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Top Prospect Games: Quick Hits

July 14, 2023
By: Wisconsin Staff

On July 11, the PBR Wisconsin team hosted the Top Prospect Games at The Rock Complex in Franklin, Wis., featuring many of the top uncommitted players in the state’s 2024 and 2025 grad classes. As we begin to dissect the data and our own scouting reports recorded at this event, we’ll begin to publish our findings, including within stories like this one, Quick Hits, featuring some of the most notable takeaways from the showcase.

This event will also help us fill out the remainder of the Team Wisconsin roster that we’ll be taking with us later this month to compete at the PBR Future Games down at Georgia’s LakePoint complex, featuring the top uncommitted players across the entire nation.

QUICK HITS

TEAM ONE

While C Hunter Carlson (Hudson, 2024) has traditionally been known for his slick defending behind the plate, his smooth left-handed bat has made some big strides over the course of 2023. During the catcher defense portion of the event, Carlson’s advanced defensive skill set continued to garner our staff’s attention as he was quick out of the crouch and marked pop-time lows of 1.95. Carlson turned heads during BP, utilizing a balanced setup with a rhythmic load, he marked exit velocity highs of 95.3 mph and averaged 88.2 mph which speaks to just how on the barrel he was during his round. He brought over his hot bat into live gameplay as he singled, all while looking the part of a lockdown defender behind the plate and he remains one of the top uncommitted backstops in the state. 

2022 Future Game Participant, SS/RHP Keagen Jirschele (Mosinee, 2024) seemed like he was hard at work during the offseason, and he got to show off these massive gains during Tuesday’s loaded event. First, Jirschele showed up boasting a more filled out and physical 5-foot-10, 175-pound frame with strength all throughout. He started his day off by running the quickest 60-yard dash of the day at 6.79, which speaks to just how much of an athlete Jirschele is. Then during BP he recorded some of the top batted ball metrics of the event, from a strong and repeatable right-handed swing. During his round, Jirschele reached highs of 100.6 mph on his hardest hit ball and averaged 92.7 mph which was an event high. Then during the infield defensive portion he featured clean, athletic actions and paired it with a strong arm that topped at 92 mph across the infield. While Jirschele’s big jumps on the offensive side of things were impressive in their own right, the strides he has made on the mound were arguably even more eye-popping as he put together one of the most electric outings we have seen this summer. During his brief one inning of work, Jirschele ran his fastball all the way up to 92 mph, and sat in the 88-91 range exclusively, while spinning it at above-average rates (2,151 RPM avg.). He also spun in an aggressive curveball for strikes that was thrown at arm speed and featured 11/5 action. He rounded out his three-pitch mix with a changeup that he used sparingly, but still featured fade and depth traits. The tools Jirschele currently possesses are truly eye-popping, and he has always had an innate feel for the game, no matter the position. He has made some incredible strides over the course of the past year or so, and he is now truly one of the top uncommitted prospects not only in the state, but the Midwest. 

C Parker Schwake (Wauwatosa West, 2024) is a physical right-handed-hitting catching prospect with strength. During his round of batting practice Schwake took one of the loudest rounds with an average exit velocity in the low 90’s with the hardest max exit velocity of the day at 101.9 mph. Defensively Schwake has a strong and accurate arm on throws to second, recording 76 mph on his hardest bullet. During gameplay Schwake showed off his strength going the other way for a triple, ending the gameplay portion of the event with two hits.

MIF/OF Tate Schmidt (Waunakee, 2024) put together yet another standout performance during Tuesday’s event. Standing at a lean 6-foot, 155-pounds, Schmidt is an athletic mover on the infield and plays with bounce. He pairs this with a soft-hands and sure-handedness that we have seen lockdown either of the up-the-middle positions before. Offensively, Schmidt, a left-handed hitter, takes controlled hacks to the baseball with loose and fluid hands. During his round he showcased the ability to line the ball to all parts of the field and he reached highs of 93.1 mph on his hardest hit ball, while averaging 89.5 mph. Schmidt as he boasts some big time upside in all facets of the game and it is safe to say that he is just scratching the surface of what his ultimate ceiling could be on both sides of the ball. 

Listed at a projectable 6-foot-4, 165-pounds LHP Brolan Frost (Elkhorn, 2025) was a competitor on the mound during the gameplay portion of the event. Facing some of the states top uncommitted seniors Frost went on the attack relying heavily on his fastball that he threw in the zone that garnered some swings and misses. Frost has a heavy fastball that generates depth out of a higher release point that is tough for hitters to put the bat on the ball, sitting mostly in the 82-84 mph range with above average spin rates as well at 2,328 RPM (T2,416). Frost also mixed in a tight breaking curveball that he is able to land in the zone for strikes, also showed a changeup that he throws with intent with late fading action and depth.

RHP Andrew Halser (Marquette, 2024) provided yet another high-upside look during our time at The Rock. Standing at a lean 6-foot, 165-pounds, Halser is a clean and athletic mover on the bump. He matches it with a quick arm that created fastball highs of 85.6 mph and played with over 16’ of induced vertical break at its peak. As for his offspeeds he showed confidence in a short breaking ball that he was able to land in the zone and also throw outside for swings-and-misses. He rounded out his mix with a developing changeup in the mid-70s that flashed fade to the arm-side and was also thrown with intent. He would finish his two-inning appearance with two strikeouts, while just giving up one hit to hold the opposition scoreless. 

TEAM TWO 

Over the past year and a half, 1B Graham Kasten (University School, 2024) has emerged as one of the top left-handed bats in the state’s 2024 class, and put together one of the most electric BP rounds of the day on Tuesday. Kasten continued to produce throughout the summer circuit, coming off of a Midwest Classic Player of the Year award this past spring at University School. This success translated to his showcase on Tuesday, where the left-hander averaged the highest exit velocity at 92.6 mph, along with the second-best batted ball distance at 369 feet. Amongst a pool of quality uncommitted prospects, Kasten separated himself as one of the top bats with a simple, repeatable swing and bat path. Kasten uses his strong 6-foot-1, 205-pound frame to elevate baseballs, utilizing the whole field to continue to produce, something he’s done since the spring of 2022. Defensively, he’s as solid as it comes at first base, displaying smooth actions and reaching 82 mph across the infield. In presenting quality footwork as a defender, Kasten has inserted himself as one of the top uncommitted athletes in a stacked 2024 class in the state of Wisconsin, as he looks to finish off the summer on a high note, including an appearance at the 17U PBR at The Rock Summer Championships in just over a week.

INF/RHP Sam Hoeft (Port Washington, 2025) was a workhorse for his high school team, and has used that experience to find success over the course of the 2023 summer circuit as a two-way prospect, showing well at The Rock. Standing at an athletic 6-foot-3, 180-pounds, Hoeft showed well at the plate, utilizing his wiry frame and strength within his hands to drive the baseball. That transitioned into live gameplay, where Hoeft, playing against a majority of prospects a year older than himself, went 1-for-1 late in the game. He also threw a clean inning on the mound, using a low-80s fastball and late breaking slider to navigate through the order. Hoeft’s projection and present tools make him an intriguing follow for the future, as our staff will get another look at him at the 16U PBR at The Rock Tournament this weekend. 

After a strong spring season that saw his high school team make a title run in the WIAA Playoffs, SS/RHP Aben Beinlich (Burlington, 2024) continued to build his name with an impressive performance at Tuesday’s event. An uncommitted, two-way, incoming senior, Beinlich showcased his ability in all facets. At the plate, he sits into a crouched position with an upright torso. On pitch, he releases quick hands and is short to contact, hitting with an all-fields approach. In live gameplay, he reached base on all three plate appearances as he reached on an error, walked, and drove a ball back up the middle for a single. Defensively, he displayed rhythmic feet with soft hands and clean actions. On top of that, he fired a maximum infield velocity of 87 mph, one of the best of the day. On the mound, he worked quickly as his uptempo pace kept hitters restless in the box and allowed him to overpower batters with more than just the pitches he threw. He has a three-pitch repertoire that features a slider and a changeup, on top of his fastball. In gameplay, he worked through one inning of work that saw him punch out a batter. All in all, Beinlich’s performances this year, whether that be during the spring or summer, have cemented him as a follow and a name-to-know when looking at Wisconsin’s 2024 uncommitted class.

A ranked two-way player in the 2024 class, OF/RHP Easton Arendt (De Pere) is a multi-tool athlete that can play on both sides of the ball. Standing at 6-foot, 170 pounds, Arendt profiles as a wiry, athletic build with good proportions that is able to move well in his body. The left-handed hitter sits in the box with a strong back elbow and stays flat through the zone. During BP, he was constantly on the barrel to his pull-side. In the outfield, Arendt moved smoothly and displayed a one handed gather that quickly transferred and got rid of the ball. Displaying athleticism again, Arendt ran a 7.08 60-yard dash and clocked a 1.77 10-yard split. On the mound, he ran his fastball up to 85 mph and showed projectability throughout his delivery. Having a repeatable drop and drive delivery, Arendt rounded out his performance and proved why he is an uncommitted two way to follow in Wisconsin’s incoming senior class.

OF Max Johnson (South Milwaukee, 2024) profiles as a strong athlete in Wisconsin’s uncommitted 2024 class. Listed as 5-foot-9, 180 pounds, Johnson clearly presents strength throughout his frame. At the plate, Johnson shows a narrow, upright setup with a strong back elbow. He stayed controlled towards his hitting side and remained athletic throughout the entirety of the swing. With strong hands and a quick twitch, Johnson’s BP round was impressive and caught attention at the event. In live gameplay, Johnson tallied a double and came around to score while flying around the basepaths. With multiple tools present Johnson remains an uncommitted follow in Wisconsin’s 2024 class.

C/RHP Sam Mommer (St. Thomas More, 2024) is a 6-foot-1, 195 pound, two-way player that is currently ranked in Wisconsin’s 2024 class. The uncommitted incoming senior ran his fastball up to 88 mph on Tuesday. The pitch showed life out of the hand and rode through the zone with life. Mommer also features a curveball that plays with depth and a slider that embodies a sweeping action. At the plate, Mommer displayed strong hands that stayed level through the zone. 

TEAM THREE

Tuesday provided us our first showcase look at RHP Broden Jackson (Milton, 2024) in almost two years and it definitely did not disappoint. Standing at a physical, broad-shouldered 6-foot-2, 210-pounds, Jackson is a simple mover on the bump and pairs it with a strong arm that created some noteworthy fastball metrics. First off, he ran his fastball up to 88.2 mph, sitting in the mid-to-high-80s throughout. He was also able to spin this pitch at a well-above average rate, more than 2,300 rpm on average and he created a max 18’ of induced-vertical break, too. As for his offspeeds, he spun in a tight, high-70s slider that averaged 10.4’ of horizontal movement and was thrown for strikes, while also throwing it out of the zone for swings-and-misses. He also flashed a two-seam/sinker that offered a quality change of pace option as it sat in the upper-70s and it also averaged 16’ of horizontal movement as well. Jackson would finish his two-inning stint with two punch outs, while not allowing a hit, and he walked away from this ultra-talented event as a major winner. 

RHP Payten Jibben (Oak Creek, 2024) is fresh off a standout junior spring, in which he earned Southeast Conference Player of the Year honors and also made an appearance on our PBR Wisconsin All-State Second Team list, too. On Tuesday, he continued his streak of impressive performances in front of our staff with yet another at this loaded event. Built at an athletic 6-foot-4, 210-pounds with noticeable strength in his lower half, Jibben features a clean and repeatable delivery on the mound. Out of a ¾ slot, Jibben’s fastball topped at 88.8 mph and sat in the 85-87 mph range throughout his outing. He also showed confidence in a pair of developed offspeed pitches, the first being a 11/5 curveball with late bite. The second was a deceptive changeup that played with late depth and fade, averaging nearly a foot of horizontal movement. Jibben has been on a tear throughout the last calendar year or so, and Tuesday was yet another solid showing from arguably the top uncommitted arm in the state. 

RHP Alex Vander Loop (Kimberly, 2024) has quickly become an uncommitted arm-to-know in the state’s to-be senior class and he only asserted that notion even more during Tuesday’s Top Prospect Games. Vander Loop is a powerful mover on the bump, working athletically and aggressively downhill, pairing it with a quick arm that pumped strikes with a three-pitch mix during his two inning stint. During his outing, Vander Loop sat 85-87 mph (T88 mph) with his fastball and created nearly 14’ of induced-vertical break on average. As for his offspeeds, he earned a number of awkward swings-and-misses, both in the zone and out, on a sweeping slider that maxed at over 2,500 rpm, and 14.2’ of horizontal movement. He rounded out his well-above average three-pitch mix with a deceptive changeup with 21’ of horizontal movement at its max and that too earned a number of whiffs.

Listed at an XL 6-foot-5, 215-pounds, 1B Aren Robinson (Brookfield Central, 2024) is one of the state’s most physically intriguing prospects, and over the course of the last year or so we have started to see him harness his inherent strength in the right-handed box. Starting tall at the plate, Robinson loads in rhythm and utilizes his strong hands to create easy bat speed. During his round of BP, Robinson showed off gap-to-gap juice, producing exit velocities up to 95.5 mph and his furthest ball of the day traveled an estimated 374 feet, which was an event high. Despite his large stature, Robinson is an athletic defender around the first-base bag, and he has consistently shown to be a lockdown defender there, too. During the live gameplay, Robinson continued his standout day as he tallied a pair of hits to drive in one run, and he also made a slick diving play to get an out at first base as well. Overall, Robinson provided an impressive look during Tuesday’s showcase and asserted himself even more as an uncommitted name-to-know heading into his senior year.  

Recently, MIF Jack Lutz (Whitnall, 2025) was one of the standout performers at the PBRT Rock Open just a couple of weeks ago, and he brought that momentum into Tuesday’s loaded event. Standing at an upside 6-foot, 150-pounds Lutz offers a clean left-handed stroke with loose hands/wrists that was able to shoot line drives from gap-to-gap with ease, and he recorded a max exit velocity of 89.3 mph. Lutz really shined during the infield defense portion of the day as his athleticism was on full display as he was able to range to both sides, pairing it with sure-handed actions and an accurate arm that was up to 86 mph across the infield. While Lutz’s round of BP was a quality showing in its own right, his bat-to-ball skills are something that have impressed across a number of looks, and the live gameplay portion of Tuesday’s event was no different. In his five at-bats, Lutz notched two hits, one walk and drove in one RBI, all while being a solid up-the-middle defender. Later this month, Lutz will be traveling down to Georgia to represent Team Wisconsin at the PBR Future Games, where he will join the nation's top uncommitted talent and compete in front of over 300 college and professional scouts. 

Throughout the spring and across the first-half of the summer circuit, MIF CJ Trask (Oak Creek, 2024) has turned heads, and during our time at The Rock was no different. Standing at a broad-shouldered 5-foot-11, 190-pounds with strength throughout, Trask features a polished right-handed swing that has the ability to shoot the ball from gap-to-gap. During his round, Trask reached exit velocity highs of 96.5 mph and he showed off his power potential as his furthest batted ball traveled an estimated 348 feet. On the infield, Trask’s loud tools are equally impressive, as he features a strong arm and pairs it with athletic, sure-handed actions that point to him having the ability to stick at any of the infield positions in the future. Trask’s hit-tool is also something that we have consistently seen perform in game, and the live gameplay portion of this event is no different. In his three at-bats, Trask recorded a double and would also show off his speed as he stole a base, too. Trask has been one of the most consistent performers in front of our staff for a handful of years now, and he enters his final summer circuit as even more of an uncommitted name-to-know in the Badger State. 

Our staff got another look at OF Issei Takahashi (Arrowhead, 2024), as the uncommitted 2024 prospect continues to improve at the plate and in the outfield. Standing at a compact 5-foot-8, 172-pounds, Takahashi earned a Top Prospect Invite due to his success over the winter, and at Arrowhead this past spring as an every-day starter on one of the top-25 teams in the state. From the left side of the plate, Takahashi barreled two singles in live game action, coming off of a BP session where he hit 96.6 mph on a max exit velocity, utilizing a smooth swing and pull-side power to impress. His ability to repeat the swing consistently, paired with his foot quickness illustrates why Takahashi took over the top of the order for his high school team, and put up some of the best numbers throughout the event. Takahashi used that quickness to cover ground in the outfield on defense, using his quality mechanics from the ¾ arm slot to make accurate throws. The left-hander’s all-around performance at The Rock on Tuesday was one of the better showings, as Takahashi left Franklin on a good note for the rest of the summer and beyond. 

OF/RHP Brayden Schimmel (Whitnall, 2024) had one of the highlights of the day in game action on Tuesday: Throwing out a baserunner at the plate from right field. As for the rest of the showcase, the right-hander showed well as a two-way prospect, including reaching 84 mph on the mound with the fastball. His strong hands, present within a 6-foot, 200-pound frame, allowed him to double and eventually score during gameplay, singling in his final at bat to earn a multi-hit game. After coming off of a solid spring season for Whitnall, Schimmel primes himself for a successful rest of the summer heading into his senior season. 

Separating himself in live gameplay, MIF Jack Zeller (Indian Trail, 2025) garnered some attention from the event as a rising 2025 prospect, earning two hits at the end of the day, including a double and an RBI. While the power continues to develop at the plate for Zeller, who stands at a projectable 6-foot-1, 165-pounds, his approach as a batter allowed him to perform well in BP, showcasing a simple swing that covers the plate from the left side. Defensively, Zeller was accurate with his throws in a clean session, hitting 81 mph on the radar gun from the shortstop position. Zeller took on some older competition in gameplay and succeeded, a moment that he can build on as he emerges as a quality prospect in Wisconsin’s 2025 class.

C/INF Brody Henderson (Lake Mills, 2024) popped as an intriguing follow after standing out in game action towards the end of the day on Tuesday. Standing at 6-foot, 175-pounds, Henderson tallied three hits in the gameplay portion of the event, using a level swing to square up baseballs in multiple at bats. The consistent play was noteworthy on the defensive end too, where Henderson stood out from behind the dish. Clean was the term to describe Henderson’s catching work, including his quick, short arm action that allows him to be efficient in his throws from the position. The same could be said on the infield for the right-hander, as Henderson’s all-around performance at The Rock put him on the radar as a solid uncommitted prospect in the 2024 class. 

TEAM FOUR

LHP/OF Bradyn Bezanson (Hudson, 2024) created momentum in the spring, in which our staff got multiple looks at the prospect from northwest Wisconsin. On Tuesday, the sturdy 5-foot-8, 195-pound athlete followed his season up as a winner of the showcase, demonstrating his two-way abilities at a high level. It started at the plate for Bezanson, where a simple and calm presence in the batter’s box translated to a powerful barrel, which presented accuracy throughout his BP session. The same traits were illustrated within the game action as well, where Bezanson started his day with a barreled single from the left side of the plate. During the rest of his showcase, the left-handed thrower reached 88 mph from the outfield with a repeatable throwing motion, demonstrating his consistency on the defensive end. To end his day, Bezanson got up on the mound and showed a slight velocity bump, reaching 85.5 mph with the fastball. In his one inning of work, the left-hander mixed an effective plethora of offspeed pitches, highlighted by a fading changeup, thrown mostly to right-handed batters. The tools Bezanson harnesses set himself up for success throughout the rest of the summer and into the beginning of his senior year while still remaining uncommitted. 

OF Aiden Arnett (Trinity Academy, FL, 2026; Florida commit) made his return to the Badger State for the Top Prospect Games in Milwaukee on Tuesday, showcasing his advanced skill set to our staff as a to-be sophomore. The right-hander stands at an athletic 5-foot-11, 165-pounds, leaving room for growth as he continues to progress in his prep career. The No. 38 ranked player in the nation took one of the best BP rounds on Tuesday, showcasing an aggressive approach with quick hands and quality feel for the barrel. Power came easy for Arnett, as the prospect finished with an average exit velocity of 89.7 mph, one of the highest averages of the day amongst a pool of competition that was older than him. His balanced setup and usage of his lower half in his load allowed for Arnett to remain consistent in his approach, one that continues to catch the eye at a national level. His traits as a batter translated to the defensive end too, where Arnett participated as both an infielder and outfielder. A quick arm paired with present strength allowed Arnett to reach 87 mph during his outfield work, one of the higher velocities within the group. The footwork and natural athleticism that Arnett brings to the table reflects his play on the infield as well, where he displayed his smooth actions and strong arm, finishing at 84 mph. The Florida commit set the tone right away in game action, doubling to deep left-center field and scoring in the first inning of play. While Arnett didn’t make an appearance on the mound, his two-way abilities continue to add on to his advanced arsenal of tools, as he continues to improve at a young age. 

Presenting himself at a proportional 6-foot-2, 220-pound frame, C Gavin Obremski (Mosinee, 2024) is another athlete who continues to improve in all facets of his game, especially as a switch-hitter at the plate. The batter showed well on Tuesday, utilizing a tall and relaxed stance to get on top of the baseball and drive it, a trait that stood out during his BP session. From the summer of 2022, to this past winter, to the present day, Obremski has steadily become more comfortable on the right side of the plate in our looks, displaying his versatility as a true switch-hitter with natural power on both sides of the batter's box. With this flexibility, Obremski also manned the catcher position for his team on Tuesday, showcasing a strong and accurate arm, maxing out at 1.95 seconds for a pop time in his defensive session. His actions behind the dish were illustrated during live gameplay too, as Obremski made a tag at the plate with a runner attempting to score from second base, making a pick on a bouncing ball and swiping a quick tag down on his opponent. 

INF Mason Roell (West Bend East, 2024) was one of the top producers for his high school team during the spring, earning him Third Team All-State honors and putting him on the radar as an uncommitted infielder, setting up for a quality summer. Roell stands at an athletic 6-foot-2, 175-pounds, and in our first look at the to-be senior since the winter, notable improvements were made. On the infield, from the shortstop position, Roell fired in throws with carry, maxing out at 85 mph. His twitch and quickness was translated on the offensive end as well, where the right-handed batter was able to backspin and drive the baseball with quick hands and ease. Roell’s pull-side usage was noteworthy, as he created leverage and elevated pitches during his swing, projecting as a quality hitter in the future. His work as a two-way prospect for West Bend East in the spring cannot be understated, as Roell continues to trend up in a loaded 2024 class in the Badger State. 

MIF Nolan Sandee (Nicolet, 2024) has caught the eye of various scouts over the course of the 2023 baseball season, including throughout the WIAA season and into the summer circuit. That earned him an invite to the Top Prospect Games, where the compact 5-foot-9, 165-pound athlete stood out amongst the group of middle infielders. At the plate, Sandee presented a balanced setup, spraying line drives from gap-to-gap, showcasing his ability to insert himself into the leadoff spot on any team. The left-handed hitter has continued to improve his batted ball distance as well, leading the event with an average batted ball distance of 301 feet on Tuesday. Defensively, Sandee’s arm from the shortstop position plays well, as the to-be senior features strength and range, a combination that helped him reach 87 mph and demonstrate his quick feet. Sandee’s all-around quality performance during the showcase portion of the event translated to gameplay, where he finished with two hits and multiple defensive plays at the second base position. A solid showing from the 2024 graduate was a reflection of the past year for Sandee, as he remains one of the top uncommitted prospects in the state.

TEAM FIVE 

RHP Wyatt Rushing (Elkhorn, 2024) has long been an intriguing arm inside of the state’s 2024 class and had a standout performance on Tuesday to keep the intrigue high. The uncommitted right-hander stands at 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, and moves well on the mound. Coupled with an athletic frame and delivery, Rushing displayed a quick arm action that was short and repeatable. His in-game stats speak for themselves as he struck out four batters across two innings of work and looked comfortable against some of the top bats in the state. Rushing ran his fastball up to 89.1 mph as it carried through the zone and it averaged more than 17’ of induced vertical break, which was an event high. With a slider and a changeup up his sleeve, the incoming senior has the room to develop the offspeed pitches as compliments to his commanding fastball.

RHP Austin Olla (South Milwaukee, 2024) quietly worked through two scoreless innings in live gameplay on Tuesday. Olla is a 6-foot-3, 235 pound, right-handed pitcher that has feel for a four-pitch mix that features a curveball, a slider, and a changeup, on top of his 83.9 mph fastball. Olla works with a controlled tempo and a slight drop and drive in the lower half. He throws from a high three-quarter slot and has a short arc through his motion. It is safe to say that Olla did not disappoint in his first-ever PBR showcase, and he is not certainly a name to monitor as he goes into his senior year. 

After being a part of the Aquinas roster that finished as runners-up in the WIAA Division 3 State Playoffs, RHP Tanner Peterson (Aquinas, 2024) put his name on the map with a strong showing on Tuesday. Peterson was efficient during live gameplay as he quietly worked through two innings and allowed just one hit. The 6-foot-2 right-hander ran his fastball up to 86.1 mph and commanded the zone well, hitting corner after corner. Peterson mixed in a changeup and a curveball, with the curveball containing a sharp, late break. Peterson projects well on the mound with a repeatable delivery, quick arm action, and effortless movement patterns that were on display against some of the top bats in the state. 

After impressive performances at the PBRT Wisconsin Open, RHP Mason Sherman (Waukesha West, 2024) turned heads during live gameplay on Tuesday. Listed at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, Sherman was a presence on the mound and showed why his name has risen among the state’s 2024 class. The right-handed arm tossed two dominant innings in live gameplay that saw him punch out five of the six batters he faced. Sherman showcased a three-pitch mix that featured a powerful fastball, a curveball, and a changeup. During live gameplay, he tossed a heavy amount of his fastballs, used to place hitters into tough situations and pitcher-friendly counts. Running the pitch up to 90.4 mph, he displayed control and worked all parts of the zone. Similarly, he showed feel for his offspeed pitches that included a curveball with sharp break and 10/4 action. To round out his arsenal, Sherman mixed in an occasional changeup that had late fade and depth which could be used as a potential out-pitch. 

C/3B Quade Thompson (Wrightstown, 2024) attracted attention at the PBRT Wisconsin Open in late June and has had his name rise as an uncommitted catcher in the 2024 class. Thompson turned in a smooth defensive display behind the dish and showed athletic ability and movement patterns. Listed at 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, Thompson presents an athletic build that works in a larger frame with clear strength in his lower half. The incoming senior showcased a loose rhythm with the bat in his hands and stayed long through the zone during his round of BP. With a wide, open setup, Thompson recorded a maximum exit velocity of 95.1 mph and consistently back-spun the ball while working middle-in.

C/1B Joshua Gilroy (Arrowhead, 2024) is ranked as one of the top catchers in Wisconsin’s 2024 class and showed why on Tuesday. The uncommitted backtop stands at a physical 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, with strength throughout. During BP, Gilroy showcased advanced power with physical hands and aggressive bat speed. His swing contained an uphill bat path with a pull-side tendency, a swing that recorded one of the higher exit velocities of the day at 97 mph. Behind the dish, Gilroy showed athleticism while blocking and topped out at a pop time of 1.95. With a clean transfer and an accurate arm, Gilroy has continued to trend in the right direction when talking about his defensive skill set. In live gameplay, he looked comfortable behind the dish blocking the occasional ball in the dirt, and received pitches well. He also manned the first-base position for a handful of innings during live gameplay and he is equally impressive there, too. 

Listed at 6-foot, 190 pounds, as an incoming junior, 1B/3B Trent Mclain (Florence, 2025) impressed on Tuesday and is a name-to-know in Wisconsin’s 2025 class. The corner infielder profiles with a proportional frame that contains strength throughout. The right-handed hitting Mclain features quick hands and stays level throughout the zone. During BP, Mclain was constantly on the barrel and sent the ball up the middle more often than not. Defensively, he displayed soft hands that worked the ball to a three-quarter arm slot. Mclain showed off smooth movement on both corners with good feel around the first base bag. During live gameplay, Mclain roped a ball to right field that saw him slide into third with what most would consider an easier triple. The junior looked the part throughout the game, as he was comfortable on both sides of the ball against some of the top talent in the state.

OF Nicholas Guidici (Monona Grove, 2024) displayed a physical sense of raw power on Tuesday that was on display during BP and live gameplay. Listed at 6-foot, 200 pounds, Guidici profiles as a larger frame with strength throughout. Reflective of that at the plate, Guidici immediately began posting some of the higher exit velocities of the day, topping out at 96.5 mph. The left-handed-hitting outfielder stands in the box with a balanced setup and has a small leg lift trigger. He showcased strong hands that generated bat speed and was uphill through the zone. Across nearly every swing, the effortless nature of the bat path and intent caught attention as did the resulting distance which was some of the furthest recorded on the day. In the outfield, Guidici stayed simple and compact as he worked quickly through the ball into a shuffle step that saw him get his arm around and through with intent. One of the top-ranked outfielders in Wisconsin’s 2024 class, Guidici remains a follow and warrants the attention with the tools that are present.

OF Carter Kallies (Bay Port, 2024) came out of Tuesday’s event as a winner on both sides of the ball as. In BP, Kallies aligned in the left-handed box with a narrow, open setup with loose hands and a sense of rhythm. The swing transitioned with a quick toe tap into an aggressive foot strike that worked with a direct bat path and a quick twitch. Staying mostly level through the ball, Kallies was accurate on the barrel and worked to his pull-side. Listed at 5-foot-10, 175 pounds, profiles with an athletic build that has showings of raw strength that maintains athleticism and moves well. As a result, Kallies posted some of the better athletic numbers on the day, as he ran a 6.92 60-yard dash. Translating to live gameplay, Kallies patrolled center field and tracked down balls in the gap with ease. At the plate during gameplay, he poked a ball into left that saw him reach base safely. This single quickly turned into more as he swiped second in the pitches that ensued. The multi-tooled outfielder has quickly become an intriguing name inside of the state’s 2024 class over the past month or so, and Tuesday was yet another impressive performance from this uncommitted prospect. 

TEAM SIX

RHP Jack Roventini (Arrowhead, 2025) was a right-handed arm that caught attention on Tuesday. Listed as 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, Roventini showcased a fastball that topped at 86 mph and contained life through the zone. With an athletic delivery that saw him stay dynamic and quick through his motion, Roventini displayed a whippy arm action that came from a three-quarter arm slot. Through the delivery, he featured a high, closed tuck and was short out of the glove. The incoming junior worked efficiently and with a commanding presence on the mound as he mixed in a slider that had sharp, late break to it. The right-hander also flashed a changeup that contained some late fade to it. Roventini punched out two batters in his work across two hitless innings.

RHP Kaden Russo (Elk Mound, 2024) was dominant on the mound and showed why he remains a name-to-follow in Wisconsin’s 2024 class. The 6-foot-3, 210 pound, right-handed arm was present at The Rock on Tuesday and made a loud statement on the mound during live gameplay. Profiling as a larger frame with strength throughout, Russo was comfortable and fluid on the mound as he struck out four batters across two innings of work. Featuring a stretch-only delivery, Russo worked within his legs featuring a drop and drive delivery that harnessed the strength his lower half has to offer. With a repeatable motion that stays online toward home, Russo fires from a three-quarter arm slot. The incoming senior ran his fastball up to 85 mph, and showcased a four-pitch mix that included a changeup, a curveball, and a slider.

Listed at 6-foot, 175 pounds, MIF Beau Bloxdorf (Union Grove, 2024) is one of the top middle infielders in Wisconsin’s 2024 class. The uncommitted to-be senior impressed defensively on Tuesday as he tossed 86 mph across the diamond and had one of the smoother rounds with his glove. Bloxdorf demonstrates athletic movement patterns and displays bounce up the middle. Paired with soft hands and clean footwork, Bloxdorf’s defensive capabilities were on display during live gameplay as well. At the plate, Bloxdorf takes on a taller, balanced setup and has a controlled load into a closed-foot plant. With athletic hands, he stays inside on the baseball with length through the zone. He caught multiple barrels that displayed backspin that lifted the ball with ease to all fields. In game, Bloxdorf doubled to right, piecing together a smooth swing that lifted a ball.

In a larger frame at 6-foot-3, 178 pounds, INF/RHP Brayden Steinbecker (Manitowoc Lutheran, 2025) has projectability within his frame as an incoming junior. A class of 2025 graduate, Steinbecker’s frame comes into play at the plate where he begins in an open, crouched setup and has an aggressive foot strike. In the hands, he stays loose and fires his bat to the ball while keeping a level path. During BP, the ball repeatedly jumped off of his barrel with backspin for natural, effortless line drives that left with carry. With some strength throughout and upside in the frame, Steinbecker remains a name-to-know in Wisconsin’s 2025 class.

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