Eli Petsch

Eli is developing into a strong and reliable blocker, and refining his reaction time and body positioning will help him improve ball control and keep runners from advancing.

One key focus is reacting quickly to the pitch. By staying engaged and tracking the ball out of the pitcher’s hand, Eli will be able to anticipate pitch location and get into the proper blocking position earlier. Reacting efficiently—especially on breaking balls and off-speed pitches—will allow him to position his body correctly before the ball reaches the dirt. Drills focused on reading pitch trajectories and reacting with explosive lateral movement will help him improve this skill.

Additionally, turning his chest back toward the plate when blocking will ensure that he deadens the ball and keeps it in front. This movement prevents the ball from kicking away and allows for quicker recovery and throw potential. By keeping his body square to home plate and slightly rounding his chest, Eli will create a soft surface for the ball to rebound into a controlled area. Working on angled blocking drills and controlled rebound work will reinforce this technique.

By improving pitch recognition and maintaining a strong, squared chest position, Eli will continue to grow into a high-level defensive catcher who limits passed balls and controls the game behind the plate.

Eli is developing into a strong receiver, and refining his wrist stability and pitch presentation will help him keep more strikes in the strike zone and earn extra calls for his pitchers.

A key focus is sticking the pitch with a strong wrist. When the wrist is weak or too relaxed, it can cause unnecessary movement upon receiving the ball, making strikes appear as borderline or even out of the zone. By keeping his wrist firm and stable, Eli will be able to present pitches cleanly and prevent them from drifting out of the strike zone.

Strong wrist control is especially important when handling high-velocity pitching. A firm wrist allows him to absorb the pitch without unnecessary glove movement, ensuring that the ball is received smoothly and stays within the zone. He should focus on framing drills that emphasize wrist strength and stability, such as catching weighted balls or holding the glove firm upon impact to reinforce muscle memory.

By sticking the pitch with a strong wrist and maintaining control, Eli will continue to improve his ability to frame pitches effectively, keep strikes in the zone, and help his pitchers get more called strikes.

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

One key adjustment is allowing the ball to travel slightly deeper before initiating the transfer. This ensures a smoother, more natural motion, reducing wasted movement and improving overall efficiency. Rushing the transfer too early can cause inconsistencies in grip and release, leading to inaccurate or off-balance throws. By letting the ball come into his body slightly before making the transfer, Eli will create a more fluid and controlled motion, allowing him to stay compact and deliver stronger, more accurate throws.

To reinforce this, he should focus on controlled transfer drills, such as barehand transfer work and one-knee catching drills, which will help him feel the ball into his hands before transitioning into the throw.

By focusing on letting the ball travel before transferring, Eli will improve his timing, consistency, and throwing efficiency, making him an even more effective catcher behind the plate.