Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 14 Janesville Craig

X-FACTOR

+ 1B/LHP Aiden Schenk (2023): Schenk’s been on the rise for us since the fall, where he impressed our scouts at The Rock and carried that momentum throughout the winter into the South Milwaukee Preseason ID a few weeks back. Built at a strong 6-foot-1, 210-pounds, Schenk wields an impact-type left-handed stroke, peppering balls off the barrel both at our event and during our in-game looks. He has the offensive skill-set to be a middle-of-the-order type bat for this team, but Schenk’s physical talents transfer to the mound as well. He was up to 85 mph with his fastball from the left side in a quick ‘pen, sitting at 82-84 mph. Last season, Schenk pitched to a 5-2 record for the Cougars and earned all-conference first team honors for his efforts on both sides of the ball. Schenk returns as an all-around anchor for this team and him building off last year’s performance will greatly benefit the Cougars.

STAT RAT:

75%: The amount of innings and returning starters Janesville Craig brings into the 2022 season. They’re group last year was widely inexperienced and still proved to be successful, and now things are on an upward trajectory for the Cougars as that budding core is back in 2022. 

OUTLOOK

The Cougars had plenty of success in 2021, making it to their sectional final before losing to eventual state champion and conference foe Sun Prairie. They’re even more excited for what’s to come this spring, especially because all but two regular starters last season were underclassmen and that entire group returns in 2022.

We’ll actually start by looking at this junior class, which featured a multitude of everyday contributors last season that compliment this team’s seniors rather nicely. Mentioned above as this team’s ‘X-Factor’, Schenk headlines a group that includes INF Jake Schaffner (2023), OF Jackson Adams (2023), OF Devin Gudenschwager (2023), and INF Joe Stried (2023).

Schaffner is a highly athletic left-handed hitter that represented Team Wisconsin at the PBR Future Games this summer and should slot right back at the top of this lineup while handling shortstop duties as well. How much he improved over the off-season, particularly in the power department, could be a main factor into the potency of this Janesville Craig offense, with their junior standout looking to repeat as a first team all-conference selection. Adams, as things stand right now, is a top-60 prospect on our 2023 rankings and impressed us this past fall with a twitchy, athletic left-handed stroke that’s performed in game. Another pesky left-handed hitter on this team is Gudenschwager, who emerged a winner from the Milwaukee Preseason ID a few weeks ago. He’s an advanced athlete for his age (6.81 60-yard dash) with high bat-to-ball skills and a competitive approach in the box. He’ll comfortably roam this outfield as well and may even contribute innings on the mound as the spring rolls on. Stried is a dual-sport athlete, he’s on the Cougars’ basketball team as well, that adds another dynamic to this infield with returning experience to pair.

Jake Schaffner (7/28/21)

Moving to the senior class, Craig returns a formidable bunch of players headed into their final season at the prep level. RHP/OF Jack Ryan (2022; Wisconsin-Whitewater) and OF/RHP Patrick Schork (2022) are both key returners on both sides of the ball for this team, though their impact is most likely to be felt on the mound. Along with Schenk, this duo accounts for a large chunk of the Cougars’ returning innings bulk and ensures that an experienced face will be on the rubber on a game-to-game basis. They’re no slouches offensively either, giving Janesville Craig a necessary all-around boost. RHP Brent Klukas (2022) and INF Carson Herbst (2022) are two more names-to-know in this senior class.

Jack Ryan (8/16/21)

BOTTOM LINE

With an entire group of experienced returners, the Cougars have a real shot at the Big Eight conference title this spring. It won’t be easy, with Sun Prairie, Verona, Madison Memorial, and Middleton all in the mix, but the upside that Janesville Craig has on both sides of the ball could have them playing fairly deep into the WIAA playoffs.

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

Find more information on the 2022 Cougars below:

+ Team Website
+ Team Schedule
+ Team Twitter

PRESEASON POWER 25 COUNTDOWN