Prep Baseball Report

Super 60: Complete Wisconsin Analysis


Sean Duncan
President

Wisconsin's 2018 class very well may be the strongest the state has seen - even surpassing a 2016 class that produced first-rounder Gavin Lux and second-rounder Ben Rortvedt, among others.

Wisconsin will likely churn out another first-rounder in Jarred Kelenic this year, with several other high-level players behind him, as evidenced by the overall showing by Wisconsin prospects at the 16th Annual Super 60 Pro Showcase at The Max in McCook, IL on Feb. 4.

Six of the state's top seven ranked prospects performed in front of nearly 200 pro scouts, and all showed well. Here's an in-depth look at all six Wisconsin prospects, headlined by Kelenic and Alex Binelas, who was one of the biggest breakout winners of the event:

 

Jarred Kelenic OF / LHP / Waukesha West, WI / 2018

Louisville recruit. Currently ranked No. 2 overall in the PBR Draft 100 list, and after delivering one of the single best performances in 16 years of the Super 60, it's easy to see why he's widely considered a high first-round draft prospect. ... 6-foot-1, 190-pound left-handed hitting outfielder, advanced strength, rock-solid muscle throughout; overall explosive and polished quick-twitch athlete. True five-tool prospect. ... As the only junior at the Super 60 last year, Kelenic was unequivocally the top prospect in attendance, and he easily surpassed his expectations this year. Kicked off his day by running a 6.55 laser-timed 60, second fastest at the event. Defensively, he consistently fired mid-90 mph strikes to the catcher, topping at 96. Moves with confidence, natural outfield actions, fields the ball with rhythm while gradually gaining speed; ball explodes out of the hand. ... Offensively, he's remarkably balanced, quiet, consistent and, above all, explosive. FlightScope data illustrates exactly how consistent Kelenic was during his two BP rounds. He did not register an exit velocity below 93 mph, with a high of 104.39, and an average of 99.08. Nine of his 12 hits went over 325 feet, with an average of 310 and a best blow of 380.15. His launch angles were remarkably consistent, too, with an average of 20.1 degrees. No hitter at the Super 60 delivered as consistent FlightScope results as Kelenic, further highlighting his offensive polish.


Alex Binelas 3B / 1B / Oak Creek, WI / 2018

Louisville recruit. Physical 6-foot-2, 210-pound left-handed hitting corner infielder with broad shoulders and proportional strength. Turned in one of the most impressive offensive performances at the Super 60. Powerful strider, moves extraordinarily well for size/strength, running a 6.62 laser-timed 60. Extremely balanced and explosive offensive approach, generates plus bat speed with hands; quiet pre-pitch load, subtle hand load with minimal moving parts. Delivered two of the top BP rounds of the day, consistently impacting the baseball, working middle and to his pullside. Registered 104 exit velocity off the tee. FlightScope data during BP registered five hits 102 or greater, with peak velocity of 104.5 and average of 96.7 in two rounds. Max carry was 370.91 with a 25.7 degree launch angle. ... Defensively, shows arm strength from third base, registering 92 mph, long deliberate transfer. With his athleticism and offensive profile, may project as corner outfielder in future.


Max Alba RHP / 1B / Franklin, WI / 2018

North Carolina recruit. 6-foot-5, 190-pound right-handed pitcher; long, lean and athletic; big projection in frame as he continues to physically develop. Excellent overall showing at the Super 60. Works out of a full windup, drop-and-drive delivery, maintains rhythm, tempo and balance throughout. Arm is quick, clean and easy coming out of a high-3/4 slot, deep takeaway in the back, highly athletic out front. Fastball sat 90-91, topping at 92, mostly straight with occasional arm-side action. Three-pitch feel, around the zone with everything. Consistent strikes with changeup, 82-85 mph, with some late running action, thrown with near fastball arm speed. Curveball shows above-average potential at times, throws it firmly at 80-81 mph, a few with sharp 11/5 bite; some with early, flatter break. Overall, Alba has the combination of tantalizing upside with current three-pitch stuff that will make him a high-interest draft prospect, if not this June, then certainly after three-years at North Carolina.


Jacob Campbell C / OF / Janesville Craig, WI / 2018

Illinois recruit. 6-foot, 200-pound right-handed hitting catcher, muscular, durable frame with defined lower half and extremely strong forearms/hands. Established himself as one of the top defensive catchers in the Midwest, if not the country. Showed plus arm strength, registering an event-best 87-mph from the crouch, which tied the all-time Super 60 record with former first-rounder Justin O'Conner (Cowan HS, IN; 2009). Advanced, directional footwork, athletic out of the chute, stays low, gains ground well; consistent strikes on the bag, pop times ranging between 1.86-1.94. Athleticism shined in the 60, running a 6.87, laser-timed. Did not hit at the Super 60 due to an injured hand, but can safely say that his bat is on par with his defensive prowess.


Dillon Nowicki RHP / OF / Stoughton, WI / 2018

Michigan recruit. 6-foot-2, 195-pound right-handed pitcher with well-proportioned strength and sturdy lower half. Extremely quick, athletic arm from a high-¾ slot. Up-tempo side-step delivery, works quickly and with rhythm, balanced and athletic throughout, repeats well. Fastball sat 88-89 mph, mostly straight, scattered around the zone; clearly more velocity in the tank. Changeup showed plus potential, aggressive with it, thrown with fastball intent, mostly 85-86 mph, with heavy arm-side sink down in the zone. Curveball ranged between 72-74 mph with early break, tendency to cast, slowed down arm action; we've seen it a lot sharper in past outings. Overall, Nowicki shows premium arm speed and athleticism, and should continue to tick up in the coming months and years.


Jeff Holtz C / 3B / Arrowhead, WI / 2018

Indiana recruit. 6-foot-4, 226-pound right-handed hitting catcher with proportional strength and physicality. Bat is his calling card. Balanced setup, mechanically quiet, rhythm in the hands, generates above-average bat speed; extremely strong through contact with pull-side approach. Per FlightScope data, registered some of the hardest hit balls during BP (105.59 mph, 105.26, 104.47), with top carries of 379.08, 372.20 and 370.79. Off a tee with wood, registered 103 mph exit velocity. For his size, the swing is compact, the lower half balanced and explosive. Moves well for his size, too, running a 7.09 laser-timed 60. Defensively, was clocked at 82 mph from the crouch, lower arm slot, with pop times ranging between 1.95-2.15, consistently off target. With his size and offensive prowess, Holtz may likely project as a first baseman at the next level.


 

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