Eau Claire Preseason ID: Top Overall

February 17, 2023
By: Wisconsin Staff

On Feb. 11th, the PBR Wisconsin team hosted our second event of th 2023 winter showcase circuit with the innaugural Eau Claire Preseason ID showcase at Valley Sports Academy in Lake Hallie, Wis. Nearly 30 players made it out to this event, providing us with updated looks and a new list of players to follow in Wisconsin in an area that consistently produces some of the state's top-talent.

In the week that followed the showcase, we published Quick Hits highlighting the top prospects of the event by class. We also rolled out a Statistical Analysis piece, bringing you a quick look at those that put up some noteworthy metrics during the event. We then dove deep into the data, looking at the pitch metrics and batted ball numbers from this event inside our Pitcher Data Dive and Position Player Data Dive stories. Today, we will officially wrap up our post-event coverage with the release of all scouting reports from Feb. 11th’s event, including our staff’s top-five overall players.

TOP-SIX OVERALL

Leo Lauscher 3B / 1B / Eau Claire Memorial, WI / 2024

Rankings StateRank: 62 / POS: 6

Positional Profile: 3B/1B
Body: 5-10, 250-pounds. Physical frame with strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup with balance. Under control, balanced move to hitting position, lands centered, shows very quick hands to and through the ball, ball jumps off the bat, shows ability to drive ball to all fields.
Power: 98 max exit velocity, averaged 89.7 mph. 324’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 84.00 mph. 3/4 slot, quick arm, accurate.
Defense: Rhythmic feet, clean hands, quality actions.
Run: 7.34 runner in the 60.

Warren Bowe LHP / 1B / Cadott, WI / 2025

Rankings StateRank: 33 / POS: 4

Positional Profile: 1B
Body: 6-0, 180-pounds. Well-proportioned, strength and more fill coming.
Hit: LHH. Stock setup, balanced and relaxed. Leg lift to forward move, aggressive quick hands work to out front contact point, sprays line drives to all fields.
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 81.6 mph. 292’ max distance.
Arm: LH. INF - 82.00 mph. High 3/4 slot, repeats.
Defense: Out front, two-hand gather, feet work around the bag.
Run: 7.80 runner in the 60.

Positional Profile: LHP
Delivery: Up-tempo high leg lift, gets down hill, drives lower half, medium leg swing finish with direction to home.
Arm Action: LH. Full on-line circle, quick arm, high 3/4 slot, repeats.
FB: T84, 83-84 mph. Late tail, can get to spots. T2227, 2001 average rpm.
CB: 75-76 mph. Short, late biting two plane depth. Weapon. T2226, 2156 average rpm.
CH: 78-79 mph. Quality sell, late depth and fade, can land. T2020, 1915 average rpm.

Chase Watkins 1B / RHP / Eau Claire North, WI / 2024

Rankings StateRank: 91 / POS: 5

Positional Profile: 1B
Body: 6-2, 185-pounds. Lean, wiry, athletic build, more fill coming.
Hit: LHH. Relaxed setup. Small gather into back leg, rhythmic flow into hitting position, loose free and easy with loft, hitterish.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 86.7 mph. 333’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 77.00 mph. Repeats 3/4 slot, shows accuracy.
Defense: Soft hands, quality actions with feel around first base bag.
Run: 8.04 runner in the 60.

Positional Profile: RHP
Delivery: Medium tempo, loose free and easy delivery, on-line to the plate.
Arm Action: RH. Full circle up on time, high 3/4 slot quick arm.
FB: T82, 79-81 mph. Carry and ability to get through areas of zone. T2115, 2018 average rpm.
CB: 66-70 mph. Sharp 11/5 breaker, late. T2249, 2211 average rpm.
CH: 75-77 mph. Developing feel, quality arm speed. T1867, 1800 average rpm.

Sawyer Stein 1B / RHP / Eau Claire Memorial, WI / 2024

Positional Profile: 1B
Body: 6-2, 230-pounds. Physical, strong, more fill coming.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup with high back elbow. Small press back into back leg, controlled rhythmic move to hitting position, lands centered, flat quick direct path some loft, drive the ball to both gaps.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 90.2 mph. 311’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 73.00 mph. Low 3/4 slot, accurate, feel for the ball.
Defense: Feet work around the bag, quality actions.
Run: 7.64 runner in the 60.

Positional Profile: RHP
Delivery: Medium tempo, low leg lift, slightly closed land, medium leg swing finish to home.
Arm Action: RH. Medium arc, up on time, 3/4 slot, repeats, quick arm.
FB: T81, 79-81 mph. Fills the zone, late cut. T1888, 1756 average rpm.
SL: 69-70 mph. Lateral sweep, can land, flashes lateness to the break. T1844, 1785 average rpm.
CH: 71-73 mph. Quality arm speed, can land, flashes depth and fade. T1538, 1370 average rpm.

Nick Hirsch SS / RHP / Hudson, WI / 2025

Rankings StateRank: 46 / POS: 15

Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 6-1, 165-pounds. Well-proportioned, wiry, athletic, more fill coming.
Hit: RHH. Wider base with higher hands. Gathers into back side with leg lift, lands centered into loaded hand position, flat path, long through the ball with hand quickness, can drive the ball to both gaps.
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 80.9 mph. 282’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 84.00 mph. Quick arm, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Out front gather, shuffle step, quality actions.
Run: 7.20 runner in the 60.

Chase McQuade C / OF / River Falls, WI / 2024

Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-9, 180-pounds. Strong build, athletic frame, some projection remaining.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, relaxed position, balanced. Rhythmic gather into back side, gets to strong hitting position, quick strong hands direct through the ball, ball jumps off bat, can impact ball to all fields.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 86.8 mph. 359’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 71.00 mph. OF - 81.00 mph. C: 3/4 slot. OF: 3/4 slot, quick arm some carry, accurate.
Defense: 2.18-2.39 pop times. C: Quick transfer short quick right foot. Soft blocker, quick out of crouch, shows bounce. OF: Aggressive through ball, finishes with direction through the target.
Run: 7.60 runner in the 60.

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

Jackson Albee, Wausau West (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/3B
Body: 6-1, 180-pounds. Well-proportioned, athletic, more fill coming.
Hit: RHH. Wider base, slight crouch, relaxed hands. Small gather back, lands balanced and centered, hands get to loaded hitting position, shows hand quickness and ability to impact the baseball when barrelled.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 78.7 mph. 292’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - mph. OF - 86.00 mph. Short draw, high 3/4 slot, quick arm, repeats.
Defense: Out front gather into crow hop, athletic through the ball.
Run: 7.33 runner in the 60.

Blake Bargender, Abbotsford (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-11, 180-pounds. Athletic build, well-proportioned, projectable.
Hit: RHH. Wide base setup, higher hands. Small gather back, gets back to hitting position, quick, direct hand path, strong hands, can impact the ball to all fields.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 77.6 mph. 270’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 72.00 mph. INF - mph. High 3/4 slot, quick arm.
Defense: 2.30-2.43 pop times. Short, quick right foot, clean transfer, out-front transfer, aggressive blocker, shows eagerness and energy behind plate.
Run: 7.54 runner in the 60.

Ian Bauer, Eau Claire Memorial (WI), 2026
Positional Profile: OF/1B
Body: 6-0, 160-pounds. Long levers, wiry build, some fill coming.
Hit: LHH. Stock setup, balanced and relaxed. Knee knock gather, rhythmic, gets to strong balanced hitting position on time, hands work quick down through contact and shows ability to spray line drives to all fields.
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 74.8 mph. 284’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - mph. OF - 77.00 mph. Low 3/4 slot, quick arm, repeats.
Defense: Aggressive through the ball, finishing on-line to home.
Run: 7.99 runner in the 60.

Jake Bjerke, Eleva-Strum (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: 3B
Body: 6-1, 200-pounds. Well-proportioned, more fill coming.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, balanced. Easy press into back leg, gets to strong and balanced hitting position, short, quick direct path, can impact the baseball to pull-side.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 82 mph. 304’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 79.00 mph. Low 3/4 slot, accurate.
Defense: Two-hand gather out front.
Run: 7.98 runner in the 60.

Positional Profile: RHP
Delivery: Medium tempo, medium leg lift, medium leg swing finish to home.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm draw, 3/4 slot, quick arm, repeats.
FB: T81, 77-80 mph. Drives it to areas, small tail finish. T1990, 1839 average rpm.
CB: 70-71 mph. Lateral sweep, can expand, lateness and biting action. T2199, 2144 average rpm.
SL: 69-72 mph. Short, quick sweeping action, sharpness. T2223, 2143 average rpm.

Jv Castillo, Abbotsford (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 5-7, 150-pounds. Athletic build, well-proportioned, strong lower half.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup with balance. Short gather back, flows into hitting position, very quick hands to and through the ball, slight loft to path shows ability to drive to both gaps.
Power: 87 max exit velocity, averaged 80.4 mph. 301’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 83.00 mph. OF - 89.00 mph. INF: 3/4 slot, accurate. OF: High 3/4 slot, quick arm, carry through the target.
Defense: INF: Out front gather, clean hands, quick first step. OF: Clean feet, out front gather, medium leg swing finish through the target.
Run: 7.16 runner in the 60.

Ian Denning, Chippewa Falls (WI), 2025
Positional Profile: OF/3B
Body: 5-8,146-pounds. Well-proportioned, athletic build, some projection coming.
Hit: LHH. Stock setup, slightly open, higher hands. Short, quick move back, gets back to center to strong hitting position, short direct path geared for line drive contact.
Power: 78 max exit velocity, averaged 73.4 mph. 273’ max distance.
Arm: OF - 74.00 mph. High 3/4 slot.
Defense: Out front gather, shuffle step, finishes with direction to home.
Run: 7.94 runner in the 60.

Cody Fredrick, Oconomowoc (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-3, 170-pounds. Long levers, well-proportioned, projectable.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup with relaxed hands. Small gather back with earlier hand load, gets back to center, shows short quick path to and through the ball.
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 73 mph. 291’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - mph. OF - 86.00 mph. 3/4 slot, repeats, shows some carry.
Defense: Fields through the ball, low leg swing finish through the plate, works with direction through the target.
Run: 7.59 runner in the 60.

Positional Profile: RHP
Delivery: Rhythmic loose, high leg lift, medium leg swing finish to plate, good lines.
Arm Action: RH. Full on-line circle, high 3/4 slight, quickness to arm, repeats.
FB: T78, 78-78 mph. Finish through areas. T1969, 1944 average rpm.
CB: 71-72 mph. Lateral sweep, flashes sharpness, can land. T2019, 1946 average rpm.
CH: 73-74 mph. Developing feel, flashes late depth at the plate, quality sell. T1878, 1848 average rpm.

Riley Kroening, Stratford (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/1B
Body: 6-0, 187-pounds. Well-proportioned, athletic, more fill coming.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, slightly open, with relaxed hands. Controlled leg lift to hitting position, quiet hands, direct hand path, shows ability to drive the ball to pull-side with quickness to hands.
Power: 83 max exit velocity, averaged 71.8 mph. 277’ max distance.
Arm: LH. INF - mph. OF - 71.00 mph. 3/4 slot, quick arm, some carry and accurate.
Defense: Out front gather, aggressive through the ball, finishes with direction through target.
Run: 7.75 runner in the 60.

Johnny Leaver, La Crosse Logan (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-4, 185-pounds. Long levers, sloped shoulders, athletic, projectable.
Hit: LHH. Upright narrow setup with high hands. Quick abrupt early gather to hitting position, quick hands with direct path to and through the ball, ball jumps when barrelled.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 83.3 mph. 313’ max distance.
Arm: LH. INF - mph. OF - 83.00 mph. 3/4 slot, quick arm, accurate with carry.
Defense: Two-hand gather out front, crow hop, aggressive through the ball.
Run: 7.54 runner in the 60.

Positional Profile: LHP
Delivery: Lower leg lift, on-line land, low leg swing finish to home.
Arm Action: LH. Full swing, on-line, 3/4 slot, arm quickness.
FB: T80, 75-79 mph. Drives it to areas, small tail finish. T1711, 1631 average rpm.
CB: 63-66 mph. Lateral breaker, flashes late bite with depth at the plate. T1994, 1943 average rpm.
CH: 71-72 mph. Developing feel, flashes late fade and depth. T1422, 1302 average rpm.

Liam Minnich, Hudson (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/1B
Body: 5-11, 185-pounds. Stronger, thicker build with strength, wider shoulders with a lot more fill and strength coming, projectable.
Hit: LHH. Stock setup, open stance, preset hands in a strong hitting position. Advances forward to center, uses ground well, quickness to hands, direct path, line drive path to all fields.
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 71.3 mph. 285’ max distance.
Arm: LH. INF - mph. OF - 80.00 mph. INF: 3/4 slot, repeats. OF: 3/4 slot, quick arm.
Defense: INF: One knee setup, clean transfer, short right foot. One knee blocker, athletic out of crouch on a bunt. OF: Fields out front, works with quality direction to home.
Run: 7.74 runner in the 60.

Aaron Ploszay, Holmen (WI), 2025
Positional Profile: 1B
Body: 6-0, 155-pounds. Long levers, wiry build, projection and fill coming.
Hit: LHH. Wider base with balance. Easy press back into back side, quick leg lift, gets back to center, hand path shows loft and some quickness and long finish through contact.
Power: 83 max exit velocity, averaged 74.3 mph. 266’ max distance.
Arm: LH. INF - 77.00 mph. Low 3/4 slot, slinging arm action, accurate.
Defense: Feel around the bag with softness to hands.
Run: 7.77 runner in the 60.

Positional Profile: LHP
Delivery: Up-tempo high leg lift, medium leg swing finish to the plate, repeats, athletic, good lines.
Arm Action: LH. Short compact circle, high 3/4 slot, quick arm, feel for zone, late tail.
FB: T81, 78-80 mph. Late tail, can get through areas, deceptive with the short arm action. T1944, 1812 average rpm.
CB: 67-68 mph. Short, two plane breaker, can land. T2003, 1984 average rpm.
CH: 71-73 mph. Quality arm speed, can land. T1422, 1323 average rpm.

Brooks Rivard, River Falls (WI), 2025
Positional Profile: 1B/3B
Body: 6-0, 220-pounds. Thicker build with strength.
Hit: LHH. Stock setup with balance. Natural rhythm and flow, gather into back side, gets to strong hitting position, hands work to and through the baseball with short path and long finish, can impact the ball to all fields.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 80.6 mph. 330’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 71.00 mph. High 3/4 slot, repeats, accurate.
Defense: Feet work, quality actions.
Run: 8.17 runner in the 60.

Mason Schmidt, Somerset (WI), 2026
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-2, 180-pounds. Long levers, well-proportioned, more fill coming.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, strong back elbow. Short quick gather, centered landing, uses lower half and ground to create separation, short quick direct hand path to and through the ball.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 71.1 mph. 214’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 79.00 mph. 3/4 slot with ability to back spin and repeat, accurate.
Defense: Out front gather, shuffle step, medium leg swing, finish to home.
Run: 7.64 runner in the 60.

Positional Profile: RHP
Delivery: Medium tempo leg lift, online land, medium leg swing finish through home.
Arm Action: RH. Short compact circle, up on time, 3/4 slot, repeats.
FB: T81, 77-80 mph. Carry through areas. T2055, 1970 average rpm.
CB: 65-67 mph. Bigger two plane break with some late break, can land. T2047, 1906 average rpm.
SL: 69-70 mph. Short lateral break, some late break, potential weapon. T2084, 1535 average rpm.
CH: 69-70 mph. Developing feel with quality arm speed. T1480, 1416 average rpm.

Cage Sorenson, Menomonie (WI), 2025
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-9, 172-pounds. Athletic with strength throughout, well-proportioned.
Hit: RHH. Wider base setup, athletic. Free and easy, low effort, well-sequenced swing, hands work quick and direct down and through the ball, drives the ball to all fields.
Power: 83 max exit velocity, averaged 68.4 mph. 255’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 70.00 mph. High 3/4 slot, repeats slot.
Defense: Soft hands, quick out of the crouch, quick right foot.
Run: 7.94 runner in the 60.

Positional Profile: RHP
Delivery: Medium on-line leg lift, slightly closed land, medium leg swing finish to home, repeats.
Arm Action: RH. Short arc, 3/4 slot, repeats.
FB: T75, 71-74 mph. Fill zone, small cut action. T2266, 2062 average rpm.
CB: 61-63 mph. Bigger version of slider, lateral sweep and some depth, can land. T2107, 2086 average rpm.
SL: 62-65 mph. Lateral sweep with some depth, can land. T2304, 2185 average rpm.

Xzavier Stojek, Hayward (WI), 2025
Positional Profile: SS/C
Body: 5-10, 155-pounds. Long levers, well-proportioned, athletic, more size and strength coming.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup with balance. Gets to strong hitting position with balance, short quick direct, pull-side path and contact, line drive contact.
Power: 83 max exit velocity, averaged 71.9 mph. 247’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 70.00 mph. 3/4 slot, quick arm.
Defense: Quality actions, fluid footwork, moves well laterally.
Run: 7.43 runner in the 60.

Bennett Stokke, Altoona (WI), 2025
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 5-9, 175-pounds. Athletic build, sloped shoulders with width, some projection to add.
Hit: LHH. Stock setup, balanced, high hands. Leg lift, gets to balanced hitting position, direct hand path, feel for the barrel, strong hands can impact the ball to all fields.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 85.1 mph. 282’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 83.00 mph. Full circle, high 3/4, accurate.
Defense: Out front, two-handed gather, first step quickness.
Run: 7.67 runner in the 60.

Positional Profile: RHP
Delivery: Up-tempo, high leg kick, slightly closed land, repeats.
Arm Action: RH. Full circle, up on time, quick arm.
FB: T83, 82-83 mph. Feel for the zone, drives through areas, late tail and sink. T2035, 1998 average rpm.
SL: 64-66 mph. Lateral sweep, can land. T1452, 1427 average rpm.
CH: 72-74 mph. Quality arm speed, feel for the pitch, late fade. T1941, 1144 average rpm.

Carter Vieth, Elk Mound (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-9, 175-pounds. Well proportioned, athletic build, some projection coming.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, preset hinge, athletic and balanced setup repeatable forward move. Gets to balanced hitting position, short quick direct path, ability to lift the ball low in the zone, geared to loft the ball to middle opposite field.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 76.7 mph. 291’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 70.00 mph. High 3/4 slot, repeats slot.
Defense: 2.28-2.40 Short quick, right foot, clean consistent transfer, quick to block, athletic out of crouch.
Run: 7.55 runner in the 60.

Henry Zimmermann, River Falls (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/3B
Body: 6-1, 185-pounds. Athletic build, well-proportioned, some fill coming.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, narrow base with higher hands. Leg lift gather, hands get to strong hitting position, short direct path, can drive the ball to all fields, hands work.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 82.7 mph. 299’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 86.00 mph. 3/4 slot, quick arm, some carry, accurate.
Defense: Out front gather, shuffle step with quality direction to home through finish.
Run: 7.44 runner in the 60.