Top 10 Stories of 2024: No. 7 Eight Wisconsin Players Drafted in 2024
December 23, 2024
At the end of each calendar year, the Prep Baseball Wisconsin staff reflects back on the 10 most intriguing headlines that surrounded the baseball scene in the Badger State. Through the end of the month, we will break down the most impactful storylines from an eventful 2024 campaign, ending with our No. 1 story revealed Dec. 31.
The 20-round MLB Draft featured eight Wisconsinites drafted, including the highest selection since Jarred Kelenic was selected with the sixth overall pick in 2018. The eight included three preps, four Division I college players and a junior college pick; seven of the eight signed.
Round 1, No. 35 Overall: INF JD Dix (Whitefish Bay, 2024) - Arizona Diamondbacks
Dix’s high school career included a state championship, the No. 1 ranking in Wisconsin’s class of 2024 (No. 40 nationally) and an appearance in the inaugural Prep Baseball All-American Game, and culminated in the highest selection from Wisconsin in six years.
The switch-hitting infielder went wire-to-wire with the top spot, fending off prospect fatigue and an arm injury that limited his ability to play the field during his senior spring. His $2.15 million signing bonus ($480,000 below slot) wooed him away from his commitment to Wake Forest.
Dix is a switch-hitting up the middle defender with a chance to stick at shortstop. A potential 5-tool player standing at projectable 6-foot-2, 179-pounds with lean strength to his frame.
SoCal shortstops 🤝 Wisconsin shortstops @Dbacks got a guy that I once strongly believed was the best player in the class.
— Shooter Hunt (@ShooterHunt) July 15, 2024
Injuries curtailed that some, but JD Dix is back healthy & a PHENOMENAL pick. #MLBDraft 👍👍
Dix did not play in any organized Minor League games after signing.
Round 4, No. 112 Overall: INF Eddie Rynders (Wisconsin Lutheran HS, 2024) - Pittsburgh Pirates
Rynders’ rise from mid-major commit to Day 2 draft pick was among the most impressive performances of the year which included a standout MLB Draft Combine show. The former Kent State commit closed out 2023 ranked No. 10 in the state but jumped following the Super 60, where he posted exit velocities over 102 mph, ran a 6.73-second 60-yard dash and showed well in the infield.
The left-handed hitting infielder forewent his commitment for a $649,700 signing bonus after his breakout spring.
Rynders swings a powerful bat with juice especially to the pull side, and was one of the prospects with the most helium heading into the spring. Advanced hitter that takes quality at-bats constantly, with athletic actions and soft hands that pair well on the left side where his arm strength gives him a chance to stick as a pro.
With the 112th pick of the 2024 #MLBDraft the @Pirates select Eddie Rynders (Wisconsin Lutheran HS, @PrepBaseballWI).
— Prep Baseball Draft HQ (@PB_DraftHQ) July 15, 2024
Rynders showed off his big power potential at the #Super60 in February and throughout the spring. 💪📈pic.twitter.com/2zK3b3vw0q
Rynders did not play in any organized Minor League games after signing.
Round 4, No. 121 Overall: C Josh Caron (Nebraska; Sun Prairie, 2021) - Seattle Mariners
The ‘Sconnie-turned-Cornhusker earned every bit of his fourth-round selection after leading Nebraska to a conference championship and regional appearance and winning the conference tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. His 6 home runs set a new standard for the 44-year-old tournament.
The Sun Prairie product’s regular season nearly matched his postseason exploits, finishing as a semifinalist for the 2024 Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year after hitting .308/.388/.579 with 16 home runs and 65 RBIs in 60 games.
The former Future Gamer graduated as the No. 8 player in Wisconsin’s 2021 class, earning the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association’s D-I Player of the Year his senior year and helping lead his Sun Prairie squad to the state title game. His amateur career also included stints with the Madison Mallards in 2021 and 2022, clubbing 12 HR and 63 RBIs across 72 games.
The right-handed hitter was able to generate more game power this past season while being able to maintain his approach, becoming more of a well rounded hitter. Known for his strong arm paired with quality receiving, Caron could develop into a quality backstop with both pop and catch-and-throw skills.
Ducks take the lead!! @joshcaron16 hits a BOMB out to center for a 2-run shot, bringing in @MrMo27_ from 2nd!! 💣💪🏼
— Madison Mallards (@MadisonMallards) August 7, 2021
The 2021 Grads of Sun Prairie HS coming through in a big spot on the road 🤩 pic.twitter.com/J0XKFtG8kK
Caron hit .277/.352/.383 with 10 RBIs in 13 games with Single-A Modesto in 2024.
Round 11, No. 338 Overall: LHP Michael Carpenter (Madison JC; Arrowhead, 2022) - Minnesota Twins
The southpaw became the first Madison JC player to be drafted since Brandon Komar in 2019 after one of the best seasons in school history. Carpenter broke the school record with 111 strikeouts and led NJCAA Division II with a 1.03 ERA, which featured a 45-inning scoreless streak. He was named Region 4’s Player of the Year and an NJCAA First-Team All-American for his performance.
The Arrowhead graduate forewent his commitment to East Carolina for an over-slot $508,500 bonus from the Twins, one of two ‘Sconnies selected by the neighboring club. He also tossed 19 ⅔ innings for the Lakeshore Chinooks in 2023, posting a sterling 1.37 ERA with 19 punch outs. He was ranked No. 25 in the class of 2022.
An athletic left-hander with a smooth and easy operation with feel to repeat with feel to locate. Starters looks, that maintains velo throughout his outings with advanced secondaries that both garner whiffs.
Soph. LHP Michael Carpenter is done after eight innings after striking out 10 batters.
— Prep Baseball JUCO (@PBR_JUCO) May 10, 2024
FB sat 89-92 mph and held velo throughout, mixed in a low-80s BB and a heavy CH at 83-85.
ECU signee pic.twitter.com/fHYHR918zR
Carpenter did not pitch in any organized Minor League games after signing.
Round 14, No. 428 Overall: RHP Jacob Kisting (Bradley; Verona Area HS, 2021) - Minnesota Twins
The Verona Area product was the second of two arms selected by Minnesota after displaying pro-level stuff in his tenure at the Peoria-based Bradley. Kisting earned Second-Team All-Missouri Valley Conference in 2022 after posting a 4.88 ERA (conference average was 5.53) in 83 innings as a freshman.
After leading Bradley in innings and strikeouts in 2023, Kisting battled injuries his final year with the Braves. He bounced back to strike out 21 batters in 13 ⅓ innings with the Madison Mallards. The former No. 26 player in the Wisconsin’s class of 2021, he set the Verona Area High School record with a 0.69 ERA his senior season.
Kisting did not pitch in any organized Minor League games after signing.
Round 16, No. 486 Overall: 1B Brady Marget (Tulane; Whitefish Bay, 2021) - Tampa Bay Rays
The left-handed hitting Marget jumped straight from a powerhouse Whitefish Bay program to the starting lineup of the Green Wave, quietly producing all three years while starting at first base. His steady improvement earned him a Day 3 selection from Tampa Bay.
2022: .290/.371/.405, 3 HR, 26 RBI, 15 BB:24 SO
2023: .303/.393/.489, 9 HR, 31 RBI, 27 BB:37 SO
2024: .331/.427/.524, 10 HR, 59 RBI, 40 BB:38 SO
Marget committed to the AAC’s Tulane during the fall of his senior year, later earning Conference Player of the Year and District Player of the Year with the Blue Dukes. He finished as the No. 37 player in the state’s 2021 class and played in the 2019 Future Games.
Marget hit .250/.404/.333 with 9 walks and 6 strikeouts in 12 games with Single-A Charleston in 2024.
Round 19, No. 575 Overall: RHP Noah Wech (Manitowoc Lincoln, 2024) - Milwaukee Brewers (Did Not Sign)
The lone Cheesehead drafted by his local team chose not to sign, instead honoring his commitment to play for head coach Josh Holliday at Oklahoma State. The No. 4 player in the state’s 2024 class, Wech earned First-Team All-State honors after punching out 88 in 52 ⅔ innings for the Shipbuilders, posting a remarkable 0.93 ERA.
The right-hander displayed more feel to pitch this past year, working up-tempo throughout our looks and effortlessly able to repeat his delivery and release. Wech took some strides in holding his velocity across extended outings, something that we have not seen before, and the ability to consistently land a breaking ball in the zone and use it as a put-away pitch with two-strikes. The fastball reaches the mid-90s with carry and routinely gets swing-and-miss in the zone, showing two breaking balls, a tight curveball that he lands for strikes often and a power low-80s slider with big action.
Despite the loss RHP Noah Wech (2024, Manitowoc Lincoln) tossed six innings, struck out eight batters during his start.
— Prep Baseball Wisconsin (@PrepBaseballWI) May 23, 2024
FB sat 90-93 T95 mph earning S/M, went to a 79-83 mph CB often.
Oklahoma State recruit pic.twitter.com/a66g1PFqno
Round 20, No. 591 Overall: LHP Owen Rice (UW-Milwaukee; East Troy, 2021) - St. Louis Cardinals
591 Owen Rice - St. Louis
The Redbirds selected the lanky left-hander in the final round of the draft, the culmination of an incredible development story. Rice was the No. 66 player in the state’s 2021 class, reaching just 85 mph as a prep. After one season at McHenry CC, the East Troy product transferred to the state’s lone D-I program.
Rice posted a 5.89 ERA but punched out 65 in 44 ⅓ innings across two seasons with the Panthers. His elite pitch characteristics attracted big league scouts and warranted a professional opportunity.
Rice did not pitch in any organized Minor League games after signing.
Wisconsin natives and Tennessee teammates Gavin Kilen and Nate Snead both appeared on Prep Baseball’s initial Draft Board, slotting in at No. 81 and No. 109, respectively.
Kilen, a Milton HS graduate originally drafted by Boston in 2022, transferred to Tennessee after two seasons at Louisville, earning Third-Team All-ACC in 2024 after hitting .330 with 23 doubles.
Snead enters his second year in Tennessee orange after spending his freshman season with Wichita State. The South Milwaukee product appeared in five of the Volunteers’ six games in the 2024 Men’s College World Series, helping secure the first National Championship in school history.
The final out from a great team win!#GBO // #VolsWin pic.twitter.com/rJgxrMvHJA
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) March 31, 2024
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