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Preseason I.D. - Fox Cities: Quick Hits

February 20, 2018
PBR Scouting Staff

The underclass talent of northeastern Wisconsin was on display Saturday, Feb. 17, at the Fox Cities Preseason I.D. Around 70 players came out to the event and a significant portion of that group were sophomores and freshman who impressed enough to make sure the PBR staff follows their 2018 seasons this spring and summer. In addition to the aforementioned group, there were at least five 2019s who made substantial leaps since the last time our staff had seen them. 

Keep an eye out for a complete statistical analysis on the event later this week and further positional breakdowns in the near future. 

2019 PLAYERS MAKING JUMPS

  • RHP Jason Jennerjohn (Hortonville) was one of the highest ranked uncommitted prospect in the 2019 class to be in attendance. Word on the street this winter was that he was making some serious gains with his fastball, and he showed that on Saturday. Jennerjohn sat 87-89 mph, a 4-5 mph jump since last seeing him in August.

  • Andrew Sweetalla (Appleton East) also saw similar gains. We’ve seen more out of Sweetalla’s left-handed bat over the years than we have on the mound, but at this event the 6-foot-1, 185-pound right-handed worked out exclusively as a pitcher, proving to be a good move. In his bullpen session, Sweetalla touched 90 mph, sitting 86-87 mph. Previously our best on Sweetalla topped at 84 mph from last March.

  • Another uncommitted 2019 who should climb the ranks is Kimberly’s Beau Schumacher. Schumacher looked strong from the right side of the plate with a gap to gap approach making hard contact from an athletic 6-foot-2, 175-pound frame.

  • Another 2019 with a live arm is Oconomowoc’s Jacob Arndt. Throwing it 87 mph from the outfield, Arndt did not work out on the mound at this event, but has impressed there in the past.

  • Grant Ver Voort (Appleton North, 2019) showed arm strength that we’ve never seen from him before. Last preseason Ver Voort topped at 83 mph. Now a lean and strong 6-foot, 193-pounds he sat 85-87 mph from an over the top slot.

  • Previously unknown to our staff, 2019 Valders HS infield Fletcher Dallas made a strong impact on our scouts. Dallas is 6-foot-2, 195-pounds and swing a big bat from the right side, he consistently made loud contact in BP and then showed an above average third base profile on defense. Dallas is likely to be a high follow for our staff this spring and summer.

FOLLOW THESE 2021 LEFTIES

  • A 2020 to keep a close follow on is Hortonville LHP Colton Baumann. Baumann is a 6-foot-1, 185-pound southpaw with a long live body and an arm to match. He projects well with an easy 78-80 mph fastball topping at 81 mph, but his changeup showed plus actions at times with the ability to command it as well.

  • LHP Kaden Krueger (Appleton West) went into Saturday’s event as one of the top ranked 2020s in attendance. Most impressive out of Krueger was the pure physical transformation, Krueger grew two inches and put on what looks like at least 15 pounds of muscle. A three sport athlete, Krueger topped at 84 mph from the left side and showed there’s more in the tank.

2021S REALLY SWUNG THE BAT

  • One of the strongest 2021 hitters on the day included the compact 5-foot-8, 175-pound Kaden Kosobucki (West De Pere). The younger brother of current Winona State freshman Kyle, Kaden has similar attributes at the plate with a knack for the finding the barrel on a compact stroke and enough strength to be a gap to gap, doubles type producer.

  • Joey Spence (West Bend East, 2021) has already been on our radar from the fall. Spence again showed strong catch and throw skills, with an even more impressive left-handed bat.

  • Add Joshua Blount’s name to your 2021 follow list, Blount has an aggressive left handed approach that makes hard contact and generates plus bat speed for his age. Blount is also a 6.92 runner and shows all the actions to be an above average outfield defender.

MORE 2020S TO KEEP AN EYE ON

  • 2020 INF/RHP Will Semb (De Pere) has a live arm and put in on display Saturday. Semb, just a sophomore, had the best arm across the infield by far at 88 mph. He also took it to the mound topping at 86 mph.

  • Catcher Bryce Miller (Franklin) is another 2020 making a big case for himself. His catch and throw skills are highly efficient and simple while being able to maintain arm strength as well. Posting the best pop time (1.98) and one of the best arms, his strong and simple release carries over to the plate as well.

  • 2020 Christopher Vandenheuvel (Xavier) may be tough to pronounce, but a name you’ll want to remember in Wisconsin’s 2020 class. His left-handed bat took one of the more impressive rounds of the day while running a 6.90, 82 mph from the outfield and an 89 mph exit velocity.

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