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PBR at The Rock 17U: Quick Hits Days 4 & 5

July 26, 2020
By Wisconsin Scouting Staff

Finally, a loaded week and weekend of 17U action at The Rock Complex comes to a close. We were able to see some of the Midwest’s best up close, and if you’ve missed any of our aforementioned reporting, click on one of the following: Day 1, Day 2, and/or Day 3. Continue on below for notes on the fourth and fifth days of the PBR @ The Rock Championships.

DAY 4

+ GRB Rays Yellow had a big 14-0 win in the 8 a.m. time slot. The team as a whole slugged, tallying 13 hits. OF Angel Rades (Oak Creek, 2021; uncommitted) 3B/C Charlie Bogue (Mount Horeb, 2021) led the offense while RHP Marcus Jaworski (Iola-Scandinavia, 2021) shut down the opposing bats. Rades went 3-for-3 with three doubles and a walk, two runs scored, and three RBIs, all while showing advanced routes and a plus arm in the outfield. Bogue went 3-for-4 with two doubles and a two-run home run for total of five RBIs. Jaworksi’s fastball sat 80-83 mph throughout the game mixing in a 69-71 mph curve off an 11/5 plane with depth to it. In five innings, Jaworski allowed just two hits and struck out 11.

+ We’ve seen plenty of talented arms this weekend, and on our summer circuit, but RHP Owen Murphy (Riverside-Brookfield, IL, 2022; Notre Dame commit) arguably has the highest upside of the collective group. Playing up an age level, Murphy fit right in with the ‘21 class and was flat-out dominant today. An exceptional athlete that moves tremendously well on the mound, Murphy sat an easy 88-91 mph throughout his outing and touched 92 mph several times in his fourth inning of work. His fastball velocity plays up a tick or two because of the spin he gets on it, in the 2,300 to 2,500 RPM range, and the extension he creates downhill. It was a fastball heavy outing for Murphy, but he did work in some sharp sliders in the later innings that sat 78-80 mph with a 2,100 to 2,200 RPM average. The Fighting Irish commit threw five scoreless innings, allowing only two hits and he struck out nine batters. He’s a nationally ranked prospect and one of the top ‘22 arms in the Midwest.

+ The 29ers Baseball program as a collective group have been swinging the bat well thus far and a pair of teammates kept that streak going today: 1B Patrick Mulcahey (Bloomington Central Catholic, IL, 2021) and Nathan Beneke (Geneseo, IL, 2021). Mulcahey’s strong frame brings above-average raw power to the table and his feel for the barrel is an excellent compliment to that. He smoked one back up the middle, sending it straight over the center field fence for a home run. Beneke’s 6-foot-2, 190-pound right-handed-hitting outfielder with power potential should he fill out his wiry frame. He got a hold of one too, barreling it up over the fence for a three-run home run.

+ As for the 29ers pitching staff, RHP Payton Plym (Hall Township, IL, 2021) carved up the opposing lineup. He tossed a complete game, surrendering only two runs and striking out eight. Plym was up to 86 mph. 

+ LHP Reed Gannon (Minooka, IL, 2021), took the ball for the Cangelosi Sparks and did what we have become accustomed to seeing. The Kentucky commit, works with easy effort, throws a high-volume of strikes, commands the fastball to both sides of the plate and showed a repertoire that should play as a starter at the next level. Gannon sat 86-88 mph, touched 89 and mixed in a breaking ball at 72-73 mph with feel for the zone. One of the more polished arms in the 2021 class.

+ One of the top bats in the class, Ty Batusich (Joliet West, 2021), is a 6-foot, 190-pound, wide-shouldered, Western Kentucky commit, who took a number of quality at-bats all day long for the Cangelosi Sparks. Batusich has a quiet setup, strong hands, is consistently on time and is consistently on the barrel with authority.

+ Another left-handed hitter who strung a number of good at-bats together was uncommitted 1B Bobby Atkinson (St. Rita, 2021). Atkinson has a 5-foot-10, 190-pound, compact, strong frame and showed some of the best bat speed we have seen out of him. Facing a tough left/left matchup, Atkinson, was consistently on time with the fastball, took a number of aggressive, controlled swings and looks the part of a potential middle-of-the-order bat with pull-side power. 

+ The Minnesota Blizzard feature a bevy of talented uncommitted 2021s, a number of whom have athletic, upside frames. At the top of the list was starting pitcher, LHP Jared Lessman (St. Croix Falls, WI, 2021). Lessman is the top ranked uncommitted prospect in Wisconsin and was consistently pounding the zone with a 85-87 mph fastball (2,400-2,500 RPM) while showing feel for a sharp breaking ball at 70-73 mph.

+ 6-foot-4, 190-pound, athletic, wide-shouldered RHP Austin Klug (Caldonia, MN, 2021) offered plenty of intrigue out of the ‘pen for the Blizzard. Klug has a clean, easy arm and sat at 84-85 mph with occasional tilt. Klug’s best secondary was a 73-75 curveball that came out of the same window as his fastball and worked on an 11/5 plane.

+ 3B/C Joe Longo (Holy Angels, MN, 2021) and SS Noah Furcht (Esko, MN, 2021) were two of the more impressive uncommitted position players on the day. Longo, currently ranked No. 6 in Minnesota is a primary catcher but showed plenty of athleticism to handle third base. Longo made a number of plays, including starting a double play turn where he showed a quick glove-to-hand exchange and feel to throw from multiple slots. Offensively, his physical 6-foot, 205-pound frame stands out in the box as he swings with intent and hunts the fastball. Longo is a high-level 2021 still on the market. Furcht is listed as a primary pitcher and has been up to 88 mph on the mound but he looked every bit of a high-follow shortstop on Saturday. Furcht has an athletic/strong 6-foot-1, 185-pound frame, smooth confident defensive actions and a strong arm that plays with carry across the diamond. At the plate he swingS a fluid right-handed bat with rhythm and present bat speed.

+ An uncommitted arm to keep an eye on is RHP Matthew Maloney (Lincoln-Way Central, 2021). Maloney has a wiry, athletic, 5-foot-11, 170-pound frame and came out of the bullpen for the Cangelosi Sparks. Maloney has length on the backside and is loose and quick out front with seemingly much more in the tank. His fastball sat 85-86 mph with arm-side-run and life at times. He went to a sweeping 67-70 mph curveball as his go-to secondary offering. Follow 2021 arm.

+ An arm on the rise all summer and for good reason has been RHP Noah Edders (Downers Grove South, 2021). Edders, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound, wide-shouldered, Bradley commit, got the start for Top Tier baseball. Edders goes right after hitters with a lively, 87-89 mph fastball that topped at 90 mph. He also flashed an above-average, late-biting slider at 78-81 mph that has swing-and-miss potential moving forward.

+ Matched up against Top Tier and Edders, was one of the top arms in the state of Wisconsin, RHP Vincent Trapani (Eau Claire Memorial, 2021). Trapani, who got the start for GRB Rays is a strong/athletic 6-foot-1, 215-pound, Arkansas commit. Trapani works with a high front side creates some deception and pitches of one of the firmest fastballs in the Midwest. Trapani was around the zone all game long with his fastball that sat comfortably at 90-92 mph, touching 93. Trapani also showed the makings of a three-pitch mix with a curveball at 75-76 mph that is thrown aggressively and has late depth.  

+ South Carolina commit, 3B Vytas Valincius (Baylor School, 2021, TN), continues to prove he is one of the top right-handed bats in the country. The hulking middle of the order presence for Top Tier hits everything on the barrel with intent to do damage and continues to elevate his stock with his athletic play at third base. Valincius made a couple of non-routine plays look easy including a body control play that he bare-handed and threw to first all in one motion for a 5-3 putout.

+ STARTERS National and Go Pro provided us with an uncommitted pitcher’s duel that college coaches should take major note of. STARTERS deployed LHP Noah Rooney (Perham, MN, 2021) who instantly looked like one of the most appealing unsigned seniors headed exiting the summer. A true, tooled-up two-way talent, Rooney’s athleticism is explosive on the mound. He sat 86-88 mph, touching 89-90 multiple times early on, that carried hard through the zone. He spun a tight breaking ball, too, at 72-75 mph with depth that helped him strike out 12 in six innings. Rooney established himself as one of the weekend’s big winners.

He took on big RHP Keegan Buksa (Homewood Flossmoor, IL, 2021), someone who made a big jump in velocity since our last look. On Saturday evening, Buksa sat 86-88 mph, and was up to 90, while mixing in a fading, sinking changeup at 75-78 that helped him dodge barrels and earn chases. He struck out six in 4.2 innings and did not allow an earned run.

One of the biggest revelations from the day was uncommitted RHP Keegan Buksa (Homewood-Flossmoor, IL, 2021). Buksa an uncommitted right-hander has made a huge jump in velocity and stuff since our last look. Buksa was around the zone throughout, ran his fastball up to 90 mph and showed feel for a three-pitch mix.

+ RHP Tony Pluta (Saint Viator) is a 2022 playing up this weekend for the Illinois Indians. Pluta came out of the bullpen and showed his impressive performance from the All-State Games was not a fluke. Pluta features a live, quick arm and worked 85-87 mph in his impressive appearance out of the ‘pen. Pluta routinely ran his fastball in on the hands of right-handed hitters, resulting in a lot of weak contact. Uncommitted 2022 arm to follow moving forward.

+ A pair of uncommitted 2021 Springfield HS (IL) products; INF Luke Flesner and C/INF Ben Hartl led the way for Game 7 on Saturday. Flesner, who runs a 6.72 delivered the swing of the game, a grand slam hit deep to straight away center field. Hartl showed off his advanced defensive skills behind the plate, strong arm and his ever-ascending right-handed bat. Hartl launched a no-doubt home run to deep left-field. Hartl is currently ranked No. 44 in the state.

+ The top of the Rhino order made a lot of noise in the Rhino-Kolotka nightcap. Brady Peterlin (Oswego East), Jacksom Lamboley (Oswego East) and Mason Telford (Streator) are uncommitted 2021 right-handed hitters to follow. Both Peterlin and Lamboley have lean, athletic frames with loose hands and a barrel control approach at the plate. Peterlin was consistently on time and made hard contact to the pull-side of the field. Telford takes an aggressive swing, stays through the baseball and lined a single to right-center field in his first at-bat; 4.55 on the turn. Wright State commit, right-handed hitting SS Ben Stoner (Joliet Catholic, 2021) delivered a two-run double down the left-field line in his first at-bat. Stoner has a simple, easy swing and seems to have added quality strength to his athletic 6-foot-2, 170-pound frame since our last look.

The bats were alive for Indiana Landsharks as they managed to put up 16 runs in 3 innings during the 3:30 block with everyone in the lineup contributing. 8 starters had a hit accounting for 11 in the game and everyone crossed home plate.  Bryce Gruler (Mishawaka, IN, 2020), Ryan Plummer (Penn, 2021), Jason Migas (Penn, IN, 2021) led the way for the offense. Gruler went 2-3 2B 2 R & 3 RBIs . Plummer went 2-3 3 R & 3 RBIs. Migas went 2-2 with a walk and 3 RBIs. Josh Slabaugh (Penn, 2021) only allowed a single hit and striking out four while facing the bare minimum through those three innings. 

DAY 5

+ Sunday started with an in-state battle between STiKS Academy Black and GRB Rays Green. It was a hotly contested matchup that showcased some of the top talent the state has to offer inside its 2021 class. One of the top uncommitted arms in the state started for STiKS Black: RHP Eli Hoyt (Waukesha South, 2021). Hoyt’s an excellent athlete on the mound, fit with a quick arm that typically pounds the zone with low effort. He was a little erratic on this day, though he wasn’t missing by much, and the walks did not affect his calm demeanor as he continued attacking batters, weaving in and out of trouble. He struck out eight and allowed just one hit against a highly competitive lineup. His live arm produces easy mid-80s velocity that was up to 88 mph on Sunday, though mostly sat 83-86 mph. The tight breaking ball features late break and it’s a true swing-and-miss offering.

Two more high-follow uncommitted takeaways from this game: OFs Anthony Gross (Catholic Memorial, 2021) and Tanner Marsh (Mondovi, 2021). The two dueled one another, actually, when Gross launched arguably the day’s hardest hit ball into the left-center gap that the speedy Marsh expertly tracked down from center field. He travelled a long way in an efficient route to dive and catch the ball in the alley that looked uncatchable off the barrel. Gross made up for it by doubling down the left field line, later scoring a big run. Marsh is a left/left athlete with loud tools that make him another one of the state’s most intriguing and talented prospects left on the market.

+ The Minnesota Icemen completed a 4-0 weekend at The Rock with their 12-2 win over Illinois Hawks - Black on Sunday morning. C Jackson Greenlun (Sartell, MN, 2021) and LHP/OF Luke Loughlin (Mahtomedi, MN, 2021) starred offensively in the team’s fourth game of the week. Greenlun went 2-for-2 with a double and two RBIs while Loughlin drove in four on two hits. Loughlin starred earlier in the week, too, when he K’d seven in four innings in a narrow win over ESP Black where he was up to 85 mph from the left side. On Sunday, Wisconsin native RHP Owen Anderson (Hudson, 2021) started for the team. He touched 86 mph, though sat 82-85, mixing in a frisbee-like slider that featured some sharp horizontal action. He struck out four in 2.2 innings.

+ In a high scoring game, Josh Allen (SB Adams, IN, 2021) led the charge for Indiana Landsharks by going 2-for-4 with four RBIs and two runs scored. In the top of the first, Allen gave his team a 1-0 lead with a RBI single to left field. In the seventh, Allen hit a bases-clearing double that would eventually be the deciding factor in the game.

+ In their 11-0 win over Illinois Indians West, GRB Rays Yellow’s C/3B Charlie Bogue (Mount Horeb, 2021) and Carter Wambach (Sun Prairie, 2021) led their team in hits with two apiece. Bogue went 2-for-3 with two singles and an RBI, as Wambach went 2-for-2 with a double. Bogue was one of the tourney’s hottest hitters and he helped end the team’s weekend on a high note. 3B/SS Mason Kirchberg (DeForest, 2021) and OF Zach Hollister (Boylan Catholic, IL, 2021) led their team in this game with three RBIs each. RHP Will Staviski (Brookfield East, 2021) started on the mound struck out three in three innings, allowing two hits, and striking out three. Staviski’s fastball started 83-85 mph, and ticked down a little as he went on. A long-levered righty whose frame offers some upside at the next level.

+ NorthStar Navy is packed with some of Minnesota’s top 2021 prospects, evidently, and they ended their weekend on top with an 8-3 win. The 6-foot-4 Jake Perry (Hopkins, MN, 2021) is a Minnesota commit who tallied a couple hits on Sunday. SS/2B Evan Appelwick (Madison, SD, 2021; Indiana) kept up his momentum gathered earlier in the week with another double. SS Bennett McCollow (Bloomington Jefferson, MN, 2021; Minnesota) showed to be a sure-handed shortstop on several occasions this week, and he swings a strong, compact right-handed bat.

In the game, for Top Tier Americans, they showed a pair of lefties to follow, even if the results on the field didn’t go as planned. LHPs Luke Trepanier (Manteno, IL, 2021; Bradley commit) and Lucas Spence (Crete Monee, IL, 2021) are two 6-foot southpaws with two-way upside. Trepanier is a high-level athlete who was up to 88 mph from an over-the-top slot with an aggressive 12/6 breaking ball. Spence can really spin it, with a mid-80s fastball that plays up due to its spin rate complemented by a curveball that features tight break in the 2,500 to 2,600 RPM range. Both athletes should be noted follows with the potential to provide additional value from the outfield.

+ Rhino Baseball (Hines) was swinging a white hot bat against Silver Sluggers in their final block of the weekend, totaling 18 hits, and six batters recorded multi-hit games. INF Sebastian Biggs (Providence Catholic, IL, 2021) paced the offense with a 4-for-4 game, including a triple, while Joe Barrett (N/A, IL, 2021) recorded five RBIs with the help of an inside-the-park home run. OF Michael Hughes (Lockport, IL, 2021) doubled twice, collecting four hits total, and he drove in four.

+ The MN STARTERS showed out in their final game of the weekend. The offense tallied 14 runs on 14 hits, including three home runs. LHP/OF Noah Rooney (Perham, MN, 2021) clobbered two long balls, including a grand slam, and drove in seven runs on the day – he was one of the biggest winners in a crowded and talented field this past week. SS Sam Cooper (Minneapolis South, MN, 2021) also launched one over the left field wall. STARTERS National also brought out some big velocity on the mound. Xavier commit SS/RHP Teddy Deters (Orono, MN, 2021) started on the mound with a heavy fastball sitting 85-87 mph. RHP Cooper Mollet (Edina, MN, 2021) came on in relief with a lively fastball that touched 89 mph, sitting 85-87 from a big 6-foot-4 frame. Lastly, Jaiden Mollett (Chaska, MN, 2021) finished off the game with a fastball that sat 85-86 mph and touched 87. Mollett also mixed in a wicked 11/5 curveball at 67-69 mph to miss barrels.

+ Local program Hitters Baseball - Navy rallied late to complete a comeback and win over Windy City, 7-4, with the help of two late hits of the bats of OF Luke Nowak (Menomonee Falls, 2021; East Carolina) and 2B/SS Brady Counsell (Whitefish Bay, 2021). Nowak proved to be one of the most effective lead-off hitters of the weekend. He continually takes competitive at-bats from the left side and athletically changes his approach catered to the count. Nowak is tough to punch out because he adeptly fends off two-strike pitches until he can slap line drives the other way. The bat speed is also fast and the quality of contact is stronger than you first expect. He’s also an exceptional runner and he uses it very well out of the batter’s box, on the basepaths, and in center field. Counsell is a lean, lanky middle infielder who’s beginning to grow into his frame. He grounded a base hit through the four-hole in a key situation on Sunday to put Hitters ahead by four and the team never looked back.

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