Up & Coming Catchers

Here's one for the fans of the plate out there. Who are some of the 08 catchers out there. Just want to see what the fields have in store for next year. What do you think, arm, blocking, hitting, head for the game ect....

 

Catchers....

Hands down, Jeff May......Despite the obvious lack of coaching he has received over the years , he has overcome it and become a great catcher. Has one of the most powerful bats in the '08 class and a great arm. As far as calling a game or handling, my son only got to pitch to him once or twice this summer and he loved it. Size, well, mammoth comes to mind. Blocking......I for one would go around him and I am a pretty big boy.

John Hicks '08 from virginia, might be the most athletic catcher I have ever seen. Can absolutely fly, and has a hose from behind the dish. Also has pop in his bat, but can beat anything out hit in the infield.

I am sure there are alot of great ones, but seeing these 2 on a regular basis, I would be hard pressed to find any better.

 

Robby Swab-East Forsyth

Kid has an idea for calling pitches and has a great approach from the left side. May not wow you from the plate with homeruns but has very sneaky gap to gap power and just this year hit his very first homerun. Kid has an amazing work ethic and always looks for a way to get better. Swab blocks well and his throwing is getting better. This will be a great kid for any college team. Also it was a pleasure coaching this kid from the age of 10!

 

AS far as May goes, Jeff is not up and coming, he is already here!!! It is a shame that Coach May has not got him better training...:229031_hail: Seriously, Coach May and Coach Ferrell at South Granville are two fine coaches of the game and they have done a heckuva job with him!!! HIs work ethic is none like I have ever seen in a long time and I believe he will get what he deserves in terms of the next level....

 

AS far as May goes, Jeff is not up and coming, he is already here!!! It is a shame that Coach May has not got him better training...:229031_hail: Seriously, Coach May and Coach Ferrell at South Granville are two fine coaches of the game and they have done a heckuva job with him!!! HIs work ethic is none like I have ever seen in a long time and I believe he will get what he deserves in terms of the next level....

 

I have to throw in an outstanding defensive catcher and hitter in Chris Sanders from West Forsyth He is Greg Holt's personal catcher over the past two years. He is the 3rd leading hitter on the ballclub with 6 hr's and 20 something rbi's. He needs to continue to work on arm speed 2.0-2.1 POP time. He is a good leader and is very intelligent about the game. Looks to have a big senior year.

Jeff May has overcome his dad's coaching to become an outstanding player. Playing against top catchers all over the country with the Dirtbags, he has been on of the top ones in the summer of 06 and looking forward to a big 07 summer.

 

I have to mention Trey McCraw at Parkland High School. Shorter than most but strong and very tough! Recent pop time 2.05 which needs to get a little better. He is working on the bat but has a good knowlege of the game and will call some games this summer for the Angels Showcase team. Most of all, he is very entertaining behind the dish, that is to everyone but his coach who is old and cranky! Seriously, he's a good one.

 

Backstops at Providence

In the 2008 Class Greg Lawson is a solid all around catcher at Providence. He has an absolute ligtning bolt for an arm and has power at the plate. When Mr. Lawson gets his chance he should be a special player. And right on his heels is Matt Lee who is a 2009 who absolutely works his tail off. He did a phenominal job handling Providence's JV pitching staff as well as hitting clean up, if he keeps at it he should have a very bright future.

 

Just think!

How good could Jeff be if I wasn't one of his coaches!!!

Ben Fish Rocky Mount is an 09 but he is very good. Solid behind the plate and a very good arm. He can swing it very well also. He is going to be one of the top catchers in the state.

Its kind of easy to look good when your catching a pitching staff like the Dirtbags had last year.

 

Chris Fine. Had a great freshman year behind the plate for the Freedom Patriots. Not sure how many put outs he had but I did see him gun down SC Josh Severt twice and I also saw him make quality plays at the plate all year. He is a very good reciever, frames the ball nicely and blocks the ball very well. Not sure about pop time but has a quick release. People really stopped running on us in the second half.
Plus kid has great grades. Has very good foot speed and can play centerfield as well. Hit a couple of Varsity homers and will surely carry a big stick the next three years.