By Matt Huck
Area Scout

Continuing our coverage of the Summer Preseason I.D., today we look at the pitchers. 2020 RHP Chris Byhre had an impressive bullpen touching 87 mph with his fastball and showed feel for his breaking ball. Here’s a look at the top pitching prospects.

Top Pitching Prospects

1. Chris Byhre, RHP, Kettle Moraine, 2020
6-foot, 190-pound right-handed pitcher, solid sturdy frame. Drop and drive type delivery, regular effort, athletic delivery can repeat, stays compact. Arm action is quick and loose, short arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball touched 87 mph, sat 83-86 mph, straight with control of the zone. Breaking ball has slurve type action, tight spin, 11/5 shape, late action, 62-65 mph. High follow 2020 with premium fastball velocity for his age.

2. Bryce Konitzer, RHP, Mukwonago, 2018
Illinois State commit. 6-foot-1, 205-pound right-handed pitcher, strong body type, solid lower half. Tall and fall delivery, easy effort, smooth and works uphill at times, lands square. Arm action is loose, high ¾  to ¾ slot. Fastball has arm side run, topped at 87 mph, sat 85-86 mph. Curveball plays at 65-70 mph, 11/5 plane. Showed good feel for changeup, runs to arm side, thrown with arm speed, 76-77 mph.

3. Riley LeTourneau, RHP/1B, Brookfield East, 2019
6-foot-4, 210-pound right-handed hitting RHP/1B with a strong, durable frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate. Athletic finish with smooth rhythm. Fastball sat 85-86 mph. Curveball has 12-6 shape and flashed occasional depth at 66-72 mph. Changeup has downer action at 71-75 mph. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and good balance. Pull, power approach with a long swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 97 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.58. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Plays thru the ball with a clean exchange. Throws showed carry across the infield at 87 mph.

4. Nicalas Wanker, RHP, Oak Creek, 2018
6-foot-1, 230-pound right-handed pitcher, strong build. Long arm action from a high ¾ slot, little effort. Tall and fall delivery, upright, works online, lands open. Fastball is straight and firm, sat 88 mph. Curveball is 12/6, showed sharp action, 72-75 mph, thrown with arm speed. Changeup sinks, 74-77 mph.

5. Jackson Mandella, RHP, Nicolet, 2018
5-foot-10, 185-pound right-handed pitcher, made a jump from the winter. Tall and fall uptempo delivery, stays on line, squared landing, athletic finish. Arm action is quick, high ¾ slot. Fastball has slight running action, 85-87 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, ranged 65-72 mph. Changeup has slight sinking action, fastball arm action, 76-80 mph.

6. Isaac Dirker, RHP, Howards Grove, 2018
Long lanky frame, slender build, 6-foot-6, 190-pound right-handed pitcher. Tall and fall delivery, slight effort, lands square, long levers. Arm works quick, high ¾ slot, long backswing. Fastball showed control, sat 82-84 mph, touched 85 mph, heavy action with slight run. Breaking ball plays on 11/5 plane, flashed late action, 64-68 mph. Changeup has feel, sinking action, thrown with arm speed, 67-69 mph.

7. Sam Treffert, LHP, Pius XI, 2018
6-foot, 170-pound left-handed pitcher, average lean frame. Tall and fall delivery, regular effort, slightly across body, closed front side. Arm action is quick from a high ¾ slot. Fastball touched 82-83 mph, sat 80-81 mph, flashed cut action. Curveball has 2/8 shape, showed depth and feel for the pitch, 64-68 mph. Straight changeup sat 74-76 mph, occasional sink.

8. Cole Surprenant, RHP, Kewaskum, 2018
6-foot-1, 195-pound right-handed pitcher, large frame, stronger build. Delivery is quick and uptempo, quick lift and release with effort, drop and drive style. Arm action is long, high ¾ slot. Fastball topped at 86 mph, sat 84-85 mph, showed late running action. Curveball has 12/6 shape, gradual action, near fastball arm speed, 68-72 mph. Changeup thrown with arm speed, runs to arm side, 77-78 mph.

9. Jason Jennerjohn, RHP, Hortonville, 2019
5-foot-11, 160-pound right-handed pitcher, athletic shape. Tall and fall delivery, regular effort, uptempo, closed landing, Over the top slot, short window. Fastball topped at 83 mph, sat 81-82 mph, showed feel, live arm. Curveball has 11/5 shape, sharp action, 68-71 mph, flashed late bite. Changeup has feel, 73-74 mph, slight arm side action.

10. Jack Jarecki, RHP, Marquette University, 2018
6-foot-2, 190-pound right-handed pitcher, solid build. Slight drop and drive delivery, some effort, stays balanced, squared shoulders, closed landing. Arm action has some length, high ¾ slot. Fastball is down, has tilt, 84-85 mph. Curveball is 74-75 mph, 12/6 shape, gradual action. Changeup is firm, thrown near fastball arm speed, 77-78 mph. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, leg kick trigger. Flashed bat speed, loose barrel, pull side approach. 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.89 runner.

Best of the Rest (LIsted Alphabetically)

Bailey Banaszynski, RHP/3B, Brookfield East, 2019
6-foot-1, 220-pound right-handed hitting RHP/3B. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Drop and drive delivery with regular effort. Closed landing with some rhythm. Fastball sat 77-78 topping out at 80 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape with gradual action at 63-66 mph. Changeup has sinking action at 64-66 mph. Offensively hits from a slightly closed, balanced setup. Smooth load with a long, uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 92 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.26. Defensively has a long arm action from a ¾ slot. Plays thru the ball with slower actions and average hands. Threw 77 mph across the infield.

Luke Blaha, OF/RHP, Mukwonago, 2019
6-foot, 180-pound two-way player, solid build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, quiet and balanced. Path flashed extension, loose hands, high finish. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively played through the baseball, hands played. Arm action is long and over the top, 82 mph from the outfield. On the mound arm played similarly, fastball is mostly straight, 73-75 mph. Straight changeup is 66-68 mph, occasional sink.

Zach Brandenburg, 3B/RHP, Grafton, 2018
6-foot-1, 225-pound right-handed hitting 3B/RHP. At the plate hits from a tall, slightly open setup. Starts tall, drops into load with an uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.56. Defensively has a long arm action from a ¾ slot. Threw 74 mph across the infield. On the mound, side arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall slow paced delivery. Fastball sat 70-71 mph. Curveball has 12-6 shape with gradual action at  61-63 mph.

Danny Butler, RHP, Brookfield East, 2018
Large frame, 6-foot-2, 180-pound right-handed pitcher. Delivery stays tall, lands square, short stride, on line. Arm action is long, high ¾ slot. Fastball has some tilt, 76-78 mph, ability to throw for strikes. Curveball is 12/6, showed sharp action, 64-65 mph, near fastball arm speed. Changeup is straight, near fastball arm speed, 69-70 mph, mostly down.

Nolan Buyze, OF/RHP, Oostburg, 2019
5-foot-11, 170-pound two-way player. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, hands drop into load, minimal stride. Path is long and level. 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played long, high ¾ slot, 73 mph from the outfield. On the mound fastball topped at 71 mph, sat 69-70. Curveball has slight 11/5 shape, 60-63 mph. Changeup is 56-59 mph.

Tate Carter, RHP, Brookfield Central, 2018
6-foot-3, 175-pound right-handed pitcher, long lanky frame, projectable build. Tall and fall delivery, long limbed, squared landing. Arm action is long, high ¾ slot. Fastball has slight sinking action, 81-82 mph, showed feel. Curveball has 10/4 shape, short action, 66-69 mph. Slider sweeps laterally, 72-75 mph. Changeup played at 78-80 mph.

Teig Chase, RHP/2B, Kettle Moraine, 2018
6-foot-1, 190-pound right-handed hitting RHP/2B. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Drop and drive delivery working in line with home plate. Hides the ball well. Fastball sat 83-85 mph, flashed late running action. Curveball has 12-6 shape at 70-72 mph for strikes. Changeup has sinking action at 77-79 mph. Offensively hits from an open setup with a short stride to even with good balance. Fluid rhythm with a long swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 89 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 6.99. Defensively has a short arm action from a ¾ slot. Plays thru the ball with fluid footwork and a quick exchange.

Brennan Foeckler, RHP/1B, Marquette University, 2020
6-foot-4, 205-pound RHP/1B. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall slow paced delivery working in line with home plate. Fastball sat 70-71 mph topping out at 77 mph. Curveball has 10-4 shape with gradual action at 58-62 mph. Changeup sat 66-64 mph. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a leg lift stride. 75 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.16. Defensively has a long arm action from a ¾ slot. Threw 67 mph across the infield.

Joel Grunert, LHP/1B, Oak Creek, 2019
5-foot-10, 193-pound right-handed hitting LHP/1B. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with long arm action. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate. Good balance throughout delivery with smooth rhythm. Fastball has slight sinking action at 74-76 mph. Curveball has 2-8 shape at 63-65 mph. Changeup flashed cutting action at 65-68 mph. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a long stride. Long, uphill swing path. 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.18. Defensively has a long arm action from a ¾ slot. Fields the ball deep with a clean exchange. Threw 72 mph across the infield.

Max Herro, 3B/RHP, Kettle Moraine, 2018
6-foot-2, 170-pound right-handed hitting 3B/RHP. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a short heel lift stride. Line drive hitter with fluid rhythm. Loose hands with an uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 6.97. Defensively has a short arm action from a ¾ slot. Threw 79 mph across the infield. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action and stab on the back side. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate. Fastball was straight at 78-79 mph. Curveball has 10-4 shape with early action at 67-70 mph. Changeup sat 72-73 mph.

Ryan Hubley, LHP/1B, Marquette University, 2019
6-foot-3, 175-pound left-handed hitting LHP/1B with a thin, lanky frame. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a short arm action and stab on the backside. Tall and fall slow paced delivery working in line with home plate. Fastball has cutting action at 72-75 mph. Slider has 2-8 shape at 63-64 mph. Changeup sat 71-75 mph. Curveball has 1-7 shape at 57-61 mph. At the plate hits from a tall, slightly open setup with an arm bar load. Long swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.29. Defensively has a long arm action form a ¾ slot. Threw 70 mph across the infield.

Nicholas Johnson, RHP/3B, Cedarburg, 2020
6-foot-3, 155-pound right-handed hitting RHP/3B with a lanky frame. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a short arm action with some stiffness on the backside. Tall and fall delivery with some effort. Works in line with home plate. Fastball has late running action at 74-78 topping out at 81 mph. Curveball has 10-4 shape with gradual action at 57-63 mph. Changeup has sinking action at 65-60 mph. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a leg lift stride. Short, level swing path. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.97. Defensively has a long arm action from a ¾ slot. Fields the ball deep with slower actions. Threw 78 mph across the infield.

Cade Pisca, RHP/SS, Oak Creek, 2019
6-foot, 150-pound right-handed hitting RHP/SS. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a long, loose arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a closed toe landing. Upright finish working in line with home plate. Fastball sat 76-77 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape with late breaking action at 68-73 mph. Changeup showed fading action at 70-71 mph. At the plate hits from a slightly closed, spread out setup, Long, uphill swing path. 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.85. Defensively has a loose arm action from a ¾ slot. Throws showed carry across the infield at 80 mph. Clean exchange with fluid footwork.

Will Ross, OF/RHP, Waunakee, 2020
5-foot-10, 165-pound two-way player, lean athletic shape. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, loads stride knee to knee. Path is short and level, 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, 80 mph from the outfield, flashed carry. Plays through the baseball, 7.31 runner in the 60. On the mound arm action is similar, tall and fall delivery. Fastball sat 73-74 mph, mostly straight, four seam type. Curveball has 12/6 shape, 54-59 mph, gradual action. Changeup shows cut, 66-69 mph.

Boden Saikie, RHP, New Berlin Eisenhower, 2018
6-foot, 175-pound right-handed pitcher. Tall and fall delivery, regular effort, upright, heel to toe landing. Arm action is long, two piece, ¾ slot. Fastball is straight, 75-77 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, gradual action, 63-65 mph. Changeup played 68-72 mph. Left-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride. Short level path, opposite field contact. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.25 runner in the 60.

Jesse Sponholz, SS/RHP, Greenfield, 2019
5-foot-11, 160-pound right-handed hitting SS/RHP. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a toe tap stride. Short, level swing path. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively has a loose arm action from a ¾ slot. Fields the ball deep. Threw 78 mph across the infield. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a long arm action and stab on the backside. Drop and drive delivery working in line with home plate, weak front knee landing. Fastball has slight running action at 75-77 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape with gradual action at 66-72 mph. Changeup sat 74 mph.

Joey Tadych, OF/RHP, Shawano, 2018
5-foot-10, 150-pound two-way player. Ran the 60 at 7.11, laser timed. Plays through the baseball in the outfield, field work through it with crowhop to release. Arm action plays over the top, 80 mph. Right-handed hitter, open stance, slight wrap, minimal lower half. Line drive contact, showed level path. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. On the mound arm played from a high ¾ slot, showed effort with upright finish. Fastball sat 73-74 mph, mostly straight four seam type. Curveball plays 12/6, 62-63 mph. Changeup was firm, 70-73 mph, thrown with fastball arm speed, lacked separation.

Casey Wade, RHP, Germantown, 2019
6-foot-4, 185-pound right-handed pitcher, lanky projectable frame, loose live body. Tall and fall delivery, regular effort, athletic delivery, online, lands open. Arm plays from a high ¾ slot, quick arm with slight plunge. Fastball is straight, clean release, 79-80 mph, touched 82 mph. Curveball has slurve type action, 66-68 mph. Changeup is straight, near fastball arm speed, 72-76 mph.

Thomas Ward, RHP/1B, Waukesha West, 2020
6-foot-1, 190-pound right-handed hitting RHP/1B. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a short stride working in line with home plate. Slide step from the stretch. Fastball sat 72-75 mph. Cutter sat 59 mph. Changeup was straight at 66-67 mph with fastball arm speed. Offensively hits from a slightly open setup with a toe tap stride and good balance. Fluid rhythm with a short swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.83. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Threw 71 mph across the infield.

Jacob Wilde, 1B/LHP, Waukesha West, 2019
6-foot-2, 170-pound left-handed hitting 1B/LHP with a lanky frame. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a short leg lift stride and good balance. Short, slightly uphill swing path. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.55. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Threw 75 mph across the infield. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short draw on the backside. Tall and fall delivery with regular effort. Works in line with home plat, square landing with good balance throughout. Fastball was straight at 76-77 topping out at 79 mph. Showed feel for his curveball with 1-7 shape and sharp breaking action at 66-69 mph for strikes. Changeup blends with fastball at 74-77 mph.

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