PBR at The Rock 17U: Scout Blog
August 1, 2019
From July 25 to 28, the PBR Wisconsin team hosted a handful of the best 17U club teams in the Midwest at The Rock Sports Complex in Franklin, Wis. We’ve taken the time to compile and share notes amongst our staff to produce the Scout Blog below, featuring a plethora of this past weekend’s standouts.
If you missed our end-of-day recaps, you can find Day One, Day Two, and Day Three inside the hyperlinks.
Continue on below for in-depth reports on all these prospects representing the 34 teams in attendance.
17U
29ers Baseball
Emmett Olson, LHP, Maine West (IL), 2020
The uncommitted Olson showed a three-pitch feel, working comfortably at 81-84 mph and consistently reaching for 86 mph with two strikes, even an 88 mph in the fourth. Olson's curveball plays with depth on a 1/7 plane, 66-67 mph, and showed excellent confidence with feel for a 73-74 mph changeup that he did not waver from throwing behind in counts. Changeup played as best secondary, deceptive arm speed, feel and action.
Brandon Micetich, INF, Plainfield Central (IL), 2020
Eastern Illinois commit. 6-foot-1, 180-pound, strong, left-handed hitting infielder; continues to add quality strength to his frame. Loose, quick hands, controls the barrel and creates easy bat speed. Stays balanced, hands work on top of the baseball and uses the entire field.
605 Sox
Sam Eng, LHP, O’Gorman (SD), 2020
5-foot-10, 160-pound left handed pitcher with room for more physical maturity and development. Took the mound Thursday night against GRB Yellow. Showcased clean mechanics. Drop and drive delivery, works in line. Arm action is long and loose, releases from a high 3/4 window. Arm works out front. Fastball played mostly straight, sat at 79-81 mph, touching 83 mph early on. Showed feel for his curveball that had 1/7 shape with depth at 58-61 mph. He has the mechanics and stuff to play at the next level, but he needs some work on his command as evidenced by five walks in a little over four innings. Final line: 4.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 10 K.
Jack Rabern, OF, Harrisburg (IA), 2020
6-foot, 185-pound right handed hitting outfielder. Muscular build on a mature frame. Batted third and played Center Field Thursday night against GRB. Sets up in an open stance with a leg lift trigger. Showcased quick bat speed paired with present bat strength that translate to power potential. Hit a double off the wall in dead-center at Fenway. Finished 1-for-2 with a walk and a double.
Joey Ostermeyer, INF/C, Sioux Falls Roosevelt (SD), 2020
South Dakota’s 605 Sox won both their games on Day Two, with Joey Ostermyer’s (Sioux Falls Roosevelt, SD, 2020) bat playing a key role in the victories. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound RHH went 4-for-7 on the day with a double and three RBIs. Ostermyer takes a short, level path through the zone with clear rhythm through contact. He’s an interesting player to watch out for as the 605 Sox continue their tournament play.
Cangelosi Sparks
Jake Donahue, OF, Plainfield Central (IL), 2020
5-foot-11, 155-pound, lean, right-handed hitting outfielder. Currently ranked No. 61 in the Illinois’ 2020 class and one of the top uncommitted outfielders in the state. Hit at the top of the order and played center field. Loose, quick hands, consistently on time and aggressive to the fastball. Bat stays level through the zone, consistently finds the barrel and will use the entire field. In center field, threw out two runners on the bases, including a strike to home plate to cut down a would-be, go-ahead run.
Christian Knapczyk, SS/2B, Joliet Catholic (IL), 2020
Louisville commit. One of the top infielders in the country, heady player, with plus athleticism, impacts the game in every dimension. The joy he has playing the game jumps off the field, plus teammate and leader. 5-foot-9, 150-pound left-handed-hitting shortstop. Plus defender, highly athletic with instinctual clock and baseball IQ, advanced range and highly athletic on the move, has ability to make the exceptional plays look easy. At the plate has shown increasing pop in the bat, spray-type approach but showed home run pop in game, will win extra base hits with speed and hustle out of the box, dynamic baserunner will challenge the defense. Finished the weekend 5-for-16 with two doubles, a triple, and a home run.
Jack Crowder, RHP, Plainfield East (IL), 2020
Illinois commit, currently ranked No. 8 in the Illinois’ 2020 class and No. 235 overall. 6-foot-3, 185-pound, strong-bodied, right-handed pitcher. Came out of the bullpen in Friday’s game, worked two innings and continued to prove he is one of the top arms in the class. Long, clean arm action, works quick and loose out of a ¾ slot. Went right after hitters with a fastball that sat 91-93 mph in his first inning of work before settling in anywhere from 88-91 mph. Fastball has late run and life through the zone. Also mixed in a mid-70s breaking ball and showed a fading changeup at 81 mph. Crowder is still just scratching the surface of his immense upside.
Jack Payton, C, Brother Rice (IL), 2020
Louisville commit. 5-foot-11, 185-pound C/OF, athletic frame, proportionate body. Hits from a balanced, athletic set up, smooth, quiet load, short stride, explosive lower half, smooth rhythm, short, level bat path, gets extension, a line drive, gap to gap type of hitter. Flashes the ability to square up the baseball with backspin almost every time he puts the ball in play, also runs well. Behind the plate Payton shows solid defensive skills, advanced receiving ability, deadens the ball in blocking, as well as a quick release and strong arm.
Tom Jurack, OF, Hinsdale Central (IL), 2020
Illinois commit. Jurack has a long, strong 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame which helped him club baseballs at The Rock, allowing him to earn offensive MVP honors for the tournament. A right-handed hitter, simple, quiet and strong to the ball. Smooth, uphill bat path, generates advanced bat strength from the barrel. Slugged two home runs in the tourney, one in which launched them through to the semifinals on Sunday.
Will Tenuta, RHP, Sandburg (IL), 2020
Recent Purdue commit. 6-foot-1, 175-pound live-armed right-hander with athleticism ingrained in his game. A classic quick, clean, and loose arm who’s climbing in Illinois’ 2020 class. Came out sitting in the upper-80s against Naperville Renegades American, touching a couple of 90s and one 91 mph pitch in the first frame. Fastball, straight, settled into 86-88 mph range in his four-inning start. Curveball, 72-75, 12/6 plane, got sharper throughout his outing, showing real swing-and-miss potential as he gathers more feel.
Jacob Kampf, RHP, Lockport (IL), 2020
Uncommitted, currently ranked No. 90 in the Illinois’ 2020 class. 6-foot-2, 170-pound, long, athletically-built, right-handed pitcher. Started on the mound in Friday’s afternoon game. Clean, easy, athletic delivery. Arm is compact and uninterrupted out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball comes out of his hand clean, around the zone, mostly straight, sat 84-88 mph early on. Mixed in an 11/5 curveball with depth at times at 73-74 mph. Uncommitted 2020 arm to follow moving forward.
Ben Vitas, RHP, Providence Catholic (IL), 2020
Uncommitted. 6-foot, 165-pound highly athletic right-hander. Works ultra quick in between pitches, gets it and goes. Short rock into deliberate high leg lift, level and square to home. Quick and loose arm action from a ¾ slot. Fastball, 83-85 mph, generated huge/hard arm-side movement; frequently fooled righties on the backdoor. His breaking ball greatly complemented the fastball; sharp/late 10/4 break, 73-75 mph. The big range of movement earned him some ugly swings and misses when batters guessed wrong.
Caden Carr, RHP, Marist (IL), 2020
Lean, athletic, highly projectible build. 6-foot, 160-pound RHP. Tossed one scoreless inning in relief for Cangelosi Sparks against Team Heat on Saturday morning. Tall/fall type delivery, works in line with his target, athletic finish, uphill shoulders, works downhill. Long and loose arm action, over-the-top slot. Fastball touched 85 mph, lived between 82-84 mph. Did not show any off-speed pitches in his one inning of work.
Alberto Lamas, RHP, Joliet Catholic (IL),2020
Strong, well-proportioned build. 6-foot-3, 190-pound RHP. Made a relief appearance on Saturday morning against Team Heat, throwing one scoreless inning. Repeatable delivery, athletic on the mound, present rhythm, works in line with target, athletic finish, some effort present. Long and loose arm action, high ¾ slot, more left in the tank. Fastball touched 86 mph, sat between 82-85 mph with some run. Curveball sat 68-69 mph, used sparingly, 12/6 shape.
Central Illinois Outlaws
Isaiah Gudeman, C, Morton (IL), 2020
6-foot-2, 195- pound right handed hitting catcher, Bradley commit. Physical athletic frame, proportionate body, strength very present, mature body for his age. Balanced setup, smooth load, short stride, some explosiveness in lower half, balanced through swing. Fluid rhythm in the box, advanced approach, level bat path with extension, gap to gap type of hitter, could see some power potential in the near future. In game action against Rhino (IL), Gudeman went a strong 3-3 with two base hits, and a double. All of which came off the bat different from everyone else. Also earned three RBI’s on the day as well.
Noah Matheny, RHP, Galesburg (IL), 2020
Southern Illinois-Edwardsville commit. Matheny, started on the mound on Friday afternoon and did it all in a complete-game victory. Matheny ran his fastball up to 89 mph early in the outing and still had 88 in the tank in the seventh. He utilized a three-pitch mix throughout with both flashing above-average potential. Matheny did damage with the bat in the win as well. The left-handed hitter hit two opposite-field doubles, one of which drove in three runs.
Mitchel Sampson, RHP, Galesburg (IL), 2020
6-foot-2, 195-pound right-handed pitcher, athletic build. Delivery works on line, slight drop and drive, loose high ¾ arm action. Fastball sat 82-84 mph, touched 85 and 86 mph. Breakingball worked 11/5, 73 mph.
Chase Mason, C, Washington (IL), 2020
Heartland CC commit. 6-foot, 175-pound catcher, lean athletic frame, plays fast. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, gap to gap swing, flashed hard contact with an opposite field double. Hands are loose, strong and stay inside the baseball. Gets out of the box well, athletic base runner. Was 4.51 down the line on a single to right field. Defensively, plays with bounce and energy behind the plate. Active and agile blocker. Strong, accurate arm from a high ¾ slot.
Tommy Kelly, RHP, Peoria Notre Dame (IL), 2020
Uncommitted RHP/INF, currently ranked No. 182 in the IL 2020 class. 6-foot-1, 185-pound right-handed hitting/throwing two-way player, high-waisted frame with athleticism, room for added strength. Started the playoff game for the Outlaws against a potent GRB Rays Green team, showed well through his 6 innings on the mound. Stretch only delivery, tall and fall style, works in-line, upright at finish, easy effort. Arm plays long, uninterrupted swing, high ¾ slot. Fastball played straight to all parts of the zone, 80-82 mph, hit 80 mph in the 6th. Curveball had 10/4 shape, played 69-70 mph. Changeup had fade, threw it just as much as the breaker, 74-75 mph.
Jackson Chatterton, OF, Dunlap (IL), 2020
5-foot-10, 165-pound switch-hitting outfielder, athletically built with highly athletic actions. Hit leadoff and played centerfield in the Outlaws playoff game on Saturday. Easy and calm pre-pitch actions, short stride and load, remains balanced through contact. Path works short and direct, level through the hitting zone, line drive production with an all fields approach. Only seen from the left side of the plate and did not get overmatched by velocity, led off this game with a line drive single to the opposite field on an 89 mph fastball. Earlier in the tournament did the same thing lining a low-90’s fastball back up the box, hunted the fastball early. Closes the gap in the outfield with the ability to run down baseballs, present run tool.
Chicago Elite
Karson Bonaparte, RHP, Normal University (IL), 2021
Currently ranked No. 54 in Illinois’ 2021 class. 6-foot, 200-pound 2021 right handed pitcher playing against 2020 competition. Strong build with a defined lower half. Came in relief against Hitters and showcased long and loose arm action from a high 3/4 window. Quick arm speed and arm works out front. Effortless delivery, ball jumps out of his hand. Showed off a heavy fastball that sat 86-88 mph, a sweeping slider at 77-78 mph, and a curveball with 11/5 shape at 71-73 mph. Offensively carries bat strength from the right side, flashed gap to gap pop, swings with intent. Follow 2021 prospect.
Michael Kennedy, SS, Lincoln-Way West (IL), 2020
6-foot, 175-pound shortstop, athletic frame with some present strength. Right-handed hitter, handles the bat with above average pop for age, showed gap to gap abilities with ability to leave the yard. Defensively showed best playing on the move to his glove hand side, above average range that way, confident hands and athletic release on the move, arm plays up, accurate and stays true on-line.
Sean McLaughlin, LHP, Lincoln Way East (IL), 2020
Northwestern football commit. 6-foot-7, 240-pound strong and mature frame. Started on the bump for Chicago Elite’s first game. He faced a loaded Hitters lineup and was able to shut them down for the most part. Showcased long and loose arm action, working from a high 3/4 slot. Showed off a four pitch arsenal to help miss barrels, consisting of a fastball, curveball, changeup, and slider. Fastball was heavy in the zone, sitting 81-83 mph, touching 85 mph a handful of times. Curveball had 1/7 shape at 69-71 mph. Slider showed sweeping action at 74-76 mph. Changeup with running action at 76-77 mph. Gave up only two hits over five innings of work.
Connor Misch, 1B, Andrean (IN), 2022
2022 graduate playing two levels up. Lanky and projectable frame. Started at first base for Chicago Elite and picked it well, looks comfortable around the bag. Showcased impressive bat strength, hitting a ball almost to the scoreboard at Routine Field for a three-run shot. Then on Saturday, only had two at-bats going 1-for-2 with a pull side double that came off the bat hard with lift, came around to score a few hitters later.
Luke Montgomery, OF, St. Laurence (IL), 2020
5-foot-9, 155-pound left/left outfielder, small athletic quick twitch body. Plus runner, nuisance on the basepaths, gets out of the box well and can set the table, 4.11-4.28 runs times down the line. Had a pair of bunt singles with 3.87-3.91 run times. Slap hitter, opposite field approach not afraid to put it on the ground the other way and use his speed to get his hits. Speed played in the outfield, closing speed makes the gaps play smaller.
Jacob Mote, 3B, Normal University (IL), 2020
6-foot-3, 195-pound third baseman, some present physicality. Right-handed hitter, aggressive approach, with intent, looks to make pull side contact with authority, above average exit velocity off the bat, above average pop, some natural lift in swing, mostly elevated contact. Showed ability to go the other way, smoked a back side double in bracket play.
Zach Hise,RHP, Joliet Catholic (IL), 2020
Day One really started to heat up in the 3:30 p.m. timeslot, thanks in large part to Hise. Hise pitched Chicago Elite to an 8-0 shutout in five innings, and the uncommitted right-hander collected 10 strikeouts with plus type stuff for his age. Hise sat 90-91 mph in the first, touching 92 mph, with a hard breaking ball at 77-79 mph and gradually mixed in a change in the later innings. The 6-foot-3, 190-pounder held his velo too, touching 91 mph again in the fifth, sitting 87-90 mph.
Brendan Tupper, OF, Normal University (IL), 2020
6-foot-2, 175-pound left handed hitting outfielder. Batted second and started in right field for Chicago Elite against Hitters. In the box, sets up in a balanced stance with a toe tap stride. Showcased a short and slightly uphill swing path, mostly pull side approach but flashed hard lifted contact to the opposite field. Finished the game 3-for-4 with a pair of singles, a line drive double off the top of the RF wall at Routine, a pair of RBI, a pair of runs scored, and a walk. Tupper followed that up by going 4-for-4 on Friday with a double and a pair of RBI. Tupper stayed sizzling hot at the dish into Saturday. Hitting in the two hole, Tupper went 2-for-2 with a pair of pull side doubles, two RBI and a walk in the 2-0 Elite victory over Pro Player Belo. Still uncommitted, he finished 11-for-12 on the weekend. Safe to say his arrow is trending upwards heading into his senior season.
Matthew Zahora, C/RHP, St. Laurence (IL), 2020
Currently ranked No. 144 in the state’s 2020 class. 6-foot, 190-pound two-way prospect. Batted third for Chicago Elite. Sets up in a tall stance with a short stride trigger. Showcased a short swing as well as present bat strength, driving the ball to the left field wall multiple times against PTA, as well as deep in the left-center alley at Routine Field against Hitters. Between the two games, finished 4-for-7 with three doubles, four RBI, a run scored and a walk. Quick and athletic actions behind the plate, arm plays clean with carry to the bag, pop-times hovered around the 2-flat mark in between innings on Saturday. On the mound fastball ranged 80-82 mph. Slider has swing and miss outpitch potential, 76 mph.
Zachary Ward, RHP, Lincoln-Way Central (IL), 2020
6-foot-2, 180-pound right-handed starting pitcher, broad shouldered, chiseled frame. Used his height to create angle throughout his delivery, works in-line, aggressive finish. Full arm swing, arm strength type out of a high ¾ slot, looseness out front. Ward sat his fastball at 82-86 mph with heavy run at times and occasional sink. Flashed a short breaking slider at 76-77 mph, got on the side of it. He tossed five innings of scoreless ball allowing five hits, all singles, with three walks and four punch outs for the win.
Go Pro Daly
Dylan Wolff, RHP, Joliet West (IL), 2020
6-foot-3, 195-pound right-handed pitcher, athletic build. Delivery works with high front side, worked downhill early in game. High ¾ arm slot. Fastball played 81-82 mph. Curveball worked on 11/5 plane, 67-68 mph. Changeup played at 70 mph.
Tyler Heidkamp, LHP, Oswego East (IL), 2020
5-foot-10, 160-pound left-handed pitcher, lean athletic frame, sloped shoulders. Rotational delivery, arm action is long, firm swing, work out of ¾ slot. Sling arm action creates lateral action at times at the top of the zone. Fastball sat 83-85 mph, touched 86 mph, lived up and got swing and miss, occasional run/finish. Changeup is best secondary pitch, 72-75 mph, flashed fade/sink to arm side. Final line: 6IP, 1ER, 5H, 6K, 2BB.
Payton Hutchings, LHP, Coal City (IL), 2020
University of Illinois commit. 6-foot, 170-pound, athletic, lean-framed left-handed pitcher. Shows long arm action, from a high ¾ arm slot, at times a ¾ arm slot, plus arm speed, quick, smooth rhythm on the mound, drop-and-drive type. In playoff action against Pro Player Canes Belo, Hitchings showcased a three pitch mix of a fastball, curveball, and a changeup. Fastball was his best pitch on the night sitting 84-86 mph, topping out at 87 mph. Used his fastball to close out the game and get his team the victory. Curveball at 66-68 mph showing 1/7 shape, sharp break, and a changeup at 75-77 mph. Final line: 7IP, 2ER, 3H, 15K, 1BB.
Connor Gill, RHP, Oswego East (IL), 2020
6-foot, 170- pound right- handed pitcher, lean athletic frame. Drop and drive delivery, long, loose arm action, with some effort, at a high ¾ arm slot. An electric arm with a three pitch mix of a fastball, slider, and changeup. Fastball sits between 84-88 mph, topping out at 89 mph. A slider with 11/5 shape at 70-75 mph, and a changeup at 78-81 mph. Threw a complete game shutout in action against North Star Navy. Final line: 4IP, 0ER, 1H, 7K, 2BB.
GRB Rays Green
Spencer Bartel, OF, Sun Prairie (WI), 2020
6-foot, 185-pound outfielder, strong athletic frame and build, projects. Right-handed hitter, quiet setup, path is compact with advanced bat speed, gap to gap approach with pop, ball jumps off the bat. Defensive moves easy and comfortable in the outfield, advanced arm, carries well and on line, right-field arm. Went 6-for-16 with a double and a HR, 5RBI on the weekend. High follow uncommitted outfielder in the 2020 class.
Brady Jurgella, OF/INF, Menasha (WI), 2020
6-foot, 165-pound left-handed hitting utility player, lean light footed athlete, moves well, above average runner. Defensively plays best on the move and in stride, has shown ability to play shortstop or centerfield, well above average defender. Left-handed bat with spray approach that shows feel for the barrel. Takes competitive at bats, works to put the ball in play, spray singles hitter. Finished the weekend 12-for-21, with 12 singles, 5RBI, 5R and 6 SB.
Carter Endisch, RHP, Arrowhead (WI), 2020
Athletic, well-proportioned build. 6-foot-2, 185-pound RHP. Slight drop and drive in delivery, upright finish, lands square to his target, works in line, some effort in delivery, Long arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball touched 85 mph, sat between 82-84 mph. Curveball showed 10/4 shape, played at 64-65 mph. One of the top uncommitted arms in the Wisconsin 2020 class.
Nick Smith, RHP, Waunakee (WI), 2020
Smith is among the top uncommitted right-handers in the state, and he dazzled through five one-hit innings against Team Heat. He allowed just one hit and one walk and punched out 10 of the 18 batters he faced in all. Smith was effective for attacking the zone with his hard, heavy fastball with was especially live through the strike zone, sitting 86-89 mph, touching one 90 mph early on. He backed up his fastball with a swing-and-miss slider, 76-77 mph, that worked off a 10/4 plane with bite. Smith is firmly among the most intriguing right-handed arms left uncommitted in the state’s 2020 class.
Call Verlanic, OF, Bay Port (WI), 2020
6-foot, 187-pound right-handed hitting outfielder, well-proportioned frame with room for added strength, athletic actions. Hit fifth and played left field in the first playoff game on Saturday, barreled perhaps the hardest ball of the game that fell just short of the left field fence. Remains balanced through contact, short stroke that works on an uphill plane, fast bat speed.
Max Wagner, 3B, Green Bay Preble (WI), 2020
6-foot, 190-pound right-handed hitting/throwing two-way player, well-proportioned frame with strength, natural athleticism on all sides of the ball. Carries a confident presence on the diamond, calm and rhythmic pre-pitch actions, remains balanced through contact, never looks overmatched at the dish. Fluid, short bat path with extension through the zone, advanced bat speed, took pitches just off the plate, zone aware. Came in to pitch in the first round of the playoffs Saturday night, athletic delivery with a cross-bodied landing, short arm stroke with present arm speed, high ¾ slot. Came in a high-pressure situation with the bases loaded and two-outs and up by three. Threw all fastballs overmatching the final hitter of the game with a fastball up and out, ending the game with a swing-and-miss.
Reece Lawler, RHP, Warren (IL), 2020
Lawler was a bulldog on the bump for GRB Rays Green in the slate of quarterfinal games under the lights. Lawler has a projectable build at 6-foot-2, 170 pounds, which pairs very well with his moxie and feel for the dirt circle. He sports a clean delivery, works in-line to home and controls his finish. The arm plays a little long, looseness out front with present arm speed out of a high ¾ slot. He held runners close all game and continued to get big out after big out. Lawler’s fastball played with run and occasional tilt/sink at the bottom of the zone, elevated it when needed, ranging 83-88 mph and topping 89 mph. The breaking ball was electric generating numerous whiffs working on a 11/5 plane with late, sharp breaking action. Lawler finished with 6.1 innings of work, allowing seven hits, two unearned runs, while fanning 13 to help GRB Green defeat Central Illinois Outlaws in first-round action.
Tyler Chadwick, RHP, Marshall (WI), 2020
West Virginia commit. 6-foot-5, 200-pound right-handed pitcher, long projectable frame, lean with room to fill. Delivery worked online, tall and fall type, low effort, clean easy through release. Arm action is live and loose, plus arm speed, high ¾ slot, clean path. Fastball reached 94 mph, sat 91-93 mph, maintained 87-89 mph out of the stretch. Breaking ball played sharp, 74-77 mph, lateral action at the higher end of velo, gets more depth at lower end, varied 10/4-11/5 shapes. High ceiling arm who is a follow 2020 MLB draft prospect.
GRB Rays Yellow
Quinn Berglin, RHP, Pewaukee (WI), 2020
6-foot-1, 165-pound right handed pitcher with room for physical maturity. Lanky and long frame. Funky delivery that adds deception by hiding the baseball. Showcased long and loose arm action from a 3/4 slot. Fastball plays with arm side run and sat 76-79 mph, touching 80 mph early on. Breaking ball at 66-69 mph with 10/4 shape and sweeping action. Maintained fastball arm speed on off speed pitches. Berglin was carving up the 605 lineup all night, finishing with over a dozen strikeouts. Final line: 6.1 IP, 0 R, 4 BB, 3 H, 13 K.
Colin Hageman, MIF, Janesville Craig (WI), 2020
5-foot-11, 165-pound switch hitting shortstop. Currently ranked No. 64 in the state’s 2020 class. Batted eighth and player shortstop against 605. In the box, sets up in a balanced stance, slight leg lift trigger. Level swing path with present bat strength. Showcased gap-to-gap abilities, with all three of his hits going to different parts of the field. Finished the game 3-for-3 with a double off the wall in left-center field and an RBI.
Jacob Cinelli, OF, Arrowhead (WI), 2020
Strong, athletic build. 5-foot-11, 187-pound right-handed hitting outfielder/LHP. Relaxed, balanced setup, quick leg lift trigger, short stride. Short, level path through the zone, simple and compact swing, showed the ability to take pitches the other way. Had four singles in a two-game span on Friday night. Showed an above-average run tool with a strong arm in the outfield.
Andrew Rajkovich, OF, Madison LaFollette (WI), 2020
Strong, physical frame. 6-foot-2, 195-pound right-handed hitting outfielder. Balanced setup, smooth load, quick leg lift trigger, short stride. Strong hands, level path through the zone, present bat strength, consistently found the barrel all weekend, looks the part. Went a combined 4-for-6 on Friday night over a two-game span with two extra base-hits and two singles.
Bryce Miller, C, Franklin (WI), 2020
Strong, muscular build. 6-foot-2, 210-pound right-handed hitting catcher. Miller crushed a home run over the left field fence in GRB’s first game and followed that up with an RBI double to the left-center wall in game two. He stays inside the baseball well and has some power that showed in game in his 6-foot-2 frame.
Great Lakes Baseball Academy
Will Rogers, C/RHP, Moundsview (MN), 2021
6-foot, 190-pound two-way player athletic build. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, athletic hitter, gap to gap approach, hard middle of the field contact. Showed above average pop with a home run to dead center. Closed out the game on the mound touching 87 mph, sitting 82-84 with deceptive delivery, fastball finished through the zone. Curveball played 66-67 11/5 shape and flashed a harder breaking ball at 72 mph that acted more slider. Later in the tournament against Windy City (Herbert), went 2-for-3 with a pull side double that rolled into the left field corner and an RBI single flared into centerfield.
Mitchel Gutknecht, 1B, Hill-Murray (MN), 2020
6-foot-2, 160-pound, left/left first-baseman, long and loose frame with athleticism. Found barrels each time up leading Great Lakes Baseball Academy out of the leadoff role in the afternoon slotted games going 3-for-3 with a pair of hard hit singles and a towering shot over Fenway’s left field monster.
Hitters Baseball
Cooper Griffiths, RHP, Westosha Central (WI), 2020
6-foot-2, 206- pound right handed pitcher, lean athletic frame, highly projectable. One of the top arms in the Hitters rotation and showed it in action when he got the start against North Star Navy and came out on top in a pitchers duel. Used a three pitch mix of a fastball, slider, and changeup. Showed confidence in all his pitches and shows the control to throw them all for strikes when he wants to. Fastball sat 84-85 mph and topped out at 86 on the night, slider showed sharp break with 11/5 shape, and was clearly his go to secondary pitch for the night when he needed an out. Griffiths changeup was at 70 mph consistently on the night. On his secondary pitches Griffiths was able to maintain his fastball arm speed to keep hitters for North Star Navy off balance and guessing wrong. Final line: 7IP, 1H, 8K, 2BB.
A.J. Vukovich, 1B, East Troy (WI), 2020
Louisville commit. Vukovich earned some national headlines this summer for harnessing some of the best right-handed power of any prep prospect in the country. That pop was on display in Hitters Navy's contest against Wisconsin Impact on Saturday afternoon, when Vukovich turned around an 0-2 fastball on the outer half and casually smashed it over the right field fence for a grand slam.
Michael Seegers, Home School (WI), 2020
Iowa commit, currently ranked No. 8 in the Wisconsin 2020 class. 5-foot-10, 160-pound, live-bodied, right-handed hitting shortstop. Dynamic defensive middle infielder that plays with pace and bounce to his game. Arm flashes easy carry across the diamond, can play on the move and throw from multiple slots. Offensively, top-of-the-order potential at the next level. Path is short to the baseball and stays flat through the zone. Lined a single to left-field in a game on Friday; 5.05 on the turn. Also, showed his advanced run tool running a 4.03 down-the-line on a groundout to second.
Chase Becker, INF, Regina Catholic (IA), 2021
Minnesota commit. 6-foot-4, 190-pound, right-handed hitting infielder; highly-advanced frame with a strong lower half. Aggressive in the box, swings with intent and will hunt fastballs early in the count. Present bat speed and bat strength, ball occasionally jumps off the barrel.
Colton Baumann, LHP, Hortonville (WI), 2020
Uncommitted 6-foot-1, 170-pound left-handed pitcher with long limbs, high waist, who comfortably projects. He’s a smooth, easy southpaw who works quick and in rhythm. Fastball sat 78-83 mph, feel for sink/run and would take some velo off to generate more vertical movement. Curveball works off a 1/7 plane with average depth, action, 67-70 mph, his ability to locate helped him play it up.
Illinois Braves
Connor Milton, OF, Champaign Central (IL), 2020
6-foot, 175- pound right handed hitting outfielder with a lean athletic frame. Highly projectable. Hits from a balanced set up with minimal movement, smooth load, short stride, explosive lower half, and balance throughout his swing. Shows a smooth fluid rhythm, plus bat speed and quick hands, short level bat path that gets extension through the ball, line drive, gap to gap type of hitter, shows some power potential. In game action versus PBA, Milton showed his power by hitting a line drive home run to left field, followed his home run up with a screaming line drive base hit to left field. In the outfield, Milton was the center fielder for the Braves. Milton moves well in center taking good routes to the ball and covering ground from gap to gap.
Tanner Dreher, C, Covington (IN), 2020
6-foot, 190-pound right handed hitting catcher, athletic and physical frame with present strength. Quincy University commit, hits from a balanced set up, smooth load, short stride, balanced through swing. Shows bat speed, short level bat path with extension, gap to gap type hitter, power potential. In game play Dreher had two walks, a deep fly out to the warning track in center field, and a hard it double to the opposite field gap. Advanced defensive skills behind the plate. Quick release to go along with a strong accurate arm. Flashed a pop time of 2.00 in game and warm ups. In Saturdays game, Dreher barreled up baseballs all day after taking a 4-pitch walk in his first at-bat. He doubled off the left field fence, singled hard up the middle, and flew out deep to centerfield. Showed easy and athletic actions all around. After 5.2 innings behind the plate, Dreher took the gear off and toed the rubber striking out the final batter of the game with the tying run in scoring position. Composed throughout, he sports a short, open stride with a short, high ¾ arm slot with rhythm in his delivery. His fastball sat in the low 80’s, topping 83 mph and he collected the final swing-and-miss on a 10/4 curveball buried at 67 mph.
Logan Tabeling, RHP, Tuscola (IL), 2020
5-foot-11, 190- pound RHP, Wright State commit, presents an athletic proportionate frame, strong lower half. Drop and drive type, long loose arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Three pitch mix of fastball, curveball, and changeup. Fastball was 84-86 mph topping out at 87 mph, curveball at 72-74 mph with tight hard spin at 11/5 shape, and a change up at 82 mph. Worked 2 ⅓ innings against PBA.
Tommy Heideman, 1B, Normal Community (IL), 2020
Illinois State commit. 6-foot-2, 195-pound left/left player, long and athletic frame. Played first base and hit sixth on Saturday against Pro Player Canes - Stewart. Didn’t have the best offensive stat line collecting only one single to left field, but he showed the ability to stay on pitches away with occasional lift. We’ve seen ability to pull the ball, showing a gap-to-gap approach as of late, rhythm throughout swing.
Braden Zenor, OF, Tri-Valley (IL), 2020
6-foot-1, 165-pound, left/left player with a long and athletic frame. Hit leadoff and played left field for the Illinois Braves against Pro Player Canes - Stewart, finished 2-for-2 with two singles, a walk, two runs scored and two stolen bases. Showed aggressive yet under control actions running the bases, scored from first on an errant pickoff from the pitcher. One of his singles was a flare to the right side and the other was a grounder through the left side, showed ability to use all fields.
Illinois Indians
Daniel Clawson, CIF, Hersey (IL), 2020
Northern Illinois commit. Currently ranked No. 81 in the state’s 2020 rankings. 6-foot-2, 205-pound physical and muscular build. Batted third and started at first base for the Indians against PTA. Sets up in a tall stance in the right side of the box. Uses a leg kick trigger, pulls hands back into load. Showed off his present bat strength and pull side juice, hitting a no-doubt home run that traveled well over the left field fence on Giants. Finished the game 1-for-3 with the home run and RBI.
Luke Hillmann, RHP, St. Patrick’s (IL), 2020
Came in relief for the Illinois Indians on Friday morning and performed well for his team. The 6-foot-2 RHP ran his fastball up to 83 mph, primarily living between 80-82 mph and locating it on both sides of the plate. He featured a curveball with 11/5 shape that he showed feel for and used it to put hitters away that played at 73-75 mph. Hillmann’s clean and loose arm action suggest that there’s more left in the tank for the big right-hander. He tossed five innings, allowing three earned runs and striking out nine.
Luke Picchiotti, OF, Hersey (IL), 2020
University of Illinois-Chicago commit. Currently ranked No. 146 in Illinois’ 2020 rankings. 6-foot, 185-pound left/left outfielder with an athletic frame that has strength. Batted second and played right field against PTA. At the plate, sets up in a tall and open stance, leg kick stride, slight arm bar load. Bat travels on a short and uphill swing path. Picchiotti broke a scoreless tie in the third inning with his only hit on the game. He took a fastball and drove it over the center field wall for a three-run shot to give Illinois Indians the lead for good. Finished the game 1-for-3 with the home run and three RBI.
Nicholas Serr, SS, Minooka (IL), 2020
5-foot-9, 150+-pound frame, continues to add useable strength, looks bigger than listed size, athletic actions. Has perhaps the best defensive actions for an uncommitted shortstop in the IL 2020 class, fluid, natural actions, ranges with ease, sure handed with a quick and clean exchange to release, arm plays out of multiple slots with accuracy and occasional carry. Continues to get better on the infield, can play up the middle.
Cade Zalewski, 1B, Wheeling (IL), 2020
6-foot-3, 190-pound, right-handed hitting corner-infielder, well-proportioned frame with physicality, room for added strength. Hit fifth and played first base, showing opposite field pop in the matinee games for the Illinois Indians barrelling up a single through the 3-4 hole and a lifted RBI double that one-hopped the right field fence. He also walked and manned a solid first base.
Illinois Indians - West
Joey Haslam, RHP, South Elgin (IL), 2020
Right-handed pitcher, high ¾ arm slot. Fastball sat 79-80 mph, touching 81 mph. Curveball plays 11/5 shape, 70 mph, dropped for strikes. Changed speed well throughout the outing, while getting swing and misses. Final line of 5IP, 4H, 1R, 11K, 5BB.
Kyle Coates, RHP, Elgin (IL), 2019
Washington University (MO) commit. 6-foot-1, 195-pound right handed pitcher. Athletic and well-proportioned frame. Works only out of the stretch. Took the bump against Mash. Showcased short and loose arm action from a side arm slot, adding movement and deception. Fastball sat 76-79 mph, topping at 80 mph with serious arm side run and late action to help miss barrels. Also showed feel for his offspeed pitches. His slider has 10/4 shape and sweeping action at 67-71 mph. Changeup has sinking action with some fade, sat 72-73 mph. Final line: CG, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K.
Lou Collier/DB A’s
Josh McAlister, SS, Homewood-Flossmoor (IL), 2021
Ohio State commit. 6-foot-1, 175-pound shortstop, athletic frame with lean strength for age. Right-handed hitter, athletic hands, well above average bat speed, short loose swing, ball jumps off the bat at times, showed opposite field pop in game with a double to right.
Darryl Loyd III, 1B, Morgan Park (IL), 2021
6-foot-185-pound switch-hitting first baseman, large build with advanced strength for age. Nimble around the bag, well above average defender, left-handed thrower, soft hands and sowed above average footwork. Showed bat speed in the box, strong, slight uphill path, lifts contact with power potential.
MASH
Joseph Hurth, RHP, Hopkins (MN), 2020
Currently ranked No. 24 in Minnesota’s 2020 class. Hurth showcased short and loose arm action from a high 3/4 window, as well as quick arm speed. He has the arsenal and present stuff to play at the next level as he is difficult to square up. However he still has to work on his ability to locate, as evidence by five walks in six+ innings. His fastball ran all the way up to 89 mph early on before settling into 84-86 mph. He threw three other pitches, showing a sharp curveball with 11/5 shape and depth at 72-75 mph, a slider with sweeping action at 77-79 mph, and a cutter at 83-86 mph. He also took a no-hitter into the seventh inning.
Aidan Byrne, SS, Eagan (MN), 2020
6-foot, 165-pound shortstop, athletic frame with projection. High level defender at short, hands play soft and shows above average range, moves well with easy release from any angle. Arm showed carry and accuracy, above average body control. Right-handed hitter, hits leadoff, 4.39 runner down the line.
MN STARTERS
Ansen Dulas, RHP, Watertown-Mayer (MN), 2020
6-foot-1, 180-pound uncommitted right-handed strike-thrower. Pounds the zone with his simple, easy rock-step to home. Long, high ¾ arm action, above-average arm speed; lands slightly open, slight fall-off to the first-base side. Fastball, some slight cut, demonstrated control, earned his swings and misses up in the zone, 79-81 mph. Curveball, gets some sharp/tight break off a 12/6 plane, 70-71 mph.
Jake Larson, RHP, Prior Lake (MN), 2020
Uncommitted. 6-foot, 180-pound athletic right-hander. Compact arm action who throws from an over-the-top slot. Came in relief against RakeCity in the first day of the tournament. Fastball, sat 84-86 mph, touched 87 mph, straight action with some slight downhill tilt with his slot. Dialed it back on occasion to generate more sink/run, 80-82 mph. Slider flashed tight/late break, 78 mph.
Naperville Renegades American
Andrew Petsche, RHP, Oswego East (IL), 2020
Started for Naperville Renegades in their 15-1 win over STARTERS 17U. Petsche featured a fastball that ran up to 84 mph and primarily sat between 81-83 mph with life, while showing the ability to throw it on either side of the plate. His best overall offering was a breaking ball that sat between 71-73 mph with real swing-and-miss actions and clear feel for the pitch. He tossed five innings of one-run ball, striking out eight and walking none in a dominant performance by the right-hander.
Cade Sullivan, 3B, Metea Valley (IL), 2020
6-foot-4, 215-pound third-baseman, large frame, carries strength. Premium right-handed bat with pop. Imposing figure in the box, bat strength present, path works uphill, creates lift with power, hard contact off the bat with feel for the barrel, above average combination of bat control and power. Collected ten hits on the weekend with a pair of doubles and home runs.
Cooper Avery, RHP, Neuqua Valley (IL), 2020
5-foot-11, 145-pound right-handed pitcher, lean frame. Clean delivery and arm action, long swinging draw out of the glove, long and loose out of a ¾ slot, free and easy out front. Fastball sat 82-84 mph, touched 85 mph with arm side run and sink, above average control. Changeup showed as best secondary offering, 77-79 mph, swing and miss arm side action, deceptive arm speed. Flashed curveball at 70 mph, 11/5 shape.
Nolan Clifford, INF/RHP, Neuqua Valley (IL), 2020
Creighton commit. Athletic, strong build. 5-foot-11, 170-pound left-handed hitting infielder. Tall, balanced setup, long stride, high leg kick. Quick hands, stays inside the baseball, consistently found the barrel, fluid rhythm through contact. Above-average athlete with a strong run tool. Went 2-for-2 with two walks and two RBIs for Naperville Renegades against STARTERS 17U. Also took the mound on Saturday night against Cangelosi Sparks. His unassuming smaller frame flummoxes hitters when he sits 87-89 mph. He also mixes his timing frequently, pausing at his balance point, quick-pitching; constantly looking to gain an extra edge from the rubber. Fastball sat 87-89 mph in the first couple frames, hard arm-side run, feel for the corners. Curveball
NorthStar Navy
Hunter Day, RHP, Bloomington Jefferson (MN), 2020
Uncommitted, 6-foot-2, 170- pound RHP, shows a lanky frame with room to fill out as he matures. The righty was counter part to Connor Griffiths in a pitcher’s duel between Hitters and North Star Navy. Came out on the short end, but still pitched a great game for North Star. Threw six innings of great baseball. Showed a trio of a fastball, curveball, and changeup. On the night the fastball sat at 83-85 mph and topping out at 86 mph, curveball at 74-75 mph, and changeup at 79 mph. Has long loose arm action, at an arm slot that varies between a high ¾ and ¾ arm slot, has quick arm speed, was able to show control of all his pitches against Hitters. Was able to force weak contact on most balls put in play. Final line: 6IP, 3H, 3K, 2BB
Kieran Schmitz, LHP, Wayzata (MN), 2020
6-foot, 170-pound left-handed pitcher, lean proportional frame. Live loose delivery, creates angle at times, occasional recoil finish. Arm action is loose, ¾ slot. Fastball worked 82-84 mph, flashed arm side run. Curveball has 1/7 shape, 72-73 mph. Changeup played with fade action 76-77 mph.
Ohio Mavericks
Sebastian Alexander, SS/RHP, Mayfield (OH), 2020
Lean, athletic build. 6-foot, 180-pound right-handed hitting SS/RHP. Started on the mound for Ohio Mavericks on Friday afternoon. Athletic delivery with a high leg kick, some effort, works in line with target, lands closed, throws across body. Short draw, over-the-top slot, quick arm speed. Fastball touched 84 mph, sat regularly between 82-83 mph with some natural run. Curveball showed slurve-like tendencies, sat 70-73 mph, thrown for strikes. Changeup was used sparingly, played at 70-71 mph. At the plate, balanced setup, quick leg lift trigger, short stride. Quick hands, short to the baseball, level path through the zone, fluid rhythm through contact. Above-average athlete with a game-changing run tool.
PBA
Jacyk Uehling, OF, South Milwaukee (WI), 2020
Recent Northern Illinois commit. Speedy centerfielder and left-handed leadoff bat, quick twitch 5-foot-10, 155-pound frame. Competitive hitter, works at bats and puts the ball in play, anything on the ground puts pressure on the defense, plus runner down the line, 4.11. Spay, line drive approach. Defensively covers ground in centerfield, above average defender, average arm strength. Quick feet and can chase down either gap and go back on the baseball.
Nathan Rentas, C/1B, Warren (IL), 2020
5-foot-11, 200-pound left-handed hitter, compact frame with strength. Slightly open stance, soft stride, quiet takes, on time. Confident approach. Path is compact, slight uphill through contact, showed feel for the barrel with bat strength. Natural hitter.
Sam Scarlato, RHP, Indian Trail, 2020
6-foot-4, 225-pound right-handed pitcher, large build. Repeatable delivery works in the zone, high ¾ slot. Fastball touched 84 mph, sat 80-82 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 64-67 mph.
Charlie Campbell, RHP, South Milwaukee (WI), 2020
Uncommitted lanky 6-foot-6 right-hander. Campbell’s thin frame, but long limbs, have earned him a projection label, but it looks like it’s all coming together for him as he enters his senior year of high school. On Friday, he earned a four-inning, no-hitter and K’d four STiKS Red batters, too. Campbell sat 79-82 mph, touching 83 mph a couple of times – it’s a mark we’ve yet to see for ourselves in person. Campbell also expertly mixed in feel for a slow curve with above-average depth that he buried under the zone, and also managed to throw it firmer when he wanted to add more sharp/late bite. He’s ascending and growing into his long and lean frame at just the right time, and his start Friday night might just be the start.
Pro Player Canes (Belo)
Bryan Belo, MIF, Jacobs (IL), 2020
Currently ranked No. 174 in the state’s 2020 class. 5-foot-11, 170-pound middle infielder. Played shortstop and batted third against PTA. At the dish, sets up in a slightly open stance, leg kick trigger, draws hands back into load, calm look. Sports a short path, stays flat through the zone with bat speed, present approach, seems to go with the pitch and has the ability to backspin the baseball to both gaps. Belo finished the game 2-3 with a pair of RBI singles. He had a total of three RBI in a 10-0 victory over PTA. Seen later in the day against Windy City (Herbert) stood out as a gamer-type player. Aggressive out the box, looks to get on any way, battles with two strikes, bunted on safely in-game and flared a two-strike single to right field, also scored a run.
Holden Phelps, RHP, Prairie Ridge (IL), 2020
Uncommitted, currently ranked No. 27 in the Illinois’ 2020 class. 6-foot-5, 195-pound, long-limbed, highly-projectable right-handed pitcher. Phelps continues to prove he is one of the top uncommitted arms in Illinois. Loose, quick, live arm action. The fastball was lively and in the zone early in his outing sitting 90-91 mph, touching 92 in the first inning. He settled in anywhere from 86-89, touching 91 from the first inning on and occasionally mixed in a low-70s curveball. Phelps should be a high-follow 2020 arm moving forward.
Jimmy Fairley, RHP, Huntley (IL), 2020
Fairley is an athletic-framed right-hander with deception throughout his delivery, tossing 4.2 innings of quality baseball on Saturday. He hides the ball from hitters and runs his heater to both sides of the plate, while keeping hitters honest with a tight, sweeping slider. His fastball sat 80-82 mph, topping 83 mph with heavy feel for the zone, looked harder than it was, and his slider had 10/4 shape thrown at fastball arm speed. He also had a change that played at 72-74 mph. Delivery is easy and works in-line to home, slight spin off at release. Short arm swing with looseness out front, arm strength type, ¾ slot. Attacked hitters all game.
Nicholas Gregory, OF, Dundee-Crown (IL), 2020
5-foot-11, 180-pound, left-handed hitting/right-handed throwing outfielder, thins and athletic frame. Had the big late-inning hit for Pro Player Canes (Belo) against Windy City (Herbert), sealing the victory in a back-and-forth game. Gregory sports a smooth left-handed swing, with rhythm through contact having himself a solid day overall with two walks, two singles, two stolen bases, two runs scored, and the eventual game-winning RBI single over the second baseman’s head.
Keegan Garis, 1B, Prairie Ridge (IL), 2020
6-foot-3, 190-pound left-handed hitting infielder, upside frame with projection, athletic look in the box. Hit fourth and played first base against Windy City (Herbert) barreling up three baseballs hard, only finishing 1-for-3 in the game. Garis drove a high-lifted double to his opposite field gap splitting both defenders, while driving in a pair. He then grounded into a fielders’ choice up the middle, lining a ball off the front part of the mound that was fielded high over the second base bag. He also stole a bag and reached via an error on a sharp ground-ball to second base. Sports a fluid path rhythm in his hands, works uphill through the ball, creates lift and thinks all fields.
Drew Stengren, C, Cary-Grove (IL), 2020
Uncommitted and currently ranked No. 139 in the Illinois’ 2020 class. 6-foot-1, 185-pound, well-proportioned, right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, loose, quick swing, consistently on time and gap-to-gap approach. In a Saturday afternoon game, doubled off the top of the left-field wall and also lined a single into right-center field. Defensively, steady receiver, natural catcher actions and clean out of the crouch. Follow 2020 uncommitted catcher.
Pro Player Canes (Stewart)
Cole Bhardwaj, RHP, Jacobs (IL), 2020
6-foot-2, 185-pound right-handed pitcher. Well-proportioned build. Took the mound on Friday against Top Tier Navy. Clean delivery, lands slightly closed works in line. Short and loose arm action, works from a high ¾ slot. Fastball played mostly straight with occasional arm side run, sitting at 82-84 mph and touching 86 mph. Showed the ability to maintain fastball arm speed on offspeed pitches. Changeup with sinking action at 75-76 mph, used to miss barrels. Final line: 3.1 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 K.
Aiden Smith, RHP, Marengo (IL), 2020
ProPlayer Canes (Stewart) started Thursday off with a 5-3 victory over Rhino (WI) on the back Smith. The 6-foot-2 right-hander ran his fastball up to 82 mph, living 79-81 mph with straight movement. He showed feel for a swing-and-miss curveball at 69-71 mph that he could throw at any point in the count. Smith tossed six innings of one-run ball, only allowing two hits and striking out eight.
Dymitri Kanellakis, OF, Cary-Grove (IL), 2020
5-foot-8, 175-pound outfielder, athletic build with above average strength. Dynamic player, right-handed hitter, short compact stroke with an all field approach, does look to go opposite when pitched away, twitchiness in the hands. Line drive contact, competes in the box. 4.19 runner down the line. Smoked an RBI triple to right field for his only hit of the game in a 10-1 victory over Top Tier Navy. Later in the tournament, Kanellakis showed that he indeed can get the barrel head out, driving a pair of doubles to his pull side against the Illinois Braves. The first double was scorched down the third base line showing present bat speed on an inside fastball and hustling in for the two-bagger and the other was a pitch left over the plate he lifted between the left/center gap, driving in a run. He also scored a run in the game.
Daniel Laughery, OF, Grant (IL), 2020
Illinois State commit. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound right handed hitting outfielder batted leadoff and played center field. He shined on offense against Top Tier. He showed off his bat strength by hitting a three-run double off the wall in center field to open the game up. Laughery finished 4-for-4 with a double and four RBI in a 10-1 victory over Top Tier.
Mikal Ashley, 3B/RHP, Grant (IL), 2020
6-foot-1, 225-pound two-way player, strong and athletic frame, thick lower half. Known more as a bat at the hot corner, pitched this day against the Illinois Braves and pushed his fastball up to 88 mph, sitting it at 86-87 mph with run and occasional sink. Short breaking slider at 78 mph, worked on a 10/4 plane. Threw in stretch only, easy delivery, works in-line, upright at finish. Arm played short out of a high ¾ window. Got deep into counts as the walks started to pile up, left balls up only making it two innings, struck out three all with fastballs up. Later in the tournament, Ashley played first and returned to the heart of the order where he showed his explosive bat speed with true power potential. He possesses strong hands with aggressive intent to damage the ball to any field as he put a towering two-run shot over the left/centerfield fence against GoPro in the Playoff Bracket.
Jack Wenninger, RHP, Cary-Grove (IL), 2020
6-foot-2, 180-pound right-handed pitcher, lean frame. Delivery repeats on line, tall and fall type, arm is loose, works out of high ¾ slot, clean release. Fastball sat 85-87 in the first, touched 88 mph, flashed arm side action, above average control. Curveball plays on 11/5 plane, 70 mph.
PTA Cardinal
Xavier Deal, OF, Port Washington (WI), 2020
5-foot-10, 180-pound right-handed hitting outfielder. Athletic and well-proportioned frame. Played either center or right field for PTA and hit anywhere in between the leadoff spot and the three hole during the tournament. At the plate, sets up in an open and crouched stance with a pre-set arm bar. Long and slightly uphill swing path, line drive hitter. Likes to make the pitcher work, consistently having at-bats that go deep into the count. Finished the tournament 4-for-11 with three runs scored and four walks.
Connor Goodwin, OF, Slinger (WI), 2020
6-foot-2, 175-pound left-handed hitting outfielder. Lean frame, athletic build with room for physical development. Batted either leadoff or in the two spot and played center or right field for PTA across the entire tournament. At the dish, sets up in a balanced stance, short stride, smooth loading actions. Finished the tournament 3-for-12 with three walks, two runs scored, and an RBI.
RakeCity
Jared Novak, RHP, Benet (IL), 2020
RakeCity and 29ers kicked off the 17U PBR at The Rock Championships with a good old fashioned pitchers duel. A pair of uncommitted 2020 arms dueled to a 2-0 RakeCity win, led by RHP Jared Novak (Benet, IL, 2020). Novak showed exceptional feel for three pitches and worked to induce weak contact all day cruising to an efficient complete-game win. Novak utilized a running fastball at 82-84 mph touching 85 throughout form a ¾ slot. His breaking ball and changeup complimented each other well with darting action to opposite sides of the plate.
Seabastian Bentz, LHP, Elite Squad Baseball Academy (FL), 2020
Physical 6-foot-3 southpaw with upside. He sat 80-84 mph in his five innings, and the fastball was tough on both lefties and righties. Bentz hides the ball well and gets on top of it, generating arm-side run. He didn't throw the breaking ball much, but it flashed sharp/late on occasion, 70-72 mph, and has the makings of becoming an out-pitch – especially to left-handed bats – as he continues to find the feel for it.
James Severson, RHP, Lyons Township (IL), 2020
6-foot, 200-pound right-handed pitcher, solid stocky build. Delivery works to first base side, stride and front side opens early to clear for over the top arm slot. Short arm swing, well above average arm strength. Fastball worked 87-88 mph, four seam life, straight through the zone, up in the zone swing and misses.
Ernesto Moreno, MIF, DePaul Prep (IL), 2020
Uncommitted 5-foot-8, 160-pound middle infielder. Handsy defender, showed above average actions hands play soft, quick hands turn the double play. Right-handed hitter, hits out of the three-hole, compact frame and stroke packs a punch, hard gap to gap contact, uses the whole field and takes competitive at bats. Above average contact off the bat for size. Follow uncommitted middle infielder.
Connor Hincks, SS, Benet Academy (IL), 2020
Virginia commit. 6-foot-1, 160-pound left-handed hitting middle infielder, lean projectable frame, lanky build, carries some lean strength. Premium contact bat, quiet athletic setup, on time loading action. Above average bat control, spray hitter to all fields. 4.35 runner down the line. Athletic defender at short, easy body control and soft hands, arm plays accurate and with carry.
Rhino (WI)
Drake Sharratt, C/INF, Winneconne, 2020
Strong, well-proportioned build. 6-foot, 195-pound right-handed hitting C/INF. Crouched setup, wide base, minimal load. Strong hands, present bat strength, short path to the baseball. Crushed a home run over the green monster at Fenway Park on Thursday afternoon.
Rhino Baseball
Michael Ciesla, C/OF, Lemont, (IL) 2020
6-foot-1, 200- pound C/OF, presents and athletic physical frame with present strength. Uncommitted 2020 hits from a balanced set up, with high hands, smooth load, short stride. Fluid rhythm, level bat path, gets extension through the ball, gap to gap type hitter, some power potential in the near future. Batted in the clean up spot for Rhino in action against the Central Illinois Outlaws and the Naperville Renegades. Between the two games Ciesla went 2-5 with a hard hit base hit against the Central Illinois Outlaws and a booming double against the Naperville Renegades. Has a bat that could potentially stick at the next level.
Justin Valdez, LHP, St. Rita (IL), 2020
6-foot-2, 170-pound left-handed pitcher, long and lanky frame with loose actions, projectable and high-waisted. Started for Rhino against the Illinois Indians going 4.1IP. Works at a quick pace, coils at balance, works in-line, some athleticism throughout delivery. Full arm action with firmness at release, ¾ slot. Fastball ranged 81-83 mph, topped 84 mph with run to his arm side. Went to his 1/7 shaped breaker often, depthy action at times with swing-and-miss break, 71-72 mph.
Anthony Perez, INF/RHP, Romeoville (IL), 2020
Smaller in stature, athletic frame and actions, plays bigger than 5-foot-8 frame. Hit two-hole and played shortstop on Saturday, also came in to pitch in relief. Sports a short stroke at the plate with some bat speed, roped a double down the left field line and came in to score, also walked. On the mound, athletic delivery, works across his body adding deception, arm plays short with arm speed, high ¾ slot. Fastball played 81-85 mph through his 2.2 IP, had run to both sides of the plate. Curveball flashed tight break on another 10/4 plane, 70-71 mph.
Sam Pileggi, INF, Plainfield Central (IL), 2020
5-foot-8, 175-pound frame, durable frame with strength. Played third base and hit towards the bottom of the order against the Illinois Indians, finished 2-for-3 making hard contact each time up. Drove a triple off the right-center fence, pulled a hard single to his pull side and lined out hard to right field. Also scored a run. Short stroke at the plate, strong hands with some bat strength.
STiKS Academy Black
Ryan Taylor, SS/2B, Verona Area (WI), 2021
Lean, athletic build. Tall, narrow base, smooth load, quick leg lift trigger, long stride. Quick hands, stays inside the baseball well, hands start and stay in a strong hitting position, fluid rhythm through contact, looks the part. One of the top uncommitted players in the Wisconsin 2021 class, high follow as he enters his junior season.
Kyle Yu, INF, Madison Memorial (WI), 2021
Relaxed, tall, balanced setup, quick leg lift trigger, short stride, stays balanced through contact. Short, level path through the zone, hands stay ready to hit throughout load, fluid rhythm. Went 3-for-3 against Ohio Mavericks with two singles and a double. A name to keep an eye on as he enters his junior season.
Zach Storbakken, 3B, Sussex Hamilton (WI), 2020
6-foot-1, 195-pound third baseman, strong build. High follow uncommitted right-handed hitter, presence in the box, feel for barrel, makes consistent hard contact, gap to gap approach. Above average pop shown by home run to centerfield. Solid third baseman, hands play, release gets long at times, average arm strength plays accurate. High follow uncommitted right-handed bat.
Luke Fox, LHP, Catholic Memorial (WI), 2020
Duke commit. 6-foot-1, 175-pound, two-way player, athletic plays with confidence. Worked out of the pen, easy repeatable delivery. High ¾ slot. Fastball sat easy 86-88 mph, down in the zone with sink. Advanced changeup with arm side action, 80 mph. Breaking ball played at 79 mph.
Gavin Hinckley, RHP, West Bend West (WI), 2020
Athletic build, strong shoulders. 6-foot-2, 175-pound right-handed pitcher. Clean, repeatable delivery, good balance point, works in line with target, little effort, fluid rhythm throughout. Long and loose arm action, high ¾ slot, quick arm speed. Fastball consistently touched 86 mph, sat between 83-85 mph with clear run, maintained velocity as his start went on. Breaking ball played at 74-75 mph, showed 11/5 shape, firm pitch with late action. Showcased an above-average changeup thrown at 75-77 mph, thrown with fastball arm speed, played down in the zone, clear feel for pitch.
Chris Byhre, RHP, Catholic Memorial (WI), 2020
Byhre has showed signs this summer of harnessing his premium arm strength, which has translated to a better feel for the strike zone. Against Lou Collier/DB A's, a 2021 team in attendance, Byhre didn't need much other than his big fastball, which sat 85-88 mph throughout his four innings of work, touching multiple 89s. He's still honing in breaking ball feel, but once he gets better grasp of his curveball, he'll have an enviable two-pitch mix that will play at any level. Right now, it's an 11/5 breaker with solid depth, but he has a tendency to slow things down when he throws it.
Johnny Kelliher, LHP, Waukesha North (WI), 2020
6-foot-4, 175-pound left-handed pitcher, long limbed, high waisted frame. Clean arm action, short draw, high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 80-82 mph, touched 83 mph, plays with arm side run. Curveball works on 1/7 plane, 69-70 mph. Flashed changeup at 73 mph, fade action.
STiKS Academy Red
Avery Owusu-Asiedo, OF, Waukesha West (WI), 2020
6-foot-4, 200-pound outfielder, large frame, still growing into body, sneaky good athlete. Above-average runner, especially for his size. Right-handed bat has well-above-average power, strong hands and bat speed. High ceiling bat. Finished the weekend 4-for-11, with two home runs and a double. Reliable defender at a corner outfield spot with arm strength and accuracy.
Luke Skudlarczyk, RHP, Marquette University, 2020
Skudlarczyk pitched 3.1 sound innings on Thursday, striking out six in the process, sitting 82-84 mph, touching 85 mph, with a hard-running fastball and also showed offspeed feel with a breaking ball and changeup.
Dylan Nevar, OF, Wisconsin Dells, 2020
6-foot-1, 180-pound left/left outfielder, lean athlete, projectable frame, lean quick twitch actions. High upside left-handed bat, quick hands and sneaky power, projects for more. Hands are loose and creates short path with bat speed, feel for the barrel on gap to gap approach. Rangy defender in CF, long strider. Finished the weekend 6-for-13 with a triple and two home runs to left of center field. High follow uncommitted outfielder.
Brody Cypert, RHP, Waukesha South (WI), 2020
Uncommitted. Stands in at a durable 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, with a thick lower half. Short arm slot from high ¾ window, minimal effort. Fastball sat 81-84 mph with heavy sink, but he clearly had more in the tank and touched 87 mph later in the start when he opted to throw it by a batter. Changeup features similar sink, 73 mph, mostly maintains arm speed. Curveball is his best offspeed; 65-68 mph with 11/5 plane, above-average action and feel.
Donovan Schultz, LHP, Kimberly (WI), 2020
Schultz has long intrigued us with his frame, deceptive delivery, and stuff and it’s coming together here late this summer, in what became one of our staff most impressive in-person looks at the 6-foot-2 lefty yet. Schultz still showed his high leg lift and coil, hiding the ball from hitters, but was under much more control and restraint on Friday, which helped him locate and hit his spots more effectively. He sat 80-83 mph throughout his four innings of work, but the deception and control helped his fastball play up. His sweeping breaking ball, 70-72 mph, also flashed sharp action and helped him notch seven punch-outs in the outing. Schultz allowed just two hits and one walk, which further provides the evidence to show that he had the feel all night.
Team Heat Baseball
Evan Jackson, RHP, Milton (WI), 2021
5-foot-10, 157-pound right-handed pitcher with long limbs. Long arm action, high ¾ slot, above-average arm speed out front, ball can jump on hitters. Fastball, 76-81 mph, straight. Curveball, average action, 11/5 plane, 69-72 mph. Changeup, a go-to offering, 68-73 mph with fade, thrown at arm speed and with feel.
Top Tier Navy
Alonzo Raigosa, SS, Solorio (IL), 2020
Athletic, well-proportioned build. Right-handed hitting shortstop for Top Tier Navy. Balanced setup, smooth load, long stride with a leg kick. Short, level path through the zone. Defensively, showed a feel for himself at shortstop, displayed a strong body control, natural defensive actions in the field. Showed a strong arm with the ability to throw from multiple arm slots.
Upper Deck Cougars
Joe DeHaan, C, Andrew (IL), 2020
6-foot-2, 185-pound right-handed hitting catcher. High-waisted frame with room for physical maturity. Batted cleanup and started behind the dish against Windy City. At the plate, sets up in a balanced stance with a slight leg kick trigger, draws hands back into load. Quick and loose hands help generate fast bat speed. Finished the game 1-for-2 with a hard line drive single to drive in the game’s first run and a loud out to right field. Behind the plate, sets up square. Showcased soft hands while framing the baseball, as well as strong wrists by stealing a few strikes below the zone. Pop times ranged from 2.08-2.23 between innings.
Payton Plym, RHP, Hall (IL), 2021
Lean, athletic, projectible build. 6-foot-2, 175-pound right-handed pitcher. Started on the mound for Upper Deck Cougars against Wisconsin Impact. Tall/fall type delivery, works in line with his target, lands square, athletic finish. Long arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball touched 83 mph, consistently sat between 81-82 mph. Showed a curveball at 69-71 mph, 11/5 shape. Changeup was thrown at 72-73 mph, showed arm side run, thrown with fastball arm speed. Projectible 2021 grad playing against older competition.
Windy City (Herbert)
Andrew Smart, 1B/3B, Loyola Academy (IL), 2020
6-foot-2, 195-pound corner infielder. Mature frame and physical build. Batted sixth for Windy City against Upper Deck Cougars. Smart played a huge part in Windy City’s come-from-behind 10-6 win. Smart showed off his present bat strength, lined a home run over the left field wall at Routine field to get his team on the board. He added an RBI single later on in the game, helping Windy City extend their lead. His compact swing paired with quick hands and bat strength led to hard contact in all three at bats. Final line: 2-for-3, HR, three RBI. Then on Saturday, Smart showed a present two-strike approach barreling a ball back up the middle for an RBI single. Also walked and grounded out hard to third base, looked to pull the baseball.
Matthew Salomonson, RHP/INF, Notre Dame (IL), 2020
6-foot-1 195-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing two-way player, athletic frame, carries strength well. Salomonson saw little trouble working off of an 86-88 mph fastball that touched 89 mph, played with above average action in the hitting zone, cut at times early in game, progressed to sinking action later in contest. He works with a high front side, long high ¾ arm action and drives the baseball down in the zone while mixing a 73-75 mph curveball. Then on Saturday, Salomonson played shortstop and hit second against Pro Player Canes (Belo) and then hit leadoff later in the day, same position. He made hard contact in five of his at-bats going a combined 3-for-5 with a pair of singles, a double, a walk, a HBP, two runs scored, an RBI and one stolen base. Path works uphill looking to create leverage, favors pull side but showed a two strike approach flaring one of his singles to right field, while the other was barrelled down the third base line in game one. In game two, he led off the game with a double that hit half way up the left field fence at Fenway. He also flew out deep to right/center twice - one for a sacrifice - and popped up to short, present lift in swing. High-follow uncommitted 2020.
Martin Sosna, RHP, Fenwick (IL), 2020
5-foot-10, 185 pounds right-handed pitcher, athletic, chiseled frame with strength. Came out of the pen against Great Lakes Baseball Academy, allowed only two hits, a single and a solo home run with three walks and two punchouts. Made the big pitch with runners on, pitched out of self-induced jams. Sports an athletic delivery with present arm speed out of an over-the-top slot that can deceptively jump on hitters. His heater ranged 82-86 mph, hitting 87 mph twice, with finish through the zone and flashed a sharp biting slider at 72-75 mph.
Bryan Broecker, C, Notre Dame (IL), 2020
6-foot-1, 185-pound, right-handed hitting multi-positional player, long-limbed frame with strength, room for added weight. In a double dip on Saturday, played third one game and caught the other, while hitting three hole in both. Showed advanced defensive actions behind the dish, cushioning blocks with clean actions out the crouch - threw out a runner at second, 2.18 pop on top of the bag. Also picked it well at third, made all plays hit his way and started a quick 5-4-3 DP. Went 2-for-7 on the day with a pair of barreled singles to his pull side, made outs to both field showing an all fields approach, also scored twice and drove in a run, stole two bags and drew a walk, looking confident in the box, battled to put the ball in play with two strikes. Path plays short on an uphill plane, present bat strength, line drive ability.
Justin Rivera, RHP, Lake View (IL), 2020
6-foot-3, 195 pound right-handed pitcher, upside pitchers body with athleticism, uses his height through his delivery, extending down the mound in-line to home, controlled finish. Short arm swing, two-part action out of an over-the-top slot, mix of arm strength and speed. His fastball ranged anywhere from 80-87 mph, hitting 88 mph twice in the early going, with inconsistent cut and sink throughout - hit 85 in his final inning (4th). Showed more velocity out of the windup. Flashed a tight spinning slider at 73-74 mph, which he sparingly went to.
Wisconsin Impact
Jared Everson, 1B, La Crosse Aquinas (WI) 2021
One of the top-ranked players in the Wisconsin 2021 class, Jared Everson (La Crosse Aquinas, 2021), had a strong game two for Wisconsin Impact. The LHH Everson went 2-for-3, driving a double to the left-center wall and a single into right field. He showed present bat speed and found the barrel in all three of his at-bats, making consistent loud contact. Everson is a high-follow in his class and will be representing Wisconsin in next week’s Future Games.
Jess Ondell, INF, Onalaska (WI), 2020
5-foot-9, 190-pound infielder, solid stocky build, compact frame with strength. Right-handed hitter, compact swing, opposite field approach, flashed hard oppo contact. Barrel control hitter, line drive contact. Reliable on the infield, hands work and plays through the baseball.
Dylan Lapic, LHP, La Crosse Central, 2021
6-foot-2, 165-pound left-handed pitcher. Stretch-only delivery, long loose arm action. Fastball sat 77-79 mph, got swing and miss up in the zone. Curveball played at 70 mph, occasional depth.
Connor Haggerty, RHP, Onalaska (WI), 2020
Strong, physical build. Strong lower half. 6-foot-3, 245-pound right-handed pitcher. Worked strictly out of the stretch, easy effort, worked in line with target, lands square. Short draw, high ¾ slot. Fastball touched 86 mph, sat between 81-85 mph, showed occasional run. Curveball was used sparingly, 12/6 shape, 67-68 mph. Changeup was thrown with a decelerated arm action, used sparingly, played at 69-72 mph.