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Top 10 Stories of 2023: No. 7 Inaugural Prep Baseball All-American Game Stars Two Wisconsin Prospects

December 21, 2023
By: Maddox Durst
Staff Writer

At the end of each calendar year, the PBR Wisconsin staff reflects back on the 10 most intriguing headlines that surrounded the baseball scene in the Badger State. Through the end of the month, we will break down the most impactful storylines from an eventful 2023 campaign, ending with our No. 1 story revealed Dec. 30.

The inaugural Prep Baseball All-American Game took place at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin Sept. 23 – featuring a matchup between the best of the best within the 2024 and 2025 graduating classes.

In total, 39 prospects between the two classes made their way to the Cream City on a crisp fall weekend in the Badger State. It was a historic step for the Prep Baseball community – showcasing the best prospects nationwide at one of the premier ballparks in the United States.

The stars were shining at their brightest over the course of the entire weekend – including two phenoms representing the state of Wisconsin with pride: MIF J.D. Dix (Whitefish Bay, 2024; Wake Forest commit) and RHP Jack DeTienne (Verona Area, 2024; Xavier).

For Dix – who recently committed to ACC powerhouse Wake Forest – the All-American Game was the icing on the cake to a stellar year of baseball in his 2023 campaign. The ultra-talented middle infielder led Whitefish Bay to a Division 1 State Championship, and carried that momentum all the way through the summer to September to finish on one of the biggest stages in the high school baseball scene.

When the announcement went public about the All-American Game heading to Milwaukee, Dix could not turn down the offer.

“I think when I got the email that it was here, I was kind of like ‘whoa, whoa, whoa, there’s a local event here,’” Dix said in a sit-down interview with Prep Baseball’s Vice President, Scouting Shooter Hunt. “And it was a little bit like, I don’t know if too many people know where Wisconsin is, to be honest. Let alone Milwaukee. So I was like, ‘this is going to be a sick event.’”

In the game action, Dix made his mark on the defensive end of the ball – turning a clean double play with fellow slick-fielding SS Ty Southisene (Basic, 2024; Tennessee) out of Nevada. Dix came away with a barreled ball at the plate, too – reaching base after a misplay by defenders on the right side of the diamond. Here’s what Prep Baseball’s Ian Smith – a regional scout and prospect analyst – had to say about Dix’s prolific weekend:

“...switch-hitter with nearly identical actions from both sides of the plate. Dix works out of square, even base with a shoulder height handset and looseness in the wrists. Quick-twitch trigger keeps him on time with an up-the-middle approach that shows present barrel control. Good barrel feel from the left side with present above-average bat speed and pull-side power. Gap power from the right side, but plenty of projection remaining in the 6-foot-2 frame that can lead to future power as a natural right-handed hitter. Could moonlight as an above-average glove at multiple positions but potential to stick at shortstop is real with lateral range and fantastic hands. Great flexibility in the frame with confidence to attack balls. Present plus runner with a 6.48 60 and electric first step that allows to reach top speed quickly. Impressive athlete.”

DeTienne emerged as one of the bigger surprises in the state of Wisconsin as a pitching prospect – blossoming into a premier prospect in a short amount of time. Over the summer, the right-hander showcased a dramatic velocity increase from what our staff witnessed from the winter.

At the Madison Preseason ID, DeTienne stood out in a controlled bullpen setting – rushing his fastball up to 91 mph to complement his sharp, tight curveball and fading changeup. It was a slight improvement from his work at the 2022 PBR Future Games as a member of Team Wisconsin.

Then the summer of 2023 hit for DeTienne, and he made national noise.

The velocity began to increase, with rising spin rates and that same competitiveness which separated him from the rest in prior appearances. Eventually – at the Area Code Games in California – DeTienne popped multiple 96 mph fastballs in front of Smith. He ranged from 90-95 mph in his outing – illustrating his elite arm speed on the mound.

DeTienne’s rapid growth earned him an invite to the All-American Game in September in his home state, and he took full advantage. The right-hander’s one-inning stint was clean, as DeTienne once again presented a live arsenal that drew multiple swings and misses. He sat from 93-94 mph with the fastball, and showed a quality feel for his 11/5 breaking ball. It was a similar theme from the beginning of the spring, all the way through the fall for the Xavier commit.

Here’s what Smith had to say about DeTienne’s performance on the big stage that Saturday:

“...high-effort delivery with tight arm circle and a deceptive, over-the-top slot that can overwhelm hitters with electric arm speed, albeit lacking some ability to repeat. Fastball has impressive metrics, sitting a high-spin 92-94 with big-time hop that averages 18 inches of induced vertical break (Max 20.7) and will miss a ton of bats. Feel for a 79-81 hammer curveball is present with ability to create depth while holding 11/5 shape. Presently a two-pitch mix with high effort can lead to reliever risk, but the athleticism and projection in the frame can offer a higher ceiling as he develops.”

Dix and DeTienne represent the constant talent that has emerged from the Badger State, and did so with pride in their home state. It serves as another step in the right direction for Wisconsin prep baseball – depicting the talent that comes from all corners of the state on a yearly basis.

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