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. Smooth and fluid arm stroke, 3/4 slot, accurate.
Defense: 2.10-2.19 pop time range; Fluid, ease of operation, reliable feel to it, works in-line from the chute with clean transfers.
Athletic Testing: 8.26 runner in the 60-yard dash; 16.30-inch max vertical jump. 

Nate Torres, Marist (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-10, 155 pounds. Wiry and athletic build, will add on.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, quiet hand trigger, simple move to hitting position.  Steep path, works on top of the baseball, middle of the field approach. 63.1  mph bat speed with 9.7g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 83 mph max exit velocity (76.1 avg.); 284-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Throws played on-line, high 3/4 slot with a shorter draw.
Defense: 2.12-2.34 pop time range; Clean glove to hand, works in-line from the chute with clean transfers.
Athletic Testing: 7.73 runner in the 60-yard dash; 14.90-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 71.2 Edge Score.

Max West, Bradley-Bourbonnais (IL), 2029
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-7, 176.2 pounds. Athletic and strong build, sloped shoulders, good proportions.
Hit: RHH. Easy load back into back leg from wide base, lands balanced and centered on time. Strong, steep path, some lift pull-side with authority.  73.6 mph bat speed with 20g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 96 mph max exit velocity (81.1 avg.); 368-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Short arm circle, high 3/4 slot, throws played accurately around the bag.
Defense: 2.01-2.07 pop time range; Strong hands receiving, works to stick pitches around the zone. Intentful and athletic from the chute, works in-line to second.
Athletic Testing: 7.44 runner in the 60-yard dash; 21.40-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 50.25 Edge Score.

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