On March 6, PBR Wisconsin hosted the longest running annual event on its winter calendar, the South Milwaukee Preseason ID at Hitters Baseball Academy in Caledonia, WI. Approximately 90 players, mostly from Southeastern Wisconsin, attended this event, many of whom have established themselves as high-level prospects in the state. This event also perennially provides our staff with a glimpse at the future, allowing us to gain a clearer understanding of the up-and-coming players in Wisconsin, specifically the Class of 2025.

This showcase has also consistently supplied us with players to invite to represent Team Wisconsin at the PBR Future Games, and there were numerous sophomores in attendance who have earned early consideration for the 2022 event.

In the week that followed this event, we produced post-event analysis that includes performance highlights inside of our Quick Hits story, a look at the traditional stats measured within our Statistical Analysis piece, batted-ball and pitch data compiled in TrackMan Files, swing metrics captured on the Blast Motion Board, and sight scores from an athletic perspective tracked on the Vizual Edge Scoreboard.

You can learn more about the state-of-the-art technologies featured at our showcases within the hyperlinks above. Today we’ll begin our post-event process by rolling out the individual scouting reports of the day, starting with the catcher position while working our way across the diamond as the week continues.

TOP CATCHING PROSPECTS

1. TJ Schuyler, Antioch (IL), 2023 Indiana commit
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-2, 200-pounds. Evenly distributed strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup. Modified leg kick. Vertical path through the zone. Extending up to deliver. Stays through the zone working from high to low and quality timing.
Power: 93.4 max exit velocity, averaged 81.2 mph. 301’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 85 mph. Short arm action with power from a 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.03-2.13 pop times. Athletic moves behind the plate. Quick footwork replace, quick exchanges.
Run: 6.98 runner in the 60. 

2. Carter Kutz, Hartford Union (WI), 2025
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-1, 185-pounds. Evenly distributed weight.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, large stride. Preset vertical set. Aggressive rotation. Works from inside. Barrel in the zone a long time. Hard contact to all fields.
Power: 90.1 max exit velocity, averaged 85.2 mph. 296’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph. High 3/4 action with arm strength. Carry on the mark.
Defense: 2.00-2.09 pop times. Long footwork replace. Clean alignment. Above average exchanges.
Run: 7.04 runner in the 60.

3. Nathan Hanel, Oak Creek (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-1, 170-pounds. Evenly distributed weight, high waist.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, relaxed upper. Soft grip. Controlled rhythm. Vertical shape from a vertical set. Works from inside intentionally. Short to the ball. Backspin flights using the backside gap.
Power: 86.8 max exit velocity, averaged 78.9 mph. 269’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Short, high slot with clean feel and an easy look. Advanced throwing.
Defense: 2.18-2.22 pop times. Advanced feel for mitt and receiving actions. Quality footwork, exchanges, alignment.
Run: 7.45 runner in the 60. 

4. Michael Clarkson, Loyola Academy (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-2, 210-pounds. Thick lower-half.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup. Up down stride. Standing up with tilt. Mostly pullside approach with frontside yank. Direct to impact with feel for barrel release. All fields.
Power: 96.1 max exit velocity, averaged 88.7 mph. 334’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. Tight arm action, 3/4 slot with strength.
Defense: 2.00-2.09 pop times. Quick replace, quick exchange, feel for his pocket.
Run: 7.44 runner in the 60.

5. Alex Griswold, Wisconsin Virtual Academy (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-10, 160-pounds. Athletic build throughout.
Hit: RHH. Tall, open setup striding square. Vertical wiggle. Aggressive rotation. Coils into his hip on the way out. Vertical path with rigid connection. Deeper points of contact with some violence. Lots of backside flights.
Power: 92.2 max exit velocity, averaged 72.6 mph. 224’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Short loop, tight v, quick release.
Defense: 2.09-2.16 pop times. Quick footwork replace, quick exchanges, Standing up to release.
Run: 7.63 runner in the 60.

5. Julian Torres, Sun Prairie (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-0, 180-pounds. High-waisted, long limbs.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, striding from open to square. Minimal hand load. Direct with the knob while lagging the barrel. Works from above with a looping barrel. All fields.
Power: 84.3 max exit velocity, averaged 81.5 mph. 272’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Tight action, high slot with strength and carry.
Defense: 2.00-2.09 pop times. High end feel for footwork replace, exchanges, alignment, and carry through the bag. Real feel for his mitt.
Run: 7.39 runner in the 60. 

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Mitch Broadhead, Fort Atkinson (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-1, 200-pounds. Thick lower-half.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, large forward move. Long to, long through. Looping barrel. Spray to all fields.
Power: 91.7 max exit velocity, averaged 84.3 mph. 247’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. Rigid, 3/4 action.
Defense: 2.19-2.24 pop times. Average actions.
Run: 8.04 runner in the 60. 

Hunter Buschke, Notre Dame Academy (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-11, 175-pounds. Skinny frame, long limbs with a high-waist.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup with wiggle rhythm. Aggressive up-down leg kick. Aggressive rotation with barrel depth. Plane options. Working both gaps with some pop.
Power: 92.1 max exit velocity, averaged 81.8 mph. 283’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. High draw, short arm action, carry through the bag.
Defense: 2.19-2.29 pop times. High crouch, in-line footwork. Average exchange times.
Run: 7.71 runner in the 60. 

Colin Freitag, Bradford (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-11, 160-pounds. Compact, athletic looking build.
Hit: RHH. Stock, wide setup. Flat barrel set. Spinning to deliver. Works from high to low. Sporadic contact quality.
Power: 81.6 max exit velocity, averaged 66.3 mph. 227’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Shorter arm action from a 3/4 slot. Works from a tight V.
Defense: 2.06-2.22 pop times. Vertical path through the zone. Extending up to deliver. Stays through the zone working from high to low and quality timing.
Run: 7.47 runner in the 60.

Carter Jaffray, Tremper (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-10, 150-pounds. Skinny frame with room to fill out.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup. Moderate leg kick. Loud load. All fields contact with sporadic timing.
Power: 87.8 max exit velocity, averaged 76.4 mph. 228’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. Long arm action over the top.
Defense: 2.31-2.38 pop times. Long exchange, long footwork replace. Low feel for pocket.
Run: 7.56 runner in the 60.

Neil Janssen, Delavan-Darien (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-10, 175-pounds. Evenly distributed weight.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, modified leg kick. Knob ot the ball with some postural tilt. Feel for a lagging barrel with direction. Low flights from gap to gap.
Power: 86.5 max exit velocity, averaged 75.8 mph. 269’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. INF - 79 mph. HIgh exchange, 3/4 slot./Catching: Longer arm action from a high slot
Defense: 2.12-2.19 pop times. Simple approach while hanging back. Stiff hands when the feet get stagnant./Catching: Quick exchanges, aggressive footwork with alignment.
Run: 7.33 runner in the 60. 

Cooper Jolin, Middleton (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-10, 170-pounds. Skinny build with room to fill out.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup. Up down stride. Vertical entry with a large postural tilt into the zone. Mostly backside flights.
Power: 80.1 max exit velocity, averaged 74.8 mph. 206’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. High and tight arm action.
Defense: 2.22-2.30 pop times. Slow exchange and replace. Low feel for pocket.
Run: 7.86 runner in the 60. 

Zeke Penvose, Milwaukee Rufus King (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-1, 173-pounds. Projectable build with room to fill out.
Hit: RHH. Stock, wide setup. Vertical approach. Tight action from inside the ball. Some whip to the barrel. Backside approach.
Power: 81.5 max exit velocity, averaged 65.8 mph. 249’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. INF - 73 mph. Longer, 3/4 action with a clean, easy actions./ Catching: Tight V, over the top action
Defense: 2.40-2.52 pop times. Simple actions. Late with his feet and glove at times./Catching:Long footwork replace, tight exchanges with pause.
Run: 7.71 runner in the 60. 

Sammy Pirie, Grayslake Central (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-1, 180-pounds. Thick lower-half.
Hit: LHH. Stock setup, hands in tight. Minimal loading. 45 degree barrel set. Working from inside under. All fields spray.
Power: 84.1 max exit velocity, averaged 81.2 mph. 309’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 67 mph. Over the top action. Tight V.
Defense: 2.38-2.54 pop times. Longer footwork replace and longer exchanges. Stabbing mitt action.
Run: 7.76 runner in the 60. 

Parker Schwake, Wauwatosa West (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-3, 200-pounds. Long limbs with a high waist.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, lower handset. Vertical entry with postural tilt. Works direct with some pop to the backside.
Power: 92.5 max exit velocity, averaged 83.4 mph. 255’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. Long loop action with a hitch.
Defense: 2.21-2.35 pop times. Tall crouch, average mitt. Quick footwork replace.
Run: 7.12 runner in the 60.

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