Wisconsin Class of 2023 Rankings Update

Ranked inside the top 150 nationally, RHP Dylan Questad (Waterford Union; uncommitted) takes over the top spot with an impressive jump to his offerings. He stands at 6-foot, 190 pounds with premium athleticism on the mound. The offering leads with an explosive fastball – topping 94 mph – that stands out amongst his peers from a national perspective. Through multiple looks this year, his fastball generated a one-of-a-kind designation in his Wisconsin peer group. National cross-checking sources have also noted he spins a hard slider (at roughly 2,400 rpm) that flashes swing-and-miss action, and a firm changeup thrown at arm speed. As one of the top uncommitted arms in the country, we expect to see a high profile commitment coming down the pipe.

SS Ethan Hindle (Arrowhead; Kentucky commit) catapults in as Wisconsin’s top-ranked position players. He’s a perfectly sized as a left-side infielder, listed at  6-foot-2, 185 pounds, fit with elite athleticism. Coming off a red hot summer, Hindle checks all the boxes offensively. Every look this summer provided advanced bat handling, gap-to-gap power, and maturity. At the PBR Future Games in August, he graded high in Loden Sports Testing’s quickness assessments, and his marked improvement to his arm and glove year over year rounds out an impressive profile. Hindle also tested amongst the top Vizual Edge scores at the Future Games, added data that enhances his prospect stock. The new Kentucky commit is a name to follow nationally, with an expectation that he’ll continue to develop into an impact performer at the next level.

Another one of the top infielders in the state is Notre Dame recruit Cal Fisher (Deerfield), a compact 5-foot-11, 185-pound prospect. The gameplay presence is hard to miss for this top-200 national rank. Smooth glovework on the move is the trademark of his defensive repertoire. In recent looks, many have noted additional physicality present in his bat-to-ball skills. There’s also a knack for creating productivity in the box. Fisher has consistently carried an above-average offensive projection with consistent doubles. He’ll be a high-follow name at events throughout the fall.

The No. 2-ranked pitcher in the state’s class is RHP Cole Selvig (Regis; Texas). The 5-foot-11, 185-pound righty has a strong, compact frame that he utilizes to wield a traditional three-pitch profile that’s matured well this summer. He features a firm fastball up to 91 mph, a swing-and-miss changeup, as well as a high-spin curveball measured into the 2,700 rpm range. There’s moments of clear pitchability and he’s shown the ability to hit spots, and stay off the barrel throughout the year. Selvig is a promising arm ranked just outside the top-200 nationally.

MIF Alexander Alicea (St. Thomas More; Louisville) rounds out the top-five as one of the best defenders in the Midwest. Alicea is the top defender in our state’s class, equipped with reliable hands, lots of range, and plenty of arm to make all the necessary plays at shortstop. Offensively, he makes the most of his 5-foot-7, 145-pound stature by providing a spark atop the lineup in a traditional lead-off role. His barrel precision and advanced approach from both batter’s boxes complements his aptitude to steal bases aggressively, while still demonstrating an awareness for the situation. While smaller in stature, his game has shown the ability to play big on the box score. Alicea is an exciting ballplayer to watch for those who appreciate the details – and winning baseball games.

New to the top-10, C Evan Gustafson (Altoona) is also the top-ranked uncommitted position player in the state. Listed at 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, Gustafson launched himself into this caliber of prospect this summer by showcasing an easy, lofted stroke that generates pull pop. Defensively, he has a quick catch-and-release that carries through the bag. He’s consistently made base stealing more difficult on opposing runners and across numerous looks. He’s on the short list of left-handed-hitting catchers in the Midwest who’s also a threat to leave the yard from the batter’s box, while stifling the opposing team’s run game.

C Thomas Curry (Arrowhead; uncommitted) remains a top talent at the position. He’s a muscular 6-foot, 215-pound right-handed hitter who offers some of the best power projection in the region. At the PBR Future Games in August, amidst a crowded and talented nationwide field, Curry averaged the fifth highest bat speed (80.4 mph) and he performs beyond his years from the crouch. His raw strength is evident on both sides of the ball, and it combines to create a toolset representing one of the higher ceilings of any uncommitted catcher in the country.

RHP Thomas Burns (Hortonville; uncommitted) is a long-levered 6-foot-4, 210 pounds, with power arm traits that continue to improve. He’s flashed strike-throwing capabilities while pumping a projectable fastball (up to 91 mph) that consistently draws swings and misses underneath it. Burns complements his fastball with a slow hook that’s begun to take shape in more recent looks, and he’s landing it with greater frequency. Burns possesses some of the highest upside in the class, and he’s generating more confidence from evaluators with each look.

Few prospects are rising inside this update as substantially as OF Caleb Karll (Madison West; uncommitted). The 6-foot-1, 190-pound prospect has his arrow pointed way up following a terrific performance at the PBR Future Games, where he represented Team Wisconsin. There, Karll brought an advanced operation to the plate, where he showcased excellent two-strike hitting, and enough juice to carry the pull-side gap for a home run in-game. Karll also graded very high at the Loden Testing station for quickness, and has made excellent defensive plays in recent games. He represents the first outfielder on the board, and leads an outfield group currently flying just under the radar.

(7/28/21)