Top-10 Player Profiles of 2018: No. 7 George Klassen
December 20, 2018
One of the top-ranked prospects in Wisconsin’s 2020 class, George Klassen (Port Washington), committed to Purdue in August, the cherry on top of a phenomenal 2018. The junior is poised to put together another strong couple of seasons of prep ball before heading to campus. He’s been a mainstay at the top of the state’s 2020 rankings for a plethora of reasons: his long, lanky frame and present stuff, namely.
He capped his busy summer with a commitment to Purdue following his performance in Westfield, Ind., as a member of Team Wisconsin at the PBR Future Games. Klassen is accustomed to catapulting fastballs into the zone in upper 80s but has been up to 92 mph in front of our staff before. He has the outpitch offspeed in the repertoire but his assignment over the next couple years or so will be the development of his command. Still, he has some of the best raw stuff in the class and it made him a popular search on our own site for that reason.
NO. 7 GEORGE KLASSEN
George Klassen
Class of 2020 / RHP
Player Information
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Graduating Class: 2020
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Primary Position: RHP
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High School: Port WashingtonState: WI
- Summer Team: GRB Rays
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Height: 6-2Weight: 180lbs
- Bat/Throw: R/R
Statistics
Videos
(8/2/18)
Player News
- 2023 College Crosscheck: Week 3 Cambria Classic - Mar 9, 2023
- Top-10 Profiles of 2019: No. 8 George Klassen - Dec 18, 2019
- Wisconsin 2020 Rankings Updated - Jul 31, 2019
- Madison Preseason I.D.: Top Prospects Overall - May 21, 2019
- Madison Preseason I.D.: Pitcher Analysis - May 17, 2019
- Madison Preseason I.D.: Outfielder Analysis - May 7, 2019
- Wisconsin 2020 Rankings Updated - Mar 28, 2019
- Top-10 Player Profiles of 2018: No. 7 George Klassen - Dec 20, 2018
- Wisconsin 2020 Rankings Updated - Nov 19, 2018
- Q&A with Purdue commit George Klassen - Oct 2, 2018
- Wisconsin 2020 Rankings Updated - Aug 27, 2018
- Wisconsin Quick Hits - Aug 6, 2018
- PBR Future Games: Wisconsin Day 3 Recap - Aug 4, 2018
- Wisconsin Future Games Preview - Jul 30, 2018
- Future Games Cheat Sheet - Jul 26, 2018
- Midwest Prospect League: Day 1-2 - Jun 19, 2018
- Wisconsin Scout Blog - Jun 7, 2018
- Wisconsin 2020 Rankings Updated - Apr 18, 2018
- Hitters Spring League - Mar 27, 2018
- Milwaukee Preseason I.D.: Top Overall - Mar 23, 2018
- Milwaukee Preseason I.D.: Pitcher Analysis - Mar 22, 2018
- Milwaukee Preseason I.D.: Infielder Analysis - Mar 19, 2018
- Sophomore Winter Standouts - Feb 28, 2018
- Milwaukee Preseason I.D.: Quick Hits - Feb 26, 2018
- Milwaukee Preseason I.D.: Preview - Feb 22, 2018
- On The Cusp Frontline Recruits - Feb 2, 2018
- Inside the Rankings: 2020 Risers - Dec 6, 2017
- Wisconsin Class of 2020 Rankings Updated - Dec 5, 2017
- 2020s On The Rise - Nov 29, 2017
- IL/WI: Fall Scout Blog - Nov 9, 2017
- Class of 2020 Rankings Updated - Sep 5, 2017
- IL/WI Underclass Games: Top Overall Prospects - Aug 30, 2017
- Underclass Games: Pitcher Analysis - Aug 28, 2017
- Underclass Games: Infield Analysis - Aug 25, 2017
- Underclass Games: Statistical Analysis - Jul 27, 2017
- Class of 2020 Underclass Games: Preview - Jul 23, 2017
- Class of 2020 Underclass Games: Preview - Jul 21, 2017
- Milwaukee Preseason ID: Top Overall Prospects - Mar 24, 2017
- Milwaukee Preseason I.D.: Pitcher Analysis - Mar 23, 2017
- Milwaukee Preseason I.D.: Infield Analysis - Mar 22, 2017
- Milwaukee Preseason I.D.: Stats Story - Feb 28, 2017
- Milwaukee Preseason I.D.: Quick Hits - Feb 27, 2017
- Milwaukee Future Prospects: Analysis - Apr 27, 2016
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- WI Top-10 Player Profiles of 2018: No. 7 George Klassen 12/20/18
- WI Top-10 Player Profiles of 2018: No. 8 Max Wagner 12/19/18
- WI Top-10 Player Profiles of 2018: No. 9 Nathan Stevens 12/18/18
- WI Top-10 Player Profiles of 2018: No. 10 Max Alba 12/17/18
Scouting Report
8/7/18 - Verbally committed to Purdue.
6/19/18 - Uncommitted. Klassen stands 6-foot-1, 150-pounds with a developing frame and a very long wingspan. The right-handed pitcher was up to 90 mph before settling in at 86-88 for much of his outing. Stepping across his body to deliver the firm fastballs, Klassen has quick arm that delivers out of high ¾ window, and when everything synced up, he was very good. At times, he struggled with the ability to repeat his slot, especially out of the stretch. However, when he got rolling, everything worked well. The separator for Klassen will be his tight breaking ball. While the fastball command was sporadic, he seemed to have more confidence in the the 11/5, multi-tier curveball that he threw firmly at 75-77, and was a swing and miss offering multiple times. It is very intriguing to imagine the possibilities of what Klassen may blossom into as he matures and gains comfort with the movement patterns of his long limbs.
3/25/18 - Klassen stands 6-foot-1, 150-pounds, lean, wiry-frame with apparent athleticism. Arm is electric, highly athletic, loose and easy. Long draw on the back side, reaching back, arm is athletic and loose enough to get out front quickly, high ¾ slot. At-times, his arm lags behind, leaving the ball up in the zone. Strides towards third, lands toe-closed. Fastball, comes out live, 88-90.97 mph, spin rate 2100-2400 rpm. Curveball, 11/5 shape, aggressive with but still lacks command, 77-78.
2/25/18 - 6-foot-1, 150-pound two-way player, lean wiry frame, loose live body, projects best on the mound. Electric arm, loose and live out of high ¾ slot, draws long. Delivery is on line, repeats, squared landing to balanced finish. Fastball has late run to arm side, showed control, topped at 91 mph with plus life for age, sat 88-90 mph. Curveball has improved immensely, thrown aggressive, power pitch with swing and miss stuff, 12/6 plane dropped for strikes, 77-79 mph, plus potential offering. Power changeup, runs to arm side, fastball arm speed, 83-85 mph, plus action down in the zone. Defensively showed off arm strength, 94 mph across the diamond. Hands work steadily, shuffles through long release. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, short stride, line drive gap to gap type approach, 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.05 runner in the 60.