Prep Baseball Report

Fox Cities Preseason I.D.: Outfielder Analysis


By Wisconsin Staff

Last month, our staff traveled to the Appleton area to host the annual Fox Cities Preseason I.D. at Players Choice of the Fox Cities. This year, we saw the biggest roster in event history with more than 150 prospects in attendance. For additional insight on this showcase, make sure to check out our Quick Hits and Statistical Analysis, published days after the event.

We continue our coverage with our analysis of this outfield group, a crop filled with some intriguing hitters to follow. Uncommitted junior Wilson Zuck (Appleton North) took the top spot with a strong showing across the board, leading several statistical categories on the day. A pair of sophomores to watch closely, Landon Behringer (North Fond Lac) and Joey Nerat (Campbellsport), both have a ton of upside in the batter's box and established themselves as next-level follows at this event.

Here’s a look at the top-10 outfielders at the event, as well as reports on all of the prospects who made it out to Appleton last month:

Top Outfield Prospects

1. Wilson Zuck, Appleton North (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 190-pounds. Strong muscle bound build on compact frame.
Hit: RHH. Quiet setup, slightly open stance, subtle pre-pitch actions, stride is short and on time, hands load in rhythm. Short path to the baseball flat through contact at times, stays connected at contact. Strong hands and above average bat speed.
Power: 97 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ball jumps off the bat at times, power potential from the right side.
Arm: RH. OF - 89 mph. Strong arm with carry, plays out of over the top slot.
Defense: Corner outfield profile, arm strength will likely play in right field, actions are clean and reliable, steady hands and works through the baseball.
Run: 6.96 runner in the 60. Above average runner.

2. Landon Behringer, North Fond du Lac (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-10, 145-pounds. Smaller frame with lively actions, above average athlete.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, smooth loading actions, short stride gets back to even, strong balance throughout. Projectable swing, loose athletic hands show feel for the barrel, path is on plane, and stays connected, in rhythm hitter with high ceiling.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 83 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot, played accuracy.
Defense: Centerfield profile, fluid footwork, long exchange, confident glovework, actions play out front and through the baseball.
Run: 6.97 runner in the 60. Above average runner.

3. Joey Nerat, Campbellsport (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: OF Left-handed follow bat with intriguing upside.
Body: 5-foot-10, 165-pounds. Athletic frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced stance, hands held high, subtle movement in loading actions with short leg lift trigger. Path is short to the baseball, natural uppercut with extension through contact, loose whippy bat speed. Produced line drive gap to gap contact.
Power: 94 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 87 mph. Long arm action from over the top slot, arm showed carry.
Defense: Defensive actions work through the baseball, methodical actions behind the baseball, tends to field with two hands off center.
Run: 7.15 runner in the 60. 

4. Ryan Drumm, Madison Edgewood (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-10, 165-pounds. Athletic frame with above average strength for age.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, hanging leg kick stride, loads hands in rhythm. Simple strong swing, path is short to the baseball with extension through contact, stays connected. Line drive gap to gap approach.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 85 mph. Above average arm strength for age, showed playability out of high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Athletic defender, sets up behind the baseball and plays through aggressively, advanced actions for age, stays low while playing through the baseball.
Run: 7.15 runner in the 60. 

5. Sam Meidenbauer, Waukesha West (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-foot-2, 180-pounds. Large frame, athletic shape with strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, smooth loading action, short stride, smooth and balanced pre pitch with subtle movements. Contact jumped off the bat at times, short to the baseball and hits in rhythm, above average bat speed.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Power potential bat.
Arm: RH. OF - 81 mph. Long loose arm action, works out of high 3/4 slot, showed occasional carry and moderate playability.
Defense: Athletic actions charge the baseball with intent, aggressive to and through the baseball with effort, step behind transfer.
Run: 7.33 runner in the 60. 

6. Bennett Spaeth, De Pere (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-11, 165-pounds. Lean wiry frame and build.
Hit: RHH. Tall open setup, relaxed and quiet, easy hanging leg lift triggers timing, smooth loading action. Path is on plane, gets extension, loose fluid swing, repeatable with feel for the barrel.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 86 mph. Long arm action, plays loose out of a high 3/4 slot, played accurate and showed carry.
Defense: Clean actions, feet work fluid through the baseball, corner outfield profile.
Run: 7.44 runner in the 60. 

7. Wolfgang Kalz, Appleton West (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-9, 140-pounds. Lean slender build.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, slightly open stance, leg kick stride, lower half works and maintains strong balance. Showed feel for the barrel, level path that made repeatable line drive opposite field contact.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 83 mph. Long loose arm plays out of high 3/4 slot, accurate to the target, showed carry.
Defense: Plays through the baseball in stride, athletic and light footed defender, centerfield profile.
Run: 6.87 runner in the 60. Above average runner, light footed.

8. Ethan Hoops, De Pere (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-foot-1, 160-pounds. Lanky projectable frame.
Hit: RHH. Weight loaded back, toe tap trigger into long stride and sinks into load. Aggressive swing, loose and level bat path, consistently found the barrel to create hard line drives.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 75 mph. Long loose arm action, high 3/4 slot, works uphill and showed occasional accuracy.
Defense: Long actions, sets up behind the baseball, to play through, glove plays one handed out front and pushes through the baseball.
Run: 7.19 runner in the 60. Long easy strider.

9. Derek Weber, De Pere (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-10, 160-pounds. Slender build.
Hit: RHH. Slightly open stance, hanging leg lift stride, deep loading action, in rhythm hitter. Loose hands showed some intent in swing, gap to gap approach.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 86 mph. High 3/4 slot, above average arm strength that showed carry and accuracy to target.
Defense: Plays through the baseball with athletic actions, efficient crow hop at times.
Run: 7.30 runner in the 60. 

10. Payton McClowry, Neenah (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-foot-3, 165-pounds. Projectable frame, lanky with slender build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, slightly closed, short reverse lift stride. Path is short to the baseball, level through contact, long levers create quick twitch bat speed, gets extension through contact and stays on plane. Line drive gap to gap approach.
Power: 79 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 79 mph. Long and loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Actions play through the baseball, sets up behind it while glove plays out in front and works through the baseball. Crowhop transfer.
Run: 7.11 runner in the 60. Long strider.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Jamison Besaw, Menominee Indian (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-10, 160-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Tall setup, short stride, bat waggle load. Lifts front side to initiate swing, firm path works with length.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 82 mph. Loose arm action, long path, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Deliberate footwork at reception, fielding actions play off of glove side, long actions through exchange and release.
Run: 7.55 runner in the 60. 

Kyle Burklund, Bay Port (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: 2B/OF
Body: 5-foot-11, 163-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Open stance, leg kick trigger, draws hands back into arm bar load. Long swing path, barrel works on an uphill plane through the zone.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 70 mph. OF - 69 mph. Short arm action, throws from an over the top angle. Arm played with some accuracy across the diamond.
Defense: Deliberate actions in the outfield, waits to field with two hands and shuffle through exchange. Infield actions play slightly more natural, second base profile.
Run: 7.17 runner in the 60. 

Jeremiah Jahnke, Winneconne (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 5-foot-11, 190-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Wide setup, no stride approach, subtle loading action. Level bat path, low intent, slight uphill finish through contact.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 79 mph. Loose arm action out of high 3/4 slot, played accurate to target.
Defense: Aggressive crowhop, feet work through the baseball.
Run: 7.66 runner in the 60. 

Marcus Jens, Seymour (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-foot-1, 190-pounds. Long lean projectable frame.
Hit: LHH. Tall setup with narrow stance, slightly open, quick leg kick trigger. Short path with long levers, flashed above average bat speed.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 77 mph. Long arm action out of high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Outfield actions play controlled, deliberate to the baseball and through exchange.
Run: 6.99 runner in the 60. Above average runner.

Zac Jurmu, Shawano (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-10, 160-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Crouched setup, short stride, maintains balance. Loose hands create long bat path on uphill plane, pull side tendency.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 79 mph. Shorter arm action from high 3/4 slot, plays accurate to target.
Defense: Clean exchange, feet play fluid through the baseball.
Run: 6.90 runner in the 60. Well above average runner for age.

Calvin Keesler, Xavier (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-foot-0, 152-pounds. Thin build, long levers.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, reverse toe tap stride, average balance. Rotational swing, works uphill through contact.
Power: 76 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 70 mph. Long firm arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Actions play flat through the baseball, shuffles feet through exchange, quick transfer.
Run: 7.54 runner in the 60. 

Jacob Kleemann, Bay Port (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-7, 161-pounds. Stocky frame with strong build.
Hit: LHH. Open stance, quick leg kick trigger, short quick loading action. Path is short to contact, above average bat speed, occasional pull side approach, flashed hard contact off the bat.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 81 mph. High 3/4 slot, played accurate to target.
Defense: Easy actions, deliberate footwork, long through release.
Run: 6.98 runner in the 60. Short quick feet, gets to top end quickly.

Noah Leopold, Appleton North (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-7, 154-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall open setup, toe tap stride, hands lift barrel into load. Path is level, gap to gap, fluid rhythm through contact.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 80 mph. Long loose arm action, high 3/4 slot, played accurate to target.
Defense: Attacks the baseball in stride, aggressive footwork to the baseball, shuffle through step behind to release.
Run: 7.32 runner in the 60. 

Zachary Lindsley, Green Bay Preble (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 5-foot-10, 154-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, short stride to contact, minimal loading action and lower half. Slightly uphill path, creates occasional line drive.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 76 mph. Short loose arm action, works out of high 3/4 slot, showed accuracy.
Defense: Glovework plays off side, outside of framework. Feet move through the baseball.
Run: 7.31 runner in the 60. 

Cameron Mccarrier, Stevens Point (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-9, 205-pounds. Compact, stocky build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, short leg kick stride. Strong hands, bat strength swing, stays compact and rigid, abrupt finish.
Power: 74 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 72 mph. Over the top arm action, short arm swing, with effort.
Defense: Deliberate actions, works behind the baseball and exchanges uphill shuffling through the baseball.
Run: 7.83 runner in the 60. 

Michael Merline, Oak Creek (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-foot-2, 180-pounds. Long slender build.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, loads weight back with slight heel lift stride. Path is long and uphill.
Power: 79 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 82 mph. Long arm action out of 3/4 slot, slight carry.
Defense: Methodical actions work directly through the baseball, long crowhop to release.
Run: 8.14 runner in the 60. 

Haiden Nolden, Marshall (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-9, 165-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, short leg lift stride, minimal lower half. Line drive hitter, repeated consistent line drives up the middle in BP.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 79 mph. Long arm action, over the top slot, ability to play accurate.
Defense: Defensive actions set up behind the baseball and plays in front, shuffle s through long release.
Run: 7.38 runner in the 60. 

Tyson Pieper, Kimberly (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-foot-3, 163-pounds. Long limbed frame, slender build.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, balanced stance, hands load back with reverse load stride. Path is long, developing bat speed, opposite field contact.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 80 mph. Long arm action out of high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Outfield actions are deliberate, sits at reception of the baseball, works with two hands.
Run: 7.57 runner in the 60. 

Jourdon Schuyler, West De Pere (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-foot-0, 205-pounds. Strong lower half.
Hit: RHH. Open stance, short toe tap stride, hands load back with flat barrel. Uphill bat path, lifts contact, some pull side approach.
Power: 90 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 77 mph. High 3/4 slot, long firm arm action.
Defense: Attacks the baseball, aggressive actions to and through the ball, glove is out front and shuffle through exchange.
Run: 7.37 runner in the 60. 

Carter Stan, Appleton North (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 5-foot-11, 145-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Back loaded setup, slightly open, reverse load stride, hands drop into load, average balance. Front foot hitter, lunges to contact level bat path.
Power: 79 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 75 mph. Long high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Step behind exchange, long gangly actions.
Run: 7.75 runner in the 60. 

Cameron Sullivan, Oak Creek (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-11, 175-pounds. Solid build, proportional with strength.
Hit: RHH. Closed setup, leg kick stride, reverse hand load, moderate balance. Uphill path, firm swing, flat at times through contact.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 80 mph. Long arm action, plays out of high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Long actions through exchange, shuffles through release, above average footspeed should play well for the position.
Run: 7.08 runner in the 60. Above average runner for age.

Owen Sullivan, Oak Creek (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 5-foot-10, 160-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, slightly open, short stride. Hits off back side with uphill path, natural uppercut through contact. Occasional hard contact off the bat.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 79 mph. Loose arm action plays out of a high 3/4 slot, efficient release.
Defense: Actions play through the baseball, worked in stride, fluid footwork.
Run: 7.06 runner in the 60. 

Justin Ulmer, Neenah (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 5-foot-9, 170-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Open stance, slightly crouched, low hand setup, long leg kick stride. Path works uphill, lifts contact, short path, hands stay tight to the body.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 80 mph. Long arm action, works out of high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays in stride, glove works even with footwork, moderate glove skills.
Run: 7.51 runner in the 60. 

Easton Vertz, Pulaski (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-foot-1, 235-pounds. Strong, large build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, short stride, hands sink back into load. Path works uphill around the baseball, pull side approach.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 84 mph. High 3/4 slot, occasional accuracy.
Defense: Corner outfield profile, deliberate actions working towards the baseball.
Run: 7.76 runner in the 60. 

Max Vezina, Appleton North (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-foot-9, 140-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Tall setup, narrow stance sets up open, leg kick stride. Path is uphill with abrupt finish, short to and through the baseball.
Power: 77 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 73 mph. Short arm action works out of a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Easy actions, confident glove hand, plays through the baseball in stride.
Run: 7.82 runner in the 60. 

Ty Voight, Sheboygan North (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/3B
Body: 5-foot-10, 160-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, short stride, hands drop slightly into load. Bat works on a long and uphill path through contact.
Power: 73 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 70 mph. OF - 70 mph. Long arm action, works from a 3/4 window. Arm played with some accuracy across the diamond.
Defense: Methodical actions on defense, lets ball travel to him, works with two hands, showed ability to make routine plays, glove plays deep.
Run: 7.73 runner in the 60. 

Wyatt Wiitanen, Green Bay Preble (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 6-foot-1, 160-pounds. Long lanky frame with projection.
Hit: LHH. Tall setup with slightly open stance, leg kick stride gets down on time and stays balanced. Easy swing with control of the barrel, drops the barrel on the baseball with short path, hits off front foot and create middle of the field line drives.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 80 mph. High 3/4 arm slot, long loose action, played accurately.
Defense: Long strided actions, plays easy through the baseball with crowhop exchange. Glove plays out front in stride.
Run: 7.63 runner in the 60. 

Luke Wroblewski, Sussex Hamilton (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-11, 190-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Slightly open stance, big leg kick load, gets into lower half. Path works around the baseball, rotational swing, above average bat speed with intent.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. OF - 83 mph. High 3/4 arm slot, played with occasional carry and accuracy.
Defense: Sets feet up behind the baseball and works directly through it, gains ground through transfer, shuffle through exchange.
Run: 6.85 runner in the 60. Well above average runner.

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