Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 11 Eau Claire Memorial

KEY PLAYERS LOST:

+ RHP Vincent Trapani (2021; Arkansas)
+ 1B/OF Campbell Kapanke (2021)
+ C Jake Becker (2021)

X-FACTOR:

INF/RHP Dylan O’Connell (2022; University of St. Thomas commit): O’Connell burst onto the scene last season as a major winner across the calendar year to our staff. He first popped in the winter at our Madison Preseason ID and followed it up with an all-around impressive WIAA season, batting .414 and pitching to a 7-2 record for the Old Abes - culminating in a first team all-conference selection. He was arguably the top prospect at our Top Prospect - Milwaukee event in July and committed to the University of St. Thomas not too long afterwards, joining one of the nation’s newest Division I programs this fall. O’Connell returns to the Old Abes in 2022 as their presumed ace on the mound and top offensive threat with the expectation being he’ll handle shortstop duties, too. He’s a potential ‘Player of the Year’ candidate for us and his success during his final season could have the Old Abes playing deep into the WIAA playoffs.

OUTLOOK:

Last season was an incredibly successful one for Eau Claire Memorial and the poise they showed throughout the playoffs was equally impressive. The Old Abes won 22 games, but they ended the regular season with a fourth place finish in the Big Rivers conference. Head coach Dan Roehl’s squad battled valiantly, defeating rival Eau Claire North in the regional championship and taking down River Falls and D.C. Everest rather handedly en route to a state playoffs appearance. There, Eau Claire Memorial took down the giant that was Union Grove by a score of 5-1 before falling to eventual runner-up Bay Port in the state semi-final matchup.

Success for the Old Abes wasn’t met without losses, however, as RHP Vincent Trapani (2021; Arkansas) and two other key seniors highlighted above departed via graduation. Trapani was this team’s star ace and now, at Arkansas, leaves a noticeable void on the mound that’ll be a tall task to fill. Regardless of that, however, Eau Claire Memorial returns a heavy chunk of offensive threats this spring and they’re plenty eager to build off the success started in 2021.

Mentioned above, O’Connell is going to be an everyday staple for this team and arguably their top offensive producer. Around him, however, is a talented returning group of seniors that are each coming off successful seasons in their own right. Both of OF Luke Erickson (2022; St. Charles CC) and INF/RHP Peyton Platter (2022) are two top-of-the-order bats that individually earned all-conference selections in 2021. Erickson hits leadoff and returns a .356 batting average from the left side, all while patrolling the outfield with above-average defense. Platter, another left-handed bat, hit .341 in an everyday role and served as this team’s closer, a role he’ll repeat this spring, with three saves. Left-handed hitting OF Jack Redwine (2022) brings a .351 batting average and necessary thump to this lineup with experience to pair, while INF Austin Baker (2022; Augsburg) is a stable, sure-handed glove to pair up with O’Connell on the infield and hit .302 last spring. A name that should see more playing time this year is MIF Bjorn Pressler (2022; Luther College), who’s an athletic right-handed hitter that completes a well-rounded group of defenders at each infield spot for Eau Claire Memorial.

Filling in for his older brother, RHP Roman Trapani (2023) now slots into this starting rotation. Perhaps the only weakness on this roster is their lack of experience on the mound, but the younger Trapani brother showed well last season as a sophomore, pitching to a 3-0 record in his time on the hill. We recently saw Trapani at the Madison Preseason ID, where he ran his fastball up to 87 mph, pitching at 85-87 mph, and showed improved feel for all three of his secondary offerings. The Old Abes have an ace with O’Connell and if Trapani can take that next step from a performance standpoint, Eau Claire Memorial will have two quality arms to compliment a deep, potent lineup.

2023 Roman Trapani (Eau Claire Memorial HS, WI) showed + pitchability using a 4-pitch mix using the off speed to put hitters away, SL on the back foot to LHH and + CH, ran FB up to 86 pitching 81-84 for ⁦@GRBRays⁩ ⁦@PBRWisconsin⁩ ⁦@ShooterHunt⁩ ⁦#Super16 pic.twitter.com/rOlLfPoB1G

— Kevin Moulder PBR (@PBR_Moulder) July 18, 2021

BOTTOM LINE:

Few teams will trot a lineup out on a game-to-game basis that’s capable of doing damage like the Old Abes’ group is. They’re talented, experienced, and have all played together for quite some time now, equating to what’s likely to be an all-around offensive assault on a game-to-game basis. If they’re firing on all cylinders come playoff time, watch out for Eau Claire Memorial to make their way back to Appleton in June. 

Make sure to follow @PBRWisconsin on Twitter for the most up-to-date coverage throughout the 2022 season.

Find more information on the 2022 Old Abes below:

+ Team Website
+ Team Schedule
+ Team Twitter

PRESEASON POWER 25 COUNTDOWN