Wisconsin Class of 2018 Rankings Updated
April 4, 2017
By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor - Wisconsin/Illinois
Wisconsin’s 2016 class featured some of the deepest high end talent the state has seen, but the 2018 class may rival that on several fronts. One could make an argument that any of the top five prospects in Wisconsin’s 2018 class would be the No. 1 prospect in the 2017 class, high praise no doubt. In fact the top five 2018’s are all ranked in the top 75 of the overall rankings. The 2016 class only had three that high, and the 2017 class doesn’t have any.
Rank |
Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Commitment |
1 | Jarred Kelenic | WI | Waukesha West | 2018 | OF | Louisville |
2 | Alex Binelas | WI | Oak Creek | 2018 | 3B | Louisville |
3 | Max Alba | WI | Franklin | 2018 | RHP | |
4 | Dillon Nowicki | WI | Stoughton | 2018 | RHP | Michigan |
5 | Jeff Holtz | WI | Arrowhead | 2018 | C | Indiana |
6 | Tanner Kohlhepp | WI | Eau Claire Memorial | 2018 | SS | Arkansas |
7 | Jacob Campbell | WI | Janesville Craig | 2018 | C | Illinois |
8 | Gunner Peterson | WI | Wilmot | 2018 | OF | Illinois State |
9 | Brennan Dolwick | WI | Lake Mills | 2018 | LHP | Cincinnati |
10 | Paul Stefiuk | WI | Green Bay Preble | 2018 | RHP | Bradley |
CLICK HERE for complete Wisconsin 2018 Rankings.
Leading the way in the 2018 class is No. 1 overall prospect in the PBR coverage area, OF Jarred Kelenic (Waukesha West). Kelenic’s accolades have been well publicized over the year, just check is profile news feed for a taste, and is considered one of the top 2018 high school draft prospects in the country.
Nipping at his heels is left-handed hitting corner infielder Alex Binelas (Oak Creek). It’s tough to say Binelas in under the radar, but at times feels like he doesn’t get his just due on a national landscape. His profile rivals Kelenic with a dynamic combination of power and speed. A 6.69 runner, Binelas is a true power type bat, and has shown it for a while now. At 6-foot-2, 200-pounds, he’s strong and lean and can easily carry another 25-pounds or more of muscle, a scary proposition for opposing pitchers.
Alex Binelas (2.25.17)
Coming in at No. 3 is RHP Max Alba (Franklin). Still uncommitted, Alba is a three-sport athlete rarely seen anymore these days. A first team all-conference selection in both football and basketball this year, Alba’s prowess on the mound might trump them all. Up to 93 mph this preseason, Alba has shown an improved curveball as well, making him arguably one of the more coveted recruits in the country.
Right behind Alba is another right-handed arm that will likely see draft interest this summer as well. Dillon Nowicki (Stoughton) has steadily shown pitchability improvements over the years and possesses the best breaking ball in the state. His arm is extremely live and projects for even more than the 90-91 he currently sits at.
At No. 5 and No. 73 overall in the PBR coverage area is Wisconsin’s best right-handed bat in the state, Jeff Holtz (Arrowhead). Holtz has been hitting over .460 at the varsity level since his freshman year and is a premium middle of the order bat who combines power and average while running a 6.93 and a high level catch and throw guy behind the dish. Holtz’s long lean frame started to fill out this off-season as he went from 6-foot-3, 188-pounds a year ago to 6-foot-4, 207-pounds and still going. Expect the added strength to naturally add to his power numbers and put himself in draft discussions this summer.
Jeff Holtz (3.12.17)
Some notable movers into the top ten came from LHP Brennan Dolwick (Lake Mills) and RHP Paul Stefiuk (Green Bay Preble). Dolwick, a Cincinnati commit, climbed the ranks after an impressive performance at the Fox Cities Preseason I.D., Dolwick sat an easy 87-89 mph with a swing a miss breaking ball. Stefiuk was equally impressive at the Madison Preseason I.D., sitting 87-89 mph with serious tilt and 12/6 curveball.
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