2021 Overall Rankings: Wisconsin Representatives
September 21, 2018
On Wednesday, PBR National Crosschecker Shooter Hunt updated and expanded the national Class of 2021 rankings. There are 250 prospects on the board and 100 more names since the latest update. This update comes on the heels of a jam-packed summer showcase season and with school back in session and the 2018 baseball calendar nearing its end, it’s time to check in on where Wisconsin’s top 2021 talents stand within the national spotlight.
We updated Wisconsin’s own 2021 rankings back at the start of the month, but it’ll be a worthy exercise to see how many Badger State prospects made waves nationwide.
This week’s national update reveals four Wisconsin names, all of whom are uncommitted: RHP Vincent Trapani (Eau Claire Memorial), RHP Mason Ruh (Wisconsin Lutheran), SS Noah Miller (Ozaukee) and C Joey Spence (West Bend East).
Trapani is the lone name among the four with a top-150 ranking, and it certainly has a lot to do with his long, accomplished track record of success. The 6-foot-1 righty was the sole 2021 participant on Team Wisconsin at PBR Future Games this past August. Trapani has an advanced caliber of stuff, with an upper-80s fastball (reports of even higher elsewhere), in addition to a curveball-changeup combo that he’s demonstrated nascent but strong feel for.
Ruh and Miller are neighboring each other on the top-200. Ruh is a big righty with loose, quick, and clean arm action. His durable 6-foot-3 frame as a sophomore is what’s molding him into a high-follow prospect nationally. Ruh’s size helps create tilt on his mid-80s fastball – it’s heavy, too, which helps him limit opposition to poor contact off the bat. He’s still finding the feel for his offspeed, but the foundation is there, giving him a starter’s outlook at the next level.
Mason Ruh (7.23.18)
The Ozaukee shortstop was listed on Chicago Scouts Association’s PBR Fall Championships roster this past weekend where we were afforded another chance to get a glimpse at the switch-hitter. Miller is a smooth defender with natural actions for the middle of the infield, with the arm to handle the left side as well. His defense is his calling card but his offense continues to improve. His brother, Owen, is thriving in his first season with the San Diego Padres minor league system after an excellent three seasons at Illinois State. It’ll be interesting to see if Noah’s similar feel for the game translates as seamlessly as his brother’s.
Joining Miller on that CSA roster from this past weekend was Spence. The 5-foot-9 left-handed hitting catcher was one of the offensive stars for the underclass CSA squad. He uses a simple, compact swing and lets the premium strength in his hands and arms do the rest. In his team’s second game on Saturday, Spence knocked in three runs on a couple line drives to the outfield. He’s quickly ascending into one of the region's top 2021 bats.
Joey Spence (7.23.18)
For a look at the top-250 prospects within the nation’s 2021 class, CLICK HERE. To view Wisconsin’s top-25 board, CLICK HERE.