By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

For the second straight year, Wisconsin prospects showed well at the 15th Annual Super 60 on Feb. 5 at The Max. Last year, Wisconsin produced first-rounder Gavin Lux and second-rounder Ben Rortvedt, among other standouts. This year, the Badger State was home of the top overall prospect at the loaded event: OF Jarred Kelenic, who incidentally was the only 2018 player invited.

Although Wisconsin’s 2017 class doesn’t have the same high-end depth as the 2016 crop, seven prospects performed solidly in front of 100-plus scouts in attendance.

A look at the Wisconsin prospects at the Super 60, listed alphabetically:

Nathan Burns, RHP, West Bend West HS, WI
Oregon State recruit. 6-foot-1, 170-pound right-handed pitcher, lanky athletic build with room for continued physical development. Burns was one of the bigger surprises at the Super 60, showing increased velocity and more strength to his frame since last look. Arm works free and easily, long, loose and quick from a 3/4 slot; overall advanced feel for three pitches, all with movement and thrown with similar arm action out of the same window. Compact, low-effort delivery, repeats well. Fastball topped at 91 mph, sitting 89-90, with late arm-side life. Changeup shows plus potential. Throws pitch with conviction - and for strikes - with sinking action and occasional cut at 80-81 mph. Also throws slider for consistent strikes at 75-76 mph, more sweeping action with late bite. Overall demonstrated high level of pitchability with intriguing upside.

Ben Dragani, LHP, Catholic Memorial HS, WI
Michigan recruit. 6-foot-5, 215-pound left-handed pitcher, sturdy, athletic, well-proportioned frame. Has continued to show physical development over the years with room for more growth; overall workhorse-type build. Fluid, balanced, low-effort delivery, repeats well. Longer arm action, clean and uninterrupted, high-3/4 slot, above-average arm speed. Pumped all strikes with three pitches during his bullpen. Fastball sat 84-86 with arm-side run; likely much more velocity to come if/when pitches with more urgency. Slider can be a plus offering, 76-78 mph, tight spin, short action. Changeup, too, is excellent offering, 76-77, thrown with similar arm speed, late fading action.

Ryan Hoerter, RHP, Indian Trail HS, WI
Auburn recruit. 6-foot-6, 185-pound right-handed pitcher, long-limbed, lean and athletic; has yet to fill into his highly projectable frame. Overall excellent athleticism for size. Arm is athletic, quick and clean, high-¾ slot, works with minimal effort, present arm speed. Delivery has tempo and rhythm, repeats well. Fastball sat 86-88 mph, mostly straight; should see significant velocity spike in coming years . Curveball ranged between 72-74, shows feel for pitch, consistent around the zone, 11/5 action with late bite at times, can develop into swing-and-miss offering. Throws changeup for strikes, 77-78 mph with sinking action. Overall has high-ceiling potential with current solid three-pitch feel.

Augie Mihlbauer, LHP, Mukwonago HS, WI
Texas Christian recruit. 6-foot-1, 182-pound left-handed pitcher, average frame with room for continued physical development. Works from a lower-3/4 slot, loose, athletic arm with deep plunge and wrap on backside. Small sidestep delivery, slight crouch, drop-and-drive, lands closed, crossfire action. Fastball sat 86-88 with significant arm-side run, erratic around the zone. Three-pitch feel, throws a firm changeup at 84-85, fastball arm speed with some cut and sink action. Commands breaking ball well down in zone, 71-72 mph, sweeping action with occasional depth.

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