Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 3 Franklin

KEY PLAYERS LOST: 

+ C/RHP Joe Turco (2021; Wisconsin-Platteville)
+ RHP Jordan Bierdemann (2021; Bryant & Stratton)
+ Dyson Klubertanz (2021)

X-FACTOR:

INF/RHP Evan Iwinski (2022; Madison JC): Iwinski’s importance to the Sabers last year can’t be understated, as he played a pertinent role on both sides of the ball and earned a first team all-conference selection because of it. Across 75 at-bats, Iwinski slashed .453/.512/.627 with 11 extra-base hits and 26 RBIs, walking as many times as he struck out. He did all of this while seeing time at shortstop, making just two errors in 55 total chances on defense. Though improvements can be made on the mound, Iwinski logged 28 ⅓ innings for Franklin and punched out 42 batters in the process. He’ll shoulder a similar two-way workload this spring in his final prep season, making him as equally important as he was last year. 

UNDERCLASSMAN TO WATCH: 

RHP Grayson Flugaur (@SaberBaseball, 2024) is another name-to-know sophomore in the state.

Quick arm. FB sat 84-86 mph, spun a sharp low-70s breaking ball, too. #SouthMKEID pic.twitter.com/xwohk1WuSQ

— PBR Wisconsin (@PBRWisconsin) March 6, 2022

RHP Grayson Flugaur (2024): It’s rare for us to see a player have the level of success Flugaur had in his freshman year, especially on the mound. A top-20 prospect in the state’s 2024 class, Flugaur was flat-out dominant last spring, pitching to a 2.39 ERA and 0.99 WHIP across 29 ⅓ innings. He punched out 42 batters and walked just 13 in 11 total appearances - two of which were starts while also going a perfect 3-for-3 in save opportunities. An uptick in velocity, now running his fastball in the 84-86 mph range, with improved feel for a true four-pitch mix has Flugaur poised for a monster sophomore season and a potential ascension to ace status for Franklin. 

OUTLOOK: 

Franklin earned a share of the Southeast Conference Title last season - their first in over a decade. While they did suffer some heavy losses, particularly on the mound, the Sabers return an enormous core of players from their 2021 team and are adding in some highly talented seniors to the mix, too. 

Leading the charge for the Sabers are a plethora of seniors that are looking to leave their mark on the program. With Iwinski, OF Max Semancik (2022; Rock Valley JC) was also a first team all-conference selection last spring and returns a .432/.530/.495 triple-slash with 18 stolen bases and 37 runs scored in 95 at-bats as the spark plug for this lineup. Semancik’s defensive value in center field can’t be overlooked either and we’ve seen him make extraordinary plays look routine during his time as a prep. Though he was limited at times last season with an injury, INF Carson Flugaur (2022; Parkland JC) figures to be an integral part of what the Sabers plan on achieving in 2022. A highly athletic right-handed hitter, Flugaur slashed .362/.464/.489 in 47 at-bats last season, adding in three triples and more walks (8) than strikeouts (6). His glove value, along with Semancik in center field, ensures that Franklin has athleticism and stability up the middle defensively.

Currently penciled in as their everyday backstop, C/DH Keaton Arendt (2022; Winona State Football) is fresh off serving as a top-tier wide receiver for Franklin’s title team on the football field and is now eager to help the baseball squad do the same. Last season, Arendt slashed .321/.437/.429 with a team-high 31 RBIs and more walks (11) than strikeouts (8). Handling this pitching staff will be his main priority, but the value he brings to the table offensively is undeniable, too. Another key piece to the Sabers’ championship football squad who’s headed to North Dakota this fall as a linebacker is OF Jack Baretz (2022). Baretz should see playing time in the outfield after posting a .302 batting average and .387 on-base percentage in 53 at-bats last spring.

Two fresh faces to this team that should slot in as impact contributors from the very beginning: OF Dylan Mass (2022; St. Leo College) and OF Charlie Marion (2022; Madison JC). Mass has quickly established himself as one of the state’s top left-handed bats and adding him to this offense creates an entirely different dynamic towards the top of this lineup. He’ll consistently make contact, put together highly competitive at-bats, and also brings plenty of athleticism to both sides of the ball. Marion is no slouch offensively either - he’s a name we’ve seen perform against quality competition in-game throughout his high school career thus far. Like Mass, Marion’s a left-handed hitter with high bat-to-ball skills and athleticism to pair as well. The addition of both of these players in their senior season should unlock a new tier of potency for a team that already brings plenty back.

The Sabers also add two strike-throwing senior arms that can give them a veteran presence on the mound each time they toe the rubber. RHP Jaxson Easterlin (2022; Oakland) has flashed a quality three-pitch mix to our staff in the past with a fastball that’s been up to 85 mph, typically pitching in the low-80s. Expect him to slot into a top spot in this starting rotation and eat a bulk of innings for this team. RHP Max Martin (2022; Des Moines Area CC) should operate in a swing-type role, seeing a majority of his work in relief while having the flexibility to start games if necessary. He’s a low-80s right-hander with a sharp breaking ball as his primary secondary offering.

Franklin also returns its best hitter from last season: 3B Boston Halloran (2023; Oakland). Halloran was an absolute force to be reckoned with in 2021, ambushing baseballs for a .464/.509/629 triple-slash while driving in 26 runs and scoring 32 of his own. He was an absolute doubles machine, recording 16 in total and seven more than the next closest bat on this roster. Should some of those doubles turn into long balls after an off-season of training under his belt, Halloran could repeat as a first team all-conference selection and potentially take home the SEC Player of the Year award.

Both RHP Noah Musolf (2023) and RHP/INF Cooper Kamlay (2024) provide high-end depth to a team full of it. Musolf popped at the Milwaukee Preseason ID two weeks ago, running a hard-running fastball up to 89 mph, while pitching at 87-88 mph. He also featured an above-average changeup and a low-70s curveball landed for strikes, but Musolf’s current pitch arsenal could be explosive out of the ‘pen for Franklin, particularly in a back-end role. Like Flugaur, Kamlay saw time on the mound as a freshman and succeeded across 19 ⅓ innings of work. He’ll operate in a similar role this spring and should also see time on the infield as an athletic up-the-middle athlete with sure-handed actions to pair. 

An uncommitted winner from the #MilwaukeeID: RHP Noah Musolf (@SaberBaseball, 2023).

Twitchy athlete, quick/loose arm, stretch only. FB up to 89 mph, sat 87-88 mph, with rise/run profile. Flashes above-average changeup, too.

?PROFILE: https://t.co/3TWyFoC84p pic.twitter.com/iEz49euDiI

— PBR Wisconsin (@PBRWisconsin) March 21, 2022

BOTTOM LINE: 

Franklin is loaded with talent across multiple age levels and there’s really no other way to explain it. They bring back an entire core of high-end producers that helped lead this team to 24 wins last year while also adding a handful of key impact-type pieces to the mix. Expect them to firmly compete for the Southeast Conference title yet again in 2022 and there’s no reason why this team can’t play deep into the WIAA playoffs when the time comes. 

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

Find more information on the 2022 Sabers below: 

+ Team Schedule
+ Team Twitter

PRESEASON POWER 25 COUNTDOWN