Top 10 Stories of 2015: No. 9 Inaugural Badger State Battle

December 18, 2015

By Matt Huck
Area Scout

Over the next few weeks in addition to highlighting the Top 10 Player Profiles of 2015, we will also highlight the Top 10 Stories in Wisconsin High School Baseball during 2015.

Coming in at the No. 9 spot is the Inaugural Badger State Battle. The Badger State Battle took place July 10-12^th on the campuses of UW-Oshkosh, Ripon College, and Marian University. The tournament matched up the top 16U and 17U travel teams in the state of Wisconsin for a state tournament style event. A majority of the top players in each class participated in the tournament.

After breaking down our Google Analytics the Badger State Battle: Game Recaps blog was the most clicked story of the year in Wisconsin. Here is the Scout Blog from the tournament.

PBR+ Badger State Battle Scout Blog

Hitters 17u Navy

Cyrillo Watson, RHP, South Milwaukee, 2016
Lean frame, live arm. Came in relief with a two run lead, two on and nobody out in the seventh, recorded the save. Fastball sat 86-88, lively finish through the zone. Curveball flashes plus action, 73 mph, two-plane action, swing and miss pitch.

Ben Rortvedt, C, Verona Area, 2016
High level prospect, 2016 draft prospect. Physically advanced. Left-handed bat with pop, showed pull power in game with a ringing double off the right-center wall. Finished with two hits, two hard hit balls. Defensively showed arm strength, quick catch and throw guy, 1.93-2.05 pops between innings, will back pick runners.

Joe Dittmar, RHP, Richmond Burton, 2016
Wichita State commit. Showed improved delivery and breaking ball. Over the top slot, slightly across body. Curveball flashed sharp 11/5 action, 73-74 mph. Fastball touched 88 mph, sat 86-87 mph, mostly straight.

Jarred Kelenic, OF, Waukesha West, 2018
6-foot-1, 185-pound, left-handed hitting outfielder with an athletic frame. Currently ranked No. 1 in the Wisconsin Class of 2018. No. 5 in PBR Overall ranks. Louisville commit. Offensively hits from a balanced, crouched stance. Consistently showed the ability to barrel up pitches. Strong thru contact. Short path with explosive bat speed. Went 1-2 in game with a double and two RBIs.

Hitters 16U Navy

Jacob Lindemann, RHP, Burlington, 2017
6-foot-3, 195-pound, right-handed pitcher with a large frame. Currently ranked No. 4 in the Wisconsin Class of 2017. No. 72 in PBR Overall. Lindemann stands out for his natural arm speed. Works at an easy 85-86 mph with his fastball. Reaches back for 88-89 mph with more core and hip involvement. Works from a high ¾ arm with a long arm action. Pitches downhill. Tall and fall online delivery with a short stride and square landing. Deceptive changeup at 78-80 mph while maintaining fastball arm speed. Curveball showed occasional 12-6 shape with late sharp action at 74-75 mph. Will represent Wisconsin at the PBR Futures Games at the end of the month.

Nicholas Urban-Michalak, SS, Racine Park, 2017
6-foot-1, 168-pound, right-handed hitting shortstop with a small athletic frame. Currently ranked No. 19 in the Wisconsin Class of 2017. Present raw athlete. Defensively showed a strong accurate arm from shortstop in game (87 mph across the infield this past winter). At the plate hits from a balanced stance with a short swing path and quickness in the hands. Above average runner down the line at 4.15 on a groundout. Went 2-4 in the game with a double and two RBIs.

Ben Dragani, LHP, Catholic Memorial HS, 2017
6-foot-4, 190-pound Long limbed, lanky build. Smooth delivery, clean arm action. Average arm speed, ball jumps out of hand and gets on hitters quickly. Sat 83-85 in the first inning, didn’t have his best stuff. Battled through the first innings and settled in at 77-81. Went 6+ innings of work, pitching to contact, inducing soft ground balls and lazy fly outs. Good feel on the mound, mixed his holds and kept runners at bay.

PoundTown U16

Christian Gerner, SS, Milwaukee Lutheran, 2016
5-foot-10, 150-pound, right-handed hitting shortstop with a small athletic frame. Showed smooth actions and soft hands in the field. Good lateral agility ranging up the middle on hard hit balls. High baseball IQ. At the plate hits from a balanced setup, Slap hitter with a good eye.

Chris DeKrey, RHP, Jefferson, 2017
6-foot-2, 195-pound, right-handed pitcher with a strong frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm circle in back with extension out front. Short leg lift on delivery with explosiveness in his hips. Fastball sat 82-84 topping out at 86 mph. Did not feature off speed in the outing. At the plate showed good feel for the barrel squaring up pitches in game. Short swing path with lift. Solid runner 4.91 on the turn. Hit an inside the park homerun on a deep drive to left centerfield.

Rhino 17U

Josh Gonzales, LHP, Appleton North HS, 2016
6-foot-2, 205-pound uncommitted LHP, thick lower half. Went the distance for Rhino striking out 4. Sat 80-82 for the game, kept hitters off balance with a 66-68 mph curveball. Strike thrower, pitched to contact, clean delivery.

Cody Goggins, C, Salisbury, 2016
5-foot-10, 175-pound, left-handed hitting catcher with a strong frame. Defensively showed soft hands receiving with good flexibility in the lower half. Low target for pitchers. Showed a quick exchange with a short arm action. 2.25 pop in game. Balanced setup at the pate with a quick bat. Went 2-3 in game with an RBI.

Panthers 17U

Matt DeYoung, RHP, Xavier HS, 2016
6-foot-4, 205-pound uncommitted RHP works from an over the top delivery. Good balance through delivery, Sat 82-84 mph through 6 IP touched a couple 85's. High leg kick on delivery, fastball tends to miss glove side. Curveball was inconsistent in the 66-68 mph range but started to get a feel for it in the later innings. At times showed the makings of a good out-pitch.

GRB Rays 17U National

Hunter Yerke, 1B, Parker, 2016
6-foot-2, 175-pound, left-handed hitting first baseman with a lanky, projectable frame. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a slight knee bend and hands close to the body. Showed a short swing path with some lift. Pull tendencies in game. Went 2-4 with a double and a triple. 4.69 on the turn.

Kevin Hussey, RHP, Columbus HS, 2016,
6-foot-3, 210-pound RHP, sat 83-85 through 4 innings of work. Strong frame, over the top slot, with repeatable delivery, short arm action. Had trouble in the 1^st finding the zone but battled through and started to settle down in innings 2-4. Used a 67 mph CB to keep hitters guessing while hitting both sides of the plate with his fastball.

Cooper Kelly, RHP, Edgewood HS, Class of 2017
5-foot-10, 150-pound athletic frame, sat 74-77 mph with his fastball and touched a couple 78’s, have seen him more in the 78-80 region before. Long, loose arm, showed great control of body throughout delivery. Showed two different breaking balls; a 70-73 mph slider with tight break and depth, and a 66-68 mph curveball that has a 11/5 shape.

Panthers 16u

Evan Sankey, RHP, Appleton North, 2017
Wiry right-handed pitcher, thin loose frame. Athletic delivery, works with tempo, good direction, solid landing. Arm action is loose, short and has some quickness, high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 80-81 mph, touched 83-84 early, showed control to glove side and ability to work down in the zone as well as getting swing and misses up and out of the zone. Two secondary offerings – slider looks to be the better of the two, flatter 10/4 type action, 73-74 mph. Curveball has more depth, 65-66 mph.

Jayden Adrians, 1B, Green Bay Preble, 2017
Advanced frame for age, 6-foot-2, 200-pounds, right-hande hitting first-baseman. Hits from a slightly open stance, short leg lift stride. Hands are loose and aggressive, short path to the baseball, tendency to leave the zone early. Potential right-handed power bat, showed hard contact, pull side approach. Handles himself around the bag. Look for more to come out his bat and body.

Lane Koehler, 2B/DH, Appleton West HS, 2017
5-10, 175-pound, medium build, hits from a slightly crouched position. Stays within himself and works the ball up the middle. Showed good hands, consistently hitting the ball hard on the ground up the middle. Went 2-for-3 on the day with 2 RBI.

Jacob Hiltunen, RHP, Appleton North HS, 2017
5-foot-11, 175-pound RHP, fastball changeup pitcher, occasional breaking ball. Sat 75-76 for the game. Kept hitters guessing with his 69-60 mph changeup consistently getting in on right-handed hitters. Showed command with his fastball, moving it around the zone, changing eye levels. High ¾ arm slot with a repeatable delivery.

Jarret Scheelk, OF, Green Bay Preble, 2017
Athletic frame, lean and loose, has projection. Projects confidence on the field, poised hitter. Balance approach, athletic setup, loose hands work with a short path, slight arm bar load. Defensively arm played well, on line and through targets. Got on the mound in relief, fastball sat 79-80, touched 81 mph.

Bryce Cross, SS, Hortonville, 2017
Athletic defender, average lean frame. Projects well defensively, shows soft hands, has the ability to stick at short at the next level. Moves well laterally, can make the play on the move, athletic defender. Arm action is loose, athletic can play on the move with body control. Right-handed hitter, slightly open stance, balanced approach.

Rhino 16u

Matt McNabb, OF, West De Pere, 2017
Athletic outfield, quick twitch type athlete. Fast hands at the plate, cuts it loose late and quick, middle of the field approach, handsy hitter. Good speed on the bases, also showed it defensively in the outfield, fluid strider.

Jack Anderson, RHP, Pulaski, 2017
Long lean right-handed pitcher, typical pitchers frame, 6-foot-5, 200-pounds. Works from a ¾ arm slot. Landing is squared and works directionally, gets get out away from body. Fastball sat 79-80, touching 81 frequently. Slider has sweeping action, 67-69 mph, slight deceleration. Long limbed body that projects, hands could set closer to body to free up arm action a little more.

Ash Port 16U

Bobby Tilot, RHP, Bay Port HS, 2018
6-foot, 185-pound RHP, solid build, long limbed. Arm action is loose, gets good extension, clean delivery from stretch. Fastball showed late run, 73-75 mph. Over the top arm angle. Didn't feature any off-speed pitches, used both halves of the plate well.

Aaron Ferkovich, 3B, Bay Port HS, 2017
6-foot, 185-pound third baseman. Strong build, solid lower half. Impressed at the plate going 5-for-7 on the day. Compact swing, strongs hands, gets extension through the ball. Simple approach at the plate, going up the middle and using the right side. Comfortable in big situations, relaxed feel at the plate, lets hands work through the zone.

Thundercat Baseball

Jack Blomgren, SS, Janesville Craig, 2017
6-foot, 165-pound, right-handed hitting shortstop with an athletic projectable frame. Defensively has smooth, athletic actions, with soft sure hands. Quick transfer and release. Showed lateral agility ranging into the hole and throwing to second with his weight going towards third to force a runner out at second. At the plate hits from a relaxed slightly open stance. Advanced approach with good plate coverage. Short swing path with some lift. Tripled in game, 4.67 on the turn.

GRB Rays 16u

Nick Elsen, OF, Indian Trail, 2017
Lean, loose athletic frame, projectable build. Bat really projects shows easy pop to all fields. Drove a ball deep to right field on a flyout and homered to left center. Path is short to the baseball, gets through the ball, hands work well.

Nick Elsen, OF, Indian Trail, 2017
6-foot-1, 169-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder with a small, athletic frame, and wiry strength. Currently ranked No. 47 in the Wisconsin Class of 2017. Over the last couple months has shown power beyond his size. Offensively hits from a balanced relaxed setup. Confident approach at the plate. Short path to the ball with quick hands, and good feel for the barrel.

Joe Ludwig, C, Middleton, 2017
6-foot-1, 178-pound, right-handed hitting catcher with a strong frame. Currently ranked No. 45 in the Wisconsin Class of 2017. Offensively hits from a tall balanced setup. Short path with strength thru contact, consistently barrels up balls in game. 4.79 on the turn. Defensively projects for a corner infield position at the next level.

GRB Rays 17u

Zach Gilles,OF, McDonnell Central, 2016
Small statured speedy L/L outfielder. Plus speed, 3.81 down the line on a drag, premium defender in centerfield. High level threat on the basepaths. Really starting to come around more with the bat, looks confident in his approach and game plan. Opposite field approach, pulls the left side of the infield in with his speed and ability to bunt. Flashed pop in his bat with a triple to left enter off the wall. Projects to be a premium defender and top of the lineup hitter, game changing type speed.

Keith Kutzler, RHP, Tremper, 2016
6-foot-4, 195-pound, right-handed pitcher with a projectable frame. Currently ranked No. 16 in the Wisconsin Class of 2016. No. 372 in PBR Overall Ranks. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery, falls off to first base side. Showed explosiveness in his delivery. Fastball sat 85-86 topping out at 88 mph. Maintained velocity thru outing. Curveball showed 1-5 shape at 71-74 mph with late action. Changeup sat 69-70 mph with downer action, while maintaining fastball arm speed. Currently uncommitted.

Dillon Nowicki, RHP, Stoughton, 2018
6-foot, 165-pound, right-handed pitcher with a lanky, projectable frame. Currently ranked No. 2 in the Wisconsin Class of 2018. Works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long, loose arm action. Easy, natural arm speed. Works downhill, Tall and fall online delivery. Fastball sat 84-86 in his outing. Curveball showed 11-5 shape with good depth and tight rotation at 71-72 mph.

Travis Berg, RHP, Eau Claire Memorial, 2016
6-foot-3, 215-pound, right-handed pitcher with a large frame. Currently ranked No. 44 in the Wisconsin Class of 2016. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Short leg lift with an online delivery. Works fast. Fastball sat 84-85 topping out at 87 mph. Curveball sat 73-74 mph. Changeup showed sink at 74 mph. Uncommitted.

Hitters 17U White

Aaron Goecks, OF, Brookfield Academy, 2016
6-foot, 195-pound, left-handed hitting outfielder with a strong build. Currently ranked No. 38 in the Wisconsin Class of 2016. Uncommitted. Hits from a balanced slightly closed setup. Showed good plate coverage and strength thru contact. 98 mph exit velocity from a tee earlier this summer. Good feel for the barrel with quick hands and strength in the forearms.

6-0, 195-pound broad shouldered with a thick lower half. Currently ranked No. 38 in the Class of 2017. Smooth delivery, opens up a bit and falls off to the first base side. Long arm action on the backside, extends through pitch. Heavy fastball with slight run that sat 83-86.

Jack Dwyer, SS, Marquette University, 2016
6-foot-3, 165-pound, right-handed hitting shortstop with a lanky, projectable build. Offensively hits from a tall, balanced setup. Good leverage thru contact with a short level swing path. Squared up 88 for a double down the left field line.

6-foot-2, 165-pound lanky, long-limbed prospect, sat 81-82 for his two innings of work. Cleaner arm action on the mound than from short stop position. Still figuring out how to use lower half on mound, creates tilt on fastball, long on backside but gets good extension. Flashed a 71-72 mph curveball with depth that had a 10/4 shape.

Austin Emanuel, RHP, Mukwonago, 2016
5-foot-10, 175-pound, right-handed pitcher. Currently ranked No. 25 in the Wisconsin Class of 2016. Western Illinois commit. Known more for his work behind the plate, came in relief in game vs. GRB. Worked 3.1 innings of relief without allowing a hit and striking out eight. Works from an over the top arm angle with a quick arm action. Tall and fall online delivery. Tall at balance point with back tilt before driving to the plate. Works downhill. Firm fastball sat in the 82-84 mph range reaching back for 87 mph with two strikes. Curveball showed 12-6 shape with tight rotation and good depth at 69-71 mph.

STiKS Academy 17u

Nathan Brown, RHP, Arrowhead, 2016
2016 draft follow, committed to Florida. Wiry frame, lean and loose athlete, 6-foot-2, 185-pounds. Delivery shows some effort, head snap, heel to toe landing, works with tempo. Arm action is quick, and loose, high ¾ slot, athletic arm. Fastball topped at 91 mph in the first inning, sitting 89-90 mph, settled in at 86-88 for the game with arm side action. Showed feel of four pitches. Throws slider with conviction, 80-81 mph, lateral action. Curveball shows more depth, 74-77 mph, able to throw to both left and right handers. Changeup used primarily to leftys , showed feel and fade at 78 mph with fastball arm action.

Stiks Academy 16U

Nick Leszyczynski, C, Brookfield HS, 2018
5-foot-10, 170-pound broad shoulder catcher, strong lower half. At the plate has a balanced setup and showed situational hitting. Didn’t try to do to much and put the ball in play when needed. Let’s hands work through the zone, taking pitches up the middle. Showed gap-to-gap power, one hopping the warning track in centerfield for the game wining hit.

Bryce Konitzer, RHP, Mukwonago HS, 2018
5-foot-11, 165-pound RHP/MIF, showed 2-pitch feel for his fastball and changeup. Fastball sat 76-79 with command, changeup was best out pitch. Kept hitters guessing all game, 70-71 with ASR. High ¾ arm slot, tends to throw across his body. Also showed a 62 mph CB.

Cameron Anfang, RHP, Hartland HS, 2017
5-foot-8, 143-pound RHP. Good three pitch feel with a CB and CH as secondary pitches. Worked changeup well today, 66-68 mph that had faded away to LHH. CB was 62-63 mph inducing swing and misses all day. Fastball sat 73-76.

Ash Port 17U

Turner Wittig, CF/RHP, Bay Port, 2016
5-foot-10, 170-pound, right-handed hitting CF/RHP with a small, athletic frame. Offensively hits from a crouched open stance. Short path with some feel for the barrel. Went 2-5 in game with a double and a triple. 4.61 down the line. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with short, quick arm action. Short leg lift and stride. Works downhill. Fastball sat 80-83 mph in his outing.

Hitters 16U White

Tanner Bykowski, 2B, Westosha Central, 2017
6-foot, 175-pound, right-handed hitting second baseman with a strong build. Offensively had a big day at the plate going 3-4 with two doubles, a homerun, and three RBIs. Hits from a balanced slightly open stance with a low hand set. Leg lift stride with a short swing path and lift in swing. Strong thru contact with a fast bat. Showed 87 mph exit velocity from a tee this past winter.

PBR Demarini Black

Jacob Flanery, RHP, Indian Trail HS, 2017
Currently ranked No. 72 in the 2017 class. 6-ffot-2, 150-pound, lean frame, long-limbed, sat 78-79 all game, command of all zones. Had the CG against GRB Ray 16u team with 6 K’s. Has an over the top arm slot, with a repeatable online delivery. Has a short quick arm action and does create some tough angles on hitters. He complements his FB with a 65-66 mph CB and a 72-75 mph changeup that faded away to left-handed hitters.