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PBR at The Rock Fall Championships: Quick Hits Day 2

September 27, 2020
By Wisconsin Staff

The PBR Wisconsin staff is headed back to The Rock Complex one last time in 2020 to host the PBR at The Rock Fall Championships, a tournament featuring two divisions – an Upperclass and an Underclass – with prospects representing classes 2021 through 2024, and teams from Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota.

Because there are so many talented uncommitted prospects that made the trip to Franklin, Wis., for this event, we previewed some of the names to know for you ahead of time:

Follow us along on Twitter for live highlights from The Rock, and you can check standings and scores via the Tourney Machine mobile app or at this webpage. The Rock Complex was also hosting Realplay, who was taking footage throughout all gameplay, and you can check out purchasing options at the following link. After a shorter first day of action, check out the highlights from Saturday’s full day of games:

QUICK HITS: DAY 2 HIGHLIGHTS

+ Both OF Josh Outlaw (Maine West, IL, 2022; uncommitted) and 1B Luke Adams (Hinsdale Central, IL, 2022; Michigan State commit) represented Team Illinois at the PBR Future Games back in August and continue to impress, pacing Top Tier’s offense en route to a 10-2 victory. Outlaw’s athleticism on the field is noticeable, especially in the swing; a short, silky-smooth contact oriented left-handed stroke. He reached base twice, with two base hits to the pull-side and scored three runs. Adams’ was seemingly always on the barrel at the Future Games and that translated into today, especially after he gapped a triple to to right field for his lone hit of game one, driving in two, and belted a three-run homer in his second game of the day.. Both are high-follow names in the Illinois’ 2022 class, especially Outlaw, who is still uncommitted.

+ A pair of unsigned seniors combined to throw a no-hitter for PTA Cardinal 17/18U: RHP Maximus Graetz (Oak Creek, 2021) and LHP Owen Rice (East Troy, 2021). Graetz started, throwing 4.1 scoreless innings and struck out two. He mixed effectively and his fastball plays up from a lower release point, sitting in the 78-82 mph range. Rice’s upside on the mound is undeniable, as the long-levered lanky left-handed makes for an uncomfortable at-bat against anyone. He came out of the pen’ sitting 82-84, touching 86 mph on his fastball that effectively plays up in the zone from a high release point. We also saw him spin off some breaking balls that flashed sharp actions, playing from a 1/7 plane at 68-70 mph. Offensively, 2B Ethan Sawyer (Germantown, 2021; uncommitted) went 2-for-2 at the dish with a double. An all-around complete performance from this PTA Cardinal squad for their victory. 

+ Illinois commit Camden Janik (Wauconda, IL, 2021) powered the Pro Player offense to a 14-10 win over Top Tier. Janik blasted two home runs in his first two at bats including a grand slam. Switch hitting Kyle Washington (Jacobs, IL, 2021) launched a grand slam of his own over the right field fence. Top Tier 17u attempted to claw back with late home runs from the previously mentioned Adams and Michael Ascencio (Joliet Catholic, IL, 2022).

+ Recent St. Thomas commit RHP Carl Cano (Bay Port, 2021) was dealing in a 10-0 win over ISA. Cano struck out eight in four innings and allowed just one hit. He put together a big summer, showcasing a high-spin arsenal on several occasions and a biting slider, one of the best in the state.

+ Arguably the most impressive pitching performance we’ve seen so far came from Pro Player Canes RHP Andrew Ressler (Huntley, IL, 2023). Ressler was immaculate as not one runner reached base and he only allowed three balls to be put in play over five scoreless innings. He struck out 12 batters, all of them with a lively fastball that sat at 83-86 mph, touching 87, and held it throughout. It was a fastball heavy outing for Ressler, who rarely used his curveball, although it did flash above-average actions spinning off an 11/5 plane. The ease that Ressler works with on the mound and the room for added physical development in his frame should lead to more velocity down the road. He’s a high-follow arm in the Illinois’ 2023 class. 

+ Playing against competition a year older, ISA's 15U squad put together an all-around win Saturday afternoon. RHP Cal Casper (Pulaski, 2024) has looked like one hard-nosed member of this freshman class in the past, especially from behind the plate, but he was dodging barrels throughout his five sharp innings. In 5.2 innings, Casper allowed just one earned run on two hits, two walks, and he K'd nine. The lineup is filled with a few more follow freshmen, but one that stuck out that was new to our radar: Corey Riesop (Fox Valley Lutheran, 2024). The lead-off hitter sparked a couple rallies with his pair of singles. INF Javin Gauthier (De Pere, 2024; Illinois State) is a physical left-handed bat with excellent barrel feel for his age, and he's shown it in-game repeatedly. C/RHP Donatello Baldamenti (Pulaski, 2024) also swings a physical, strong right-handed bat, and he connected for a hard-hit double to right-center.

+ With the last two teams left at the complex Saturday night, Kyle Hvidsten (Jordan, MN, 202) delivered a walk-off double to lift the MN STARTERS over Top Tier, 5-4. The STARTERS trailed 4-3 heading into their last at bats, and with the bases loaded and two outs, Hvidtsen ripped a two-run double to right center giving the Starters a dramatic win moving to 2-0 on the tournament.

+ An intriguing uncommitted follow arm in Wisconsin’s 2021 class, RHP Evan Long (Tomah, 2021) got the nod for GRB Rays Green against Illinois Indians 18U. Long continued to impress, tossing six strong innings and keeping his team in contention for victory throughout. He sat 79-82 mph with his fastball, touching 83, and held it throughout his start, which is something worth keeping in mind. Long threw both his slider and changeup; the former continuing to flash sharp and late actions with swing-and-miss potential.

+ Thomas Ellisen (Kimberly, 2021) provided a huge spark for ISA’s offense in a 5-4 win over Midwest Halos 17U. Ellisen batted in the cleanup hole and went 3-for-3 with an RBI double and two runs scored. Ellisen also pitched in relief, running his fastball up to 87 mph. 

+ SS/2B Max Stocco (Marquette University, 2022) jump-started the GRB Rays MKE offense at the top of the order against ISA. The left-handed-hitting middle infielder has a smooth stroke that drives the ball to all fields. He went 2-for-4 on the day with a pair of hits down the left field line, including a crucial two-run single to help lift GRB MKE to a victory. 

+ 3B/SS Jalen Gellings (Campellsport, 2022) showed off his power by driving an 85 mph fastball over the center field wall on Giants to put CBT on the board. Gellings has been one of the breakout prospects of the summer in Wisconsin’s 2022 class, as a strong/athletic right-handed hitter who fits the mold of a left side defender, likely third base.

+ RakeCity is sitting at 3-0 after two wins Saturday with the help of two stellar pitching performances from a pair of Illinois juniors: RHP Waylon Deck (Homewood Flossmoor, 2022) and LHP Dom Corgiat (Fenwick, 2022). In their first game of the day, Deck went the seven-inning distance after pitching around some trouble at the beginning and end of his start. He allowed just one run and K’d 10; he was up to 85 mph this summer at a PBR Illinois event and he’s ranked inside the state’s top-120. Corgiat nearly tossed a complete game in his outing, falling an out short, but he looked even more in control of his start. He was attacking the strike zone with 81-83 mph velocity, up to 84-85 early, with arm-side action combined with an aggressive breaking ball. He struck out 12 in 6.2 innings without allowing a run.

Offensively, Jake Munroe (Champaign Central, IL, 2022) has been putting together a loud weekend. He homered in the team’s first game Saturday and smashed another hard-hit double on Friday. 2B/OF Blake Edmonds (Hinsdale Central, IL, 2022) was terrific yesterday on both sides of the ball. He recorded a couple barrels for singles with his timely left-handed bat, and he played a dynamic second base – he ranged up the middle for a phenomenal, backhand and throw for the out, and later dove to his left, deflecting a ball with his body and gathering it again for another out.

+ Cangelosi Sparks 2023 took a 10-5 win over Top Tier thanks to strong pitching from LHP TJ Schlageter (Joliet Catholic, 2023) and RHP Cole Van Assen (Brother Rice, 2023). Schlageter struck out five  in four innings of work with a lively 81-83 mph fastball. Van Assen closed the door working the final two frames and punching out two at 82-84 mph with a ton of projection. Mark Mennecke (Neuqua Valley, 2023) led the Sparks offense with  three hit, three RBI day including two doubles. The win moved the Sparks to 3-0 on the tournament and advancing to Sunday’s bracket play.

+ ISA Stars 16U squad were boosted by a solid start from RHP Sean Severson (Kaukauna, 2023); he pitched over some control issues, but was sitting in the upper-70s, touching 80 mph, with an above-average feel to spin for his age. This year C Maxwell Kalk (Kimberly, 2022) has emerged as one of the top prospects in the state, as a highly athletic backstop who can hit from the left side, and he’s putting the ball on the barrel this weekend with six hits so far. This team is 3-0 headed into Sunday.

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