Jesse
Forestell

7/9/14 - Verbally committed to Western Michigan.

6/19/14 - Recent Western Michigan commit. Solid catchers build at 6-foot, 190-pounds, strong lower half. Offensively hits from the left side, high balanced approach, short stride with smooth loading action, consistent swing, repeats well. Impacts the ball well, path is long through the baseball, high level hitter. Defensively showed a highly accurate arm to second, short over the top slot, showed carry, 2.00-2.08 pop times, arm played at 75 mph from the crouch. Hands were soft behind the plate, receives well.

4/1/14 - Uncommitted junior, ranked No. 28 in the state. Handled Orbik’s assortment of pitches well behind the plate. Impressive 6-foot, 195-pound frame. Showed soft hands and good transfer on throws to second between innings. Wasn’t challenged in game, but pop times ranged from 2.0-2.2 between innings, showing accuracy and good carry down to second. Offensively, left-handed hitting catchers are hard to come by. Skolarz climbed the ladder on him in his first at bat, as he struck out chasing 89. Was out in front of an 80 mph changeup on a flyout to center, and finished his day with a HBP.

10/20/13 - Solid build, 6-foot, 180-pound left hand hitting catcher who projects well. Behind the dish he receives with ease from a low setup. Feet are quick on the exchange, producing 1.97-2.05 pop times. Throws were on the bag with carry at 74 mph. At the plate he hits from a balanced stance with heel lift stride. The swing is smooth with pop to all fields, high level barrel awareness. Bat stays in the zone for extended amount of time, creates aggressive barrel whip. Exit velocity was 85 mph off a tee. Ran a 7.29 60.

6/26/13 - Left-handed hitting catcher who displayed high-level potential at the showcase. Forestell has a strong, athletic build at 6-foot, 180 pounds. His advanced defensive abilities and left handed swing make him a high prospect. He has good feel for the position showing athletic receiving skills and body control on balls in the dirt. Utilizing efficient athletic actions, his 1.97 pop-time was the best at the event – ranging 1.97-2.05 at 75 mph from the crouch with accuracy. Forestell is a high-level prospect offensively with an advanced approach at the plate. He displayed a controlled, repeatable swing from a slightly open stance, using a smooth load against his back side and a short stride. He makes hard contact showing gap-to-gap power – hits off a firm front side, getting full extension, and maintaining balance throughout the swing. His athleticism also showed by running one of the better home-to-first times at 4.36. Forestell was selected to represent Illinois at the Midwest Future Games.

4/29/13 - Strong lower half, shows overall strength. Highly advanced left handed hitting catcher. Offensively hits with an athletic setup, balanced stance, plus setup and approach. Shows a mature offensive approach, excellent pitch recognition and patience. Shows high level hand eye, excellent barrel awareness. Bat path is simple and to the point, little wasted movement. Stays back on off-speed pitches well, lets the ball travel deep. Defensively shows above average pop time for age, 2.10-2.12, arm plays well shows some carry. Hands work within framework of body, glove hand can get stronger when working outside his framework. Forestell is a high level offensive catcher who shows the makings of being a gap to gap hitter for high average.