On Monday, 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 post on Wednesday, and we’re taking a magnifying glass to the measured data gathered here this afternoon.

MAX FASTBALL VELOCITY

As expected, RHP Tyler Hug (Waukesha West, 2021; uncommitted) came away with the firmest fastball at our event, topping 88 mph, sitting 87. Hug’s an exceptional athlete and is one of the top uncommitted arms in the state’s 2021 class. He’s earning attention from schools in more than just baseball, and his superior athleticism could lead to some untapped potential to unlock on the mound at the next level. The 6-foot-6, 195-pound righty Benjamin Lee (Amherst, 2022) sat 85-86 mph, and touched 87, to slightly trail Hug. Lee was effective in a couple different looks this summer in tourney settings, and his stuff looked even better up close in this showcase environment. Another 2022, RHP Adam Balcerak (Muskego), has emerged as a name to watch. He’s an excellent athlete in his own right with a quick arm. Some refinement here should help him earn even more attention come 2021.

TOP 60-YARD DASH

Balcerak’s athleticism shines through here, too. He paced this group by running a 6.82 mark in the 60 on the grass outfield track. He offers some noteworthy follow tools to keep an eye on as he continues to develop. Uncommitted senior OF Cameron Miller (Kimberly) has some interesting tools himself, and he moves well in the outfield aided by his sub-7.00 speed. OF Jacob Kleemann (Bay Port, 2021) and C Nicklas Williams (Union Grove, 2021) are both obvious follows for their impact muscle and strength, and the two don’t let it negatively affect their footspeed, either.

MAX EXIT VELOCITY

Waupun’s 1B/LHP Noah Gerritson (2021) led the day’s group in this category. He’s a thick/strong 6-foot-1, 195-pound right-handed hitter who can strike the ball really hard. He topped this leaderboard with a 96 mph high off the tee. Williams’ strength is more obvious, given his defined muscle, especially in his lower half. He has natural barrel feel, too, so he’s able to make regular use of his bat strength. Incoming sophomore 1B Owen Bond (Kettle Moraine, 2023) took one of the loudest days of live batting practice, and he only substantiated that performance by topping 93 mph off the tee at this station. He’s become a follow left-handed hitter in this class. 1B/OF Jack Baretz (Franklin, 2022) is another especially strong prospect who showed well in this category, recording a 92 mph high here.

MAX INFIELD VELOCITY

Baretz’s strength was on display here also, topping 81 mph across the infield from first base. 2B/SS Matthew Perry (Bay Port, 2021) took one of the better defensive rounds of the day, and he has usable arm strength too, and it plays best at second base. Incoming sophomore Noah Dreier (Brookfield Central, 2023) is a smooth and savvy defender who looks like he can stick at shortstop for the long-term, and his quick release helps his velo tick up. 

MAX OUTFIELD VELOCITY

Once again, Balcerak found a way to land atop another one of the day’s leaderboards. With a really quick arm, his throws carried to home at a high of 87 mph. Baretz wasn’t too far behind at 85 mph, and his strength both with the bat and in the field have made him a prospect to know within the state’s 2022 class. Miller has quick feet and exchanges, and his throws carried home and with accuracy, and the velo played up.

MAX CATCHER VELOCITY

We’ve seen Williams more often at second and third base, and he fits those roles perfectly fine, but we’re seeing the Union Grove senior offer up some added upside as a catcher. Up to 78 mph out of the crouch, Williams showed some quick and efficient actions back there, and he looked more natural than expected for the position. Jackson Schmitz (Manitowoc Lincoln, 2021) has some strength and athleticism himself and it made for a noteworthy PBR event debut. Up to 77 mph out of the shoot, Schmitz has some upside to unravel. Sheboygan North’s Hunter Steger (2021) has above-average actions on the catch-and-throw, and his throws are accurate.

TOP POP TIMES

Williams led this group by a comfortable margin. It’s worth repeating that Williams made it look easy behind the dish and he’s become one of the top uncommitted prospects left on Wisconsin’s 2021 board – especially if he can establish that he can catch in-game. Schmitz also showed well here, as did Andy Nordloh (Waunakee, 2023). Hunter Abitz (Kettle Moraine Lutheran, 2023) and Ian Merry (Sheboygan North, 2022) also showed quick actions from the chute, which helped their arm strength play up.

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