for a Prep catcher ,Would you rather have a quicker release and better foot work or a cannon for an arm that can be taught to trim down his pop? some times pure arm strength can create lots of interest even with less than great pop times.
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Either way there is work to be done. Good footwork/fundamental kid needs to work on arm strength. Canon kid needs to work footwork/fundamentals. If you are asking from a field perspective I would assume that that the kid with good footwork is probably a better receiver/blocker/all around better catcher. I'd prefer him over an arm that is useless with runners advancing on passed balls. At some point the strength of the arm matters, but usually when mechanics/fundamentals are equal. Some might choose the canon and spend before/after time of practice to work with the kid, but like I said there is development needed with both.
The arm strength can make up for a lot of flaws. But for HS I want good fundamentals. Many HS pitchers aren't that great, so you're not throwing anyone out anyway. Thus, blocking, receiving etc. become essential parts of the game.
The position is so unique. I want a catcher that looks, acts and plays(defensively) with an awareness that most are oblivious to. Pop time drills send me walking away mumbling myself.
Are you asking which type we would rather have playing for us in a high school game, or which is more important for the high school catcher who is trying to be recruited to play college ball? I don't think I've ever seen a D1 catcher (even low D1) who doesn't throw on a line to 2nd.
