Southern Wisconsin Open: Pitcher Analysis

On Oct. 21, at STiKS Academy in Waukesha, Wis., the PBR Wisconsin team held its final showcase of 2018, the Southern Wisconsin Open. Around 60 prospects in the area made it out to the event, primarily representing the 2020 and 2021 classes. The showcase gave the area’s prospects a platform to perform in front of our staff one last time before heading into the offseason.

We’ll finish our position-by position analysis today, moving forward with the day’s pitchers.

A little over a week ago, in our 2020 Risers story, we examined Homestead’s RHP Arthur Liebau in detail for leaping up his state’s class rankings in our latest update. His stock began to rise at the Southern Wisconsin Open, where he worked in the mid-80s coupled with a pair of complementary secondaries. Liebau is among the highest-ranked righties in the state’s junior class without a commitment.

The 2021 class was highly impressive, in particular, on the mound at this event and it was the big, durable righty Isaiah Cerfus (Union Grove) who launched himself near the top of the rankings below. Cerfus was up to 85 mph at STiKS Academy with his aggressive fastball that had some hard, late run on it. He was up six ticks since we last saw him in February.

Another sophomore to watch is the two-way talent Grant Ross (Pewaukee). Ross was also up to 85 mph on the mound out of a unique ¾ arm slot and crossfire delivery, made even more effective by the feel he demonstrated for his changeup.

We have the complete reports on the three aforementioned prospects below, as well as the write-ups on all 32 other arms who took the mound at the Southern Wisconsin Open last month. We previously published the Statistical Analysis from the event, which you can find here, in addition to our breakdowns of the catchers, infielders, and outfielders in attendance from earlier this week. Tomorrow, we’ll rank the top-10 overall prospects from the event, so keep an eye out for that.

TOP PROSPECTS

1. Arthur Liebau, RHP/1B/OF, Homestead, 2020
6-foot-1, 200-pound two-way player, solid build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short toe tap stride. Short path, middle of the field approach, path stays on top. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed above average arm strength around the diamond, 82 mph across the diamond, 89 mph from the outfield, showed carry. Feel around the bag at first base and above average outfield actions. On the mound delivery is repeatable, arm is quick and loose, over the top slot. Fastball is mostly straight, worked 82-85 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, 71-74 mph. Straight change has slight sink action, 76-78 mph.

2. Isaiah Cerfus, RHP, Union Grove, 2021
6-foot, 200-pound right-handed pitcher, strong durable frame. Aggressive delivery with intent, works on line, lands square, some effort. Loose arm action, works quick out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball runs to arm side, hard late action, feel for the strike zone, 83-85 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, fastball arm speed, 68 mph. Changeup fades to arm side, shows feel for the zone, 70-73 mph.

3. Grant Ross, RHP/INF, Pewaukee, 2021
5-foot-9, 156-pound two-way player, smaller athletic frame with strength. Natural actions on the infield, hands showed softness, feet work through the baseball, quick hands to release. Arm is short and loose, with well above average arm strength, over the top slot showed carry, 71 mph across the diamond. 7.28 runner in the 60. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, leg kick stride, good balance through contact. Hands are loose, repeats hard pull contact, fluid rhythm. 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. On the mound works out of a crossfire delivery, slight drop and drive. Arm action is long and loose, ¾ slot. Fastball has feel for the zone, flashed hard arm-side run, sat 82-85 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, slurve type action, 67-69 mph. Changeup has hard arm side run, 73-76 mph.

4. David Go, LHP, Heritage Christian, 2020
6-foot-3, 200-pound left-handed pitcher, large frame and durable build. Smooth repeatable delivery, level shoulders, lands squared, athletic finish, easy effort. Arm action is long and loose, high ¾ slot, above average arm speed. Fastball runs to arm side, showed ability to command the baseball, 80-81 mph, touched 82 mph. Curveball has 1/7 shape, flashed sharp action with feel, 65-68 mph. Changeup has run to arm side, feel for the zone, 73-76 mph.

5. Andrew Brockwell, OF/RHP, Brodhead, 2021
6-foot-2, 160-pound two-way player, lean projectable frame. Profiled best on the mound, delivery is upright and gets on top. Long quick arm action, over the top slot. Fastball showed tilt at times, slight arm side run, 81-83 mph, touched 84 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, slight decel, 65-68 mph. Changeup plays with arm speed, sink and fade to arm side, 67-69 mph. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, loads hands down and back, short stride. Showed feel for barrell, line drive gap to gap contact, front foot hitter, om rhythm. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Arm played 82 mph from the outfield, high ¾. Actions work efficient to exchange, shuffle through. 7.36 runner in the 60.

6. Wilson Zuck, OF/RHP, Appleton North, 2021
5-foot-10, 190-pound two-way player, strong build on proportional frame. Right-handed hitter, open stance, short stride, strong simple approach that maintains balance. Above average bat speed, hits in rhythm, bat strength present. 93 mph exit velocity from the tee. Corner outfield profile, plays through the baseball. Above average arm strength from the outfield, 82 mph, short over the top slot. 7.34 runner in the 60. Tall and fall delivery on the mound, works on line, squared landing, low effort. Arm action is short and loose, quick arm from over the top slot. Fastball is straight with finish, hard through the zone, topped at 85 mph, 81-83 mph with feel for the zone. Curveball plays 12/6, sharp action at times, 68-70 mph. Changeup flashes sink, 69-71 mph.

7. James Reese, RHP/INF, University School of Milwaukee, 2022
5-foot-9, 150-pound two-way player. Profiled best on the mound, slight drop and drive delivery, in rhythm with tempo. Arm action is loose, played quick, ¾ slot. Fastball showed sink action, 77-78 mph, touched 79 mph. Curveball has 10/4 shape, 65-66 mph. Changeup has sink, 69-70 mph. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, reverse lift load. Short path, hands played loose, 70 mph exit velocity from the tee. Showed actions on the infield, plays through the baseball. Arm plays low, showed athletic arm action, 77 mph across the diamond. 7.57 runner in the 60.

8. Phillip Harper, RHP, Wauwatosa East, 2020
6-foot-5, 190-pound right-handed pitcher, long projectable frame. Tall and fall delivery, lands square, slightly across body, regular effort. Arm action is long, high ¾ slot. Four seam fastball is straight, shows tilt, 83-84 mph, two-seamer showed more run action, 82 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, flashes sharp action, 70-72 mph. Changeup is straight, occasional sink, 71-76 mph.

9. Kenny Schultz, LHP/1B, Stevens Point, 2021
6-foot, 190-pound two-way player, strong build. On the mound delivery works with some effort, aggressive delivery. Arm works out of high ¾ slot, full circle draw, loose action. Fastball flashed tilt, runs to arm side, 78-79 mph. Breaking ball has feel, 12/6 curveball, fastball arm speed, 70-71 mph. Changeup fades to arm side, fastball arm speed, feel for the zone, 73-75 mph. Left-handed hitter, open stance, leg kick trigger. Opposite field contact, uphill path, some bat strength 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played 71 mph across the diamond, left-handed first baseman. 7.54 runner in the 60.

10. Carl Cano, INF/RHP, Bay Port, 2021
6-foot-1, 165-pound switch hitting two-way player, lean projectable frame. Active feet on the infield, play quick and through the baseball, easy above average actions. Arm action is loose, high ¾ slot, 78 mph across the diamond. Switch-hitter, balanced setup from both side, short toe tap stride. More natural abilities from the right side, path is level, hands are loose and quick. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.54 runner in the 60. Tall and fall delivery on the mound, upright finish, occasional recoil. Arm action is loose and quick, high ¾ slot. Fastball is straight, 78-80 mph. Slider played sharp with depth, 11/5 plane, 67-69 mph. Changeup showed above average action to arm side, 74-75 mph.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Quinn Berglin, OF/RHP, Pewaukee, 2020
6-foot-1, 165-pound two-way player, solid lower half. Right-handed hitter, slightly open stance, short stride, average balance. Path is slightly uphill, has some length, topspin contact. 95 mph exit velocity from the tee. Arm action is long and loose in the outfield, 76 mph. 7.80 runner in the 60. Plays through the baseball, deliberate actions. On the mound arm plays out of a ¾ to low ¾ slot, lands closed working slightly across his body. Fastball runs to arm side, 73-76 mph, topped at 77 mph. Slider sweeps, 2/8 plane, 64-67 mph. Changeup runs to arm side, near fastball arm speed, 68-69 mph.

Grant Beth, OF/LHP, Arrowhead, 2022
5-foot-10, 155-pound left/left two-way player, carries some present strength, proportional athletic build. Left-handed hitter, balanced setup, closed front side, long stride trigger. Path has some length on uphill finish, rotational pull side approach. 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Playable actions in the outfield, work through the baseball, clean exchange. Long arm action from high ¾ slot, 76 mph. 7.84 runner in the 60. Arm plays similar on the mound, upright finish. Fastball is mostly straight, 71-75 mph. Curveball has 1/7 shape, 61-64 mph. Changeup fades to arm side, 64-68 mph.

Tyler Bittman, OF/RHP, Arrowhead, 2021
6-foot-1, 175-pound two-way player, athletic frame with sloped shoulders, lean strength. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short quick stride, average balance. Path is short, opposite field contact, foot is late at times. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays short and over the top, 82 mph from the outfield. Raw athletic actions, moves freely. 7.36 runner in the 60. Tall and fall delivery, regular effort. Arm is short and loose on the mound, high ¾ slot. Fastball has slight run, 74-77 mph, topped at 79 mph, flashed control. Curveball played up, 62-70 mph, flashed best at top end of velo on 12/6 plane. Straight change, 71-72 mph.

Brock Burg, RHP, Hartford, 2019
6-foot-4, 180-pound right-handed pitcher, lean frame. Drop and drive delivery, some deception. Arm action is long and firm, plunge on back side, high ¾ slot. Fastball played down, 74-75 mph, touched 76 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, gradual action, near fastball arm speed, 62-66 mph. Changeup has slight fade to arm side at times, thrown with arm speed, 67-68 mph.

Eric Burrow, RHP, Oconomowoc, 2020
6-foot-2, 175-pound right-handed pitcher, lean frame. Drop and drive delivery, works on line and balanced, closed landing, uses slide step in the stretch. Arm action is loose and long out of a ¾ slot. Fastball runs to arm side, showed feel for the zone, 76-77 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 61-64 mph. Changeup is straight, underneath at times, 70-72 mph.

Sean Collar, INF/RHP, Pewaukee, 2020
6-foot-1, 180-pound two-way player. Right-handed hitter, open stance, leg kick trigger, average balance. Path works short uphill, chokes up off the knob, abrupt finish. 68 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm works at 64 mph across the diamond, ¾ slot. Corner infield profile, 7.78 runner in the 60. On the mound arm plays from a low ¾ slot, loose arm action, regular effort. Fastball runs and sinks at 70-73 mph, topped at 76 mph. Curveball plays 63-67 mph. Changeup sinks, 67-72 mph.

Adam Diedrich, RHP/INF, Hilbert, 2020
6-foot-2, 150-pound two-way player, long lanky frame. Switch hitter, balanced stance, short stride, average balance, tall through contact, front foot finish. Pull side approach from the left side, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Arm played at 75 mph across the diamond, high ¾ slot.  Showed ability to funnel baseball underneath. 7.69 runner in the 60. Showed best on the mound, arm action is loose, ¾ slot, squared landing. Fastball runs to arm side, 79-81 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 67-71 mph. Changeup sinks, showed feel for zone, 71-72 mph.

Tyler Gall, INF/RHP, Oak Creek, 2021
5-foot-11, 170-pound two-way player. Right-handed hitter, open stance, short stride gets square at foot strike. Path favors uphill plane, slight opposite field approach, 75 mph exit velocity from the tee. Arm action plays long and over the top on the infield, 77 mph across the diamond. Flashed infield actions, worked through the baseball. 7.50 runner in the 60. Delivery is balanced and directional on the mound. Fastball is straight, played with some control, 77-79 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, plays with depth, 62-64 mph, can drop for strikes. Straight changeup has slight fade, 72-73 mph.

Hunter Goldschmidt, OF/RHP, Menominee, 2020
6-foot, 155-pound two-way prospect. At the plate, right-handed, balanced/tall setup, open stance, arm bar load, leg kick trigger with stride that gets back even. Bat path is long and level, 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively, clean exchanges, short, over-the-top arm action, 69 mph throws home. 7.19 runner in the 60. On the mound, tall-and-fall type, works on line, some rhythm. Short, over-the-top arm action. Fastball, some sink, 69-71 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, 56-59 mph. Changeup, similar sink, decelerates arm speed, 59-63 mph.

Ridge Guyette, INF/RHP, Hilbert, 2021
6-foot, 225-pound two way-player. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, slightly open with leg kick trigger, good balance through contact. Simple approach, short path with bat speed, 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays over the top 74 mph across the diamond. Corner infield type, sits and fields routine grounders. 8.40 runner in the 60. On the mound, high ¾ slot, long arm action. Fastball has occasional run, 75-77 mph. Curveball plays 11/5, 62-66 mph. Changeup fades, near fastball arm speed, 67-68 mph.

Carson Hansen, OF/LHP, Pewaukee, 2022
5-foot-9, 150-pound left/left two-way player. Hits from a slightly open stance, big leg kick stride, average balance. Contact is mostly to the opposite field, middle-oppo approach, 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is long and loose, high ¾ slot, 73 mph from the outfield. Actions play through the baseball, crowhop to release. 7.90 runner in the 60. On the mound works with loose limbs, tall and fall delivery, squared landing, regular effort. Fastball played with sinking action, 70-72 mph. Curveball has 2/8 shape, 50-53 mph. Changeup also shows sink, ranged 53-58 mph.

Thomas Harper, RHP, Wauwatosa East, 2022
6-foot-2, 145-pound right-handed pitcher, long lean levers, slender build, projects. Delivery is balanced and stays on line, repeatable. Arm action is loose and quick, high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 75-78 mph. Slider is thrown near-fastball arm speed, 10/4 shape, 66-68 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, showed better feel, with depth, 63-65 mph.

Jacob Kisting, RHP, Verona Area, 2021
6-foot-3, 160-pound right-handed pitcher, slender build. Tall and fall delivery, stays on line, tall balance point. Loose easy arm, high ¾ slot. Fastball is straight, worked down at times, 76-78 mph, touched 79 mph, control of the zone. Slide and curveball played similarly, 10/4 shape, 61-65 mph. Changeup has slight fade, 70-72 mph.

Keenan Kling, RHP/INF, Arrowhead, 2020
6-foot-2, 188-pound two-way player, present lean strength. Right-handed hitter, slightly open stance, short stride gets to even, average balance. Gap to gap type approach, hits in rhythm, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively profiles at third base, hands played out front with occasional softness, showed some ability to play on the move. 7.86 runner in the 60. On the mound arm is long and loose, high ¾ slot. Fastball is live, played with finish, 77-79 mph. Breaking ball has 12/6 shape, near fastball arm speed, 59-61 mph. Changeup flashed fade action, 66-68 mph.

Jacob Koski, INF/RHP, Home School, 2020
6-foot-3, 180-pound two-way player, trim proportional frame. Right-handed hitter, tall open stance, hands load back from low setup, average balance. Path works slight uphill, average bat speed, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays at 69 mph across the diamond, long ¾ slot. 8.01 runner in the 60. On the mound arm plays similar. Fastball is straight, 68-71 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 63-64 mph. Changeup fades, 63-68 mph.

Jacob Melendez, INF/RHP, Little Chute, 2022
5-foot-6, 147-pound two-way player. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, leg lift stride. Path works long and uphill, aggressive swing creates lifted contact, 74 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays long and high ¾, 76 mph across the infield, long exchange. Feet work to get to a spot, sits and funnel. 7.94 runner in the 60. Repeatable delivery on the mound, tall and fall type, regular effort. Loose arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball is straight, 74-75 mph, touched 76 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 62-65 mph. Changeup sinks, 69-71 mph.

Carson Possehl, RHP, Lodi, 2021
6-foot-2, 165-pound right-handed pitcher, lean frame. Smooth tall and fall delivery, squared landing, balanced finish. Arm action is long and loose, high ¾ slot. Fastball plays 75-77 mph, showed feel for the zone. Curveball has 11/5 shape, dropped for strikes, 60-62 mph. Changeup is straight, occasional sink, 71-73 mph.

Bailey Prevost, OF/RHP, De Pere, 2021
5-foot-10, 154-pound two-way player. Right-handed hitter, tall balanced setup, short stride. Path has length, flashed barrelled contact, 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Arm plays long and firm from the outfield, 77 mph. 7.44 runner in the 60. Actions play mechanical in the outfield, works one hand through and into long arm exchange. Tall and fall delivery on the mound, direction is online, squared landing, works in rhythm, regular effort. Arm action is short and over the top. Fastball is mostly straight, 72-73 mph, topped at 75 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, loose action, 64-65 mph. Changeup sinks, near fastball arm speed, 67-69 mph.

Emiliano Ramos, INF/RHP, Arrowhead, 2022
5-foot-11, 178-pound two-way player. Advanced right-handed bat for his age, balanced setup, quick leg kick trigger, stays balanced and athletic through contact. Aggressive swing with confidence, well above average bat speed, short path loose hands, gap to gap contact. 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Raw actions on the infield, works through the baseball, fluid footwork, 7.60 runner in the 60. Arm action is long and high ¾, 73 mph across the diamond. Arm worked similar on the mound. Fastball runs to arm side, 75-78 mph. Works around the curveball, 10/4 type, occasional back up, 63-68 mph. Changeup flashed fade and feel for the zone, 68-71 mph.

Jared Rasmussen, INF/RHP, Rock Falls (IL), 2020
6-foot-1, 165-pound two-way player, lean slender build. Right-handed hitter, open stance, short stride to even. Average balance through contact. Flashed loose actions in the box, line drive contact to the middle of the field. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, 74 mph across the diamond. Plays through the baseball at times, shuffle through with extended exchange, above average body control with ability to release on the move. 7.61 runner in the 60. On the mound arm plays loose and long, high 3/4 slot. Fastball played 75-76 mph, topped at 77 mph. Curveball flashed sharp action, 61-64 mph, 11/5 plane. Changeup fades at times, 67-70 mph.

Peyton Seebacher, OF/RHP, Muskego, 2021
6-foot-1, 165-pound left-handed hitting two way-player. Hits with quick leg lift stride out of balanced stance, big loading action, gets into lower half. Short path works slightly uphill, front foot hitter. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Arm action is long and over the top, 84 mph from the outfield. Long actions work through the baseball windup release. 7.07 runner in the 60. On the mound works with some effort, lands slightly open. Arm is long and loose, over the top. Fastball played straight, worked downhill, showed feel for the strike zone, 76-79 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, drops for strikes, 61-64 mph. Changeup is straight, near fastball arm speed, 74-76 mph.

Jason Starr, RHP/C, Sun Prairie, 2021
6-foot, 160-pound catcher, lean frame with room to fill out. Right-handed hitter, open stance, leg kick stride, pre-pitch bat waggle to load. Path is slight uphill, 70 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays short and high ¾, 70 mph out of the crouch. Pop times range 2.15-2.25. 7.54 runner in the 60. On the mound delivery is repeatable, works on line. Arm action is short and loose, high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 76-79 mph, mostly straight with control. Curveball flashed sharp action on 11/5 plane, 67-69 mph. Changeup has sinking action to arm side, 73-75 mph.

Will Staviski, RHP, Brookfield East, 2021
6-foot-1, 160-pound right-handed pitcher, slender frame and build, Down tempo delivery into balance point, aggressive effort into landing and release. Arm action is long and over the top. Fastball topped at 80 mph, sat 77-79 mph, occasional feel. Curveball has 12/6 shape, 68-70 mph. Changeup played 74 mph.

Nate Stewart, INF/RHP, Marinette, 2020
5-foot-9, 152-pound infielder. Right-handed hitter, open stance, short stride, average balance. Path is long, works slightly uphill, opposite field contact. 71 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively works with two-hands to funnel the baseball. Arm action plays out of high ¾ slot, 71 mph across the diamond. 7.43 runner in the 60. On the mound delivery works tall and fall, methodical tempo. Arm action works over the top. Fastball is straight, 71-73 mph, topped at 74 mph. Curveball drops on 11/5 plane, 62-64 mph. Changeup played 63-68 mph.

Wyatt Wiitanen, OF/LHP, Green Bay Preble, 2021
5-foot-10, 135-pound left/left two-way player, lean lanky frame. Hits from an open stance, leg kick stride. Bat path is loose and level, low finish, opposite field contact. 71 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is long and high ¾, 71 mph from the outfield. Showed ability to play through in stride. 7.86 runner in the 60. On the mound works out of tall and fall delivery, level shoulders down the hill. Arm action is shorter and high ¾. Fastball has feel for the strike zone, above average control, 70-72 mph. Also shows feel for curveball, ability to drop for strikes, 1/7 shape, 56-60 mph. Changeup plays 64-65 mph.

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