Southern Wisconsin Open: Analysis

Back at the end of June, we re-visited Verona, Wis., to host the annual Southern Wisconsin Open event at Stampfl Field. As the summer showcase circuit winds to a close with school starting shortly statewide, we’ll take an in-depth dive into that June 22 event that saw prospects perform representing all corners of Wisconsin.

Since the Southern Wisconsin Open, three of the attending players have since committed to play ball at the next level: 2B Joey Bartolone (Arrowhead, 2019; Wisconsin-Stevens Point), LHP Nick Carpenter (Lake Mills, 2019; Wisconsin-Stevens Point), and LHP Tyler Denu (Mount Horeb, 2019; Evansville). All three had stellar days in Verona in late June so it’s nice to see that they’ll continuing their careers in college.

There are a couple 2020 prospects who put themselves on our radars, too, at their first-ever PBR event. Infielder Cameron Weber (Holmen) produced the day’s hardest exit velocity at 91 mph. His mechanics at the plate were simple and repeatable, which led to him consistently battering line drives. Elsewhere, William Ahnen (Fennimore) showed off his two-way talents at both the plate and on the mound. He displayed some pull-side pop in the box and looked comfortable in the outfield. On the hill, the righty flashed feel for a three-pitch mix, including a 12/6 curveball with swing-and-miss potential.

Arrowhead High School was also well-represented in Verona. Joining Bartolone was CIF Tyler LaMack (2019), INF Caleb Lorbecki (2020), and RHP/SS Luke Schraufnagel (2019). LaMack moved around well for his size and carried a powerful bat from the left side. Lorbecki put his strong, athletic frame to good use in the batter’s box. And Schraufnagel looks like he’ll be a handy arm for Arrowhead in their march back to the State.

These are just a handful of names that were on hand in Verona at the end of of June. To read full reports on each of the prospects who attended the Southern Wisconsin Open, continue reading on below.

ALL PROSPECTS (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

William Ahnen, RHP/OF, Fennimore, 2020
6-foot-1, 185-pound right-handed two-way prospect with athletic build. Offensively, balanced setup, hands drop into load, toe-tap stride, maintains balance throughout. Uphill bat path leads to some pull-side power projection. 83 mph exit velo from the tee. Defensively, confident actions, fluid footwork. Throws from high ¾ slot, topped 75 mph to home. 7.70 runner in the 60. On the mound, over-the-top arm slot with long action. Drop-and-drive type with some effort. Fastball had some arm-side run, 79-80 mph, topped 81 mph. Curveball has the makings of becoming an outpitch, 12/6 shape, some bite, 64-68 mph. Changeup has strong sink, fade action, 71-73 mph.

Joey Bartolone, INF, Arrowhead, 2019
Wisconsin-Stevens Point commit. 5-foot-10, 160-pound infield prospect. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, smooth load back into leg lift stride. Keeps balance throughout with a level, uphill bat path that produces line-drive contact and the occasional power to his pull-side. 87 mph exit velo from the tee. Performs in the middle of the infield but is likely a third baseman at the next level. Short-arm action from a high ¾ slot, generally on target. 80 mph across the infield. A 7.83 runner in the 60.

Brooks Brazeau, C, Verona, 2019
5-foot-7, 150-pound left-handed hitting catcher. Balanced setup, open stance with a short stride. Simple, repeatable mechanics. Level bat path with some line-drive contact. 74 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ran the 60 at 8.68. Defensively, uses short-arm action from an over-the-top slot. Popped 2.30-2.39 and threw 66 mph out of the crouch.

Nick Carpenter, LHP/OF, Lake Mills, 2019
Stevens Point commit. 6-foot-1, 170-pound left-handed pitching prospect with lanky frame and some projection. Pitched from the stretch only with long, loose arm action from a high ¾ slot. Smooth rhythm, works on line and lands square. Fastball, straight, 77-78 mph, 79 mph. Curveball had 12/6 shape, gradual break, 64-65 mph. Changeup had arm-side run, flashed fade, near regular arm speed, 70-72 mph. Slider is a work in progress, 11/5 shape, 62-64 mph.

Colby Davis, C, Verona, 2021
5-foot-11, 165-pound right-handed hitting catcher with above-average frame. Balanced setup, loads back with quick leg kick stride on uphill bat path. 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Short, over-the-top arm action. Popped 2.22-2.28 and was 69 mph out of the crouch. 7.81 runner in the 60.

Tyler Denu, LHP/1B, Mount Horeb, 2019
Evansville commit. 6-foot-1, 210-pound two-way prospect with strength, wide shoulders and projectability. Left-handed on the mound, high ¾ arm slot with quick arm speed and short-arm action, easy effort. Smooth rhythm, tall-and-fall type, works in line and lands square. Fastball runs, 83-85 mph, touched 87 mph. Curveball showed depth at 1/7, had feel for the strike zone, 66-68 mph. Changeup thrown near fastball arm speed, sinking action, flashed fade, 72-74 mph. Offensively, hits right-handed from a balanced, open stance. Hands held high, smooth load back into short stride. Level path with some pull-side power potential. 88 mph from the tee. Defensively, fielded first base with control. Played through the ball. 77 mph across the diamond. 8.08 runner in the 60.

William Dudley, OF, Prairie, 2020
6-foot-2, 180-pound right-handed outfielder. Offensively, balanced setup wide base. Some pre-pitch movement, leg lift stride. Level bat path led to regular line-drive contact. Can get out of rhythm. 79 mph exit velo at the plate. On defense, moved athletically to the ball. Throws came from a long, high ¾ slot with accuracy. 72 mph throws home. 8.64 runner in the 60.

Brett Ehr, SS/2B, Stevens Point, 2019
6-foot, 162-pound infielder with athletic, lanky frame. Left-handed in the box, balanced setup, smooth load back, subtle leg lift into short stride. Simple, repeatable swing on level path that generates gap-to-gap contact, gets extension. 85 mph exit velo from the tee. Defensively, throws with short-arm action, over-the-top with accuracy. Fluid footwork, soft hands, and plays through the ball. 73 mph across the infield. 7.79 runner in the 60.

Austin Fahey, SS, Belleville, 2019
6-foot-3, 160-pound infielder with lanky, athletic frame, some projection. Right-handed at the plate, tall, upright setup. Loads back, leg kick stride. Uses quick wrists on a level path to create some hard contact. 85 mph exit velo off the tee. Defensively, in the infield, smooth and athletic, especially for size. Short-arm action from high ¾ slot with some accuracy. Fluid footwork and clean exchanges bolster defensive upside. 71 mph across the diamond. 7.83 runner in the 60.

John Ferguson, C, Verona, 2021
6-foot-2, 190-pound catching prospect with a strong build. Right-handed in the box, balanced setup, load back, big toe-tap stride. Level bat path and bat strength combined to create hard line-drive contact, with some gap-to-gap in there as well. 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Behind the plate, throws from high ¾ slot with accuracy despite work-in-progress arm action. Clean exchanges helped produce 2.26-2.30 pops. 72 mph out of the crouch. 8.02 runner in the 60.

Mason Fink, C, Verona, 2022
5-foot-10, 160-pound catcher with an above-average frame. Right-handed in the box, balanced setup, wrap barrel load into leg kick. Short, level bat path produced some hard contact to his pull side. 78 mph off the tee. Defensively, recorded the quickest pop time at the event: 2.11-2.20. Threw from short, over-the-top slot with clean exchanges, receives the ball deep on occasion. Throws topped 71 mph from the crouch. 7.97 runner in the 60.

Michael Fischer, OF/2B, Verona, 2019
5-foot-9, 160-pound outfielder. Left-handed in the box, balanced, open setup. Minimal load back into long stride, keeps balance. Level bat path created line-drive contact. 69 mph exit velo from the tee. Right-handed in the outfield, long-arm action from a high ¾ slot with some accuracy, plays through the ball. 69 mph throws home. 7.51 runner in the 60.

Trey Gordon, C, Barneveld, 2019
5-foot-9, 155-pound catcher. Right-handed at the dish, hits from open stance and loads into long stride. Level bat path made for line-drive contact, sometimes hard. 84 mph exit velocity from tee. Behind the plate, was clean all-around and demonstrated solid ability. Throws with short-arm action, over the top, with accuracy. Popped 2.30-2.38 with fluid feet and clean exchanges. 67 mph through the infield. 7.68 runner in the 60.

Dylan Gratz, OF, Belleville, 2019
6-foot-1, 175-pound right-handed outfield prospect. Open, upright setup. Smooth load back, slight bat wrap into toe-tap stride. Level bat path, looking to pull the ball. 82 mph exit velo off the tee. Defensively, long, high ¾ arm action. Occasionally played through the ball. 73 mph throws home. 8.73 runner in the 60.

Nathan Hopkins, OF/LHP, Northland Pines, 2019
5-foot-11, 150-pound lanky two-way prospect. The lefty mixes two drastically different slots on the mound: over-the-top and submarine. In both deliveries, he works in line and finishes athletically. Over-the-top fastball sits 70-72 mph, 63-66 mph as a sub. Curveball works 1/7, feel for depth and control, 63-64 mph. Changeup keeps arm speed, has fade, sits 69-70 over-the-top and 62-64 mph from the sub slot. Slider has similar 1/7 action, 62-63 mph. Offensively, open setup, drop load with big leg kick and a lot of pre-pitch movement. 74 mph exit velo from the tee. Defensively, short-arm action from a ¾ slot. 66 mph throws home. 7.63 runner in the 60.

Mason Hunt, RHP/OF, Oconomowoc, 2019
6-foot, 175-pound two-way right-handed prospect with above-average frame. On the mound, he pitches from over-the-top slot with short-arm action and some arm speed. Fastball features run, 77-79 mph, touched 80. Curveball had 12/6 shape, 65-67 mph. Changeup maintains arm speed, straight, 72-74 mph. In the batter’s box, balanced setup from the right side, smooth load back into leg kick stride. Short bat path creates regular line-drive contact. 88 mph exit velo from the tee. 7.52 runner in the 60.

Colin Indermuehle, SS/2B, Grafton, 2021
5-foot-9, 148-pound middle infielder. Right-handed at the plate, balanced setup with short stride, maintains balance throughout. Short bat path, line-drive type of contact. 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively, athletic arm action, high ¾ slot. 70 mph across the infield. 7.56 runner in the 60.

Zachary Kaisler, RHP/SS, St. Catherines, 2020
5-foot-10, 150-pound two-way, right-handed prospect. Worked from the stretch only on the mound. Short-arm action from a high ¾ slot with low effort. Fastball featured regular run, 79-81 mph. Slider acted like a cutter, 11/5 shape, 78-80. Curveball, 11/5 shape, some depth, flashed bite, 67-69 mph. Offensively, closed setup, brief load back into short stride. Short path made for occasional gap-to-gap contact. 80 mph exit velo from the tee. In the infield, made athletic throws with body control from low ¾ slot. 72 mph across the diamond. 7.52 runner in the 60.

Luke Kelly, INF, Belleville, 2019
5-foot-9, 160-pound infielder with athletic build. Tall setup, some pre-pitch rhythm, slight bat wrap load into long leg kick stride. Level swing produces some hard line-drive type contact to his pull-side. 81 mph exit velo from the tee. Defensively, short-arm action from a high ¾ slot. Soft hands at times, fluid footwork. 73 mph across the infield. 7.97 runner in the 60.

Carson Knobel, OF/RHP, Oregon, 2020
5-foot-9, 135-pound two-way player. Offensively, hits right-handed from a closed stance with a short stride. Level bat path makes for line-drive type contact. 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively, uses long-arm action from ¾ slot. 67 mph from the outfield. On the mound, also right-handed, throws from a ¾ slot with short-arm action. Tall-and-fall delivery, high leg kick, works in line, lands athletically. Fastball has natural run, 66-68 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 50-55 mph. Changeup, some sink, 59-62 mph. A 7.78 runner in the 60.

Tyler LaMack, CIF, Arrowhead, 2019
5-foot-11, 200-pound corner infield prospect with large, strong frame. Left-handed at the plate, open setup in a slight crouch. Smooth load back, leg kick stride, keeps balance. Uphill bat path with strength and pull-side power potential. 83 mph off the tee. Defensively, moved well for his size on the left side of the infield. Short-arm action from high ¾ slot, some accuracy. Footwork was fluid, exchanges were clean. 75 mph across the infield. 8.44 runner in the 60.

Hunter Landrath, SS/RHP, Wausau West, 2020
6-foot-3, 195-pound, right-handed two-way prospect with a lanky, projectable frame. Offensively, balanced setup, drops hands into load and bar, big leg kick stride. Uphill path and present bat strength creates pull-side power. 89 mph exit velo from the tee. Defensively, in the infield, short-arm action from a ¾ slot with accuracy. Steady footwork, clean exchange. 70 mph across the infield. On the mound, pitches from a ¾ slot with short-arm action in a tall-and-fall delivery. Fastball is straight, 79-80 mph. Slider has 10/4 shape, sweeping action, 65-70 mph. Changeup maintains arm speed mostly, sinking action, 64-68 mph. 7.63 60 runner.

Caleb Lorbecki, SS/INF, Arrowhead, 2020
5-foot-11, 185-pound infielder with strong lower half, wide shoulders. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup with wide stance. Some pre-pitch movement leads to slight arm bar load, short stride. Level bat path produces some line-drive hard contact. 86 mph from the tee. Defensively, short-arm action from high ¾ slot, plays through the ball. 76 mph across the infield. 7.73 runner in the 60.

Owen Luchinske, RHP/SS, Walden, 2020
6-foot-1, 150-pound two-way prospect with wiry build. The righty pitched out of the stretch only. High ¾ slot with short and loose action, low effort. Fastball had run, 74-75 mph, touched 76. Curveball had gradual 11/5 break, 63-66 mph. Changeup featured some fade, thrown for strikes, 61-62 mph. Offensively, a left-handed batter, balanced setup, wide base. Slight barrel wrap into short stride. 76 mph exit velo from the tee. In the infield, long, ¾ arm action. Fluid footwork with clean exchange. 76 mph across the infield. 8.09 runner in the 60.

Elijah McGrain, OF, Waukesha West, 2019
5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed outfield prospect. Tall, open setup. Bat rests on shoulder, hands drop into load with leg kick stride. Short, level bat path makes for line-drive type contact. 78 mph exit velo from the tee. Short-arm action, loose throws from high ¾ slot in the outfield. Natural, fluid footwork, plays through the ball. 69 mph throws home on the hop. 7.44 runner in the 60.

John McMurry, RHP/C, Medford Senior, 2020
6-foot, 175-pound two-way right-handed prospect with above-average frame. On the mound, pitches from short-arm, ¾ slot. Fastball features regular run, 74-76 mph. Curveball, late 11/5 break with feel, 61-64 mph. Changeup had cutting action, 66-67 mph. Slider, sweeping movement, showed feel, 64-67 mph. At the plate, closed setup with a lot of pre-pitch movement. Arm bar load into toe-tap stride on level path with line-drive contact. 83 mph exit velo off the tee. Behind the plate, short, ¾ slot throws. Popped 2.38-2.49, 69 mph out of the crouch. 7.37 runner in the 60.

Jonah Mueller, RHP/OF, Oconomowoc, 2021
5-foot-9, 150-pound two-way player. Right-handed in the box, balanced setup. No load, short stride, on uphill path. Line-drive type contact, especially to pull-side. 74 mph exit velo from the tee. In the outfield, right-handed, short-arm action from a ¾ slot. Average hands, clean transfer, throws were on target. 62 mph to home. 8.15 runner in the 60. On the mound, short-arm action, high ¾ arm slot, works in line. Fastball has run and some sink, sat 68-69 but touched 72 mph. Curveball, gradual 11/5 break, 55-58 mph. Changeup, fading action, 62-64 mph.

Ben Nelson, C/OF, Oconomowoc, 2020
6-foot-2, 150-pound catcher with lanky frame. Crouched setup, wide base. Loads back, arm bar into toe-tap stride. Level bat path created line-drive contact. 79 mph off the tee. Defensively, behind the plate, long arm action, high ¾ slot. 71 mph throws through the infield. In the outfield, long, high ¾ arm action, some accuracy. 78 mph throws home. 8.73 60 runner.

Henry Pitsch, OF/2B, Madison West, 2020
5-foot-11, 160-pound left-handed hitting outfielder with above-average frame. Balanced, slightly open setup. Quietly loads back into short toe-tap stride. Uphill path generates some line-drive contact. 76 mph exit velo off the tee. Defensively, short-arm action from a ¾ slot, plays through. 69 mph throws home. 7.39 60 runner.

Bjorn Pressler, SS/RHP, Eau Claire Memorial, 2022
5-foot-11, 160-pound two-way prospect with above-average frame and some projection. Balanced, athletic setup. Loads into arm bar and light leg kick stride. Uphill bat path, looking to pull the ball. 77 mph exit velo from the tee. Looks the part defensively with smooth movements and plus footwork, body control. Arm action can be long, coming from a ¾ slot. 74 mph across the infield. 7.64 runner in the 60. On the mound, uses short arm action from high ¾ slot. Tall-and-fall type, works in line, lands square. Fastball flashes run, 68-69 mph. Slider has 11/5, gradual break, 60-63 mph. Changeup maintains arm speed, some sink, 60-63 mph.

Gabriel Richardson, RHP/3B, Eau Claire North, 2022
6-foot, 180-pound two-way, right-handed prospect with a strong, athletic build and thick lower half. At the plate, open setup, hands start high and drop into load, leg kick stride. Generates bat speed in an aggressive approach. Combination of bat strength and bat speed on an uphill path creates plus power potential. 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively, fits in at third base. Short-arm action from a high ¾ slot. Has fluid footwork and plays through the ball. 75 mph across the infield. 7.99 runner in the 60. On the mound, throws from high ¾ slot with loose and short-arm action. He’s a tall-and-fall type with easy effort. Fastball is 76-79 mph with run, topped 80 mph. Curveball 11/5 shape, 69-70. Kept his changeup down in the zone with fade, 70-72 mph.

Luke Schraufnagel, RHP/SS, Arrowhead, 2019
5-foot-8, 155-pound two-way prospect with a strong, compact frame. On the mound, tall-and-fall type, works in line, lands square, and finishes athletically. Simple, repeatable delivery, keeps balance. High ¾ slot with quick arm speed. Fastball sat 79-83 mph, thrown for strikes. Curveball has 11/5 shape with depth, tight spin, maintains arm speed, 67-69. Changeup flashed sink, thrown for strikes and with arm speed, 72-73. Slider thrown with feel, 11/5 shape, 72-76. Defensively, fields the ball out front, plays through athletically, with fluid footwork and clean exchanges, 77 mph across the infield. Right-handed in the box, balanced, athletic setup. Smooth load, short stride, uphill bat path produced some pull-side power. 89 mph exit velo off the tee. 7.35 time in the 60.

Brady Supanich, SS/RHP, Verona, 2020
5-foot-8, 165-pound two-way player. Right-handed at the plate, balanced setup, produced some line-drive contact. 72 mph off the tee. Defensively, throws from long high ¾ slot, 71 across the infield. On the mound, tall-and-fall type, high ¾ arm slot. Fastball sat 70-72, topped 73. Curveball has gradual 11/5 shape, 58-61. Changeup is straight, 62-64. 8.23 runner in the 60.

Jackson Trudgeon, SS/RHP, Edgewood, 2022
5-foot-8, 130-pound two-way player with athletic build and some projectability. At shortstop, plays through the ball athletically with body control. Fluid footwork, clean exchanges. Short-arm action from a high ¾ slot. Throws topped out at 73 mph across the infield with some accuracy. Offensively, balanced setup, subtle load back into short stride. Bat path slightly uphill, produced some line-drive type contact. 71 mph exit velocity from the tee. Right-handed on the mound, uses a tall-and-fall delivery and finishes square and in line. Throws from high ¾ slot with long-arm action. Fastball sat 71-74 mph, sat 75. Slider had 11/5 shape, 57-61. Changeup had fading action, 62-65. Ran an 8.35 60.

Cameron Weber, 3B/SS, Holmen, 2020
5-foot-11, 165-pound infield prospect with strong, athletic build. Balanced, upright setup. Shifts weight back to load into short leg-lift stride. Simple, repeatable mechanics help create hard line-drive contact up the middle of the field. 91 mph exit velo from the tee, highest of the event. Defensively, loose, short-arm action with some carry. Fluid footwork and consistently clean, quick exchanges. 79 mph across the infield. 7.36 runner in the 60.

Jaydon Winkers, 3B/2B, Belleville, 2019
5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed hitting infielder with strong lower half. Wide, balanced setup, bat begins upright. Bat wrap load with small leg lift stride. Long, slightly uphill bat path produces some hard contact. 85 mph exit velo from the tee. Defensively, short-arm action from a ¾ slot. Feet stay light. Throws across infield topped at 66 mph. 7.52 60 runner.

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