By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor - Wisconsin/Illinois

The summer is nearly over and it’s time again for another rankings update. The 2018 class gets dusted off first with little movement at the top. OF Jarred Kelenic (Waukesha West) continues to put on a show at the national level. Most recently Kelenic participated in the Under Armour All-American Game at Wrigley Field. Outside of scoring the winning walk off run for the American team. Kelenic went 1-for-3 with a walk and two stolen bases in the game. Prior to the game Kelenic competed in the Home Run Derby where he finished with four long balls. As he continues to impress this summer his name keeps climbing projected MLB draft boards and is not out of the possibility of being the first overall pick next June.

CLICK HERE for complete 2018 Wisconsin Rankings.

Behind Kelenic comes a loaded top ten that is so close in comparison that the separators between No. 2 and No. 7 are miniscule, if any.

RANK	NAME	STATE	SCHOOL	CLASS	POS	COMMITMENT
1	Jarred Kelenic	WI	Waukesha West	2018	OF	Louisville
2	Alex Binelas	WI	Oak Creek	2018	3B	Louisville
3	Max Alba	WI	Franklin	2018	RHP	North Carolina
4	Jeff Holtz	WI	Arrowhead	2018	C	Indiana
5	Jacob Campbell	WI	Janesville Craig	2018	C	Illinois
6	Dillon Nowicki	WI	Stoughton	2018	RHP	Michigan
7	Tanner Kohlhepp	WI	Eau Claire Memorial	2018	SS	Tennessee
8	Gunner Peterson	WI	Wilmot	2018	OF	Illinois State
9	Alan Roden	WI	Middleton	2018	C	Creighton
10	Nate DeYoung	WI	Xavier	2018	3B	Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Starting at No. 7, RHP/SS Tanner Kohlhepp (Eau Claire Memorial) has shown uncanny stuff on the mound. His fastball has reached 91 mph while his slider is a plus pitch with wipe out action, and doing it from a ¾ slot.

No. 6 RHP Dillon Nowicki (Stoughton) has arguably the quickest arm in the state. He too has been up to 91 mph with electric action in the hitting zone on his fastball/curveball combination.

At No. 5 Jacob Campbell (Janesville Craig) has made a serious jump this summer, establishing himself as one of the best defensive catchers in the Midwest.

 

No. 4 Jeff Holtz (Arrowhead) has a premium right-handed bat and has shown it this summer. His bat is his calling card and at 6-foot-4, 207-pounds and a sub-7.0 runner, Holtz’s bat will always keep him on the field at the next level.

RHP Max Alba (Franklin) ranks as the top arm in the state at No. 3. Alba has unique athleticism that makes him raw yet showing polish on the mound this summer. His command has improved this summer along with his secondary stuff and holds on to his No. 3 spot in the state.

Left-handed hitter Alex Binelas (Oak Creek) stays at No. 2 and shows no signs of giving it up. Binelas has flashed left-handed pop this summer that rivals some of the top bats in the rankings. Unlike typical power left-handed bats, Binelas is athletic and possesses above average run and arm grades that could make him even more versatile at the next level.

Alan Roden (Middleton) and Nate DeYoung (Xavier) both jumped into the top ten. DeYoung quietly impressed at the PBR ProCase - Midwest where the 6-foot-7, 215-pound left-handed hitting infielder swung an easy bat and showed good feel for the barrel at his size.

After the top ten, the 2018 saw quite the overhaul. Several prospects made big strides this summer, and even more landed a new spot in the rankings. RHP Taylor Jansen (Sun Prairie), LHP Luke DePrey (Sun Prairie), RHP Jackson Mandella (Nicolet) and OF Nick Herbst (McFarland) saw notable rises in the rankings, while Oak Creek RHP Nicalas Wanker was the highest new addition. Stay tuned for more coverage on the 2018 Wisconsin Rankings.  

Related Content