You think bankemper can be a solid catcher for the Tigers?

You think bankemper can be a solid catcher for the Tigers?

 

I think so, he's very athletic with good hands and a strong arm. Plus they have a very experienced, solid pitching lineup that will make it a little easier on a less experienced catcher.

I think so, he's very athletic with good hands and a strong arm. Plus they have a very experienced, solid pitching lineup that will make it a little easier on a less experienced catcher.

 

Solid point. Fieger and Combs are fairly easy to catch. Both are usually around the zone. Stringer could pose some issues. Throws hardest on staff but you're never sure where it's going. News to me that RB was gonna catch. Surprises me. There are some nuances to catching that are hard to learn in a year, like framing pitches. The other issue would be how he handles that with his pitching duties. I was expecting him to be the 3 or 4 starter, if he's catching a bunch that may not work well. BW has a couple pretty good younger catchers in Burch and Trusty, where do they stand in this equation?

Maybe with the younger kids ready he's not gonna pitch?

Exactly my thought if he's gonna pitch and catch that's gonna be a lot on his arm. But from what I've heard the kid is a pretty decent pitcher

Solid point. Fieger and Combs are fairly easy to catch. Both are usually around the zone. Stringer could pose some issues. Throws hardest on staff but you're never sure where it's going. News to me that RB was gonna catch. Surprises me. There are some nuances to catching that are hard to learn in a year, like framing pitches. The other issue would be how he handles that with his pitching duties. I was expecting him to be the 3 or 4 starter, if he's catching a bunch that may not work well. BW has a couple pretty good younger catchers in Burch and Trusty, where do they stand in this equation?

Maybe with the younger kids ready he's not gonna pitch?

 

As far as young catchers in the program, I would put Doverspike in the conversation.

As far as young catchers in the program, I would put Doverspike in the conversation.

 

What grade is he in?

Solid point. Fieger and Combs are fairly easy to catch. Both are usually around the zone. Stringer could pose some issues. Throws hardest on staff but you're never sure where it's going. News to me that RB was gonna catch. Surprises me. There are some nuances to catching that are hard to learn in a year, like framing pitches. The other issue would be how he handles that with his pitching duties. I was expecting him to be the 3 or 4 starter, if he's catching a bunch that may not work well. BW has a couple pretty good younger catchers in Burch and Trusty, where do they stand in this equation?

Maybe with the younger kids ready he's not gonna pitch?

 

From what I've seen, Mullins will mix it up. I wouldn't be surprised to see the younger catchers in there against some of the weaker competition. I agree that Bankemper is a top pitcher, but Beechwood will have several strong pitchers in the rotation. Of course Fieger, Combs and Stringer you already mentioned, but seniors Kyle Rowe and Brett Slusher, and junior Noah Huseman were all part of the pitching rotation last year. I think Bankemper may pitch some, but catching is where BW could really use a big, strong player that can also hit really well.

Who from Campbell and CCH is incredibly talented? When you say something like that I think D1.

Can't speak for Campbell but who from CCH will be their stud #1 shutdown pitcher? Just curious.

 

For the shutdown pitcher at CCH I think Robert Young may deserve that spot. He only had one start last year (in the high school season, he relieved a lot) but he is one heck of a pitcher. I saw him pitch in the quarterfinals of the Buckeye Elite tournament in Columbus for summer ball with the Force, and he threw a flat out gem. He threw a one hit shut out against a very good ball team. He looked straight up nasty. Also, there were scouts watching him in that game. It looks like colleges are trying to get him.

I think so, he's very athletic with good hands and a strong arm. Plus they have a very experienced, solid pitching lineup that will make it a little easier on a less experienced catcher.

 

Mullins tried to convert Bankemper into a second basemen last year and it did not pan out. He can pitch and he can hit the ball, but I feel, lacks any footwork and lateral speed to play anywhere in the middle; including and mostly catcher. You just do not convert kids to catcher at this age and expect them to play at a high level. BW will be fine with going with either Burch or Trusty. They have both played at a high level for years. Hitting at the varsity level may be their problems. In that case you put Bankemper in to PH for one of them. The real issue for the Tigers will not be behind the plate but up the middle. Last year Mullins tried, unsuccessfully, many combinations at ss and 2nd. Sadly, I believe there is not one natural middle infielder in the upper classmen. They may have to go to the Freshman Class for the ss. Wagner, a transfer, is a natural ss. Add Trevor Soard to 2nd and I think you may have it (both are left handed batters). Pitching and hitting will take care of itself. They only other issue is what do you do with Joey Sherron. Plays 1st (so does Combs) and that's it. He hits the ball very well but lacks a position.

Mullins tried to convert Bankemper into a second basemen last year and it did not pan out. He can pitch and he can hit the ball, but I feel, lacks any footwork and lateral speed to play anywhere in the middle; including and mostly catcher. You just do not convert kids to catcher at this age and expect them to play at a high level. BW will be fine with going with either Burch or Trusty. They have both played at a high level for years. Hitting at the varsity level may be their problems. In that case you put Bankemper in to PH for one of them. The real issue for the Tigers will not be behind the plate but up the middle. Last year Mullins tried, unsuccessfully, many combinations at ss and 2nd. Sadly, I believe there is not one natural middle infielder in the upper classmen. They may have to go to the Freshman Class for the ss. Wagner, a transfer, is a natural ss. Add Trevor Soard to 2nd and I think you may have it (both are left handed batters). Pitching and hitting will take care of itself. They only other issue is what do you do with Joey Sherron. Plays 1st (so does Combs) and that's it. He hits the ball very well but lacks a position.

 

While I agree that good footwork and speed are needed to play middle infield, I've never heard of that being critical skills for a catcher. I'm not sure what you consider a "high level" of competition, but Trusty is a freshman and Burch is a sophomore neither have caught at the varsity level and both play summer ball in their own age group. I think they are fine catchers and as I said before Mullins likes to use all the talent, so I think at least one of them or maybe both will see some action at the varsity level next year. It will certainly be interesting to see what happens in the middle infield. A lot of baseball happened this summer and kids will be bigger, stronger and more experienced. It's likely you might be surprised by what Mullins brings together up the middle for Beechwood next year.

While I agree that good footwork and speed are needed to play middle infield, I've never heard of that being critical skills for a catcher. I'm not sure what you consider a "high level" of competition, but Trusty is a freshman and Burch is a sophomore neither have caught at the varsity level and both play summer ball in their own age group. I think they are fine catchers and as I said before Mullins likes to use all the talent, so I think at least one of them or maybe both will see some action at the varsity level next year. It will certainly be interesting to see what happens in the middle infield. A lot of baseball happened this summer and kids will be bigger, stronger and more experienced. It's likely you might be surprised by what Mullins brings together up the middle for Beechwood next year.

 

Had to chime in here. Catching takes tons of footwork. Look at any showcase... PBR comes to mind. They will list arm strength (MPH) from each position. A boy can have a very strong arm... lets say 82MPH from the crouch... you would think that would translate into a sub 2 pop time.. not necessarily. With poor footwork you can have that strong of an arm and have a 2.3 pop and kid with a 74mph throw with a 1.95 pop time (with sound footwork). See it all the time. .... and I won't even mention the footwork needed to block pitches. I've seen all of the catchers mentioned... and they would all be very nice varsity catchers. Go BW!

Had to chime in here. Catching takes tons of footwork. Look at any showcase... PBR comes to mind. They will list arm strength (MPH) from each position. A boy can have a very strong arm... lets say 82MPH from the crouch... you would think that would translate into a sub 2 pop time.. not necessarily. With poor footwork you can have that strong of an arm and have a 2.3 pop and kid with a 74mph throw with a 1.95 pop time (with sound footwork). See it all the time. .... and I won't even mention the footwork needed to block pitches. I've seen all of the catchers mentioned... and they would all be very nice varsity catchers. Go BW!

 

This.

 

Footwork is huge in receiving, blocking and throwing. Bad footwork makes for a bad catcher majority of the time.

Does Castleman play baseball? I assume he's great at that like he seems to be at everything else he does? Is he a MIF?

This.

 

Footwork is huge in receiving, blocking and throwing. Bad footwork makes for a bad catcher majority of the time.

 

Makes sense, I stand corrected on their footwork thing. All speculation about bankemper anyway. A lot can happen between now and next spring....

Does Castleman play baseball? I assume he's great at that like he seems to be at everything else he does? Is he a MIF?

 

He does play. He played JV last year, at 2nd base.