On Aug. 18, the PBR Wisconsin team made its annual trip to Sheboygan to host its perennial Eastern Wisconsin Open showcase. At the end of each summer, this Sheboygan-area event shines a light on some of the top prospects residing in the eastern portion of the state, an area we aren’t able to see often enough.

We previously covered this event through our rapid analysis inside our Quick Hits post, as well as a more data-driven dive, with our Statistical Analysis.

Today, however, is reserved for our first look at each of the positions represented at the showcase, starting with the day’s backstops. We have scouting reports on all nine catchers in attendance below, including follow catchers Luke Nowak (Waukesha South, 2021) and Hunter Petska (Green Bay Preble, 2020), both of whom are uncommitted. You can find scouting reports on each of the catchers below.

ALL PROSPECTS (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Ethan Bennett, Oshkosh North, 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-foot-8, 165-pounds. Compact, sturdy lower half.
Hit: RHH. Tall/square setup, bat stays vertical. Arm bar load back, long stride. Long and uphill path through contact, above-average bat strength on contact.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Gap-to-gap approach.
Arm: RH. C - 67 mph. Short and loose arm action from a 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.44-2.46 pop times. Soft hands with consistent clean exchanges. Throws with accuracy with the proper actions throughout.
Run: 8.41 runner in the 60. 

Charlie Bogue, Mount Horeb, 2021
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-foot-10, 174-pounds. Some proportional strength throughout build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced/athletic setup, open stance.  Smooth load, leg hang trigger. Aggressive, short and level bat path, consistent line-drive contact, hard off the barrel.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Notable bat strength, low-lying contact presently.
Arm: RH. C - 68 mph. Short arm action from high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.18-2.30 pop times. Fundamental blocks, can stay a little tall, above-average actions throughout.
Run: 8.33 runner in the 60. 

Alec Campbell, Milton, 2022
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-foot-1, 170-pounds. Projectable frame with lanky limbs and an athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Simple/balanced setup. Minimal load, short stride, direct bat path. Short and level plane with bat speed, line-drives.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Some gap-to-gap potential, shows ability to backspin.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Short draw, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.15-2.40 pop times. Accuracy on throws, raw/projection.
Run: 7.79 runner in the 60. 

Curtis Green, West Allis Central, 2022
Positional Profile: 3B/C
Body: 5-foot-11, 172-pounds. Strong lower half; high waist.
Hit: LHH. Tall/open setup, long stride back even. Short and level bat path. Flat-planed swing with a feel to backspin.
Power: 76 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 66 mph. INF - 61 mph. Long arm action from a low 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.68-2.76 pop times. Throws with some accuracy through the infield.
Run: 7.73 runner in the 60. 

Nicholas LaVigne, Appleton West, 2021
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-foot, 185-pounds. Athletic frame, wiry strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, slightly open, hands set high. Weight-shift load back, bat wraps, toe-tap stride even. Aggressive hacks with bat speed, long and uphill path, strong on contact.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Above-average bat strength.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. Short arm action from high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.25-2.47 pop times. Consistently clean exchanges, plays through the ball, pounced on blocks with athleticism.
Run: 7.52 runner in the 60. 

Michael Maloney, Pulaski, 2021
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-foot-8, 188-pounds. Some strength in lower half.
Hit: RHH. Balanced and open setup in a slight crouch. Quick toe-tap stride, wraps bat some, short bat path with some extension through contact.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 68 mph. Short arm action from high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.26-2.44 pop times. Solid footwork on catch-and-throw.
Run: 7.85 runner in the 60. 

Nick Nowak, Waukesha South, 2021
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 145-pounds. Lean/lanky frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced/athletic setup. Smooth load, short stride, fluid balance. Fast bat, short and level path, direct to the ball, loose hands, line-drive approach.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Short arm action from an over-the-top slot. Throws with accuracy, flashed carry.
Defense: 2.11-2.34 pop times. Hands are soft, consistently clean exchanges from an athletic receiving position.
Run: 7.23 runner in the 60. 

Hunter Petska, Green Bay Preble, 2020
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-foot-11, 195-pounds. Strong, durable build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, athletic. Slight bat wrap, short and brief leg lift stride. Long bat path, fast bat speed, fluid, line-drive contact.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Loud contact with a feel to lift.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Long arm action from high 3/4 slot, throws carry, accuracy.
Defense: 2.10-2.30 pop times. Soft hands work both as a blocker and a receiver. Demonstrates flexibility from behind the plate.
Run: 8.1 runner in the 60. 

Hunter Steger, Sheboygan North, 2021
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-foot-1, 195-pounds. Big frame with durable lower half.
Hit: RHH. Tall/square setup, hands set low. Hands drop into load back, toe-tap stride, open landing. Short and uphill path geared toward the opposite field.
Power: 76 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. Short arm action from high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.35-2.46 pop times. Throws with some accuracy; above-average actions.
Run: 8.02 runner in the 60.

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