On Aug. 17, the PBR Wisconsin team made the trip north to Sheboygan to host the final showcase on the summer docket: the Eastern Wisconsin Open. This annual showcase typically provides us with an opportunity to evaluate some of the state’s prospects we’ve not had the chance to see before, or have not seen enough of. We published our rapid analysis inside of our Quick Hits in the days following the event, and we took a deeper dive into the data we gathered at the showcase inside this Statistical Analysis.

This week, we’ve begun to roll out our position-by-position analysis of the Sheboygan-area showcase, starting with the day’s catchers and outfielders. We’re onto the event’s infielders today.

The three ranked middle infielders below each earned some more looks following this event, and all three represent different grad classes. At the top, junior Dylan O’Connell (Eau Claire Memorial, 2022) took one of the day’s most surprising and impressive rounds of batting practice. He maximizes his 150-pound stature to produce impressive batted-ball data. He showed above-average actions on defense, projecting to keep up the middle.

We’ve seen Noah Dreier (Brookfield Central, 2023) on several occasions this summer and fall, and he’s continued to steal attention, especially on defense. He looks like a true middle infielder, with slick, quick hands and a budding right-handed bat.

For full scouting reports on each of the infielders who attended the Eastern Wisconsin Open, continue on below.

TOP MIDDLE INFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Dylan O'Connell, Eau Claire Memorial (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-9, 150-pounds. Athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, elevated hands pre-pitch, smooth load, high leg kick trigger.  Short and uphill bat path, lifts through contact, gap-to-gap approach with intentful hacks. Consistently makes hard contact on the barrel; average exit speed of 88.7 mph in BP, per TrackMan. Intriguing offensive profile with a top-of-the-order ceiling.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. Long and loose arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Wide fielding base, athletic defender that plays low to the ground, comfortable on the move. Steady hands, clean funnels at times, some quickness to release. 
Run: 7.59 runner in the 60. 

2. Noah Dreier, Brookfield Central (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-10, 150-pounds. Lean, wiry frame with athleticism.
Hit: RHH. Tall/balanced setup, hands set high. Subtle load back, trunk closes, stays coiled in stride. Weight works off back foot at plant. Bat path is short to the zone, works off an uphill plane through it.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Short, loose throws; quick arm, athletic slot. Arm strength projects.
Defense: Confident approach; athletic feet, fluid to gather. Hands are soft and quick, clean transfers. Moves around the infield with a bounce, above-average range to both sides.
Run: 7.57 runner in the 60. 

3. Matthew Perry, Bay Port (WI), 2021; St. Cloud State commit.
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-9, 170-pounds. Compact strength in build.
Hit: RHH. Tall/open setup, hands set high. Dips weight onto back foot in load; leg kick/hang stride. Simple path, easy swings, above-average bat speed (68.5 mph on average). Bat path is level, direct; long through the zone. Maintains balanced throughout. Repeated hard line-drive contact up the middle with consistency.
Power: 92 mph exit velocity from the tee. Low-lying contact; hard line-drives. Average exit speed of 85.6 mph during BP, with a 91.0 high.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Short, loose throws from a an athletic slot; throws flashed carry with accuracy.
Defense: Fluid feet, soft hands, athletic gathers and consistently clean exchanges. Above-average infield actions; projects best at second base.
Run: 7.33 runner in the 60.

TOP FIRST BASE PROSPECTS

1. Jack Baretz, Franklin (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 6-3, 210-pounds. Strong build, broad shoulders.
Hit: RHH. Tall/balanced start, pigeon-toed stance, bat rests on shoulder. Small load back onto back foot, leg lift, strides to slightly open landing. Slight wrap in load, hips fire early, drifts through plant and impact. Bat path is short to the zone, uphill plane through connection.
Power: 92 mph exit velocity from the tee. Uses inherent strength on contact; topped 98.6 mph exit velocity during BP, max distance of 335 feet, all per TrackMan.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. OF - 85 mph. Long arm action from an over-the-top slot.
Defense: Controlled, deliberate footwork on approach; two-hand gather at times. More comfortable at first base.
Run: 7.32 runner in the 60. 

2. E.J. Kuster, Greendale (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-3, 182-pounds. Lean, athletic makeup that projects.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, hands load back as front shoulder closes, short stride.  Quick hands, level bat path with an elevated attack angle, does lift to the pull-side through contact. Did flash some power to left field, hit one that traveled 333 feet at 90.44 mph, per TrackMan.
Power: 79 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Lateral foot shuffle, quick hip turn on double play feeds, long to release at times.
Run: 7.71 runner in the 60.

3. Noah Gerritson, Waupun (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: 1B/LHP
Body: 6-1, 195-pounds. Proportionally strong wide-shouldered frame with more room to add muscle.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, heavy bat tip load with a slight arm bar, short stride.  Strong hands with speed, level bat path, gap-to-gap approach with easy pull-side juice. Ball does have some jump off the barrel; average exit speed of 87.44 mph with an average fly ball distance of 313 feet.
Power: 96 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. INF - 71 mph. Long arm swing finishes out of a high 3/4 slot. Drops down to a lower 3/4 arm angle on double play feeds.
Defense: Sits back on the baseball, two-hand gather out front of body, quick hand transfer, packs to release.
Run: 8.20 runner in the 60.

4. Easton Zempel, Middleton (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-5, 180-pounds. Wiry, long-levered frame with high projectability.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, quick pre-pitch bat waggle, hands bar at load, short stride to even.  Minimal movement throughout, level bat path with an elevated attack angle, creates loft through contact. Max exit speed of 92.48 with a max fly ball distance of 320 feet in BP, per TrackMan.
Power: 91 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Short arm action, loose 3/4 slot.
Defense: Active defender, glove works out front at times, quick to release.
Run: 7.67 runner in the 60. 

5. Jacob Hartley, Whitefish Bay (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 5-10, 190-pounds. Strong lower half.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, slight bat wrap at load, short stride.  Long and level bat path, works on an uphill attack angle at times, some gap-to-gap strength; max exit speed of 90.47 mph with a max fly ball distance of 346 feet.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. INF - 69 mph. Shorter arm path comes out of a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Upright posture, two-hand gather over center of body.
Run: 8.38 runner in the 60. 

6. Isaiah Malison, St. Thomas More (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-7, 220-pounds. Large, physically imposing presence.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, bat wraps across back, quick leg lift trigger.  Level bat path with some loft through contact, gap-to-gap approach, advanced raw power for age; max exit speed of 95.6 mph in BP, per TrackMan.
Power: 92 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Patient to the baseball, upright posture at gather, long to release.
Run: 8.19 runner in the 60.

7. Leighton Schroeder, Slinger (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 6-0, 180-pounds. Strength in lean frame with long levers.
Hit: LHH. Wide, balanced base, front foot slightly closed, hands set head high. Minimal load, hands drop into deep bar, short path to the zone, bat path is level.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Demonstrated some raw strength/power potential during batting practice. Averaged 84.5 mph exit speed; topped 94.1. Max distance measured at 352 feet.
Arm: RH. Short arm action from an over-the-top slot.
Defense: Tall at gather, feet move well, showed some feel for the base.
Run: 7.23 runner in the 60.

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Hunter Abitz, Kettle Moraine Lutheran (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: C/INF
Body: 5-9, 190-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, hands set high; weight-shift load back, leg kick stride even. Long path to the zone, extension through contact; above-average strength on impact, allowed him to produce some hard, far batted balls.
Power: 90 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. INF - 72 mph. Short arm action from a 3/4 slot. Throws were typically on target. Short throws from a high 3/4 slot on the infield.
Defense: Can get tall at reception; slow but efficient actions through exchange. On the infield, tall at gather, quick exchanges.
Run: 7.97 runner in the 60. 

Ethan Bennett, Oshkosh North (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: C/INF
Body: 5-8, 170-pounds. Some strength in compact build; sturdy lower half.
Hit: RHH. Balanced/open setup, hands set low, weight on back foot. Loads back with slight wrap, long stride that lands slightly open. Repeats a long, simple swing well; level, long path. Demonstrated some barrel feel during BP.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. INF - 66 mph. Short arm action from a high 3/4 slot. Similar arm action on the infield; short from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Tall at gather, efficient through exchanges. Slow, controlled footwork. Sits back some on the infield, simple and efficient funnel through release.
Run: 8.49 runner in the 60. 

Beau Bloxdorf, Union Grove (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 5-7, 125-pounds. Lean, high-waisted frame. Continued physical maturity.
Hit: RHH. Crouched setup, closed front side, bat wraps at load, leg lift timing trigger.  Uphill bat path, inside/out type swing that works middle-away.
Power: 75 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 65 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot. Quick release, some accuracy to the bag.
Defense: Fields low to the ground with a steady two-hand gather out front, quick and clean hand transfers at times. Some feel up-the-middle.
Run: 8.58 runner in the 60. 

Tyler Boeder, Green Bay East (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 5-9, 130-pounds. Lanky, long-levered frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, slight pre-pitch hand movement, high leg kick timing trigger.  Long and uphill bat path, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 76 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 69 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Sits back on the baseball, sees the ball deep into glove, efficient hand transfer.
Run: 8.07 runner in the 60. 

Wyatt Denu, Mount Horeb (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-10, 150-pounds. Athletic, high-waisted build.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, narrow base, quiet backward hand load, short stride.  Loose hands, short and uphill bat path, line drive approach, pull-side tendency.
Power: 79 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 71 mph. Longer arm path in the back finishes from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Quick first step, feet attack the baseball, hands work out front at times, clean hand transfer to release.
Run: 8.04 runner in the 60. 

Aiden Foerstera, Oconomowoc (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-0, 160-pounds. Slender, high-waisted frame with plenty of room to fill out.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, minimal hand movement, quick leg kick trigger.  Short and uphill bat path, all-fields approach, steady line drive contact.
Power: 76 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 74 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Feet attack the baseball in rhythm at times, moves well up the middle, steady hands play out front of body, quick hand transfer to release.
Run: 7.62 runner in the 60. 

Charlie Gwidt, Cedarburg (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 5-10, 155-pounds. Athletic build with proportional strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, open base, toe-tap timing trigger, hits off front side.  Short and uphill bat path, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 75 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 70 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot. Accurate on some throws to the bag.
Defense: Fields low to the ground, feet work in rhythm around the baseball at times, clean funnels, occasionally quick to release.
Run: 7.94 runner in the 60. 

Thomas Hoffmann, Cambridge (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: 3B/OF
Body: 5-11, 155-pounds. Athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, bat rests vertical and hands loads straight back, short stride.  Short bat path with a flat attack angle, line drive approach.
Power: 68 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 64 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Attacks the baseball, two-hand gather, long to release.
Run: 7.75 runner in the 60. 

Cooper Kuemmel, Muskego (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: 2B/RHP
Body: 5-11, 160-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned frame with room to add muscle.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup with an open base, active pre-pitch hand rhythm, bat wraps at load, leg lift timing trigger.  Long and level bat path, sprayed line drives to all fields.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 65 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Some pre-pitch bounce, feet attack the baseball in an occasional fluid rhythm, two-hand gather out front of body, glove pack to release.
Run: 7.57 runner in the 60. 

Andy Nordloh, Waunakee (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-11, 170-pounds. Lanky levers, broad shoulders; wiry strength with upside.
Hit: RHH. Tall/balanced setup, hands high, elbow raised; subtle load, short stride, lands toe open. Short path to the zone, long through it. Barrel feel, repeated line-drive contact well.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. INF - 71 mph. Short throws from a high 3/4 slot. Arm is action in the same on the infield.
Defense: Demonstrated some flexibility as a receiver, soft hands around the zone. Lunge/leaps into reception and exchange on throws down. Feet work fluid. On the infield, fluid and fundamental footwork that gets into proper position at gather.
Run: 8.05 runner in the 60. 

Alexander Pechanch, Sussex Hamilton (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-4, 220-pounds. Strong, physical frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, bat rests over back shoulder, backward hand load, short stride.  Simple right-handed stroke that stays short to the baseball, uphill bat path with some loft through contact. Gap-to-gap approach, advanced raw bat strength, juice on the barrel; max exit speed of 93.93 mph with a max fly ball distance of 322 feet.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 70 mph. Shorter arm stroke comes out of a high 3/4 slot. Some accuracy on throws to the bag.
Defense: Sits back on the baseball, glove works out front of body.
Run: 8.51 runner in the 60. 

Ethan Russell, St. Thomas Aquinas (MI), 2021
Positional Profile: 2B/OF
Body: 5-8, 150-pounds. Athletic frame with some compact strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, wide base, quick load funnels into a short stride.  Simple swing, short and level bat path, line drive approach with an opposite field tendency.
Power: 74 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 70 mph. Long arm circle finishes out of a high 3/4 release window.
Defense: Athletic feet that cover ground on the dirt, two-hand gather, long to release.
Run: 7.60 runner in the 60. 

Jake Sager, Oconto Falls (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: 2B
Body: 5-8, 145-pounds. Compact, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, closed stance, slight bend in lower half, hands start with some backward separation, toe-tap trigger.  Uphill bat path, middle-away approach.
Power: 68 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 69 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Feet work on a staggered rhythm to the baseball, fields low to the ground, glove plays out front over body, moves well up the middle. Steady two-hand gather, clean hand transfer with some quickness to release.
Run: 7.74 runner in the 60.

Dylan Snyder, Janesville Craig (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-2, 140-pounds. Lanky, high-waisted build.
Hit: LHH. Tall setup, some pre-pitch movement in hands, quick toe-tap trigger.  Simple swing, level bat path, sprays line drives to all fields.
Power: 72 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 68 mph. Long arm path finishes out of a 3/4 slot.
Defense: Feet attack the baseball, glove works out front, upright posture at gather, clean hand exchange.
Run: 8.22 runner in the 60. 

Riley Zirgibel, Arrowhead (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 6-2, 240-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, hands rest high near the back ear, high elbow at load, short stride.  Some strength in hands, short and level bat path, opposite field approach, flashed juice off the barrel.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 66 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two-hand gather under center of body.
Run: 8.58 runner in the 60. 

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