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We would like to thank all who participated in the PBR Michigan 2024 Preseason All-State. This was a great opportunity for the class of 2024-2027 prospects to be put on college radars. Many players impressed during their individual workouts at the showcase.

Interested in attending a PBR Michigan event? Check out our schedule by clicking here.

Premier Winter Event In Michigan ‘Did Not Disappoint’

WARREN - Adam Goodwin, Prep Baseball Michigan Director of Scouting, summed it up perfectly when it came to the Preseason All-State event held last weekend.

“It is the premier event in the winter in Michigan, and it did not disappoint,” Goodwin said of the showcase that featured 79 participants, 28 of which have already made college commitments.

How impressive was the field of players?

There were four Notre Dame commits, three each to Michigan State and Davenport and two apiece to Michigan, Bowling Green and Eastern Michigan. Additionally, there were players headed to Duke, Louisville and TCU among other schools who were showing off their abilities.

“I thought the event featured a ton of talent spread across all four grad classes,” noted Spencer Impellizzeri, Prep Baseball Michigan Director of Operations. “It was nice to see the players in the setting after not seeing the majority of them since last summer. We were able to collect data that helps give our staff a baseline of where guys are at entering the season while also keeping in mind that guys are going to continue to improve as the season gets underway.”

It was an event enjoyed by the participants as well.

“What a great experience and opportunity to showcase the work you put in during the off-season,” pointed out Grand Blanc senior Nathan Fidelino, who was one of the standouts at the event with a fastball that topped at 92.7 miles-an-hour to go along with an impressive showing at the plate. 

Another senior, Sean Latham of Lakeland, was at the event for the second time.

“I thought it was a great event,” the Davenport recruit  said. “It ran very smoothly and efficiently, I was able to get in, do my tests, have a good time and head out!”

Wyatt Mosley, a Dansville High School junior, was another that came away pleased to be part of the Preseason All-State again.

“My general assessment was that it was a really well-run event, with great competition and all around great players,” the West Virginia commit related.

Isaiah Domey was also thrilled to have a chance to participate.

“I had a really good time at the PBR Preseason All-state showcase,” the Anchor Bay junior said. “It was also fun competing with some teammates and good friends.”

That was also the feeling of Jake Norton, an uncommitted junior from Rochester High School.

“It was a well-organized event that I was grateful to be a part of,” Norton noted. “It was nice to have so many of the top 2024-2026 players in the state all competing in the same place. I really liked the openness of the facility.”

Others also had positive things to say about the highly-regarded event as they get ready for the upcoming high school season.

Sean Fox: “I really enjoyed this event. I felt like it was very interactive and ran smoothly. I loved the photo shoot aspect as it gave us a relaxing vibe.”

Cal Plarske: “The overall atmosphere was very competitive, but also very laid back which made competing with each other fun.”

Hudson Brzustewicz: “My general assessment of the event was that it was very well run and the process went very quickly.”

Drew Duthler: “The event is not only run well, but it’s also fun to see some good competition. Everyone invited to this showcase had talent and talking to the PBR guys and the players is always a good time.”

Kaiden Kapa: “The event was ran very well with a great itinerary structure through the course of the day. Additionally, the high level of talent and exceptional competition constructed a great environment for a baseball showcase!”

Cole Duhaime: “It was a good opportunity to update my numbers and see how much I've developed as a ball player during this past offseason.”

Broder Katke: “I really enjoyed this event. I was happy to see all the great talent from Michigan on display. It was basically all the best players in the state through every age class. I really appreciated the flow and organization of the event. There was not much standing around. All the catchers reported together at the same time and went through the workouts as a group from station to station. Coach Goodwin and his team did an awesome job.”

ON THE MOUND

Zane Stahl and Fidelino both showed why they are commits to Power 5 schools, each with a fastball that reached 92.7. Fidelino, a Michigan State signee, had the top efficiency velocity average at 91.1 while Stahl, a Lousivlle commit from Spring Lake, had the number two average at 89.9

St. Clair junior Joey Turner, a Bowling Green recruit, was the third pitcher to top 90, with a fastball that hit 90.1. Monroe sophomore Carson Liedel just missed the coveted number at 89.9 while Mosley had the best fastball for left-handers at 89.7.

“My goals heading into the event were to have great pitching stats and get my fastball up to 90 or better which I came really close to getting,” the fifth-ranked 2025 southpaw in the state said. “All around I had great off-speed and a really good fastball.”

In all there were 34 pitchers, some of which were two-way performers, with the numbers showing well with a dozen hitting 88 or better with the fastball.

One of those was Brzustewicz, a sophomore from Orchard Lake St. Mary’s who reached 88.3 with the fastball and topping at 75.4 with the changeup, adding in a 73.5 curveball.

“Heading into the event, my goals were sub-7 60, 100 exit velo and 89 off the mound,” noted the two-way standout, a Notre Dame commit who is ranked 57th in the nation among 2026 shortstops. “I was very close to all of these, but I felt great throughout the showcase.”

Also faring high on the gun were senior Jack Griffiths (Traverse City West) 88.9; juniors Cameron Niehaus (Divine Child) 89.6, Bobby Crane (Detroit Jesuit) 88.9, Luke Lacourse (Bay City Western) 88.5, and Luke Demasse (Dakota) 88.4; and sophomore Logan Slimko (North Muskegon) 88.7.

BEHIND THE DISH

There were 10 catchers in the field with Katke posting the best pop time of 1.91.

“My goals heading into this event were 98-plus max exit velo, 7.5 60, sub-1.9 pop time, and 80 catcher velo,” explained the Brother Rice freshman. “As a 2027, I was pleased with my metrics and glad to see I was close to the top of the leaderboard with my hitting and catching metrics. It really gives me confidence heading into my first season of high school ball.”

Latham had the second best pop time of 1.93 while also tying Sterling Heights Stevenson junior Carson Sweet for best catching velo at 82.

“My highlight from the showcase was seeing my numbers improve from last year,” pointed out Latham, a Davenport commit. “Seeing my pop time go down, my catcher velo go up and my exit velo get better was awesome because I know the off-season work I put in paid off.

“My goals heading into the event were to get some final reps in before high school tryouts started and see where my metrics were at after the long off season.”

Kapa, an uncommitted 2025 from Waterford Kettering, also showed out well with 81 velo behind the plate to go with a 1.96 best pop time.

“I’m always striving for new personal records, and being able to get my final stats for the year before heading into the start of my junior high school season,” explained Kapa. “I really enjoyed the hitting portion, along with the top notch pitching exposure showcased throughout the day.”

POSITION PLAYERS

Impressive numbers put up were in abundance at the event, including Fox 100.4 exit velocity, Brzustewicz 99.9, Domey 99.7, Fidelino 99.6 and Brenson Watters (Rochester Adams) 99.5

“My main goal coming into this event was to get 100 exit velo with wood and I accomplished that by getting 100.4,” noted Fox, a Rochester junior who is the top-rated 2025 third baseman in Michigan. “I also wanted to increase my 60, and infield velo which I did as well.”

Domey not only was second in exit velo but the Michigan State commit was also second in the 60 at 6.69, trailing only Rochester Adams sophomore Matt Toeppner at 6.58.

“The highlights for me was my round of BP,” Domey said. “I had a 99.7 exit velo and spread the ball to all fields.”

It left the top-rated junior first baseman in the state pleased.

“My goal going into this event was to see where I stacked up against some of the top guys in the state of Michigan,” Domey noted.

Other top performances were turned in by Forest Hills Eastern junior Brendan Thompson, with a 90 infield velo, Norton at 89 infield velo and Brzustewicz 88. Fidelino led the way in the outfield with 95 velocity, Liedel was at 94 and Brzustewicz 92, tying Rockford senior Payton Skarda.

“The highlight for me was my BP round,” Brzustewicz related. “I had a very solid round and my swing felt great.”

Said Norton: “My goals were to be one of the top infielders, improve my 60 and improve my hitting numbers as well. The highlights for me were connecting with former teammates, running my fastest 60 at a PBR event and maintaining my high infield velo. I hit 89 at this showcase but had hit 90 two weeks prior at the Eastern Michigan Showcase.” 

Goodwin was impressed with Thompson.

“Brendan Thompson continues to improve and was as if he was in midseason form defensively, up to 90 with ease from the left side,” the Prep Baseball Michigan Director of Scouting said about the third-rated uncommitted junior in the state. 

TWO-WAY PLAYERS

In addition to a 92.7 fastball, Fidelino had the second best max distance of 379 while posting the fourth best exit velocity at 99.6, top outfield velo of 95 and highest infield velo of 93.

“Knowing I have good power and good numbers gives me confidence,” the second-rated 2024 third baseman in Michigan said. 

Along with an 88.3 fastball, Brzustewicz made an impression with the second best exit velocity of 99.9 while producing a max distance of 359. An 88 infield velo was also third best at the event.

“The highlight for me was my BP round, I had a very solid round and my swing felt great,” noted the 218th-ranked sophomore in the nation, who also gave out credit to another participant. “Thanks to Nate Fidelino for pushing me the whole day.”

There were others that had good days on the mound, at the plate and in the field. 

Dylan Fairchild, a Detroit Catholic Central sophomore, had an impressive performance with a 6.85 time in the 60, 86 infield velo and 95.8 exit while posting an 86.5 fastball. 

Liedel, the 48th-ranked sophomore right-handed pitcher in the nation, not only had an 89.9 fastball but 98.2 exit velocity along with 94 outfield velo, second to Fidelino.

Nobody showed more versatility than Bennett Thompson, the second-rated 2026 catcher in Michigan, who worked out behind the plate, pitching and the infield. The Detroit Catholic Central sophomore had 83 infield velocity and 2.0 pop time to go along with an 83.9 fastball and 90.3 exit.  

Duthler, who had a 98.7 exit velocity and 85.4 fastball, had some advice for the two-way players.

“Not every day you’re going to have your best outing on the mound or in the box, but if one thing goes a little south, you can always use your second half of your game to respond,” Duthler explained. “For me, I wasn’t totally pleased with myself on the mound, but it’s going to happen. I responded well at the plate Saturday and I was proud of myself for doing that.”

LEARNING EXPERIENCE

Kapa, like Duthler and the other participants, found being part of this event very beneficial in evaluating his game.

“I can take my performance into knowing my current strengths and weaknesses and finding the spots to improve and work harder to achieve my short and long term goals,” the 11th-rated junior catcher in Michigan related.

Brzustewicz also analyzed what can be done to improve.

“I can take away that I need to work on my start and end of my 60,” the top-rated sophomore shortstop in the state said. “In my first 60 my ending wasn’t the best, and in my second one my start wasn’t the best, so I could definitely work on that.”

It was a learning experience as well for Duthler.

“I think I can take a few things from my performance, one being that seeing the numbers I can put up,” the 13th-rated junior RHP in Michigan explained. “I don’t need to overthink anything because my numbers will show that I’m a good player. I can trust the work I’ve put in this offseason to translate to the field. Another thing I can take from this is knowing I belong. The competition there was good and it was nice to see that I held my own ground.”

Domey also found the showcase beneficial.

“The things I took from my performance was to see how I’ve improved from the last event I went to,” noted Domey, who most recently was at the Future Games playing for Team Michigan. “I also learned about things I can work on in this upcoming high school and summer season.”

Others also found the event of major help.

Mosley: “What I can take from my performance to improve on is just keep on getting stronger and working up to being consistent and having a faster fastball.”

Norton: “I know that I need to get bigger and stronger to increase my exit velo. Arm care is also really important to me so that I can maintain my velo. I would also like to continue to work on my speed and agility.”

Latham: “One thing I can take from my performance to help me in the future is to focus on having a quicker transfer when throwing down to second for even quicker pop times.”

Fox: “Something I can take away from my performance for the future is to keep playing all out and give full effort. Even if numbers don’t always turn out on the top of the leaderboard, knowing I give my all means the most.”

Plarske: “Some things I can take from the event was watching some of the other guys seeing their routines, how they present themselves, and understanding that I need to continue to work toward getting bigger, faster and stronger.”

Duhaime: “What I took from my performance was that I still need to keep working hard at strength training and development. Although the hard work is paying off, there's still a lot of work ahead.”

YOUTH SHINES

Freshmen in the field looked anything but like a ninth grader.

“I thought our select few of 2027s (Katke, Plarske, Bonnetti) really made a strong impression,” Goodwin explained. “Committed or not, they showed why they’re top-end players in the state.” 

Katke, the sixth-rated 2027 catcher in the nation, not only stood out behind the plate but also with the bat, posting a 98.3 exit velo.

“There were two big highlights of the event for me,” Katke said. “The first is this event gave me an opportunity to compete and see how my skills stack up to all the older classes. As a 2027, I was just honored to get the invite to compete.

“Second, I love catching great arms and I was able to see some pretty electric stuff on display. I have caught Carson Liedel since we were nine-years-old and he just gets nastier every time I catch him. I was able to catch Cole Duhaime, whose off-speed was lights out from the left side. And then Luke Demasse’s changeup was one of the nastiest I have caught.”

Plarske was also thrilled to be a participant and lived up to his ranking as the 17th best freshman third baseman in the country with 95.9 exit velocity and a 350 max distance.

“Going into the event I knew I was gonna be one of the younger guys there,” explained the Bay City Western freshman. “I was looking to get up to 98-99 exit velo, but came up a little short. I was also looking to up my bat speed and was able to do that.”

But there was more that stood out to Plarske.
“The highlight for me had to be competing with and against the best in state from all classes, and getting to know some of the guys,” top-rated 2027 third baseman in Ohio said.

The other freshman to participate was Dominic Bonnetti, a Richmond High School uncommitted 2027 who had an infield velocity of 88 while running a 6.99 60.

The sophomore class also had some standouts led by Brzustewicz, but others did well including right-handed pitchers Liedel and Duhaime, who Plarske had the opportunity to catch. Liedel showed well on the mound and at the dish while Duhaime also performed well with an 86.1 fastball in addition to 90.7 exit.

“Definitely pitching was my highlight,” pointed out Duhaime, a Brother Rice sophomore who is the second-ranked 2026 left-handed pitcher in Michigan. “I enjoyed getting out there and competing on the pitcher’s mound. My goals were to show my off-speed pitches and see what my fastball could do before baseball season starts.”

One other sophomore, Dylan Fairchild, had good numbers with the sixth-rated 2026 shortstop in the state, recording 95.8 exit velocity to go along with an 86.5 fastball. 

UNCOMMITTED

Kapa, Plarske, Duthler, Liedel, Duhaime, Fairchild, Bonnetti … there was a long list of uncommitted players that had to gain attention from college coaches.

While most are in the 2026 and 2027 class, Kapa and Duthler are juniors still not with a college home.

Duthler, the 32nd-ranked junior in Michigan, feels he made a statement.

“The highlight for me had to be the end of my BP,” pointed out the Coopersville High School 2025. “I started out slow but then found it in the middle of my round and hit a new wood bat exit velo PR and that was pretty exciting.

“My goals heading into the showcase were to hit 87 on the bump and have my curveball spin rate avg above 2500. For hitting, my goals were to hit above 97 mph. I reached 2/3 of my goals, my fastball was down a little bit but piecing those goals together made me feel better about my day.”

CLOSING TIME

To be able to see how the offseason workouts have improved numbers was just part of what participants found enjoyable with being part of the Preseason All-State event.

“The highlight of the event was playing side by side with some of the best in the state,” noted Foxm, an Ohio University commit. “I loved to see all my Future Game teammates again and to be with the best.”

There were similar feelings from Norton.

“It was great to see former and current teammates before the start of high school season,” the eighth-ranked 2025 shortstop in Michigan said. “I appreciate all of the social media coverage and quick results.”

A lot of appreciation was given out.

“I'd like to thank PBR for the opportunity to compete in the Preseason All-State event and would like to thank all of my coaches who have been helping me achieve my goals,” Duhaime said.

Added Latham: “It was a great environment with lots of great players and I was grateful to be a part of such an awesome event!” 

Kapa was also thrilled to be part of it. 

“I appreciate this opportunity and I have such great times at these PBR showcases, beating my personal stats from previous showcases, and getting to see my friends from all across Michigan get closer to their goals. Thank you for the invite to the Preseason All-State showcase!”

Duthler was appreciative as well.

“Thank you for having me, it was a ton of fun and it’s always a great day with PBR!” Duthler said.

With the Preseason All-State event completed, it is time to look ahead to spring.

“I am looking forward to helping Brother Rice and coach (Bob) Riker in any way I can this season and then after high school, playing up and competing at the 16u PBR National Championship at Lake Pointe with my Hit Dog squad,” noted Katke, a Duke commit.

Without a doubt, an exciting time is ahead.

“Overall the amount of talent we were able to see gives a good indication that we are going to see a lot of strong teams across the state this spring,” Impellizzeri said.

It was the same feeling for Goodwin.   

“This event allowed us to get a good view of our remaining uncommitted 2025s and rising 2026s,” Goodwin concluded. “There are a plethora of players poised for big seasons and our staff is chomping at the bit to get out and watch them compete.”

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