Northern Wisconsin Fall ID: Position Player Analysis
November 19, 2024
On Oct. 20, the PB Wisconsin scouting staff traveled to Impact Sports Academy in De Pere, Wis., to host the annual Northern Wisconsin Fall ID event. This open showcase helped introduce us to some need-to-know players in the state that we’d not yet seen before, as well as provided us with updated looks at players who’ve earned our attention in the past.
Below is a look at all of the position players from the event with a few standouts that deserve a mention.
TOP POSITION PLAYERS
1. Will Nikolay, De Pere (WI), 2027
Positional Profile: 2B/3B
Body: 5-8, 178-pounds. Athletic with present strength, more projection coming.
Hit: RHH. Wide, knee knock trigger, repeats, strong. Leverages the ball out front, stays behind the baseball, hands extend through the baseball through contact, hitterish look. 72.9 mph bat speed with 16 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 85.6 mph. 321’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Long arm action with a slight stab out of the glove. Flashed quick arm speed, works from an over the top slot. Throws flashed carry and played with accuracy.
Defense: Quality actions and feel with quick first step, soft hands.
Run: 7.21 runner in the 60.
2. Mark Susa, Hudson (WI), 2027
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 6-3, 165-pounds. Long levers, projectable.
Hit: LHH. Stock set up, upright, gains ground, falls away from hands during loading phase. Whippy hands and barrel through the baseball, drives it to all fields, serious leverage with long levers and out front contact point. 70.1 mph bat speed with 4 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 83.9 mph. 348’ max distance.
Arm: LH. INF - 79 mph. Short and loose arm action from a low 3/4 window. Throws play with carry across the diamond. Arm plays with accuracy.
Defense: Soft hands, shuffle step towards target, smooth and fluid, has feel around the first base bag, can turn the 3-6-3 double play, aggressive fielding bunts.
Run: 7.34 runner in the 60.
3. Brendan Kellar, Badger (WI), 2026
Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 6-0, 179-pounds. Present strength with some projection coming.
Hit: LHH. Wide base, loose hands in set up, stays grounded, loads into back leg, gets loaded up on time. Leverages the ball out front with bat speed, drives it to all fields, has some pop and feel to hit. 66.5 mph bat speed with 19 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 84.6 mph. 346’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 85 mph. Quick arm, works with short action from a 3/4 angle. Flashed carry on throws across the diamond.
Defense: Quality footwork through the ball and towards first base, quickness to first step, soft hands.
Run: 7.39 runner in the 60.
4. Lyle Cardwell, Bay Port (WI), 2027
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-11, 190-pounds. Present strength with some projection coming.
Hit: RHH. Stock, balanced, short stride, repeats. Flat, tight rotation through the ball, back legs balls with leverage, stays behind the ball well, drives it to all fields. 63.5 mph bat speed with 22 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 82.7 mph. 271’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. Arm works with long and loose action from a 3/4 window. Flashed quick arm speed.
Defense: Fields with soft hands under midline, gets good direction, going to first base, quickness to first base.
Run: 7.76 runner in the 60.
5. Avery Ramos, Neenah (WI), 2025
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 6-2, 191.6-pounds. Present strength with more coming.
Hit: RHH. Wide, sits backside, toe tap trigger. Stays grounded throughout the swing, quick hands, ball jumps, some loft to path, has feel to barrel the ball up through both gaps. 72.1 mph bat speed with 10 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 83.4 mph. 287’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 87 mph. Long arm action, works from a high 3/4 window. Throws flashed carry across the diamond.
Defense: Soft hands under midline, quality footwork through the ball with good direction to first.
Run: 7.11 runner in the 60.
BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)
Bodie Bloom, Montello (WI), 2025
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 6-0, 194.2-pounds. Present size and strength, well proportioned, should add more.
Hit: RHH. Narrow and open base with centered hands, loads back into hitting position on time, gains ground and leverage into hitting position. Short and compact, shows some whip through the ball, line drive approach to all fields. 63.2 mph bat speed with 9 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 81.6 mph. 295’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. OF - 82 mph. High 3/4 slot with quick arm, shows carry and accuracy.
Defense: OF: Aggressive, sure handed, crow hop with good direction. INF: Aggressive with softness to hands, gains ground to first base with quick shuffle.
Run: 7.75 runner in the 60.
Calvin Johnson, Hudson (WI), 2028
Positional Profile: 3B/1B
Body: 5-10, 160-pounds. Athletic, well proportioned with present strength and more coming.
Hit: RHH. Wide, squatty, up and down leg lift trigger. Direct, creates some loft through the hitting zone, ability to drive the ball through both gaps. 63.6 mph bat speed with 9 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 83 max exit velocity, averaged 77.7 mph. 297’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Slight stab out of the glove. Arm works with short action from a high 3/4 slot. Arm flashed accuracy across the diamond.
Defense: Two hand gather under midline into shuffle step, gains ground to the target, softness to hands.
Run: 7.62 runner in the 60.
Zack Johnson, Clintonville (WI), 2026
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-8, 159-pounds. Athletic build, projectable.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, works into backside, up and down stride that gets back to even. Flat and handsy path, creates some whip through the ball, sprays line drives to all fields. 56.4 mph bat speed with 13 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 84 max exit velocity, averaged 78.4 mph. 279’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. OF - 81 mph. Short arm action, works from a high 3/4 window. Throws flashed carry.
Defense: 2.08-2.19 pop times. OF: One handed gather into shuffle step with good direction. C: Athletic feel behind the plate, quick right foot athletic, covering bunts, soft blocker, quick and athletic out of the crouch covering bunts.
Run: 7.09 runner in the 60.
Steven Kable, New London (WI), 2025
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-8, 184.1-pounds. Sturdy build with strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Stock set up, pigeon toe set up, quiet load, gets to strong hitting position on time. Short and compact, flat path, feel for the barrel, barrels it to all fields. 58.7 mph bat speed with 10 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 84 max exit velocity, averaged 76.2 mph. 253’ max distance.
Run: 8.10 runner in the 60.
Gavin Lax, Luxemburg-Casco (WI), 2026
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-9, 130-pounds. Wiry build, more size and strength coming.
Hit: RHH. Closed, balanced setup, creates separation, toe tap stride. Loose, free and easy hands through the ball, direct, downhill, sprays line drives to all fields. 61.1 mph bat speed with 16 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 84 max exit velocity, averaged 76 mph. 271’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Short arm action from a 3/4 window. Arm works quickly, throws flashed carry across the infield.
Defense: Quality actions and feet getting around the ball, softness to hands with good funnel, quick first step laterally.
Run: 7.97 runner in the 60.
Gavin Levin, Homestead (WI), 2026
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-10, 175-pounds. Well proportioned with present strength.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, loads into strong hitting position with leverage. Flat path, stays behind the baseball well, leverages the ball out front, has some strength in hands, tight rotation, creates some bat speed through the hitting zone. 66.9 mph bat speed with 15 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 86.5 mph. 331’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Short arc with carry and accuracy through the bag.
Defense: 2.03-2.15 pop times. Quick and clean transfers, quick and short right foot, soft blocker, keeps the ball close, athletic out of the crouch covering bunts.
Run: 7.72 runner in the 60.
Dallas Rady, Preble (WI), 2026
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-9, 135-pounds. Wiry build with high waist, very projectable frame.
Hit: LHH. Stock set up, slightly open, quiet move to the hitting position on time with quiet hand trigger. Short, compact hand path down and through the baseball, downhill. 62.6 mph bat speed with 7 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 82 max exit velocity, averaged 76.9 mph. 275’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 81 mph. Arm works quick with long and loose action from a 3/4 slot. Throws flashed carry.
Defense: Quality actions and feet, rhythmic, easy flow through the ball into shuffle step towards the target.
Run: 7.74 runner in the 60.
Jacob Reineking, Notre Dame De La Baie Academy (WI), 2027
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 5-9, 155-pounds. Athletic, wiry, more size and strength coming.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, works back to even, gains ground. Handsy swing, direct, downhill, sprays line drives to all fields, has feel for the barrel. 60.6 mph bat speed with 6 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 82 max exit velocity, averaged 78.8 mph. 236’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 81 mph. 3/4 slot, quick arm, accurate with carry.
Defense: Fields with aggressiveness through the baseball, sure handed, shuffle step, gets rid of it quickly.
Run: 7.44 runner in the 60.
Ryan Ruelle, St. Mary Catholic (WI), 2028
Positional Profile: 2B/3B
Body: 5-6, 125-pounds. Athletic, projectable, will add more size and strength.
Hit: RHH. Stock set up, gains ground to pitcher, minimal hand trigger to hitting zone, on time. Flat path with feel for the barrel, sprays it to all fields. 55.6 mph bat speed with 4 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 70 max exit velocity, averaged 65 mph. 220’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 53 mph. Arm works with short action from an over the top window. Quick transfer, arm plays with accuracy across the diamond.
Defense: Two hand gather under midline, shuffle step towards target, shows softness to hands.
Run: 7.87 runner in the 60.
Alex Sartor, Verona Area (WI), 2025
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-2, 170-pounds. Present strength with more size and strength coming.
Hit: RHH. Quiet trigger and load with minimal head movement. Short and flat path, stays behind it well with some feel for the barrel. 62 mph bat speed with 7 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 87 max exit velocity, averaged 76.7 mph. 256’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. INF - 78 mph. Short arm action from a low 3/4 slot. Throws flashed carry across the diamond. Arm flashed accuracy.
Defense: 1.93-2.08 pop times. INF: Soft hands under midline, quality footwork through the ball with good direction to first. C: Soft hands, turns the ball around quickly, short and quick right foot, confident blocker, covers bunts well, athletic.
Run: 7.00 runner in the 60.
Colton Setzer, De Pere (WI), 2026
Positional Profile: OF/OF
Body: 5-9, 165-pounds. Athletic with some more size and strength coming to frame.
Hit: LHH. Narrow, slightly open with slight crouch, gets to strong hitting position on time. Whippy bat speed with direct path, flat path, drives it to all fields, has feel for the barrel. 65.1 mph bat speed with 15 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 87 max exit velocity, averaged 77.2 mph. 337’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 76 mph. Short arm action with a slight stab out of the glove. Arm works from a 3/4 window.
Defense: Aggressiveness to the ball, one hand gather into shuffle step, good direction through the ball, sure handed, steady hands.
Run: 7.12 runner in the 60.
Tyler Smith, Osseo-Fairchild (WI), 2027
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-7, 145-pounds. Wiry strong with good proportions.
Hit: RHH. Open set up, upright, gains ground, lands centered. Tight rotation, uses ground and back leg well to stay behind the ball, handsy, feel for the barrel. 63.5 mph bat speed with 10 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 83 max exit velocity, averaged 75.8 mph. 228’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 75 mph. Short arm action, works quick from an over the top angle.
Defense: One hand gather into shuffle step, steady hands, confident hands, gets rid of it quickly, quality feet and direction to home.
Run: 7.23 runner in the 60.
Chase Verbanac, Random Lake (WI), 2026
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-11, 185-pounds. Present strength, some projection coming.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, even setup, loads into backside, up and down stride that gains ground. Handsy swing with strength in hands that creates bat speed through the ball and sprays line drives to all fields. 64.1 mph bat speed with 17 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 87 max exit velocity, averaged 80.7 mph. 300’ max distance.
Arm: RH. 3/4 slot, quickness to arm, shows accuracy.
Defense: 2.19-2.41 pop times. Short and quick right foot, quick and clean transfers, keeps it close on blocks, athletic out of the crouch covering bunts.
Run: 8.16 runner in the 60.
Kale Wagner, Chilton (WI), 2028
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-8, 125-pounds. Wiry with projection coming.
Hit: RHH. Stock set up with strong back elbow, early toe tap, gains ground to pitcher on time. Direct with feel for the barrel, sprays balls to all fields. 58.2 mph bat speed with 4 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 77 max exit velocity, averaged 68.4 mph. 208’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 69 mph. Short arm action, works from an over-the-top window.
Defense: Two hand gather, funnels into midline, smooth and easy, soft hands.
Run: 8.12 runner in the 60.
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