Bishop Plessinger

Bishop has a strong blocking foundation, and refining his forward movement and head positioning will further enhance his ability to control rebounds and limit extra bases.

One key focus is gaining ground toward the ball when blocking. By moving slightly forward rather than staying stationary, Bishop can reduce the distance the ball has to rebound, keeping it closer to him and easier to recover. This technique also helps absorb the impact more effectively, preventing high bounces that could allow runners to advance. He should focus on staying low and pushing his body slightly forward upon impact, reinforcing this habit through cone drills and reaction-based blocking reps.

Additionally, keeping his chin tucked is crucial for tracking the ball fully and protecting himself. A tucked chin ensures his eyes stay locked on the ball, reducing the risk of an unpredictable bounce while also protecting against deflections off his mask or chest. He can reinforce this habit by using low-velocity blocking drills with soft balls, ensuring he maintains proper head positioning throughout the play.

By combining forward momentum with proper chin positioning, Bishop will improve his ability to deaden blocks and control rebounds, making him even more effective at preventing passed balls and limiting runners’ opportunities.

Bishop is developing into a solid receiver, and refining his head stability and glove control will help him maximize called strikes for his pitchers.

A key focus is keeping his head and eyes still when receiving pitches. Excessive head movement can cause unnecessary adjustments with his glove, making it harder to keep borderline strikes in the zone. By maintaining a steady head position and tracking the ball smoothly with his eyes, Bishop will be able to receive pitches more cleanly and stick them without drifting or pulling out of the zone.

By limiting glove movement, he will ensure that strikes stay in the strike zone rather than unintentionally making them appear as balls. The quieter his hands are upon reception, the more likely an umpire will call close pitches in his favor. Working on framing drills that emphasize stability and minimal movement will reinforce this skill.

By keeping his head and eyes still, limiting glove movement, and focusing on clean receptions, Bishop will continue developing into a high-level defensive catcher who helps his pitchers get extra called strikes.

Bishop has a solid foundation behind the plate, and refining his throwing mechanics will help him maximize arm strength and efficiency.

One key adjustment is driving out toward his target when making throws. By maintaining a direct and explosive path toward his throwing target, Bishop will generate more power from his lower half, allowing him to maximize velocity and carry on his throws. Engaging his legs effectively and ensuring his momentum is moving forward—rather than upward—will help him create a more powerful and efficient throwing motion. Focus on staying low and pushing off the back leg explosively to generate the most force.

Additionally, incorporating long toss into his throwing routine will significantly improve arm strength and endurance. Long toss helps build the necessary muscle memory for maintaining proper mechanics over increasing distances while reinforcing proper ball flight and release. A structured long toss program, gradually increasing throwing distance while maintaining accuracy, will allow Bishop to improve his arm strength without sacrificing mechanics.