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Inside The Rankings: 2017 Risers

July 19, 2016

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor – Wisconsin/Illinois

The summer is off to a hot start for many of Wisconsin’s 2017 graduates. With the release of the updated 2017 Wisconsin Rankings and 2017 Overall Rankings, many of the Badger State’s best have been climbing the charts. Last week we focused on the biggest influences on the top ten, risers such as RHP Jacob Lindemann (Burlington), 3B Zach Clayton (Oconomowoc) and RHP Ryan Hoerter (Indian Trail).

Today we look much deeper into some of the biggest risers in the 2017 class.  

We saw three big jumps into the top 25 this time around. Left-handed hitting outfielders Tanner Smith (Kettle Moraine) and Cameron Cratic (Madison East) have been blowing up this summer, both jumping over 20 spots in the rankings and for good reasons.Tanner Smith Smith’s bat carries more pop and takes a confident, aggressive approach to the box, his loud contact was on full display at the Badger State Tournament in early July where he went 6-for-12 with a double, two triples and a home run. An above average runner as well, Smith shows tools to play all three outfield positions, but his bat looks to keep him a mainstay in the middle of a lineup.

Cameron CraticCratic possesses a slightly different game that can play at the top of a lineup. He has well above average speed plus the arm strength to play in right. His bat is more of the barrel control variety which flashes pop to his pull side. He’s a lean projectable athlete as well that looks like he could grow into more pop at the next level.

RHP Thomas Ginther (Baraboo) climbed more than 25 spots to jump into the top 25. Ginther has an easy delivery and arm action that works up to 87 mph in games, with the ability to hold it for multiple innings. He shows an above average ability to control the strike zone as well as getting swing and misses within it.

West De Pere saw a pair of 2017 graduates jump into the top 50 this summer. Both C Kyle Kosobucki and OF Matt McNabb saw significant jumps in the ranks, over 30Matthew McNabb spots. Kosobucki has been a doubles machine this summer spraying the ball to both gaps. McNabb is a speedy outfielder who projects as a top of the lineup guy with good hand eye and rarely swings and misses. McNabb also earned third team All-State honors this spring after hitting .435.

Other notable risers in the top 100 include Andrew Stekiel (Catholic Memorial) who has seen his fastball reach 86 mph on occasion with a good 12/6 curveball. Dain Hudson (Waukesha West) moved up more than 10 spots, a strong athletic outfielder with plus speed for his age. Matt Korman (Waterford), Tanner Bykowski (Westosha Central) and Zach Carney (Kimberly) all moved up in the top 100 as their bats continue to show they can hit at a high level.

CLICK HERE to see the entire Wisconsin 2017 Rankings.

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