Preseason Greater NYC: Catcher Analysis From Feb. 19th

March 5, 2015

Dan Cevette
Director, New York

February 19th PBR New York made its way to the Greater New York City area - Elmsford, NY for a preseason identification event at the very neat and clean - Game On 13. The smoke as finally settled, and the catching reports are final. Here's a look at the catchers from Feb. 19th.

CJ Iametti, C, Don Bosco Prep HS, NY (2017)
Iametti stands 5-foot-10, 170-pounds with a solidly built frame. At the plate he starts relaxed, upright. On the pitch he loads back, strides for timing. Hands power inside the ball, short to contact, mostly level through the zone, high finish. Exit velocity off a tee was 87 mph, next-level bat. From behind the dish he receives the ball with soft hands, stays low, wide target. On this throws to second he moves his feet towards his target gaining ground, quick smooth transfer, glove to ear, shows clean short arm action, throws from an over-the-top-slot. Arm strength at 73 mph.

Christian Lovecchio, C, Valhalla HS, NY (2016)
Lovecchio stands 6-foot-1, 180-pounds with projectable size. At the plate he starts slightly open. On the pitch he strides to even, loads back, creates a slight arm bar on load, hands stay inside his body, barrel stays mostly even through the contact zone, shoulder height finish, exit velocity off a tee was 80 mph. From behind the dish he setups slightly open, narrow stance, receives with confidence. On this throws to second he moves his feet towards second, shoulders line up with target, clean transfer, throws from an over-the-top slot at 72 mph. He ran a 4.59 home-to-first time.

Gaetano Annunziata, C, Fordham Prep HS, NY (2015)
Annunziata stands 5-foot-11, 178-pounds with a solid frame. At the plate he starts with his elbow up, hands back, athletic position ready to attack the baseball. On the pitch he drives his hands short to the ball, plane is slightly inclined, mostly level, long extension out in front, high finish, exit velocity was 80 mph off a tee. From behind the dish he receives the ball with a smooth funnel, low narrow stance. Gains ground on his throws to second, transfer is clean, brings ball to ear, shorter arm action, throws from an over-the-top slot, arm strength at 71 mph.

Ryan Ragone, RHP, Archbishop Stepinac HS, NY (2018)
Ragone stands 6-foot-0, 193-pounds with a bigger frame. At the plate he bats from the left side, upright stance, narrow stance. On the pitch he uses a small stride, hands load back, slight arm bar. Barrel drops some, mostly level plane, long extension out in front, shoulder height finish, exit velocity at 77 mph off a tee. From behind the plate he receives the ball in an upright stance, wide stance. On his throws to second his transfer is a bit choppy, longer arm action, throws from a high-3/4 arm slot, arm strength at 68 mph.

Christopher Gaeta, C, Harrison HS, NY (2017)
Gaeta stands 5-foot-7, 155-pounds with a stocky build. At the plate he starts relaxed, hands moving, on the pitch loads back, front leg extends and gains a small stride, hands get to the ball on a short path, mostly level bat plane, high finish. Exit velocity was 76 mph off a tee. From behind the plate he receives the ball with a wide target, solid base. On his throws to second he moves his feet towards the ball, transfer goes high above his ear, long loose arm action, throws from an over-the-top slot, 64 mph arm strength. He ran a 4.78 home-to-first time.