By Wisconsin Scouting Staff

Today we conclude our analysis of the Madison Preseason I.D. Showcase, and just like in years past the arms are what stood out at the event. We wrap the event up with the top five prospects from each class at the event. The list is littered with high end talent in each class.

Top 2018 Prospects

1. Max Alba, RHP/1B, Franklin, 2018
6-foot-5, 190-pound, lanky left-handed hitting RHP/1B with a projectable, athletic frame. High level athlete, averaged 20/10 in basketball and as a quarterback lead his team to a runner up finish in state. Emerged from the event as one of the state’s biggest winners. Currently ranked No. 3 in the Wisconsin Class of 2018 and No. 49 in the PBR Overall Ranks. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short draw out of the glove and quick arm action. Drop and drive delivery, slow paced working in line with home plate. Square landing with an athletic finish. Fastball is straight at 89-90, topping out at 93 mph for strikes. Curveball has made great strides since the Future Games. Works 77-78 mph with 11-5 shape and late, sharp breaking action for strikes. Showed feel for his changeup with fastball arm speed at 79-83 mph for strikes. At the plate hits from a couched setup with a short stop and short uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 90 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 6.99. Defensively has athletic actions at first base. Threw 85 mph across the infield.

2. Dillon Nowicki, RHP, Stoughton, 2018
Michigan commit. Currently ranked No. 4 in the Wisconsin Class of 2018. 6-foot-2, 195-pound right-handed pitcher. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long, loose arm action. Plus arm speed. Tall and fall delivery with a closed landing. Fastball flashed cutting action at 90-91 mph. Curveball shows 11-5 to 10-4 shape with depth at 73-75 mph for strikes. Struggled to command changeup, thrown with fastball arm speed at 85-88 mph.

3. Jeff Holtz, C/3B, Arrowhead, 2018
Indiana commit. Lanky frame started to fill out this winter, up 20 pounds from the summer, 6-foot-4, 207-pound catcher. Premium right-handed bat, squared setup, smooth loading action, on time, leg lift stride, lower half works, excellent balance throughout. Loose hands, hard contact, shows bat strength, confident approach in the box, gap to gap contact, gets extension through contact. 101 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 78 mph out of the crouch and 85 mph across the diamond, short over the top slot, showed it could play athletically on the infield, carries. 1.89-2.01 pop times, above average receiver, actions on the infield will play well at third base. 6.93 runner in the 60.

4. Paul Stefiuk, RHP, Green Bay Preble, 2018
Bradley commit. Currently ranked No. 10 in the Wisconsin class of 2018. 6-foot-3, 210-pound right-handed pitcher with an athletic frame. Works from a high ¾ arm angle with a loose, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate. Good balance and tempo with a square landing. Fastball has downhill tilt with sinking action at 87-89 mph, showed better command out of stretch. Curveball as 12-6 shape with sharp breaking action at 74-76 mph. Showed feel for changeup at 80-83 mph.

5. Randon Dauman, RHP, Columbus, 2018
Ohio commit. 6-foot, 160-pound right-handed pitcher. Works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short draw out of the glove. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate. Smooth rhythm with an athletic finish. Fastball worked 86-88, touched 90 mph early in his bullpen. Lost some velocity form the stretch. Curveball has sweeping action at 75-78 mph. Snapped off a few that showed shape, late breaking action. Showed feel for his changeup at 75-77 mph with sinking action.

Top 2019 Prospects

1. Nathan Stevens, C/OF, Waunakee, 2019
Arkansas commit. 5-foot-11, 170-pound left-handed hitting catcher, loose lean frame with athleticism. Premium left-handed bat, hits from an open stance, leg kick trigger, active hand load. Hands are loose, violent aggressive swing, barrel control. Explosive bat speed, short path with extension, athletic hitter. 97 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed quick catch and throw actions, gets out of the chute well with big arm that carries at 80 mph out of the crouch. Pop times ranged 1.92-2.00. Showed a big arm from the outfield as well, 90 mph. 7.17 runner in the 60.

2. Jack Washburn, RHP/OF, Webster, 2019
Highly projectable frame at 6-foot-1, 165-pound right-handed hitting RHP/OF. Lanky, athletic frame with wide shoulders. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a loose, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery with regular effort. Athletic finish with a square landing, works in line with home plate. Fastball was straight at 85-86, topping out at 87 mph on his final pitch. Curveball has tight rotation with 12-6 shape and late breaking action at 74-76 mph, has the makings of a plus offering. Changeup is thrown aggressively with fastball arm speed and showed slight running action at 78-80 mph. One of the top arms in the Wisconsin 2019 class, has bloodlines as dad, Jarrod pitched in the big leagues for 12 seasons. Arm strength carries over to the outfield. Threw 91 mph from the outfield in drills, throws showed carry. Plays thru the ball with fluid footwork and athletic actions. At the plate hits from a wide base with a heel lift stride and average balance. Long swing path with fluid rhythm. Showed strength thru contact with 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.23.

3. Drake Baldwin, C, Madison West, 2019
Strong athletic build on a 6-foot-186-pound frame, left-handed hitting catcher. Offensively hits from an open stance, tall setup, rhythmic load, short stride, good balance. Loose hands generate bat speed, gap to gap type, occasional hard lifted pull side contact. 92 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 76 mph out of the crouch, short over the top slot. 1.97-2.10 pop times, quick feet out of the chute, strong, durable athletic receiver. High follow uncommitted 2019 prospect.

4. Jack Krumbach, OF/SS, Madison Memorial, 2019
6-foot-1, 170-pound left-handed hitting outfielder with an athletic frame. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and good balance. Short swing path with fluid rhythm and a fast bat. Showed strength thru contact with 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Plus runner running the 60 at 6.84. Defensively in the outfield has a long arm action from an over the top slot. Plays thru the ball with a full crow hop and athletic actions. Throws showed carry throwing 85 mph from the outfield. Also took drills in the infield throwing 81 mph across the diamond.

5. Bennett Frazer, SS/OF, Oconto, 2019
5-foot-9, 150-pound right-handed hitting SS/OF. At the plate hits from a balanced, open setup with a short heel turn stride and good balance. Pull hitter with a short, uphill swing path with fluid rhythm. Showed strength thru contact with 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.11. Defensively has a short, loose arm action from a high ¾ slot. Accurate throws across the infield at 85 mph. Athletic actions, with a clean exchange and fluid footwork. Plays low thru the ball with soft hands. Also took drills in the outfield showing off raw arm strength by throwing 89 mph.

Top 2020 Prospects

1. Ryan Stefiuk, LHP, Green Bay Preble, 2020
6-foot-3, 200-pound left-handed pitcher with an athletic frame and strength in the lower half. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery with regular effort. Works in line with home plate, square landing and athletic finish. Slide step from the stretch. Advanced repertoire on the mound. Fastball has cutting action at 83-84 mph. Curveball is the separator for Stefiuk. Has 1-7 shape with late breaking action and depth at 67-69 mph.

2. Taiten Manriquez, INF/RHP, Waunakee, 2020
5-foot-10, 135-pound two-way player, lean athletic frame. Right-handed hitter, open stance, lifted stride back to square, stays balanced, lower half works. Path is level, flashed extension, line drive contact, 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed advanced actions, covers ground and plays through the baseball, athletic defender with soft hands. Arm plays with carry, 76 mph, loose arm action, showed accuracy. 7.32 runner. On the mound arm worked quick, stays on line and works athletically. Long high ¾ slot. Fastball flashed run to arm side, showed feel, 79-80 mph, touched 81 mph. 11/5 curveball showed good spin and shape, thrown with arm speed at 63-64 mph. Changeup fades to arm side, 65-69 mph. Knucklecurve tumbles some 66-70 mph.

3. Zach Storbakken, SS, Sussex Hamilton, 2020
Athletic 5-foot-11, 185-pound middle infielder. Right-handed hitter, slight open stance, balanced and athletic, leg kick trigger is on time, hits in rhythm, good balance. Aggressive swing, front foot hitter, attacks the baseball, loose hands creates bat speed, 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.24 runner in the 60. Defensively played through the baseball, moves aggressively through release, hands work well, ability to cushion the baseball, clean quick exchange. Arm plays athletically, high ¾ slot, 80 mph across the diamond.

4. Max Wagner, INF/RHP, Green Bay Preble, 2020
5-foot-10, 155-pound two-way player, stronger build for his age. 7.14 runner in the 60. Right-handed hitter, open stance, tall setup, longer stride with leg lift, on time. Showed barrel control, hard contact to the middle of the field, line drive guy with confidence in the box. 95 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm showed carry, short loose ¾ slot. Exchange is clean, long at times, plays tall showed above average hands. On the mound arm works more over the top, quick arm. Fastball controlled the zone, 78-80 mph, touched 82 mph. Curveball played at 67-68 mph, 12/6 action. Changeup comes out of slightly lower slot, 69-71 mph, thrown with arm speed and showed feel.

5. Alex Ryan, OF, Lakeside Lutheran, 2020
5-foot-8, 145-pound right-handed hitting outfielder with a strong frame. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a quick leg kick stride and good balance. Fluid rhythm with an uphill swing path and fast bat. Showed strength thru contact with 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 6.94. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Athletic footwork, plays thru the ball. Throws showed carry at 82 mph from the outfield.

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