Bryson Manger

Bryson has a solid foundation as a catcher, and focusing on refining small details will help him become even more efficient behind the plate.

One key area for improvement is keeping his head still during his throwing motion to improve accuracy. Excessive head movement can cause misalignment, affecting both the direction and consistency of his throws. By keeping his head locked on his target throughout the transfer and throw, Bryson will increase his ability to deliver strong, accurate throws to second base.

A good way to reinforce this is by incorporating target-focused drills, such as throwing to a small target while keeping his eyes level throughout the motion. Additionally, working on video analysis or mirror drills can help him visually track his head movement and make necessary corrections.

Since accuracy is a key part of reducing pop time, Bryson should also continue to emphasize clean transfers and efficient footwork, ensuring that his entire motion stays fluid and controlled. With continued focus on this adjustment, he will become an even more consistent and reliable presence behind the plate, giving his team an edge in controlling the running game.

Bryson has a strong foundation behind the plate, and refining his grip and transfer mechanics will help improve both throwing accuracy and velocity.

One key adjustment is using a four-seam grip, which allows the ball to travel straighter and with more consistent carry. A proper four-seam grip ensures optimal backspin, reducing unintended movement that can affect accuracy. To achieve this, Bryson should focus on gripping the baseball across the seams with his index and middle fingers placed firmly on top and his thumb underneath for support. This grip will help eliminate tailing action and allow him to make more precise throws to his target.

To make this adjustment more effective, Bryson should also practice transferring directly into a four-seam grip. The quicker and cleaner the transfer, the more efficient his throw will be. Drills emphasizing rapid glove-to-hand exchanges, such as barehand transfer work and quick reaction drills, will help reinforce muscle memory and ensure he consistently gets the correct grip without hesitation.

By focusing on a clean and consistent transfer into a four-seam grip, Bryson will enhance his throwing accuracy, consistency, and overall arm strength, making him an even more reliable defensive presence behind the plate.

Bryson is developing into a strong receiver behind the plate, and refining his glove positioning will help him handle higher velocity pitching more effectively.

One key focus is keeping his glove flat or slightly up when receiving. When the glove drops below his hand, it puts him in a weaker and more vulnerable position, making it harder to control pitches, especially as pitchers throw with increased velocity. A strong, neutral glove angle allows him to absorb the pitch more effectively, stick strikes, and prevent unnecessary glove movement that could pull pitches out of the zone.

By maintaining proper glove positioning, Bryson will also be in a better position to react to different pitch types, especially breaking balls and fastballs at the edges of the zone. He should work on framing drills that emphasize catching from underneath rather than letting his glove dip, reinforcing a strong wrist and forearm to help with control.

By keeping his glove flat or slightly up and strengthening his receiving posture, Bryson will improve his ability to stick pitches, control the zone, and handle harder-throwing pitchers effectively.

Bryson is developing into a strong and dependable blocker, and refining his glove positioning and forward movement will take his skills to the next level.

A key adjustment is leading with the glove first when dropping into a blocking position. By getting his glove down early and centered, Bryson creates a clear visual and physical barrier to help control the ball. This also prevents the ball from slipping through, ensuring a more controlled and predictable block. Working on glove-first blocking drills—such as rapid-fire reaction drills—will help reinforce this habit and make his blocks more efficient.

Additionally, gaining ground toward the ball while maintaining a concave chest will allow him to control rebounds more effectively. Moving slightly forward rather than staying back helps deaden the ball’s impact, keeping it closer and making recovery easier. The concave chest technique, where he slightly rounds his upper body, further absorbs the ball’s energy, preventing unpredictable bounces. Focusing on low-impact blocking reps and forward momentum drills will help him execute this consistently.

By combining glove-first movement with controlled forward momentum, Bryson will continue improving his blocking efficiency and ability to limit extra bases, making him a more reliable and skilled presence behind the plate.