On August 1, PBR will bring to you the summer’s premier scouting event: Future Games. Taking place at the state-of-the-art Grand Park complex in Westfield, Ind., this four-day event will pit some of the country’s top 2020 and 2021 prospects against one another in front of the professional and collegiate scouting communities.

Wisconsin’s Future Games roster is well-represented and is made up of some of the top uncommitted 2020 prospects. Among those repping team Wisconsin are RHP Tyler Chadwick (Marshall), SS Joe Hauser (Sun Prairie), 3B Max Wagner (Green Bay Preble), and OF Alex Ryan (Lakeside Lutheran). All four of those names are within their state’s top 10 for their class, but the rest of the roster is also bursting with next-level talent.

CATCHERS

Three backstops will be making the trip to Grand Park next week: Cameron Dupont (West De Pere), Blake Carey (University School of Milwaukee) and Thomas Otto (Appleton North). Otto is the state’s top-ranked catcher in his class for his powerful approach at the plate in addition to his glovework behind it. Dupont is impressive in his own right, too. The two offensively-minded receivers carry with them the necessary tools to keep baserunners honest as well. Blake Carey rounds out catchers, and is coming off an impressive showing in Tulsa at the Oklahoma Limited Series. The 6-foot-2, left-handed hitter sports bat speed and strength throughout his balanced approach. Aside from catching, the trio will potentially see time at 1B.

 

CORNER INFIELDERS

Surely there will be some rotating around the infield, but there are three corner infielders listed on Wisconsin’s Future Games roster presently: 3B Colton Coca (Case), Max Wagner (Green Bay Preble) and Joe Hauser (Sun Prairie).

Coca is recently back on the market this summer after coaching changes at his previously committed Central Michigan. Standing in at an athletic 6-foot-4, he has long looked like one of the state’s top 2020 follows and he’s done his best to maintain that reputation. A slick defender at third base, he continues to show advanced work defensively and is equipped with a strong arm that’s generates easy carry. A righty in the box, Coca’s got the bat speed and simple swing that can help him secure an everyday spot at the next level, eventually.

Wagner is accustomed to playing up-the-middle but as he matures and develops, his size is pushing him towards third. But he’s still just as tooled up as anyone in the class. Wagner has recorded an exit velocity of 98 mph, throws at 91 mph in the infield, and is at least an average runner. Right-handed in the box, the Green Bay Preble product demonstrates keen barrel awareness and is noticeably strong and aggressive. His strong, thick build has all of the defensive qualities to make the move to the hot corner work – soft hands, fundamental footwork, and a plus arm.

Hauser is a strong bodied infielder who has been primarily playing first base this summer. At 6-foot-1, 190-pounds he’s put together with strength and athleticism and it shows in the box. Hauser was a staple in the the lineup for one of the state’s top programs in Sun Prairie as a sophomore and will encore his brother’s Future Games appearance; Ben Hauser participated in the Games in 2015 before committing to Air Force.

 

Wagner will be able to handle some middle infield duties, but the majority will reside in Taiten Manriquez (Waunakee), TJ Manteufel (Union Grove) and Eddie Saucedo (Oregon).

Mariquez is fresh off a state title with Waunakee, where he moved around the left side of the infield as well as seeing significant innings on the mound. He’s a natural soft handed defender but shows a live arm on the mound that has some projection as well. Along with Manriquez, Eddie Saucedo, a 6-foot infielder, will bring his hot left-handed bat to Westfield. His feel for the barrel, loose hands and bat speed have proven to handle some premium arms this summer and should continue that at the Future Games. He’ll contribute defensively, too, showcasing his soft hands and strong arm. Manteufel is a savvy defender as well with plus speed at a 6.68 60 that will surely keep him in the middle of the diamond.

 

OUTFIELD

Alex Ryan is the top-ranked outfielder in Wisconsin; No. 52 in the nation. He’ll display a strong, accurate arm from his position, parlayed with fluid footwork and soft hands. His leg kick and balanced set-up prefaces his level bat path, bat speed and line drive approach. He has a high motor as well and plays the game with intent, drawing comparison to a former Future Game outfielder Doran Turchin (Oak Creek, 2015).

Jack Heiring, Christopher Vandenhuevel and Mitch Alba will join Ryan and be strong options on both ends of the spectrum. Heiring has a lean build and presents gap-to-gap contact at the plate. His frame is one to dream on and has a ton of upside with bat. Vandenhuevel is an asset at the plate, he’s a strong bodied left/left outfielder that is deceivingly fleet footed with a ton of feel for the barrel that stays flat through the zone. Alba is a lanky, 6-foot-2 prospect with bat speed and a balanced approach at the plate, Alba is another bat that seems to find the barrel every time we see him.  

PITCHERS

RHP George Klassen is arguably the highest-touted pitcher on the Wisconsin roster. His arsenal includes a plus-90’s FB, mid-80’s CH and high-70’s CB. He’s ranked No. 1 among 2020 pitcher’s in the Badger State; No. 2 prospect overall. He’s garnered attention on the national scale, ranking No. 16 in the country due to his live arm.

 

RHP Tyler Chadwick (Marshall) may be one of the more electric arms in attendance at the Future Games. Chadwick’s velo has been steadily climbing this summer, recently touching 90 mph in the PBR Oklahoma Limited Series.

Another strong arm to keep an eye on is RHP Cooper Griffiths (Westosha Central). Griffiths was up to 87 earlier this spring, so don’t be surprised if there’s even more this weekend. His big arm takes precedence over any of his other tools and will be one of the stronger arms in attendance along with RHP Gavin Hinckley (West Bend West). Hinckley may have the most present polish on the staff with feel for multiple pitches along with an 85-87 mph fastball.  

From the left side, Kaden Krueger (Appleton West) is a strong bodied arm who has been up to 87 mph at the Badger State Battle earlier this month. Brady Renfro (Antigo) will pull duties on the mound with a well above average breaking ball and an easy 83-85 mph fastball.

Under the radar may be a couple of small school 2020’s from Wisconsin, RHP Connor Kurki (Iola-Scandinavia) and RHP Isaiah Katz (Fall Creek). Kurki continues to make strides this summer, most recently working 85-87 at the PBR Oklahoma Limited Series. While Kurki is becoming more of a well known commodity, Katz has played American Legion baseball all summer but showed an intriguing mid 80’s fastball out of a ¾ slot and feel for a slider.

Rounding out the staff will be the only 2021 on the roster, RHP Vincent Trapani (Eau Claire Memorial). Trapani is a high profile 2021 prospect who is already well known on the national landscape. Trapani has a big arm in the upper 80’s that could easily touch 90 mph or better at the Future Games.

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