By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor – Wisconsin/Illinois

At this year’s Top Prospect Showcase the Wisconsin prospects were a pleasant surprise this year as many showcased extremely well for the more than 100 coaches in attendance.

Ty Ramirez was the hottest name coming out of the event as he showed the best velocity we’ve seen at 88-90 mph while snapping off a tight breaking ball to go with it. Here’s a look at the top 10 Wisconsin Prospects from this year’s Top Prospect Showcase.

Top Wisconsin Prospects

1. Ty Ramirez, RHP, Greendale, 2015
6-foot-2, 195-pound two-way player, frame carries strength, some raw athleticism. Ramirez projects better on the mound, delivery is simple and repeatable tall and fall delivery, smooth and quiet with explosive release. Arm works from a high ¾ slot, loose quick arm action, free and clean. Fastball has excellent finish through the zone, late heavy feel, sat 88-90 mph. Curveball had tight action, sharp snapping bite, 71-73 mph, showed the ability to control. Straight change, occasional cut action, 76-79 mph. Defensively showed advanced arm strength in the outfield, 91 mph from a crowhop, showed the ability to play through the baseball, corner outfield projection. 7.36 runner in the 60. Offensively hits from an open stance, longer strided, slight collapse and uphill path. Pull power approach, aggressive swinger, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ramirez projects as one of the top arms in the class.

2. Jack Eagan, LHP/OF, Wautoma (WI), 2016
6-foot-3, 215-pound, left-handed two-way player, large physical build, developed lower half. One of the strongest left handed arms in the Class of 2016. Slight drop and drive style delivery, uses regular effort. Arm action is long, high draw, strong arm, high ¾ slot. Fastball ranged 86-90 mph, heavier feel when down in the zone, lacked command. Curveball worked on 11/5 plane, showed above average action, mostly down, 69-70 mph. Changeup had some cut action, near fastball arm speed, 76-79 mph. Offensively hits from the left side, slightly closed and tall setup, short stride, high hands setup. Strong swing, flashed hard contact, 89 mph exit velocity. Left handed power potential with the bat. Defensively arm played similar to that on the mound, long action with some accuracy, topped at 84 mph. Outfield defense projects in a corner spot. 7.27 runner in the 60.

3. Nick Lackney, LHP, Whitefish Bay (WI), 2015
Hgihly projectable build, 6-foot-4, 175-pound left handed pitcher, long limbs, solid frame to add plenty of strength. Delivery works across body, some deceptive actions, creates angles, stays closed with athletic finish. Arm action has a shorter draw with length in front, ¾ slot. Fastball showed arm side run, finished well through the zone with advanced control. Slider has sweeping action, lateral break, thrown with aggressive arm speed, 74-75 mph. Changeup showed fade, 74-76 mph, deceptive arm action. Lackney showed feel and command of three pitches to pitch now at the next level, his body will need to fill out and add strength which should also add to his velocity.

4. Connor Wollersheim, LHP, Appleton North (WI), 2015
Projectable frame, lanky athletic build, 6-foot-1, 170-pound left handed pitcher. One of Wollersheim’s first outings since being cleared off of Tommy John surgery (June of 2013). Delivery is smooth and easy, excellent rhythm, slower tempo, works online and athletically. Arm action is clean, high ¾ slot, loose arm, showed little effort. Fastball has arm side run with sink, showed the ability to command the zone, 83-85 mph. Curveball showed 12/6 action, above average bite, showed control of the zone, 71-72 mph. Changeup has excellent action, 72-73 mph, fastball similar arm action, 71-73 mph. Wollersheim has a huge upside and should only progress more this summer after coming off of Tommy John.

5. Jonathan Stiever, RHP, Cedarburg, 2015
Projectable build, long lanky frame, broad shoulder, thin waist, 6-foot-2, 185-pound right handed pitcher. Tall and fall delivery, easy effort, works directionally on line with rhythm, athletic finish. Arm action is long and loose, quick arm, high ¾ slot. Fastball has slight run late in the zone, showed command, easy velocity at 85-88 mph. Slider has sweeping action, throws for strikes, 75-77 mph. Changeup has advanced action and feel, near plus pitch, deceptive arm speed, fading action, showed the ability to command, 76-79 mph. Stiever has a high level of projectability and shows feel for three pitches, high follow prospect in the class of 2015.

6. Trevor Cho, SS, Homestead (WI), 2015
Athletic build, shows strength, 5-foot-10, 170-pound left handed hitting middle infielder. High level offensive threat. Hits from a balanced setup, short stride, smooth quiet loading action with hands, lower half works well, showed strong balance throughout contact. Excellent bat speed, high level barrel awareness, strong impact of the baseball, quiet, balanced approach that sprays line drives to all fields. Defensively showed above average hands, feet work well, moves well to both sides, showed the ability to play through the baseball with body control. Uses a short arm action, high ¾ slot, some accuracy, 77 mph arm across the diamond. 7.10 runner in the 60. Cho projects as a highly offensive left handed bat at the next level.

7. Riley Wikel, RHP, Muskego, 2015
Slender build, 6-foot, 150-pound right-handed pitcher. Works with a quick arm action, shows some effort, clean loose arm action out of a high ¾ slot. Tall and fall delivery, works on line, loads well over rubber, athletic finish. Fastball showed late running action, commanded well, sat 85-87 mph. Curveball has well above average action, curveball worked on 11/5 plane, stayed at 72 mph, showed feel for the pitch. Changeup flashed occasional advanced action to his arm side, decelerated arm action, sat at 72 mph. Wikel has a quick arm and a lively fastball, added strength could see velocity jump to match arm speed.

8. Marshall Gilbert, C, Westosha Central (WI). 2015
6-foot-1, 205-pound catcher, strong physical build, typical catchers body, sturdy lower half. Defensively showed advanced catch and throw abilities, quick clean transfer, sits tall in the crouch. Advanced arm strength, 80 mph out of the crouch, carry through the bag, short over the top arm action. Posted 2.00-2.02 pop times. Offensively hits from an open stance, short stride with consistent loading action, maintains strong balance through contact. Well above average bat seed present, short path stays on top of the baseball, showed the ability to create backspin, line drive gap to gap approach. Flashes power potential, 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.47 runner in the 60.

9. Joe Baier, OF, Bay Port (WI), 2015
Athletically built, 6-foot, 190-pound outfielder. Baier represented Wisconsin at the Future Games last year as a raw athlete who was on the verge of putting it all together. This year at the Top Prospect Showcase Baier showed off improved skill sets all over the field. Offensively hits from a slightly open stance, short stride and smooth loading action. Hands work well to the baseball, stays inside of it, line drive gap to gap approach. Posted 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ran a 7.00 in the 60, athletic runner. Defensively showed improved arm strength, arm played at 89 mph from the outfield, showed carry from a long over the top slot, showed accuracy to and through his target. Hands and feet worked together well in the outfield, played through the baseball with clean exchanges.

10. Jack Bredeson, RHP, Arrowhead (WI), 2015
Extra large frame, 6-foot-6, 235-pound right-handed pitcher, physically mature, sturdy build. Delivery has drop and drive tendencies, works online with open toe landing, some effort. Arm action is short all around, deceptive arm angle, over the top slot, hides ball well. Fastball is mostly straight with heavy feel, finishes through the zone, 83-85 mph, touched 87 mph. Curveball worked on 12/6 plane, 72-74 mph showed feel and more confidence. Power changeup with sink, fastball arm speed, showed action, 76-78 mph. Bredeson has a big sturdy frame that should bode well for durability going forward, his deceptive arm action is a unique quality that helps his fastball play up and tough for hitters to recognize.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Nate Anderson, OF, Mukwonago (WI), 2015
Atletic frame, lanky build, 6-foot-1, 180-pound left handed outfielder. Offensively hits from an open stance, short stride, good balance through contact. Line drive hitter, high finish, occasional uphill path, some lift, bat speed present, 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed a quick arm from the outfield (85 mph), high ¾ slot, loose arm action. Plays through the baseball, quick footwork, showed natural outfield actions. Ran the 60 at 7.23.

Zachary Biermann, 1B, West Bend East (WI), 2015
Large build, 6-foot-4, 235-pound left handed hitting first-baseman. Offensivley hits from an open stance, smooth loading action, laid back barrel in load, short stride, lower half is active. Strong swing, creates whip, slightly muscled, advanced bat speed, 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Pull side power approach, slightly uphill path, pull side pop. Big left-handed power potential bat. Adequate defender, shows softness in hands. Short arm action, 73 mph across the diamond. 7.55 runner in the 60.

Shane Coker, 1B, Athens (WI), 2015
Physically impressive, 6-foot-3, 210-pound left handed first baseman, advanced build. Offensively hits from a slightly open stance, minimal stride back to square. Lower half works, maintains balance. Bat speed present, pull side power approach, strong impact of the baseball, projectable left handed power bat. Defensively showed natural actions around the bag, has feel for the position, feet work well and confidently around the bag. Arm is playable at first base, 78 mph across the diamond.

Jack Collins, LHP, Denmark (WI), 2015
Strong build, 6-foot-3, 190-pound left handed pitcher, projectable build. Delivery showed rhythm, lower half works online, head tends to work away from body, athletic finish, some effort. Arm operates from a high ¾ slot, showed arm speed, loose arm, showed strength. Fastball topped out at 88 mph, mostly down, showed better command in the stretch. Curveball pitched at 69-73 mph, 11/5 plane. Changeup flashed sink, near fastball arm action, 71-74 mph. Collins is a big strong left handed arm who has shown he has the arm strength to pitch at a high level.

McCauley Cox, MIF, Janesville Craig (WI), 2015
Lanky frame, slender build, 6-foot-1, 165-pound left handed hitting middle infielder. Offensively hits from a tall, slightly open stance, smooth loading action, short stride, maintained strong balance. Repeats swing well, excellent path, stays on top of the baseball, flat through contact. Line drive, gap to gap approach, showed a contact approach with barrel control. Defensively arm played at 79 mph across the diamond, short over the top action, played with accuracy. Hands played, showed body control and an athletic arm action. 7.34 runner in the 60.

Vincent Hubli, MIF, Kenosha Bradford (WI), 2015
Strong build, average frame, 5-foot-10, 180-pound infielder. Offensively showed advanced hitting skills, hits from an open stance, short stride, good balance through contact, quiet approach. Showed excellent hand eye, impacted the baseball well with wood, showed excellent barrel control. Bat speed is present, short path, line drive hitter. Defensively showed reliable hands, plays through the baseball, mechanically sound. Arm action is loose, high ¾ slot, showed some accuracy with average arm strength. 7.21 runner in the 60. Hubli projects as a possible offensive second baseman at the next level, his bat should be the first tool to play at the next level.

J.J. Johnson, RHP/OF, Edgewood (WI), 2015
Athletically built, 6-foot, 195-pound two-way player. Showed arm strength in the outfield, short over the top arm action, produced carry at 87 mph. Works through the baseball with a crowhop, exchanges were clean. Offensively hits from a slightly open taller stance, short stride that slightly dives. Path has some length with uphill tendencies. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Logan McShane, RHP, Wisconsin Lutheran, 2015
Long athletic frame, body shows strength, long legs, excellent projectable body, 6-foot-3, 185-pound right-handed pitcher. Tall and fall delivery, leg kick works up down and out, slower tempo, squared landing. Arm action is quick, high ¾ slot, long loose arm action. Fastball has run, showed control of the zone, 85-86 mph, touched 88 mph. Slider had sweeping action, 72-76 mph, tendency to get around at times. Changeup had arm side run, 77-80 mph, thrown with aggressive fastball arm speed, deceptive.

Kian O’Brein, OF, Madison LaFollette, 2015
Strong, thick build, 5-foot-11, 185-pound outfielder. Offensively hits from an open stance, short stride, smooth loading action with slight bat wrap. Showed repeatability, finds the barrel well, two handed finish, 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ran a 7.09 60 yard dash. Defensively showed fluid actions in the outfield, played through the ball well, direct routes. Arm plays well, showed carry with accuracy to its target, short over the top arm action, topped at 85 mph from the outfield.

Eric Paz, 1B/C, Tremper (WI), 2015
6-foot, 190-pound left handed hitting first baseman/catcher. Offensively hits from a tall, closed stance, short stride. Showed bat speed, flashed hard impact of the baseball, 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed above average feel at first base. Behind the dish posted 2.19-2.29 pop times, 79 mph arm from the crouch. Paz projects as a left handed hitting first baseman who is lso serviceably behind the plate.

Kyle Schulz, OF/LHP, Kenosha Bradford (WI), 2015
Athletically built, 5-foot-10, 150-pound outfielder. Offensively carries himself well, hits from a tall open stance from the right side, short stride, smooth repeatable loading action and swing, maintains excellent balance through contact. Bat path stays on top of the baseball, line drive gap to gap approach, short path, can get more out of back side. Athletic runner, smooth footwork, 6.72 60 yard dash. Defensively plays through the baseball, natural defender. Arm action is loose and athletic high ¾ slot, left handed thrower, showed accuracy with carry, 85 mph arm strength. On the mound worked from a high ¾ slot, loose arm action with arm speed. Minimal effort, tall and fall delivery, slightly across body. Fastball showed control of the zone, 80-81 mph. Curveball has slurve type action, near fastball arm speed, showed feel at 66-68 mph. Changeup flashed occasional sink, showed feel, 74-75 mph.

Tanner Umentum, RHP/SS, Denmark, 2015
6-foot, 160-pound two way player, thin build, frame has some length. Projects better on the mound. Delivery works with some rhythm, regular effort, stays on line. Arm action is loose, above average arm speed, showed quickness, high ¾ slot. Showed control of his fastball, sat 84-86 touched 87 mph. Featured both curveball and slider, little differential in velocity, slider showed flatter action and tended to get on the side, both sat 68-71 mph with curveball touching 72 mph, curveball had stepper action and showed the ability to spin it. Changeup was thrown with near fastball arm speed, occasional sink, consistently down, 73-75 mph. Defensively showed the ability to play through the baseball on the infield, above average arm strength, showed carry, touched 86 mph across the diamond. Ran a 7.58 60. Offensively hits from an open stance, slight leg lift, occasionally dives. Swing showed some athleticism and repeatability, mostly opposite field contact. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Logan Wonn, RHP, Oconomowoc, 2015
6-foot-2, 210-pound right-handed pitcher, thick sturdy build. Delivery has rhythm, minimal effort, occasionally opens front side early. Arm worked from a ¾ slot, regular arm action. Fastball showed sink, heavy feel, showed control of the zone at 84-85 mph touching 86 mph. Curveball has 11/5 action, near fastball arm action, 70-72 mph. Throws a firm changeup, 76-78 mph, fastball similar arm action, occasionally flashed cut action.