South Milwaukee Preseason ID: Catcher Analysis

March 27, 2023
Wisconsin Staff

On Sunday, March 5th, the PBR Wisconsin staff traveled to the Racine Hitters facility in Caledonia, WI to host one of the largest showcases on our winter calendar, the South Milwaukee Preseason ID. This event provided us an ample opportunity to check-in on some of the area’s high school prospects and identify several names as we prepare for the WIAA season, as well as future invite-only events on the PBR Wisconsin calendar.

In the week that followed this event, we produced post-event analysis that includes performance highlights inside of our Quick Hits story, a look at the traditional stats measured within our Statistical Analysis piece, batted-ball and pitch data covered in our Positional and Pitcher data dives.

You can learn more about the state-of-the-art technologies featured at our showcases within the hyperlinks above. Today we’ll begin our post-event process by rolling out the individual scouting reports of the day, starting with the catcher position while working our way across the diamond as the week continues.

TOP-5 CATCHERS

no. 1 Brad Filippis C / Indian Trail, WI / 2025

Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-0, 170-pounds. Longer, proportional frame with sloped shoulders, projectable with more room to fill out.
Hit: RHH. Wide base with low hands, slight crouch. Creates extension at footstrike, whippy through the zone with a slightly uphill path, on the barrel throughout the round to the whole field.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 80.2 mph. 269’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. High 3/4 slot, carry through bag, accurate.
Defense: 1.95-2.01 pop times. Quick/clean transfer, quick footwork, quick block and deadens the ball out front.
Run: 7.19 runner in the 60.

no. 2 Ryan Lemm C / 3B / Craig, WI / 2025

Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-8, 180-pounds. Athletic frame with strength.
Hit: LHH. Stock set up, wider base. Quick, strong hands, whole field approach while staying on the barrel.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 81.5 mph. 323’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. High 3/4 slot, quick arm, carry through the bag.
Defense: 2.03-2.15 pop times. Quick/clean transfer, gains ground directionally out of the crouch.
Run: 7.10 runner in the 60.

no. 3 Nick Kleczkowski C / 3B / Muskego , WI / 2025

Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-0, 170-pounds. Long levers, room for growth.
Hit: RHH. Stock set up with higher hands. Drops hands slightly before moving into a level path, quick hands.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 78.3 mph. 206’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. High 3/4 slot, carry, accurate.
Defense: 2.07-2.19 pop times. Steady hands with a clean transfer.
Run: 8.01 runner in the 60.

no. 4 Ethan Knoll C / OF / Waukesha North, WI / 2024

Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-3, 215-pounds. Large frame with strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Stock set up, relaxed hands. Short to the ball, downhill path at times, mostly flat, line drives to the whole field.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 84.8 mph. 267’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Quick release, good carry through the bag, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.18-2.38 pop times. Sure-handed, feet work in-line out of the crouch, drops quickly and smoothly into a block, deadens the ball out front.
Run: 7.48 runner in the 60.

t5 Nolan Medla OF / C / Hartford Union, WI / 2026

Positional Profile: OF/C
Body: 5-10, 140-pounds. Wiry frame with room to fill out.
Hit: RHH. Wide base set up, with relaxed hands. Creates some hand seperation at footstrike, uphill path with some whip at times.
Power: 82 max exit velocity, averaged 71.2 mph. 232’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 66 mph. OF - 76.00 mph. C: High 3/4 slot, short draw. OF: Short draw with carry, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.35-2.50 pop times. Clean transfer, feet work in-line out of the chute.
Run: 7.91 runner in the 60.

t5 Tyler Mielcarek C / 3B / Case, WI / 2024

Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-0, 200-pounds. Thick strong frame with good proportions.
Hit: RHH. Higher hands with narrow base, athletic. Level path, simple swing and repeats, works the whole field.
Power: 84 max exit velocity, averaged 75.9 mph. 247’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Short draw, quick release, good carry through the bag, accurate.
Defense: 2.26-2.39 pop times. Steady hands, feet work in-line, deadens the ball out front.
Run: 8.52 runner in the 60.

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Jacob Bolton, Milton (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 5-10, 180-pounds. Strong, sturdy frame.
Hit: RHH. Stock set up with higher back elbow. Uphill path with intent to lift, uses the whole field.
Power: 79 max exit velocity, averaged 73.6 mph. 267’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 66 mph. High 3/4 slot, medium draw.
Defense: 2.37-2.48 pop times. Directional footwork out of the crouch, clean transfer.
Run: 8.40 runner in the 60.

Tanner Effertz, Whitnall (WI), 2026
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 5-10, 165-pounds. Long levers, projectable.
Hit: LHH. Slightly open, narrow set up, lower hands. Short to the ball, level path, whole-field approach, looks to keep the ball on a line.
Power: 74 max exit velocity, averaged 67.8 mph. 230’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. High 3/4 slot, medium draw, carry.
Defense: 2.25-2.40 pop times. Clean transfer, directional footwork out of the crouch, deadens the ball out front on blocks.
Run: 8.65 runner in the 60.

Grant Manthei, Lake Country Lutheran (WI), 2026
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-7, 145-pounds. Athletic frame with room to fill out.
Hit: RHH. Upright set up with high hands. Short scoop through the zone, uphill path.
Power: 73 max exit velocity, averaged 56.7 mph. 220’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. 3/4 slot, medium draw.
Defense: 2.33-2.44 pop times. Clean transfer, directional footwork out of the chute.
Run: 7.48 runner in the 60.

Trent Miller, Lakes Community (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-9, 143-pounds. Athletic frame with strength.
Hit: RHH. Upright set up with relaxed hands, athletic. Uphill path, works the middle of the field and to the pull side.
Power: 76 max exit velocity, averaged 68.2 mph. 261’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. High 3/4 slot, short draw.
Defense: 2.22-2.29 pop times. Quick/clean transfer, active footwork out of the chute, deadens the ball out front on blocks.
Run: 7.88 runner in the 60.

Hayden Milosh, Waterford (WI), 2026
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-1, 180-pounds. Long levers with strength and room for growth.
Hit: RHH. Stock set up, higher hands slight crouch. Level path, some extension through contact.
Power: 87 max exit velocity, averaged 80.3 mph. 268’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. High 3/4 slot, short draw, some carry through the bag.
Defense: 2.25-2.40 pop times. Clean transfer, feet work in-line out of the crouch.
Run: 8.35 runner in the 60.

Charlie Quick, Lake Forest (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-8, 160-pounds. Athletic frame, some fill and projection to the frame.
Hit: RHH. Upright open set up, relaxed hands. Flat through the zone, stays on plane to and through the baseball, back spins balls to both gaps.
Power: 82 max exit velocity, averaged 74.9 mph. 281’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 64 mph. Short draw, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.26-2.44 pop times. Clean transfer, feet work in-line to second, deadens the ball out front on blocks.
Run: 7.92 runner in the 60.