One of the biggest winners from last year’s spring and summer circuits, RHP Elijah Niemiec (St. Thomas More, 2023; Wisconsin-Stevens Point commit), is yet again off to a hot start on the mound, and he has earned our Weeks 1 & 2 ‘Pitcher of the Week’ honors as a result. 

Last year, for the Cavaliers, Niemiec was dominant as he recorded a 6-2 record and posted an ERA of 2.10 with a whopping 100 strikeouts. This year he seems to be well on track to repeat his dominance from last year. Niemiec’s first appearance of the season came in the first game of the season when he came in on relief in the Cavalier’s matchup with Catholic Memorial, and through his one inning of work he struck out all three batters.

Three days following his first appearance, Niemiec was set to get his first start of the year. While he may have not had his A-game, Niemiec was still impressive across his three innings of work as he struck out seven and gave up three earned runs. Niemiec’s most dominant performance in the two-week span came on Saturday when the Cavaliers took on a solid Beaver Dam squad. When it was all said and done, Niemiec twirled a complete game gem as he gave up just one hit and also tallied a eye-popping 18 strikeouts. His dominance on the mound was much needed as his offense mustered one run en route to the 1-0 win.

It is easy to see why Niemiec has been dominant to start the season. Listed at a large 6-foot-5, 205-pounds, he features a mid-to-high-80s fastball and also possesses one of the state’s best breaking balls that our staff has seen earn awkward swings-and-misses and because of that he was one of the biggest ‘risers’ in our most recent 2023 rankings board.

In July, Niemiec was in attendance at one of our most talented events of the year, the Top Prospect Milwaukee event and there he impressed. Here is what our staff had to say regarding his performance there…

Elijah Niemiec (7/12/22)

“Niemiec was one of the most effective pitchers across the WIAA this spring, and the data attached to his arsenal makes it easy to see why. Niemiec’s fastball sits 85-87 mph with rise and run through the strike zone, and he mixes in one of the state’s best breaking balls, too. Combine this mix with his sturdy 6-foot-5, 205-pound stature, and Niemiec looks like one of the top uncommitted arms in the state’s ‘23 class.”

For his efforts, Niemiec has been named the PBR Wisconsin Pitcher of the Week, for the first and second week of WIAA action, ranging from Tuesday, March 28 to Sunday, April 8. We're thankful for the POTW submissions we received from the coaches across the state. The players who garnered POTW consideration will earn a place within Friday's Diamond Notes story, so be on the lookout for that by the end of this week.

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