Prep Baseball Report

Green Bay Preseason ID: Catcher Analysis


By: PBR Wisconsin Staff

On Feb. 27, PBR Wisconsin hosted its first annual Green Bay Preseason ID at the brand new Impact Sports Academy in De Pere, Wis. Nearly 100 players made it out to this event, providing us with updated looks and a new list of prospects to follow in an area of Wisconsin that’s begun to produce more and more next-level talent.

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 compiled in TrackMan Files, swing metrics captured on the Blast Motion Board, and sight scores from an athletic perspective tracked on the Vizual Edge Scoreboard.

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 CATCHING PROSPECTS

1. William Hoerner, Appleton North (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-10, 170-pounds. Athletic proportions.
Hit: LHH. Tall, narrow setup. Vertical barrel angle. Stays tall throughout his move. Striding closed. Short entry to the ball. Works through the middle while entering from inside.
Power: 88.2 max exit velocity, averaged 80.9 mph. 294’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Longer arm path. Small hitching action.
Defense: 2.09-2.22 pop times. Quick exchanges with proper footwork alignment.
Run: 7.02 runner in the 60. 

2. Evan Olson, Kimberly (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-10, 160-pounds. Lean, well proportioned. Athletic movements.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup. Buried frontside. Aggressive up-down. Stays relatively square to the hitting zone. Vertical tip before entry. Vertical orientation with quality barrel direction through the zone. Great ball flights. Quick to the hitting window, and keeps the barrel through.
Power: 91.6 max exit velocity, averaged 85.2 mph. 316’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Short action in the top shelf.
Defense: 1.94-2.03 pop times. Quick feet with quality alignment. Clean exchanges with no added movements.
Run: 7.17 runner in the 60.

3. Grant Gill, Bay Port (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-10, 190-pounds. Lean, thin torso.
Hit: RHH. Crowding the plate. Tight handset. Aggressive, tight turn. Vertical orientation with lift through impact. Very direct to contact with low flights from gap to gap.
Power: 89.3 max exit velocity, averaged 77.6 mph. 315’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Low 3/4 slot with some arm side options.
Defense: 2.06-2.16 pop times. Simple actions, vertical posture. Stiff actions with static tempo. Catching_ Clean footwork with top shelf exchanges.
Run: 7.24 runner in the 60.

4. Bryan Gerbers, De Pere (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-11, 175-pounds. Compact strength. Developed frame.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup. Vertical barrel set. Controlled stride with quality rhythm. Vertical orientation. Tight turn from the backside. Enters from inside, and stays relatively square. Barrel works from inside with violence and quickness. Hard contact to all fields.
Power: 92.8 max exit velocity, averaged 84.6 mph. 280’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Very short arm action. Over the top release.
Defense: 2.00-2.09 pop times. Quick to replace the feet. Quick exchanges.
Run: 7.41 runner in the 60. 

5. Rheis Johnson, Denmark (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-0, 200-pounds. Dense, strong frame throughout.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup. Flat barrel set. Aggressive rotation. Covers well. Tight, connected turn with above average pop to both gaps.
Power: 88.6 max exit velocity, averaged 79.6 mph. 277’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. Short arm action to the throwing window quickly.
Defense: 2.13-2.18 pop times. Clean exchanges, with quick feet and proper alignment.
Run: 7.54 runner in the 60. 

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Maddux Anderson, Xavier (WI), 2025
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-9, 130-pounds. Thin, lean.
Hit: LHH. 3/4 action with proper timing in transition. Has angles. Aggressive footwork. Working from right to left capturing momentum. Soft glove with quick exchanges.
Power: 78.8 max exit velocity, averaged 75.4 mph. 268’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. Hitching arm action.
Defense: 2.15-2.22 pop times. Longer footwork with quality alignment.
Run: 8.05 runner in the 60. 

Brady Coons, Kimberly (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-9, 173-pounds. Compact with strength. Developed lower.
Hit: LHH. Quiet in the box, narrow base, balanced lower half, hands drift into a strong hitting slot, strides short. Strong hands/forearms, simple wrist flick generates power off the barrel, short to contact from an uphill slot, hard off the barrel.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 81.5 mph. 275’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. Short arm action over the top release.
Defense: 2.09-2.22 pop times. Quick exchanges, quick footwork replace, and quality alignment.
Run: 7.02 runner in the 60. 

Joshua Gajeski, Denmark (WI), 2025
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-10, 150-pounds. Lean, thin torso and waist.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup. Direct attack. Vertical path. All fields spray.
Power: 82.7 max exit velocity, averaged 71.1 mph. 243’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 64 mph. INF - 65 mph. Low 3/4 slot with some arm side options.
Defense: 2.38-2.50 pop times. Simple actions, vertical posture. Stiff actions with static tempo.
Run: 7.40 runner in the 60. 

Aiden Hoffmann, Preble (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: 2B/C
Body: 5-6, 130-pounds. Lean, thin.
Hit: RHH. Tall, narrow, relaxed setup. Tight turn, direct attack. Vertical orientation with postural tilt into the zone. Backside of the field approach with repeated low, hard flights.
Power: 81.9 max exit velocity, averaged 73 mph. 243’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 65 mph. INF - 70 mph. Short arm action with quickness. Short action in the top shelf. Accurate.
Defense: 2.15-2.31 pop times. Very quick footwork and exchanges. Feel for the mitt. Gets rid of the ball as fast as any. Quick feet and hands. High tempo 4 step.
Run: 7.16 runner in the 60. 

Ben Johnson, Escanaba (MI), 2024
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-9, 170-pounds. Compact with strength.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup. Small moves. 45 barrel set. Aggressive, connected rotation. Working from around. Quick barrel action.
Power: 89.3 max exit velocity, averaged 81.1 mph. 298’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. INF - 77 mph. Longer arm action over the top release.
Defense: 2.15-2.19 pop times. Long footwork with above average exchange quickness.
Run: 7.61 runner in the 60. 

Brayden Leurquin, West DePere (WI), 2025
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup. Choking grip. Tight turn. Pullside emphasis.
Power: 80 max exit velocity, averaged 73.6 mph. 294’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. Long arm action on throws down.
Defense: 2.25-2.28 pop times. Long exchanges. Raw glove actions.
Run: 7.97 runner in the 60. 

Jack Nikolay, De Pere (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-0, 160-pounds. Lean, strong lower. Room to grow.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup. High handset, with a vertical barrel set. Pullside unwind with lift through impact.
Power: 83.5 max exit velocity, averaged 76.3 mph. 215’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. Short arm action. No added length. Lots of layback.
Defense: 2.12-2.19 pop times. Above average exchanges, quick footwork with alignment.
Run: 7.44 runner in the 60. 

Ethan Peters, Hortonville (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/C
Body: 5-11, 145-pounds. Lean, thin waist and torso.
Hit: RHH. Tall, open setup. Works inside-through with barrel depth. Backside of the field approach.
Power: 79.9 max exit velocity, averaged 75.6 mph. 198’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. INF - 69 mph. Clean, 3/4 action with the backside delivering the arm. Fluid throwing actions.
Defense: 2.13-2.28 pop times. Works from right to left from outside the ball.
Run: 7.38 runner in the 60. 

Carson Popp, Shawano (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 6-1, 170-pounds. Lean, thin waisted.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup. Vertical wiggle rhythm. Aggressive low leg kick. 45 degree set. Direct to the ball. Sprays to all fields while working from above.
Power: 91.2 max exit velocity, averaged 77.2 mph. 180’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Short action, clean path with carry through the base.
Defense: 2.06-2.13 pop times. Quick feet, quick exchanges, athletic moves behind the dish and in transition.
Run: 7.80 runner in the 60. 

Lincoln Thede, Fox Valley Lutheran (WI), 2025
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-6, 160-pounds. Lean, well proportioned for size.
Hit: RHH. Wide, open stance. quick toe-tap trigger. 45 degree set with a tight turn. All fields.
Power: 82.1 max exit velocity, averaged 75.4 mph. 288’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 67 mph. Short action in the top shelf with some snap to release.
Defense: 2.19-2.25 pop times. Quick feet in transition with proper alignment to the bag. Above average glovework and overall presence.
Run: 8.59 runner in the 60. 

Alexander Tornio, Fox Valley Lutheran (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-0, 165-pounds. Well proportioned. Lean strength. Room to grow.
Hit: SH. Tall setup, soft upper. Vertical barrel set. Quick entry to the ball. Tight turn while trapping the backside. Hard contact to all fields while maintaining hard posture. High, controlled finish.
Power: 88.3 max exit velocity, averaged 78.5 mph. 231’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 64 mph. Short arm action over the top. Quick to release.
Defense: 2.18-2.28 pop times. Advanced feel for footwork and glove actions. Quick exchanges and transitions.
Run: 7.29 runner in the 60. 

Will St. Clair, Neenah (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-0, 166-pounds. Lean, thin waist. Broad shouldered.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, flat barrel set. Short entry. Stiff, tight turn. All fields, primarily backside approach from inside the ball.
Power: 80.6 max exit velocity, averaged 73.8 mph. 226’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 66 mph. Long arm action.
Defense: 2.31-2.47 pop times. Slow footwork, slow exchanges.
Run: 7.40 runner in the 60. 

RELATED CONTENT