Prep Baseball Report

Become a Member

More +

Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 21 Middleton

March 6, 2015

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor – Wisconsin/Illinois

The Wisconsin high school season kicks off on March 31, the first day for regular season games. Most teams will begin practicing on March 23, getting their rosters set and finalizing their lineups.

Throughout the month of March we will be counting down our Preseason Power 25 Team Rankings leading up to the No. 1 team right before opening day.

CLICK HERE for complete Preseason Power 25.

No. 21 Middleton

2014 Record: 21-9
WIAA Classification: 1
Conference: Big Eight
Head Coach: Tom Schmitt
2014 Playoff Run: Sectional Champions

TOP PLAYERS

Hayden Denson, LHP, 2015
Alec Morrison, RHP, 2016
Nolan Schoonveld, UTL, 2015
Tyler Holley, OF, 2015
Joe Ludwig, C, 2017
Ivan Monreal, SS, 2016

X-FACTOR

Rebuilding. Youngsters will need to step up for the Cardinals in 2015, just like Jefferson at No. 22, Middleton was hit hard by graduation.The Cardinals play in maybe the toughest conference in the state so they may take their lumps early but should bode well for them as they move to post season play.

UP AND COMING

Sophomore Joe Ludwig got some valuable varsity experience in the Cardinal’s 2014 run to Appleton as a freshman. This year Ludwig should see more time behind the dish. Middleton also has a couple freshman that could impact this year’s club in LHP Jim Frusciante, MIF Nolan Kelliher and C Alan Roden.

OUTLOOK

Middleton is in a similar situation to our No. 22 ranked team, Jefferson. They made a strong run to Appleton in 2014 but lost a ton to graduation. However, the cupboards aren’t complete bare in Middleton. They will have a strong defender up the middle in SS Ivan Monreal, and the above mentioned Joe Ludwig should be an important offensive cog in the lineup. Hayden Denson has the most innings under his belt on the young Cardinal staff going 2-1 last year with an ERA of 2.21. Alec Morrison should also contribute on the mound a lot for the Cardinals. Watch out for freshman LHP Jim Frusciante, if he doesn’t see action this year he should certainly be a mainstay in the Cardinal rotation for years to come. Bottom line is Coach Schmitt and the Cardinals will need some inexperienced youngsters to step up if they want to make another run to Appleton.

If you are a high school coach and have yet to send in your Preseason Questionnaire please fill one out HERE.

Related Content

WI 3.15.15 Madison Slide

 

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor – Wisconsin/Illinois

The Wisconsin high school season kicks off on March 31, the first day for regular season games. Most teams will begin practicing on March 23, getting their rosters set and finalizing their lineups.

Throughout the month of March we will be counting down our Preseason Power 25 Team Rankings leading up to the No. 1 team right before opening day.

CLICK HERE for complete Preseason Power 25.

No. 21 Middleton

2014 Record: 21-9
WIAA Classification: 1
Conference: Big Eight
Head Coach: Tom Schmitt
2014 Playoff Run: Sectional Champions

TOP PLAYERS

Hayden Denson, LHP, 2015
Alec Morrison, RHP, 2016
Nolan Schoonveld, UTL, 2015
Tyler Holley, OF, 2015
Joe Ludwig, C, 2017
Ivan Monreal, SS, 2016

X-FACTOR

Rebuilding. Youngsters will need to step up for the Cardinals in 2015, just like Jefferson at No. 22, Middleton was hit hard by graduation.

UP AND COMING

Sophomore Joe Ludwig got some valuable varsity experience in the Cardinal’s 2014 run to Appleton as a freshman. This year Ludwig should see more time behind the dish. Middleton also has a couple freshman that could impact this year’s club in LHP Jim Frusciante, MIF Nolan Kelliher and C Alan Roden.

OUTLOOK

Middleton is in a similar situation to our No. 22 ranked team, Jefferson. They made a strong run to Appleton in 2014 but lost a ton to graduation. However, the cupboards aren’t complete bare in Middleton. They will have a strong defender up the middle in SS Ivan Monreal, and the above mentioned Joe Ludwig should be an important offensive cog in the lineup. Hayden Denson has the most innings under his belt on the young Cardinal staff going 2-1 last year with an ERA of 2.21. Alec Morrison should also contribute on the mound a lot for the Cardinals. Watch out for freshman LHP Jim Frusciante, if he doesn’t see action this year he should certainly be a mainstay in the Cardinal rotation for years to come. Bottom line is Coach Schmitt and the Cardinals will need some inexperienced youngsters to step up if they want to make another run to Appleton.

If you are a high school coach and have yet to send in your Preseason Questionnaire please fill one out HERE.