Prep Baseball Report

Wisconsin's Recruiting Roundup: 12/15-12/31


By Andy Sroka
Staff Writer

For the last couple of weeks, we’ve been collecting the top-10 storylines of 2018 as well as the most-viewed player profiles of the year. To officially close out the year, we’ll compile the year’s final Recruiting Roundup. Despite it being the holiday season, there were still plenty of college commitments made over the past two weeks, including a couple of high-profile underclassmen.

So, with that, let’s get to the last set of prospects who announced their commitments before the new year.

2019 COMMITS

Gavin Daniel OF / Oconomowoc, WI / 2019

COLLEGE OF LAKE COUNTY

9/23/18 - 5-foot-8, 165-pound, left-handed hitting/throwing outfielder, stocky, athletic frame. Defensively, sets up even, back load, leg lift stride, quiet hands. Level bat path, short to the ball, gap to gap approach. Flashed hard, line drive contact, exit velocity topped 82 mph from a tee. Defensively, works behind and through the baseball, fluid feet, clean exchanges. Arm plays long and loose, high ¾ slot, throws topped 79 mph from the outfield. 7.37 runner in the 60. 


Riley Hughes C / Bradford, WI / 2019

CARTHAGE COLLEGE

2/25/18 - 5-foot-10, 175-pound, strong, athletic catcher. Defensively, traditional catcher’s actions, short, over-the-top arm slot, accurate with carry, 77 mph out of the crouch. Athletic behind the plate, receives with soft hands, quick footwork, quick and clean on exchanges. Pop times ranged 2.01-2.11. Offensively, right-handed, balanced setup, short stride, maintains balance, uphill barrel path, flashed bat speed, 82 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.91 laser-timed 60.


Cooper Kapanke 1B / Eau Claire Memorial, WI / 2019

WINONA STATE

7/24/18 - 6-foot-4, 200-pound first baseman, rangy upside frame that can handle more strength. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, arm bar load, reverse toe tap to leg lift stride. Pull side approach, path works long and generates hard contact, ability to back spin the baseball. 92 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.38 runner in the 60. Defensively arm plays at 73 mph across, long ¾ slot. Big target around the bag with long reach, hands play.


Kyle McKinnon RHP / Bradford, WI / 2019

CARTHAGE COLLEGE

7/24/18 - 5-foot-11, 170-pound, right-handed pitcher, athletic frame. Tall and fall delivery, coils at balance, hips open early, works in-line, extends, lands square to home, easy, athletic finish. Arm works short and loose out front, slight wrap on back side, over the top slot. Fastball, mostly straight with occasional cut, favored outside corner to LH and RH hitters, topped 83 mph, sat 80-82 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape with gradual break, thrown for strikes, 67-69 mph.


Grant Mullins INF / Hortonville, WI / 2019

WISCONSIN-PLATTEVILLE

7/24/18 - 5-foot-10, 165-pound infielder, lean frame, showed athletic actions. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, slightly open stance, leg lift stride, average balance. Flashed easy loose hands at the plate, occasional line drive contact and worked both gaps. Bat speed present, hits off back side, 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Above average hands on the infield, plays through the baseball, clean exchange. Arm is short and loose high ¾ slot, 76 mph across the diamond. 7.32 runner in the 60.


Ian Knuth OF / Oconomowoc, WI / 2019

MILWAUKEE SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

9/23/18 - 5-foot-9, 155-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing outfielder, athletic frame. At the plate, balanced setup, back load, short stride, keeps it simple. Loose hands, level, compact bat path, contact hitter type, flashed line drive ability to the middle of the diamond, repeated rhythm. Exit velocity topped 85 mph from a tee. Able runner, 7.14 60 yard-dash, laser timed. Defensively, feet work in rhythm and through the ball, long crow hop to release. Steady hands, short arm action, high ¾ slot, throws topped 70 mph from the outfield.


Grant Ver Voort RHP / Appleton North, WI / 2019

UPPER IOWA

7/24/18 -  6-foot, 195-pound, right-handed pitcher, strong build, wide shouldered with present lower half strength. Quick tempo, front step to low hanging balance, works in-line to foot strike, toe lands open and momentum works towards first base at finish. Short arm swing, muscled arm strength,  over the top slot. Fastball, worked straight with tilt down, in the zone, 85-87 mph. Curveball, 12/6 break, flashed depth for strikes, 70-72 mph.

2021 COMMITS

Benjamin Loyd OF / Tremper, WI / 2021

PURDUE

9/16/18 - 5-foot-10, 145-pound, wiry, athletic middle infielder, projects. Plays with baseball IQ. Sets up even, leg kick trigger, smooth load. Loose hands, separate from body, controls the barrel, level path, middle of the field approach, rhythm through contact, slappy at times. Showed plate coverage fouling off pitches just off the outside corner. Went 3-for-3 on Sunday morning with three singles, one to all fields going with the location of the pitch. On his infield single to third base, 4.61 down the line. Defensively works through the baseball with soft hands, ranges well, quick and clean transfers at the belt, multi angle slot. Started at second and flashed signs of being able to move to the left side of the dirt.

 

2022 COMMITS

Tristan Ellis SS / GREENDALE, WI / 2022

PURDUE

3/20/18 - 5-foot-7, 138-pound left-handed hitting infielder. Slightly open setup, loads hands back into arm bar, slight leg lift stride. Loose hands, hard contact off the bat at times, path is long and uphill, pull side approach, 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm is loose, high ¾ slot, 73 mph across the diamond. Hands showed some softness, funnels the baseball to release, showed body control. 7.40 runner in the 60. 

 

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