On Aug. 17, the PBR Wisconsin team made the trip north to Sheboygan to host the final showcase on the summer docket: the Eastern Wisconsin Open. This annual showcase typically provides us with an opportunity to evaluate some of the state’s prospects we’ve not had the chance to see before, or have not seen enough of. We published our rapid analysis inside of our Quick Hits in the days following the event, and we took a deeper dive into the data we gathered at the showcase inside this Statistical Analysis.

This week, we began to roll out our position-by-position analysis of the Sheboygan-area showcase, starting with the day’s catchers, outfielders, and infielders. We’re onto the pitchers today.

This group is led by the top uncommitted senior in the state: Tyler Hug (Waukesha West, 2021). Hug is an excellent athlete, as we’ve seen in other sports, and that athleticism works exceptionally well on the mound. At this event, he pounded the zone with a heavy, sinking fastball that sat 87-88 mph and he coupled it with a pair of viable offspeed offerings, creating a viable three-pitch mix to work with.

Junior RHP Benjamin Lee (Amherst, 2022) is a physical 6-foot-5, 195-pound prospect, and he’s made major gains throughout 2020. He’s demonstrated a consistent ability to attack the strike zone, and he’s continually gained velocity throughout the year, up to 87 mph here.

 A fellow 2022 prospect, RHP/OF Adam Balcerak (Muskego), earned high praise a couple of days ago for his work at the plate and in the outfield, and he’s another prominent athlete to follow from the mound. He has a live arm, up to 84 mph here, and he flashed a couple useful offspeeds to build off of over the offseason.

Lastly, RHP Easton Zempel (Middleton, 2022) is a top-75-ranked junior in Wisconsin, as a wiry 6-foot-5 righty with a loose, quick arm. His quality present stuff looks completely capable of being enhanced after a diligent offseason of work, so we’re looking forward to our next viewing of Zempel in 2021.

For full scouting reports on each of the pitchers who attended the Eastern Wisconsin Open, continue on below.

TOP PITCHING PROSPECTS

1. Tyler Hug, Waukesha West (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP; Currently the top-ranked uncommitted senior in the state.
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds. Strong, athletic frame. Room to add more muscle.
Delivery: Simple tall/fall type delivery, athletic posture at balance point, quick explosion downhill to a square landing towards target, athletic finish through release.
Arm Action: RH. Short and quick arm circle, finishes from a loose high 3/4 slot.
FB: T88, 87-87 mph. Lively from the hand, heavy arm-side action. Consistent strikes.
SL: 72-75 mph. Sharp, 11/5 action thrown with fastball arm speed and aggression.
CH: 83-84 mph. Thrown with fastball arm speed and intent. Firm action, showed both sink/run. 

2. Benjamin Lee, Amherst (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP; A rising junior follow in the state's 2022 class.
Body: 6-6, 195-pounds. Physical, tall stature; strength in lean, long levers. Physically projects very well.
Delivery: Straddles the rubber with staggered feet; tempo/rhythm to balance point, with hip turn and shoulders slightly closed. Drives down mound with a high front, strong stride, aggressive through finish while maintaining balance.
Arm Action: RH. Compact, loose, quick arm circle to over-the-top slot; generates quick arm speed, thrown aggressively.
FB: T87, 85-86 mph. Steep angle to home; jumps from the hand, carries through the zone. Four-seam type.
CB: 70-72 mph. Spike grip, thrown with intent; 12/6 shape with power traits. Flashed sharp action, projects to generate swings and misses.
SL: 71-73 mph. Differs from curve; more horizontal action, though thrown with less aggression/feel. Shorter 10/4 action.
CH: 77-79 mph. Slight deceleration; generates good arm-side run. Projects well as he refines it. 

3. Adam Balcerak, Muskego (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/RHP; High-level athlete to follow in the state's junior class.
Body: 6-0, 180-pounds. Athletic, wiry build; projects well.
Delivery: Athletic drop/drive type delivery, level shoulders, whippy hip/shoulder separation at foot strike, advanced extension downhill. Open-toed landing, works in line to target, finishes out front through release.
Arm Action: RH. Long and loose arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T84, 82-83 mph. Four-seam type with a late arm-side wrinkle at times. Stayed down in the zone, strikes. 
SL: 73-75 mph. 11/5 shape with low spin action, works underneath it at times. Still harnessing feel to spin.
CH: 76-80 mph. Straight action.  

4. Easton Zempel, Middleton (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-5, 180-pounds. Wiry, long-levered frame with high projectability.
Delivery: Staggered start, tall/fall type delivery, upright posture at balance point, lead leg swing to footstrike. Closed-toe landing, works in line to target, easy effort throughout.
Arm Action: RH. Short and loose arm circle, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T82, 81-82 mph. Plays with downhill action created from an elevated release angle, shoots knees for strikes.
CB: 66-69 mph. 12/6 shape, gradual action; flashed feel to spin. 
CH: 68-72 mph. Near fastball arm speed, some arm-side action but primarily straight movement.

5. Gavin Rusch, Bay Port (WI), 2021; Concordia St. Paul (MN) commit.
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-5, 190-pounds. Lean, long-levered frame with a high waist.
Delivery: Tall/fall type delivery, high leg kick allows some sit into the back hip, level shoulders, hips open up early prior to footstrike, works in line to target with an athletic finish.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T83, 81-82 mph. Comes out clean some, four-seam type that's thrown for strikes. Locates well east-to-west on both corners.
CB: 66-68 mph. Decelerates arm speed, 12/6 shape with depth, flashed sharp action at times but mostly gradual. 
CH: 73-76 mph. Fastball arm speed and slot. Plays straight, does work down in the zone. 

6. Noah Dreier, Brookfield Central (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-10, 150-pounds. Lean, wiry frame with athleticism.
Delivery: Smooth drop/drive type delivery, athletic at balance point, rides off back hip downhill, high front side, stays in line to target with an athletic finish through release. Confident composure throughout his ‘pen.
Arm Action: RH. Short and quick arm path, loose high 3/4 slot.
FB: T81, 78-80 mph. Comes out clean with some jump, pounds knees down in the zone for strikes.
CB: 65-69 mph. 11/5 shape, occasionally sharp but works behind at times. Thrown with fastball intent.
SL: 69-71 mph. Similar actions to curveball, thrown harder with more intent. Still completely harnessing feel to spin, consistently sharper than curveball.
CH: 74-76 mph. Near fastball arm speed, plays straight towards the middle of the zone. 

7. Dylan O'Connell, Eau Claire Memorial (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: INF/RHP
Body: 5-9, 150-pounds. Athletic frame.
Delivery: Tall start from the middle of the rubber, simple side step rock to athletic balance point; works on line, level shoulders, short stride, lands square, controlled finish.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action and swing to high 3/4 slot. Loose, quick; aggressive.
FB: T80, 79-80 mph. Flashed hard run.
CB: 65-69 mph. Flashed feel. Works off 11/5 plane with tight/sharp action.
SPLT: 67-69 mph. Thrown at arm speed; feel pitch. Good split action; low spin, late drop/fade.

8. Jake Leonhard, Sheboygan South (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: LHP
Body: 6-4, 170-pounds. Upside frame; high-waisted with long, lanky levers.
Delivery: Stretch-only; comes to high/crouched set. Raises set hands to balance point, slightly high/closed front. Works at a good pace down the mound, long stride while on target, lands toe open. Generates good torque/separation at landing, athletic through finish.
Arm Action: LH. Shorter, clean arm action to a high 3/4 slot; quick and loose, projects well.
FB: T77, 76-76 mph. Extension down mound helps lower release height; four-seam type, straight.
CB: 67-69 mph. Some early action of a 1/7 plane; flashed late, sharp.
CH: 72-74 mph. Mostly maintains arm action; fade/run movement. 

9. Jackson Trudgeon, Madison Edgewood (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-1, 175-pounds. Athletic frame with strength in the lower half.
Delivery: Steady tall/fall type delivery, high front side, strong lead leg block at footstrike, lands square to target.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, over-the-top slot.
FB: T81, 77-80 mph. Flashed sink and some two-seam action, works best down in the zone as a groundball producer.
CB: 65-68 mph. Decelerates arm action, 11/5 shape with occasional 12/6 action when he stays on top.
CH: 68-70 mph. Fastball arm speed; mostly straight, some arm-side run. 

T-10. Alexander Pechanch, Sussex Hamilton (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-4, 220-pounds. Strong, physical frame.
Delivery: Slight drop/drive type delivery with some back leg ride, high front side, lands/works open to target, falls towards first base side through release.
Arm Action: RH. Compact arm stroke, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T79, 76-78 mph. Plays with natural arm-side action.
SL: 68-71 mph. Thrown with fastball conviction and intent. Strides away from typical slider action; 11/5 shape with some depth, feel to spin.
CH: 75-75 mph. Near fastball arm speed, slight arm-side action at times. Primarily worked down in the zone.

T-10. E.J. Kuster, Greendale (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-3, 182-pounds. Lean, athletic makeup that projects.
Delivery: Slow tempo, rhythm to level leg lift at balance point with hip turn/tuck and coil in torso. Fluid stride down mound, short landing while working on line, tall finish.
Arm Action: RH. Shorter draw to quick circle to release point; 3/4 slot.
FB: T79, 78-78 mph. Steady arm-side run.
CB: 65-66 mph. Showed the ability to spot it glove side, off the plate. Plane is 10/4, flashed sharp, with depth.
CH: 70-73 mph. Tunnels well off of fastball; similar arm speed and action. Fade/run with an ability to locate under the zone.

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Beau Bloxdorf, Union Grove (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/INF
Body: 5-7, 125-pounds. Lean, high-waisted frame. Continued physical maturity.
Delivery: Tall/fall type delivery, upright pause at balance point, foot lands in line to target, falls towards first base side at times, downward follow through.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T70, 69-69 mph. Showed arm-side run and sink. Works best as a groundball producer down in the zone.
CB: 60-63 mph. 12/6 shape with some shape underneath, gradual action. Feel to spin. 
CH: 64-67 mph. Fastball arm speed. 

Tyler Boerder, Green Bay East (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: INF/RHP
Body: 5-9, 130-pounds. Lanky, long-levered frame.
Delivery: Tall/fall type delivery, high posture at balance point, closed shoulders, lead leg swings to a closed-toe landing at footstrike, upright finish through release.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm swing, over-the-top slot.
FB: T72, 71-72 mph. Four-seam type.
CB: 59-62 mph. 11/5 shape. 
CH: 59-62 mph. Plays straight. 

Owen Bond, Kettle Moraine (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/LHP Became a sophomore follow at this showcase.
Body: 6-3, 170-pounds. Lanky, long-levered frame with plenty of room for physical maturity.
Delivery: Deceptive tall/fall type delivery, high leg kick to balance point, lead leg swings to an open landing towards target, upright finish through release.
Arm Action: LH. Long arm action with some hook to it, over-the-top slot.
FB: T75, 74-75 mph. Creates some downhill tilt from a high arm slot, difficult to pick up at times. Shoots knees for strikes.
CB: 59-62 mph. 1/7 shape, developing feel to spin.
CH: 62-66 mph. Near fastball arm speed, glides to the arm-side of plate. 

Jaeden Carstens, Neenah (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-10, 205-pounds.
Delivery: Stretch only, tall/fall type delivery, stays closed to footstrike, works in line to target.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm path finishes out of high 3/4 slot.
FB: T80, 78-80 mph. Plays straight, some strikes.
CB: 65-68 mph. Slows down throwing motion. 11/5 shape, gradual action, landed for strikes. 
CH: 72-73 mph. Slight deceleration in arm speed. Flashed arm-side run.

Noah Gerritson, Waupun (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: 1B/LHP
Body: 6-1, 195-pounds. Proportionally strong wide-shouldered frame with more room to add muscle.
Delivery: Slight drop/drive type delivery, athletic posture at balance point, lands square to target and works in line. Maintained a smooth, composed rhythm throughout.
Arm Action: LH. Long arm swing in the back, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T78, 75-77 mph. Works behind the seams to create slight arm-side run, gets around to cut it at times. Strikes.
CB: 61-65 mph. 1/7 shape with depth, breaks early and has feel to spin. Landed for strikes. 
CH: 65-69 mph. Near fastball arm speed and slot. Fades down in the zone, feel for pitch.  

Jack Grable, New London (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: LHP
Body: 6-2, 215-pounds. Strong, broad-shouldered frame. Built like a linebacker.
Delivery: Tall/fall type delivery, high stance at balance point, some back leg drive downhill, square landing with an upright finish through release.
Arm Action: LH. Long arm swing finishes out of a high 3/4 slot.
FB: T81, 78-81 mph. Two-seam type with occasional late arm-side run.
CB: 68-70 mph. Decelerates arm action, 1/7 shape. 
CH: 73-75 mph. Guides it with the wrist, flashed lower quadrant arm-side run. 

Jacob Hartley, Whitefish Bay (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: 1B/LHP
Body: 5-10, 190-pounds. Strong lower half.
Delivery: Simple drop/drive type delivery, short leg kick into a quick downhill motion, lands square with an upright finish through release. Falls toward third base side at times, works quick.
Arm Action: LH. Shorter, compact arm path, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T76, 74-75 mph. Slight arm-side run, locates best towards that side of plate.
CB: 65-68 mph. 1/7 shape, gradual action. Stayed up in the zone. 
CH: 64-68 mph. Thrown with fastball arm speed. Sound complement to fastball, present arm-side run with feel for pitch. 

Erik Jachinski, Verona Area (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-10, 162-pounds.
Delivery: Tall/fall type delivery, tight knee tuck, front shoulder dips as momentum carries downhill, works closed off from target.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm circle comes out of a straight high 3/4 slot.
FB: T72, 70-70 mph. Four-seam type that plays straight with some cut to it at times.
CB: 58-63 mph. 11/5 shape with an early high breaking point. 
CH: 62-64 mph. Some sink and run. 

Griffin Klein, Green Bay Notre Dame (WI), 2021; Wisconsin-Oshkosh commit.
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 5-11, 160-pounds. Lean, lanky frame that projects.
Delivery: Quick temp to big hip turn at balance point, shoulders tuck in coiled position. Tall/fall momentum down the mound, shoulders stay closed, lands in a closed position. Maintains balance through athletic finish, some recoil in arm after release.
Arm Action: LH. Compact draw down, direct to low 3/4 release. Looseness in arm action.
FB: T76, 76-76 mph. Consistent arm-side run, some carry through the zone.
CB: 63-65 mph. Early break, but flashed tight action, spin; 2/8 shape, some sweep,
CH: 69-71 mph. Thrown at arm speed; generates greater horizontal break, some late. 

Isaiah Malison, St. Thomas More (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-7, 220-pounds. Large, physically imposing presence.
Delivery: Fluid pace, tempo, to high leg lift, smooth balance point. Level shoulders, drops and drives on target, square landing, but remains balanced.
Arm Action: RH. Long, clean arm action to a high 3/4 slot, lower release height relative to his own listed height.
FB: T78, 77-77 mph. Heavy feel; run/sink type. Showed some feel to locate in the lower third of the zone.
CB: 65-68 mph. Breaks early, but the pitch flashes tight, shorter, horizontal action that gives it some upside.
CH: 67-69 mph. Complements the fastball well; similar slot and action, thrown at arm speed. Some late fade/run with an ability to locate. 

Mason Mani, Germantown (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-0, 170-pounds. Some strength in lean levers.
Delivery: Long, slow temp side step to level knee balance point. Abrupt to balance point, short stride to closed landing, maintains balance through finish.
Arm Action: RH. Short draw, long arm circle to high 3/4 slot.
FB: T79, 77-79 mph. Heavy-type feel; consistent run/sink action.
CB: 67-71 mph. Flashed some feel for spin; shorter 10/4 action. 

Charlie McChesney, Verona (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-0, 215-pounds.
Delivery: Stretch-only; high set. Hands stay set high at balance, some coil/tuck at balance point. Drops and drives off back foot with shoulders high, square landing, controlled finish.
Arm Action: RH. Shorter arm circle to an over-the-top slot; some deception in delivery.
FB: T82, 80-81 mph. Steep angle to home, some arm-side action.
CB: 67-69 mph. Works off 12/6 plane with above-average feel to spin.
CH: 66-70 mph. Slight deceleration; steady arm-side run/sink with a feel to locate. 

Bailey Prevost, De Pere (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-0, 170-pounds. Tall, wiry strength in longer levers.
Delivery: Simple tall/fall type delivery, high front side, stays directly in line to target and lands square. Works with a comfortable rhythm throughout, repeats well.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action with some hook on the back side, over-the-top slot.
FB: T80, 74-79 mph. Two-seam type, plays with consistent arm-side run.
CB: 66-69 mph. Tight, lower-spin pitch that works off a 12/6 plane. Still developing feel for spin.

Jacob Sankey, Stevens Point (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-2, 160-pounds. Wiry, high-waisted frame that projects.
Delivery: Simple tall/fall type delivery, slight leg kick to balance point, shoulders stay closed, short stride downhill. Lands somewhat closed off to target, lands square.
Arm Action: RH. Short and loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T82, 79-81 mph. Appears to manipulate the break; showed arm-side run or cuts it at times.
CB: 68-72 mph. 12/6 shape with some depth, gradual action. Still developing consistent feel to spin. 
CH: 75-77 mph. Near fastball arm speed and slot. Flashed arm-side run down in the zone. 

Leighton Schroeder, Slinger (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: 1B/LHP
Body: 6-0, 180-pounds. Strength in lean frame with long levers.
Delivery: Tempo'd rocker-step initiates a tall/fall type delivery, hands separate early, high front side, lead leg swings to an open toe at footstrike.
Arm Action: LH. Longer arm swing, over-the-top slot.
FB: T77, 76-77 mph. Four-seam type that occasionally breaks late to the arm-side.
CB: 66-68 mph. Tighter, low-spin pitch that works off a 1/7 plane.
CH: 71-74 mph. Near fastball arm speed. 

Dylan Snyder, Janesville Craig (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/INF
Body: 6-2, 140-pounds. Lanky, high-waisted build.
Delivery: Works quick, tall/fall type delivery, glove packs into an upright posture at balance point, shoulders stay level, short stride to an outfront landing at footstrike.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T68, 65-65 mph. Plays straight, some strikes.
CB: 56-69 mph. 11/5 shape, early break into the zone. 
CH: 61-62 mph. Near fastball arm speed, showed sink to the arm-side.

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