On Monday, the PBR National staff updated and expanded its Class of 2021 Rankings, a list that included eight juniors from Wisconsin.

The National crew started its 2021 rankings coverage by analyzing the new No. 1 at the top of the class. Today, the PBR Wisconsin staff is taking a closer look at the eight prospects who’ve carved out spots for themselves on the 2021 national rankings, a few of whom have arrows pointed way up.

National Crosschecker Shooter Hunt shares with our team some of his insight on the Wisconsin natives who earned spots on this top 500, led by Ozaukee’s Alabama recruit, Noah Miller.

WISCONSIN NATIVES ON THE NATIONAL TOP 500

+ Noah Miller, SS, Ozaukee (Alabama)

The junior shortstop Noah Miller is the top-ranked prospect in the state’s 2021 class, and is among the top shortstops in the Midwest. Our staff just got another up-and-close look at Miller at the start of the month at the South Milwaukee I.D. where he looked even better and stronger from both sides of the plate. His improvements on offense propelled him from just outside the nation’s top-150 all the way to the No. 84 spot overall. Miller is one of the slickest defenders you’ll see – he patrols shortstop with easy and smooth actions and is especially quick to his release which is constantly on target, with arm strength. His added strength at the plate has helped him make substantial gains from both the right-handed and left-handed batter’s boxes which should help him garner serious interest ahead of the 2021 MLB Draft.

Shooter’s Thoughts: “Any past reservations about prioritizing middle infielders out of cold-weather states, and specifically Wisconsin, have quickly gone away in recent years with an explosion of talent in the region/state, and even more so with the success of Gavin Lux. Miller's athleticism and winning persona stand out right now, and as a switch-hitter who can stick at shortstop with soft hands, he could jump even higher over time. Add to that the fact that he also stars on the basketball court, his upside is immense as he gets more time on the diamond.”

Noah Miller (3/1/20)

+ Q Phillips, OF, Brookfield East (Michigan)

Brookfield East’s Q Phillips, a Michigan commit, is an easy athlete with an effortless motor. He’s long shown the traits that make it easy to imagine him roaming center field in Ann Arbor. Phillips is a confident route runner who’s made instinctive jumps for us in the past. He’s also exhibited the tools at the plate that keep his ceiling high, and he showed the signs of putting them all together in the summer. He has quick hands and it’s helped him land more barrels and he’s added strength. He’s now the No. 260-ranked prospect in the country.

Shooter’s Thoughts: “Philips is easy to like in workouts with a smooth left-handed stroke and obvious athleticism, but it is his in-game production that should help him rise as a prospect over time. He competes in each at-bat, and covers the whole plate well with quick hands and impressive lag of the barrel in the zone. His ability to stick in centerfield will ultimately raise his stock over time."

+ Tommy Meyer, LHP, Wauwatosa East (Northern Illinois)

We covered Northern Illinois commit Tommy Meyer at length inside of last week’s ‘Winter Winners’ post, a look into the prospects who are trending up after our winter showcase circuit. Meyer has a case as one of the state’s biggest winners, regardless of position or class, and that’s reflected on the national rankings, too, as he’s made his debut on the top 500 at No. 456. The lean, lanky 6-foot-4 southpaw sat 85-88 mph earlier this month with excellent and improved offspeed, helping elevate his prospect stock while improving his chances at sticking inside of rotation long-term.

Shooter’s Thoughts: “Almost exactly a year ago, Meyer's bullpen at a preseason event caught my eye, and I was impressed by his quick arm and the upside that he exhibited. A year later, the velo was up to 88 mph in that same bullpen setting, and I'd expect it to rise even more over time. He has a starter's profile with a future physical frame that is currently 6-foot-4, 190 pounds, with room to add. He is my sleeper ‘pick-to-click’ in the Midwest over the next year-plus."

Tommy Meyer (3/1/20)

+ Joey Spence, C, West Bend East (Notre Dame)

The No. 200-ranked prospect nationally, Joey Spence (West Bend East; Notre Dame commit), is one of the most natural left-handed hitters in the region. Spence is constantly on the barrel with his smooth, quick cut and he comfortably sprays hard-hit contact all over the field. Spence is also a reliable backstop fit with the prototypical frame for it – at a compact 6-foot, 195 pounds. We’re looking forward to a renewed look at Spence this summer.

+ Vincent Trapani, RHP, Eau Claire Memorial (Arkansas)

Hunt was on-hand for Vincent Trapani’s (Eau Claire Memorial; Arkansas) appearance at the Area Codes Underclass event out in California where he was 88-92 mph. He has a powerful right-handed arm capable of punishing the strike zone as he continues to hone a more consistent release. Trapani also mixes in a slurve-y breaking ball that flashes sharp. He’s a must-see after this most recent offseason and extended break we’re enduring.

+ Logan Schulfer, RHP, Stevens Point (Wisconsin-Milwaukee)

There are some similarities between Trapani and RHP Logan Schulfer (Stevens Point; Wisconsin-Milwaukee). Both have similar 6-foot, 6-foot-1 frames, roughly, with strong, sturdy lower halves who were gifted with arm strength. We last saw Schulfer in mid-August at the Eastern Wisconsin Open where he topped 91 mph mixing in an aggressive 12/6 breaking ball and hard sinking changeup. Schulfer has serious arm speed and strength and incorporates his lower half well, so we’re excited to check back in on the SPASH junior this summer, or sooner, hopefully.

+ Owen Washburn, INF/RHP, Webster (South Carolina)

Owen Washburn (Webster) was one of the big winners at last summer’s PBR Future Games, where he repped Team Wisconsin as a two-way talent, earning a commitment to South Carolina soon after. There, he was all the way up to 89 mph, which turned heads coming from his lean, young-looking 6-foot, 170-pound build. He also is a smooth and confident left-handed hitter and is plenty athletic enough to play up the middle of an infield. We’re hoping he gets the chance to help his high school continue its undefeated streak while operating as the defending Division-4 champs.

+ Ryan Taylor, SS, Verona Area (Central Florida)

Verona’s Ryan Taylor enjoyed a similarly successful Future Games as Washburn’s teammate, culminating in a commitment to Central Florida. Taylor is a savvy defender and is a lean athlete at 6-foot-2, 187 pounds – and growing. His smooth, fluid left-handed bat generates easy, hard contact and as he continues to fill out and add strength, his offensive profile will improve, giving him even more upside. Taylor has some untapped potential attached to his dependable floor.

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