On March 6, PBR Wisconsin made its annual winter trip to Appleton to host the Fox Cities Preseason I.D. at the Players Choice Facility. This was an open event for all high school classes (2021-24), and gave our staff an ample look at the area's top players.

Shortly after the event, our staff collaborated to highlight the biggest takeaways and highlights from the showcase and published them within our Quick Hits piece. We then analyzed the traditional statistics we measured that day and published our findings within this Statistical Analysis. With the help of our TrackMan units and Blast Motion devices on-site, we published a TrackMan Files and Blast Motion Board, further highlighting the statistical winners from this Appleton-area showcase.

Today, we’re beginning to roll out the position-by-position scouting reports from this event, starting with the day’s catchers.

A couple freshmen emerged as follows inside the state’s 2024 class: Hunter Carlson (Hudson) and Donatello Badalamenti (Pulaski). Carlson was one of a handful of prospects to impress from western Wisconsin, representing Hudson as a left-handed-hitting backstop to know. He’s a lean athlete with a smooth swing that produced rhythmic, timely contact. Badalamenti has previously stood out to our staff on the mound – as he did later in the winter – but he’s also a catcher to follow. He swings a quick, short right-handed bat with above-average strength on impact for his age. And he demonstrated sound catcher actions behind the plate, too.

For full reports on these players, as well as the rest of the event’s backstops, continue reading below.

TOP CATCHER PROSPECTS

1. Hunter Carlson, Hudson (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-8, 140-pounds. Thin build.
Hit: LHH. Slightly open stance, balanced setup, some stack into back leg. Smooth load in rhythm, short stride, balanced through contact.  Long and level bat path, barrel head works out front, comfortable elevating the baseball, consistently hits in rhythm.
Power: 82.44 max exit velocity, averaged 72.45 mph. 278’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. INF - 77 mph. Short loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.19-2.33 pop times. Took reps behind the plate and on the infield. Lower half works in rhythm toward the bag, feet gain ground, soft hands at gather, quick and clean transfer to release, plays through the baseball. Active on the infield, glove works out front, hands funnel inward, packs to release.
Run: 8.00 runner in the 60. 

2. Donatello Badalamenti, Pulaski (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-11, 185-pounds. Thick lower half.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, bat starts over center of body, subtle hand load, quick toe-tap trigger.  Quick hands, short bat path with some uphill leverage, attacks the baseball with intent.
Power: 91.56 max exit velocity, averaged 77.41 mph. 253’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. INF - 78 mph. Short and loose arm with above-average arm speed for age, high 3/4 release.
Defense: 2.15-2.26 pop times. Worked out as a catcher and infielder at this event. Narrow base from the crouch, upright posture at gather, soft hands, quick and clean to release. Patient to the baseball on the infield, steady two-hand gather, some length to release on the move.
Run: 7.97 runner in the 60. 

3. Isaiah Grimm, Bay Port (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-11, 168-pounds. Thin, high-waisted frame that projects.
Hit: RHH. Stands tall in the box, narrow base, hands load back in a subtle rhythm, short stride to footstrike.  Level bat path, barrel head does work underneath the baseball at times, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 88.6 max exit velocity, averaged 81.33 mph. 313’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot. Accurate throws to target.
Defense: 2.00-2.11 pop times. Upright posture at  gather, feet gain momentum towards target, secure exchange, quick/short trigger release.
Run: 7.76 runner in the 60. 

4. Trenton Feucht, Freedom (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-2, 180-pounds. Lanky, well-proportioned frame with upside levers attached.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, hands start high and drop slightly at load, short stride to even.  Quick hands, long and uphill bat path, gap-to-gap approach, attacks the baseball with intent. Flashed juice off the barrel, recorded one of the furthest batted balls of this event. 
Power: 91.22 max exit velocity, averaged 85.24 mph. 335’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Short arm stroke, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: 2.12-2.18 pop times. Lower half works in line to target, hands play to the baseball, quick exchange to release.
Run: 7.27 runner in the 60. 

5. Ian Merry, Sheboygan North (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-11, 180-pounds. Physical, wide-shouldered frame; sturdy lower half.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, smooth hand load, steady leg lift timing trigger, controlled posture through contact.  Strong hands, long and uphill bat path, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 88.34 max exit velocity, averaged 80.48 mph. 295’ max distance. Flashed above-average raw power off the barrel.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Short and loose arm action, elevated high 3/4 angle.
Defense: 2.09-2.15 pop times. Athletic actions behind the plate, lower half plays with some pre-pitch rhythm, feet stay in line to target, clean hand transfer. Firm wrists/forearms at gather, presents the ball well.
Run: 7.62 runner in the 60. 

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Ethan Bennett, Oshkosh North (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-9, 185-pounds. Sturdy compact frame.
Hit: RHH. Crouched setup, vertical back starts rested low at hip pocket and loads upward with a wrap, short stride to even.  Long bat path, barrel head works on an uphill trajectory to contact, flashed juice off the barrel.
Power: 92.17 max exit velocity, averaged 79.71 mph. 316’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. Short compact arm action, over-the-top release.
Defense: 2.15-2.34 pop times. Works quick from the chute, clean hand transfer, short trigger to release, plays through the baseball.
Run: 8.13 runner in the 60. 

Hunter Buschke, Notre Dame Academy (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-9, 160-pounds. Well-proportioned frame that projects.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, quiet pre-pitch actions, hands load into a low slot, leg kick timing trigger.  Loose hands/wrists that averaged 25.86 mph of hand speed, per Blast Motion. Long and uphill bat path, flashed some pull-side leverage.
Power: 89.98 max exit velocity, averaged 85.66 mph. 286’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. Short arm action with some wrap in the back, high 3/4 slot. Some accuracy to the bag.
Defense: 2.29-2.40 pop times. Balanced base, flexible lower half, works direct to target, quick exchange at times.
Run: 7.95 runner in the 60.

Bryce Duszak, Menasha (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-11, 195-pounds. Athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, front foot points inward, smooth hand load, short stride.  Simple swing, hands stay short to the baseball, quick wrists, level path with some feel to elevate towards the pull-side.
Power: 89.97 max exit velocity, averaged 82.31 mph. 334’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Short arm action with some wrap on the back side, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.26-2.36 pop times. Upright stance at gather, clean hand transfer, no additional movement to release.
Run: 8.21 runner in the 60. 

Bryan Gerbers, De Pere (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-10, 145-pounds. Thin, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Open stance, balanced setup, active hands pre-pitch, bat loads backward, quick toe-tap trigger.  Bat travels on a level path to contact, line drive approach.
Power: 86.35 max exit velocity, averaged 79.09 mph. 282’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: 2.25-2.44 pop times. Narrow hips, stands tall at gather, some length to release.
Run: 7.94 runner in the 60.

Grant Gill, Bay Port (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-10, 175-pounds. Strong, athletic frame with strength attached throughout. Looks the part.
Hit: RHH. Open stance, balanced lower half, smooth hand rhythm pre-pitch, bat tips at load as back elbow coils, toe-tap timing trigger.  Uphill bat path, natural feel to elevate, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 84.57 max exit velocity, averaged 80.3 mph. 267’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Arm travels on a short path to release, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.25-2.47 pop times. Athletic actions behind the plate, flexible hips, loose lower half. Quick feet work direct to target, soft hands at gather, clean exchange, short trigger to release.
Run: 7.72 runner in the 60.

Gage Hilbelink, Oostburg (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-1, 165-pounds. Lean, lanky frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, hands drop at load, leg lift trigger to front foot plant.  Short and uphill bat path.
Power: 82.95 max exit velocity, averaged 61.42 mph. 198’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 65 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: 2.36-2.44 pop times. Tall at gather, long to release.
Run: 7.66 runner in the 60. 

Logan Hochevar, Pulaski (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-3, 195-pounds. Strong, well-proportioned frame; thick lower half.
Hit: RHH. Open stance, balanced lower half, bat wraps at load, long stride to footstrike.  Long bat path, barrel unwhips from bat wrap on a level path to contact, line drive approach.
Power: 90.1 max exit velocity, averaged 74.03 mph. 292’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Short trigger, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: 2.15-2.33 pop times. Wide base, gains ground towards the bag while working in line, quick and secure hand transfer, recoil finish. Received the ball well in his pens; thumb works underneath.
Run: 8.03 runner in the 60. 

Ebyn LaForest, Ashwaubenon (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-1, 152-pounds. Upside frame with lanky levers attached.
Hit: LHH. Narrow base, open stance, hands drop in a steady tempo at load, uncoils lower half with a toe-tap trigger.  Long and uphill bat path, inside out approach; comfortable working the other way.
Power: 89.68 max exit velocity, averaged 81.97 mph. 262’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 68 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot. Accurate throws to the bag.
Defense: 2.43-2.51 pop times. Quiet actions behind the plate, feet work in line to the bag, steady hands at gather.
Run: 7.80 runner in the 60. 

Jaeden LeCapitaine, Freedom (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-11, 175-pounds. Athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, closed stance, bat wraps at load, high leg kick trigger to footstrike.  Long path to contact, level barrel head through the zone, line drive approach, comfortable working the other way.
Power: 90.35 max exit velocity, averaged 78.39 mph. 330’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. INF - 75 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.09-2.19 pop times. Took reps behind the plate and on the infield. Balanced base from the crouch, feet work in rhythm away from the bag, clean exchange to release. Active actions pre-pitch on the infield, hands play low to the ground and out front of body, lower half works around the baseball.
Run: 7.43 runner in the 60. 

Abraham Maurer, North Fond du Lac (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-9, 160-pounds. Athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, hands lock back at load, quick toe-tap trigger.  Short and uphill bat path, high two-hand finish.
Power: 80.07 max exit velocity, averaged 73.48 mph. 275’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 68 mph. Short arm stroke, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.15-2.33 pop times. Narrow base, upright at gather, quick hand transfer to release.
Run: 7.45 runner in the 60. 

Jace Midbon, Freedom (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 6-3, 170-pounds. Lean and lanky frame, high waist. Projects.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, smooth hand load, leg lift timing trigger, short stride.  Short bat path, consistent level plane, line drive approach.
Power: 81.21 max exit velocity, averaged 70.76 mph. 221’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. INF - 72 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.11-2.22 pop times. Worked out behind the dish and on the diamond. Low base in the crouch, feet maintain direction to target, clean exchange, some length to release. Defends with some pre-pitch rhythm on the infield, glove plays low to the ground and hands field out front with a clean inward funnel. 
Run: 7.72 runner in the 60.

Evan Olson, Kimberly (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-10, 160-pounds. Wiry strength in lean frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced/closed, athletic base; hands set high, elbow up. Abbreviated load, short stride. High hands create short, steep plane to the zone; created above-average bat speed.
Power: 88.98 max exit velocity, averaged 78.14 mph. 281’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. INF - 75 mph. Short, efficient arm action from an over-the-top slot; on target, athletic release.
Defense: 2.08-2.19 pop times. Quiet receiver; strong hands/wrists. Advanced block feel; soft, keeps out front. Quick hands and feet lead to efficient transfers.
Run: 7.54 runner in the 60. 

Evan Olson, Appleton East (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-7, 150-pounds. Thin, athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, smooth load, high leg kick trigger, long stride to footstrike.  Loose hands, short and simple swing, level bat path, line drive approach.
Power: 86.67 max exit velocity, averaged 82.3 mph. 306’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Short and loose arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: 2.10-2.19 pop times. Balanced setup from the crouch, stands tall at gather, lower half stays in line to target, clean exchange funnels into a quick release. Presents the ball well; glove hand worked underneath the baseball in his pens.
Run: 7.54 runner in the 60. 

 

Ethan Peters, Hortonville (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/C
Body: 5-10, 134-pounds. Lean, high-waisted frame with lanky levers.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, open stance, smooth hand load, quiet toe-tap timing trigger.  Long bat path with a level barrel head, occasional uphill path, pull-side approach.
Power: 78.56 max exit velocity, averaged 71.3 mph. 262’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 release angle.
Defense: 2.26-2.37 pop times. Sits into hips from the crouch, feet shuffle in line to target, secure exchange with an upright finish through release.
Run: 7.56 runner in the 60. 

Carter Polfuss, De Pere (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-7, 135-pounds. Small, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Open stance, balanced lower half, high back elbow, vertical bat at load and strides short.  Long bat path with some uphill leverage to contact, hits out front.
Power: 81.89 max exit velocity, averaged 69.25 mph. 260’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 67 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: 2.22-2.40 pop times. Upright at gather with a wide base, quick hand transfer, feet work away from bag.
Run: 7.64 runner in the 60. 

Connor Schroeder, Wausaukee (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-9, 144-pounds. Lean, lanky levers.
Hit: RHH. Balanced base, some pre-pitch rhythm; smooth load, short stride.  Bat path is short, direct, flat through impact; maintains balance through finish.
Power: 80.56 max exit velocity, averaged 68.25 mph. 263’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 65 mph. INF - 76 mph. Short arm action from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.33-2.50 pop times. Sits into hips from the crouch, side shuffle to target, secure exchange with an upright finish through release.
Run: 8.07 runner in the 60. 

Sawyer Steineke, Kaukauna (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-10, 180-pounds. Sturdy, wide-shouldered frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, narrow base, low hand load, short stride to even.  Simple swing with little added movement, uphill path, comfortable working middle-away.
Power: 83.15 max exit velocity, averaged 74.09 mph. 254’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 65 mph. Short compact arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.47-2.57 pop times. Wide base in the crouch, sits deep into hips, quick hand transfer.
Run: 7.94 runner in the 60. 

Bryan Villwock, Two Rivers (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/C
Body: 6-0, 165-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned frame that projects to add strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, subtle hand load, short stride to close.  Uphill bat path, sees the ball deep into the zone, comfortable going with the baseball.
Power: 77.5 max exit velocity, averaged 69.82 mph. 206’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Short arm stroke with some poke on the backside, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.29-2.42 pop times. Upright posture at gather, long to release.
Run: 7.11 runner in the 60. 

RELATED CONTENT