Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 19 Antigo
March 17, 2018
The Wisconsin high school season kicks off on March 27th, the first day for regular season games.
Leading up to the opening week of games we will be rolling out team previews of high school teams all across the state and across all classifications, eventually launching our Preseason Power 25.
We will bring you a snapshot of what to expect along with top players and keys to success for that particular team.
Team: Antigo
Preseason Rank: 19
2017 Record: 22-3
Conference: Great Northern
WIAA Division: 1
Head Coach: Scott Farmer
Playoff Run: Regional final appearance
2017 Final Rank: 21
Returning Starters: 7
Returning Pitchers: 5
KEY PLAYERS LOST
None.
TOP PLAYERS
| Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Commitment |
| Matt Winter | WI | Antigo | 2018 | OF | |
| AJ Kirsch | WI | Antigo | 2018 | LHP/1B | |
| Garret Held | WI | Antigo | 2018 | C | |
| Brady Tatro | WI | Antigo | 2018 | LHP/OF | McHenry County JC |
| Cody Urban | WI | Antigo | 2018 | RHP | |
| Wade Farmer | WI | Antigo | 2018 | OF | |
| Sebastian Noskowiak | WI | Antigo | 2019 | RHP/INF | |
| Logan Doering | WI | Antigo | 2019 | C | |
| Korbin Krueger | WI | Antigo | 2019 | OF | |
| Brady Renfro | WI | Antigo | 2020 | LHP |
Newcomer to watch
Sophomore LHP Brady Renfro is exceptionally talented, and has been on our radar for at least a year or so now. He’s currently ranked No. 20 overall in his state’s class and No. 4 among left-handed arms. We most recently saw Renfro at the Madison preseason showcase last weekend and he impressed us with his loose and easy arm action, sitting in the low-80s, looking like there’s more in the tank as he grows.
However, as good as Renfro is, his best position is one currently occupied by three seniors who combined to win 17 games last year. But an arm this good might be too tempting for Coach Scott Farmer to use in some capacity this spring, whether it’s out of the bullpen or in a starting role. If Renfro’s able to break into this staff in some kind of regular role, don’t say we didn’t warn you just how good he can be. Consider this a warning flare for the rest of the Great Northern.
Brady Renfro (10.28.17)
X-FACTOR
If he’s a senior on Antigo, then it’s assumed he earned some kind of all-conference recognition in 2017, and that includes OF/LHP Brady Tatro (McHenry County JC). The second teamer is a real two-way talent for the Red Robins and is probably slotted in as the team’s third starter this spring. In the batter’s box, Tatro hit .403 last season and typically resides in a corner outfield spot when he isn’t on the mound.
The Red Robins won’t necessarily be leaning on Tatro’s bat this year, as sound as it is they have other even more impactful hitters on this squad. But Tatro’s arm will be a determiner in just how successful their 2018 is. Tatro went 5-2 as a junior last year and kept a respectable ERA of 3.12. If he’s able to take another step forward, then Antigo has three heavyweights in its rotation that should give it a real opportunity to be state bound come June.
OUTLOOK
The kings of the Great Northern, Antigo returns an experienced, gifted team of seniors in 2018 who might be extra motivated after being upset in their regional championship last year against a Mosinee team that they beat twice before in conference play. They have won five straight conference titles (including their shared crown in 2015) and are certainly the odds-on favorite to take the GNC once more as they bring back their seven best players who helped them go 12-0 in their conference in 2017.
The Red Robins were also 10-3 outside the GNC last year and were capable of beating their opposition in a multitude of ways. They return three-quarters of their rotation including their best two arms, seniors LHP/1B A.J. Kirsch and RHP Cody Urban. Both Kirsch and Urban won six games and were not credited with a loss last year. Kirsch was a first team all-conference selection and the GNC’s player of the year, and Urban earned second team all-conference honors. The pair plus Tatro and maybe even the sophomore Renfro will construct one of the most dependable staffs, not only in their conference, but in the state.
But like previously stated, the Red Robins don’t necessarily need their arms to be on game in and out in order to win another 20-plus games. They’re returning four bats that hit above .400 in 2017. Kirsch (.435) and Tatro (.403) are back, obviously, but they’re accompanied by fellow seniors and first-teamers OF Matt Winter (.443) and C Garret Held (.466).
Winter is their star and one of the most athletic players in the state. He was an all-state honorable mention at the defensive back position on the gridiron and was the hockey team’s captain. He has Olympic genes in his bloodlines, too, and it shows in center field. In his junior season, Winter was all-conference and all-district. He unexpectedly saw action in the outfield as a sophomore under Coach Farmer’s watch and he took advantage, never to relinquish his spot. His return to the team injects even more pop to a lineup already filled with it. Winter’s not decided on the sport he’ll opt to dedicate his time to at the next level, either baseball or football, but before he needs to make that call he’s prepared to help the Red Robins take advantage of the roster they have this spring.
BOTTOM LINE
Antigo is returning a bevy of talent in 2018, particularly in its pitching staff, that should be able to take the Red Robins beyond regionals, where they were halted last year. Beyond their rotation, they have the offensive prowess to win slugfests, too -- though they won’t be in many.
But they aren’t flawless. It’s uncertain which members of the 2019 class will be called on as reinforcements. And you can ask any one of the pitchers on this staff, but I’m sure they’d say it’s little concerning the lack of experience they have on the left side of the infield defensively. Finding the glovework to pair with this rotation will be the biggest question Antigo has to answer in the early days of spring.
Find more information on the 2018 Red Robins below:
+ Full Schedule
+ Team Website
Make sure to follow @PBRWisconsin on Twitter for the most up-to-date coverage throughout the season.