The Top 20 catchers in Texas high school baseball: A closer look at the state's best players

From Oak Ridge's Conner Bennett to Bridgeland's Ryan Williams, here's an inside look at the best catchers across the state of Texas

With the 2022 Texas high school baseball playoffs about to start SBLive is taking a closer look at the top baseball players in Texas.

We'll start with the top catchers.

There are hundreds of outstanding catchers in Texas, and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive. Tag us on Twitter or Instagram @SBLiveTX and let us know about other pitchers worthy of fans’ attention.

TOP CATCHERS IN TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL

(The list is in alphabetical order)

Conner Bennett, jr., Oak Ridge

A Vanderbilt commit, Bennett is a strong all-around defensive catcher with an elite pop time. The junior has also had a productive offensive season for district champion Oak Ridge.

Easton Carmichael, sr., Prosper

Carmichael has flashed plenty of power at the plate during his senior season with Prosper. The Oklahoma signee is an athletic catcher who excels at throwing runners out on the bases.

Grant Fahrlander, sr., St. Michael’s Academy

Fahrlander possesses a classic catcher’s physique and is a refined defender behind the plate. The Texas signee has a good throwing arm and tremendous pop in the batter’s box.

Rashawn Galloway, sr., Boerne

A two-time district football MVP, Galloway is also a standout catcher for Boerne. The Texas State signee has plenty of power in his bat from the right side.

Rylan Galvan, sr., Sinton

Photo by Blake Purcell

Galvan, another Texas signee, is arguably the top defensive catcher in the state. He excels at every aspect of the catcher position and is a contact hitter at the dish.

Ethan Garcia, sr., Canyon

The Canyon senior standout will play baseball at the next level for Incarnate Word. Garcia is also an effective pitcher with a fastball that tops out around 90 miles per hour.

Marshall Hale, sr., The Woodlands Christian Academy

Hale recently hit a pair of home runs on senior night for The Woodlands Christian Academy. The Sam Houston State signee has corner infield skills and the ability to catch.

Deundre Jones, sr., Lutheran South Academy

Jones has been a productive offensive force over the last four years at Lutheran South Academy. The Kansas State signee, who belted his seventh homer of the season in late April, has major power from the left side.

JJ Kennett, jr., Ridge Point

Kennett is a Dallas Baptist commit with strong all-around skill in the field. The junior is equally balanced as a hitter with impressive power and bat speed.

Dylan LaRue, sr., Blanco

Much like Kennett, LaRue is a refined defensive catcher with no clear weakness behind the dish. The Houston Baptist signee has the ability to smash line drives to all fields.

Dillon Lester, jr., Deer Park

Lester is a switch hitter who brings versatility to the catcher position. The Oklahoma commit is a good athlete and a dangerous hitter with power to all fields.

Jerson Martin, jr., Chisholm Trail

A rising junior at Chisholm Trail, Martin has committed to play for Wichita State. Martin runs well for a catcher and is a contact hitter with the ability to run balls over the fence.

Dylan Maxcey, sr., Friendswood

Maxcey is the all-time RBIs leader for Friendswood. The Texas Tech signee has plenty of power in his bat and is also an elite defensive catcher.

Zachary Mazoch, sr., Georgetown

Mazoch is a vocal leader for Georgetown who knows how to manage a pitching staff. The Baylor signee has shown off his arm multiple times this season while piling up big hits at the plate.

Blake Mitchell, jr., Sinton

Photo by Blake Purcell

4A Sinton has two of Texas’ best catchers in Mitchell and the aforementioned Galvan. Mitchell, an LSU commit, is the state’s top prospect for the class of 2023 and is ranked No. 6 nationally by Perfect Game. The junior is also a power pitcher with a fastball up to 96 miles per hour.

Nikolas Sanders, jr., La Vega

Sanders can play a variety of positions in the field, but the junior truly shines behind the plate. The well-built Texas commit is a feared long-ball hitter with excellent hands.

Omar Serna, fr., Dobie

A freshman sensation for Dobie, Serna is Perfect Game’s top catcher and No. 16 national prospect for the class of 2025. The LSU commit has an excellent frame and has flashed eye-popping power from the right side of the plate.

Nolan Traeger, so., Concordia Lutheran

Traeger, a TCU commit, is ranked No. 49 overall nationally by Perfect Game for the class of 2024. Traeger is a strong left-handed hitter and the younger brother of current Concordia Lutheran Jax Traeger, a senior who has signed with TCU.

Landon West, jr., Tompkins

West is a leader behind the plate for 6A contender Tompkins. The Rice commit has been a menace at the plate while anchoring the team’s defense.

Ryan Williams, sr., Bridgeland

Another true leader, Williams has signed with defending national champion Mississippi State. The senior has great footwork and a pop time well below two seconds.