By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor – Wisconsin/Illinois

Wisconsin’s 2018 rankings were updated this week. Our list was expanded to 60 and we reviewed the top ten earlier this week, today we look at some of the top newcomers in the 2018 class.

The highest newcomer to the Class of 2018 rankings is LHP Eric Torres (Sussex Hamilton). Torres is a loose left-handed arm with good upside. His fastball sat 84-86 mph with arm side run and good secondary stuff, including a 74-76 mph breaking ball.

Sticking with the theme of left-handed arms, Jacob Schellpfeffer (Mayville) cracked the top 20 with an 83-85 mph lively fastball. New to the mound, Schellpfeffer is showing it on the diamond this spring as well, racking up a ton of strikeouts.

Another arm new to the top 20 is right-hander Cedric Girard (Oregon). Girard is a highly projectable 6-foot-2, 158-pounds and has already reached 85 mph with his fastball and throws a hard curveball at 72-76 mph.

Three catchers cracked the top 30 in Columbus backstop Connor Manthey, Jefferson sophomore Ian Drays and Jacob Kaiser (Catholic Memorial). All are physical receivers who swing big bats and show the ability to stick behind the plate.

The easy left-handed bat of Ryen Ryba (Homestead) worked his way into the top 30 as well. Ryba’s bat looks to be his ticket with a highly repeatable loose swing that stays on plane. Ryba looks to be a good enough athlete as well to play several different positions on the field.

LHP’s Andrew Neu (Kewaskum) and Brennan Dolwick (Lake Mills) are top 35 arms. Neu has a heavy fastball that reaches 82-84 mph with developing secondary stuff. Dolwick is a lower velo southpaw with a loose projectable arm.

Other Notable Newcomers

SS Ryan Brouch (Appleton West)
OF Tony Alesci (Catholic Memorial)
C Nick Zeeveld (Indian Trail)
LHP Logan King (Cedarburg)
OF Josh Sobczak (South Milwaukee)
C Stevie Diderrich (Oconomowoc)
RHP Will Bush (New Berlin West)
RHP Zach Watzka (Green Bay East)
RHP Patrick Foldy (Sussex Hamilton)
SS Aaron Chapman (Waterford)
OF Brady Schipper (Stoughton)
RHP Elijah Campbell (South Milwaukee)
OF Tyler Gaecke (Mukwonago)
LHP Griffin Lietzau (Slinger)
OF AJ Frisby (Wilmot)
C Matt Miller (Sussex Hamilton)
RHP Evan Rice (Brillion)