Alex SwensonRecruiting Advisor| This is a digital version of Alex

What does a D1 coach look for in a high school catcher?

12 Jun 2023 · 1 min

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0:58

Alex Swenson (YouTube video) explains what college — especially Division 1 — coaches look for in a high-school catcher. He emphasizes defense first, especially elite receiving (handling high-velocity and movement), then blocking, accurate throwing, leadership/presence (controlling the pitching staff), and hitting as a bonus (power increases recruitment chances). The talk is practical and advice-focused, aimed at catchers seeking college attention.

Chapters

What does the Division 1 coach look for in a high school catcher? Really, any college coach is coming from a former Division 1 catcher and college catching coach. And this is overlooked. Too much defense first and receiving. It is what we do the most in the game. And this is an art. All right? You got to be able to receive really, really well against high velocity guys and guys with movement. You have to be able to do that well. The second thing is blocking. Okay? Got to be able to block well. We got to be able to trust you back there. Runner on third and then throwing. All right? It's not as big as you think you need to be. It's like eights and one sevens. I was very average. I was like two zero consistently in game and I would hit one nines every once in a while. But throwing, you do need to be able to throw. You got to be accurate. Okay, then leadership back there, right? Presence back there, Controlling your staff is really, really important. Then hitting, if you could hit, that is a plus. You got to be able to hit to a certain standard. But if you can really, really hit and hit for power, that's where you go. Higher levels, power fives, Division one there. Good luck to you.