This Tuesday, July 18th, the PBR Wisconsin team is hosting the Western Wisconsin Open at Carson Park in Eau Claire, WI, one of the final showcases of the summer circuit. This is an open event for all high school classes (2024-27), and gives our staff an ample look at the area’s top players.

For a closer look at the showcase details and the technologies we'll have on-site to assist our in-person evaluation for all in attendance, click here. For a complete look at those registered to attend this event, view the most up-to-date version of the roster by clicking here.

2023 ROSTER

PBR Wisconsin continues to expand their coverage around the Badger State, emphasizing a focus on the northwest corner of Wisconsin this upcoming Tuesday at the Western Wisconsin Open. Many of these prospects, some of which our staff saw in live-action at the PBRT Wisconsin Open just a couple of weeks ago, make their way to Carson Park tomorrow to showcase their talent.

The pool of prospects is highlighted at the top by RHP/INF Giles Groothousen (Flambeau, 2024), an athlete who has taken advantage of our addition of Eau Claire showcases to the summer and winter circuits, as he’s ranked No. 57 in the state’s 2024 class currently. Groothousen recently rushed his fastball up to 87 mph in Mauston, continuing to excel as an arm, making him a prime uncommitted prospect in the 2024 class. He popped as an intriguing follow at the Western Wisconsin Open just over a year ago, as he returns to Carson Park for the second time on Tuesday. 

Giles Groothousen (7/1/23)

Two interesting Eleva-Strum products head north to make appearances in front of our scouting staff, including INF/RHP Jake Bjerke (2024) and RHP Carter Gunderson (2024). Bjerke showed well as a two-way prospect in the winter, following that up with a quality performance in Mauston, reaching 85 mph on the mound. Gunderson, from the bump, showcased an improved mid-80s fastball during two appearances at the tournament near the fourth of July, as we’re excited to see the right-hander and his electric arsenal for the first time at a PBR showcase in his prep career. 

Jake Bjerke (6/30/23)

Carter Gunderson (6/29/23)

To wrap up the Eau Claire area prospects, INF Logan Hesselman (Eau Claire North, 2024) and RHP Chase Watkins (Eau Claire North, 2024) are two teammates who continue to trend up heading into their senior seasons. Hesselman was a clutch left-handed bat for the Eau Claire A’s 17U Blue team, earning multiple hits to lead them to a 17U Championship in Mauston. Watkins put together a quality season for Eau Claire North, as he emerged as one of the top arms for the Huskies in the Big Rivers Conference, reaching 82 mph on the fastball in the winter. 

Logan Hesselman (7/3/23)

Chase Watkins (2/11/23)

OF Tanner Hraby (Medford Area, 2024) recently attended our Top Prospect Games in Milwaukee, and returns to the circuit at the Western Wisconsin Open, coming off of another stellar spring for Medford, and a solid summer for Central WI Blast. He is joined by OF/RHP Sam Reimann (Merrill, 2024) and 1B Braxton Weismiller (Medford Area, 2024), fellow travel baseball teammates who have all performed well throughout the summer. 

Finally, we will get our first look at OF/LHP Bennett Burke (IMG Academy, 2025) since 2020 in a showcase setting, as the left-hander has recently taken his talents to IMG Academy in Florida, standing out as a follow from The Rock 16U Summer Championships. He wraps up a quality group of athletes who look to illustrate the under-the-radar talent that resides in the northwest portion of the state.

OF/LHP Bennett Burke (IMG Academy, 2025; @PBRWisconsin) barrels this one for a single.

Athletic 5-foot-10, 185-pound frame.

Rangy defender in the OF, making a number of impressive plays.#PBRatTheRock pic.twitter.com/L5Rj9JCxpj

— PBRT Scouting (@pbrtscouting) July 13, 2023

Perusing the event roster, we’re set to meet a majority of players who’ve not yet attended a PBR showcase, and we’re eager to add more names to our follow lists.

EVENT CHECK-IN PROCESS

Because of the high number of prospects set to attend Tuesday's event, it is imperative that you read our adjusted showcase itinerary below, which will allow our staff to swiftly and efficiently educate and evaluate the players set to attend.

Additionally, in an effort to continue and develop contactless check-in strategies, upon arrival, players will scan a QR Code with their smart phone camera that will lead them to a Google Form. On that Form, players will enter their name (matching the spelling on their PBR profile) and hit submit. Upon submission, players will be prompted to click a link that will direct them to their jersey color and number, located next to their registered name.

ITINERARY

POSITION GROUPS

+ Position Players & Two-ways:

• Check-in: 11:30 AM

+ Pitcher Onlys:

• Check-in: 1:30 PM

MORE EVENT DETAILS

Click here to learn more about our tech partners that have enhanced our players showcase experience. Partners like TrackMan, Vizual Edge, and Blast Motion have helped both our in-event evaluation process, as well the compilation of our post-event scouting reports – and they're also a tool for our players to learn more about their measured and collected data, that can be applied to improve upon their game. Finally, wear baseball clothes; assigned and numbered PBR jerseys will be provided.

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