Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 23 Brookfield Central

KEY PLAYERS LOST

+ LHP Matthew Mueller (2022; Gonzaga)
+ RHP Noah Hoffman (2022; Carroll)
+ RHP Luke Langjahr (2022; Milwaukee School of Engineering)
+ RHP Luke Wenzel (2022; Iowa Western CC)

X-FACTOR

Aren Robinson (9/4/22)

+ 1B Aren Robinson (2024) has continued to raise his stock heading into the spring of 2023. The powerful right-handed hitter has a crucial role at Central this season with the hopes that he can elevate his offense to a level that can help him become the team's primary run manufacturer. At 6-foot-5, 215 pounds, Robinson is a large, physical force on the diamond. While he's long shown easy strength and has demonstrated an excellent feel to use the whole field, Robinson has yet to turn that into extra-base production and over-the-fence batted balls – yet. His simple swing should complement the inherent strength his has which could help him break out in full this season, and we've shown glimpses of it already this winter, including most recently at the Milwaukee Preseason ID. The uncommitted junior will look to be a key offensive presence for Brookfield Central, entering the spring as one of the top power threats in the Greater Metro Conference.

IMPACT UNDERCLASSMAN

RHP/INF Jaxon Clayton (@BCLancrBaseball, 2025) continued to impress with his two-way abilities at the #MadisonID.

6-foot-1, 182-pounds

FB sat 84-85 T86 mph. SNK plays with depth/run with feel for the zone. Spun in a tight SL for strikes.

?PROFILE: https://t.co/f0AaUHK8Bk pic.twitter.com/aMyT4ViMGo

— PBR Wisconsin (@PBRWisconsin) March 14, 2023

+ We were fortunate enough to see INF/RHP Jaxon Clayton (2025) a couple times this offseason, and the sophomore remains one of the most dynamic members of the state's '25 class. He's a true two-way prospect at present, as a 6-foot-1 and 180-pound athlete with skills that'll contribute to both sides of the ball at Brookfield Central, which he did as a freshman last year. He's a sub-7.00 runner with up-the-middle actions on defense, and he's an upside right-handed hitter as well. From the mound, Clayton projects to make an even bigger impact at Central with some major innings to fill. This winter he was 85-87 mph with a tight, short slider and a different-looking curveball, and he'll be critical to the Lancers' chances to contend later this season.

OUTLOOK

The Lancers had a very successful regular season 2022, before suffering a quick exit in the postseason tournament. They look to follow up their impressive 21-6 record with another winning campaign, with the help of 10 returning players for long-time head coach Jeff Bigler. 

Among those returning is the senior duo of SS/RHP Noah Dreier (2023; Saint Xavier commit) and C Hunter Szymborski (2023; Milwaukee School of Engineering), two key bats and defenders for the Brookfield Central squad. Dreier, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound pitcher, will continue to take on a starting pitcher role for the Lancers, as he looks to fill the shoes of graduate Max Mueller from a season ago, who has large shoes to fill. In addition to that, Clayton, INF/RHP Braylan Bigler (2025), and RHP/INF Jack Brand (2023) will look to throw innings for the Lancers this spring. 

Noah Dreier (7/12/22)

All of this will occur with Szymborski as the anchor behind the dish, a 5-foot-11, 187-pound athlete who we’ve seen multiple times, including this past fall, where he consistently produced in a weekend tournament.

C Hunter Szymborski (@BCLancrBaseball, 2023) is a follow @PBR_Uncommitted member of the state’s senior class. A pair of barrels today, including this opposite gap double; also has shown advanced defense in the past.#PBRatTheRock | @stiksacademy pic.twitter.com/tGHLpGP0hR

— PBR Wisconsin (@PBRWisconsin) September 24, 2022

Offensively, Szymborski's 2022 season was cut short with an injury, but he was back in the summer and fall and he looked back to his old self, swinging a strong left-handed bat and still a reliable receiver. Bigler has quality bat-to-ball skills and he hit .357 in 34 freshman plate appearances and he'll be a versatile defender, which will help keep the Lancers' infield defense stout while these players rotate through the mound.

Additionally, OF/C Christian Lim (2024) has big right-handed strength with bat speed, and he projects to cover a corner outfield spot. His bat adds to the depth in the lineup that should help them generate the kind of offense that could catapult them back to the top of the Greater Metro.

While the offense and defense should be strengths for Brookfield Central, pitching depth will be a weakness for the Lancers, as they only return 30 percent of their innings pitched from the 2022 season. RHP/3B Charlie DiPiazza (2023) and LHP/1B Matthew Gruetzmacher (2023) will each take on larger roles from the bullpen for Brookfield Central, along with being starters at the corner infield positions for Bigler’s squad. Though, we did happen to see a couple upside underclassmen who might make a splash this year,  should Brookfield Central need to boost inside the staff out of the bullpen: RHP Sean Beug-Hoffman (2025) and LHP Colton Semmelmann (2026). Beug-Hoffman reached an 85 mph high at a showcase in February, paired with the potential to become a hammer 12/6 breaking ball. Semmelmann, at that same showcase, looks the part of a high-follow, competitive southpaw with low-80s velo and a big, sweeping breaking ball.

BOTTOM LINE

The Lancers look primed to have a successful season in 2023, as they bring back a quality amount of experience to their roster. Production from the top of the order will be key, as Bigler and Szymborski were players who kick-started the offense for them last season. In addition to that, replacing arms on the mound will be needed. The GMC has been one of the toughest conference races in recent years, and this year's competition is wide open, but that just speaks to the depth of these teams' rosters, including the Lancers'.

Make sure to follow @PBRWisconsin on Twitter for the most up-to-date coverage throughout the 2023 season.

Find more information on the 2023 Lancers below:

+ Team Website
+ Team Schedule
+ Team Twitter

PRESEASON POWER 25 COUNTDOWN