Over the next few weeks we will close out 2017 by counting down the Top 10 stories and profiles of the calendar year. Our top ten stories will take a look at some of the highlights at Prep Baseball Report through the lens of the Badger State, including title runs, top prospects, newsworthy milestones and more.

The No. 9 story of the year was the inaugural Wisconsin Player of the Year, which went to Indian Trail RHP Ryan Hoerter. Here is the story on Hoerter from June 19th.

Indian Trail RHP Ryan Hoerter has been named the 2017 PBR Wisconsin Player of the Year.

Prep Baseball Report will officially be recognizing the ‘Prep Baseball Report State Player of the Year award (PBR State POY). These players will be individually selected by the Prep Baseball Report State Directors and submitted to the PBR office. The PBR State POY will be selected based off merit, and how the athletes produced during their spring, high school season.

Hoerter posted a 6-1 record over ten appearances including nine starts. In 57.2 innings pitched he allowed just 23 hits, three earned runs, and 14 walks. Hoerter racked up an impressive 96 strikeouts with a .64 WHIP, .114 opponents batting average, and miniscule .36 ERA. During the season Hoerter allowed just one of his three earned runs in the state of Wisconsin, two came on a spring break trip to Florida. In his best start of the year he threw a complete game 2-hit shutout where he struck out 17 on just 101 pitches.

An Auburn commit, Hoerter was the only Wisconsin High School player drafted this year. He was taken on day three in 36th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Here is a scouting report on Hoerter from a playoff game vs. Wilmot:

6/1/17 - Auburn commit. 6-foot-6, 185-pound right-handed pitcher. Hoerter dominated in his outing like he has all spring. Still receiving draft interest. Came out working 88-91 touching 92 mph in the first inning. Pounds the bottom of the zone. Settled in at 87-89 mph, still touched 90 mph in the sixth inning. Curveball got better as the game progressed, has 11-5 shape with depth and late breaking action, showed true swing and miss potential in game. Only two balls were hit in the air all game, consistently inducing weak ground ball contact. Worked 6.2 innings allowing just four hits, no earned runs, two walks, and struck out 14.