Graham
Kasten

Over the past year and a half, 1B Graham Kasten (University School, 2024) has emerged as one of the top left-handed bats in the state’s 2024 class, and put together one of the most electric BP rounds of the day on Tuesday. Kasten continued to produce throughout the summer circuit, coming off of a Midwest Classic Player of the Year award this past spring at University School. This success translated to his showcase on Tuesday, where the left-hander averaged the highest exit velocity at 92.6 mph, along with the second-best batted ball distance at 369 feet. Amongst a pool of quality uncommitted prospects, Kasten separated himself as one of the top bats with a simple, repeatable swing and bat path. Kasten uses his strong 6-foot-1, 205-pound frame to elevate baseballs, utilizing the whole field to continue to produce, something he’s done since the spring of 2022. Defensively, he’s as solid as it comes at first base, displaying smooth actions and reaching 82 mph across the infield. In presenting quality footwork as a defender, Kasten has inserted himself as one of the top uncommitted athletes in a stacked 2024 class in the state of Wisconsin, as he looks to finish off the summer on a high note, including an appearance at the 17U PBR at The Rock Summer Championships in just over a week.

Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 6-1, 205-pounds. Well-proportioned build, with some strength throughout.
Hit: LHH. Stock set up with strong back elbow, natural gather into back hip with controlled move to center.  Loose hands with bat speed, short simple and direct bath to contact. On the barrel to all fields, repeats.  75.1 mph bat speed with 13 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 101 max exit velocity, averaged 92.6 mph. 369’ max distance.
Arm: LH. INF - 82 mph. 3/4 slot, quick arm, accurate.
Defense: Smooth reliable hands, clean actions, good footwork around the bag.
Run: 7.16 runner in the 60.

Kasten found the barrel in his third at bat of the day for Milwaukee Baseball Academy - Andresen, driving a ground-rule double above the wall to plate a run. A quick bat paired with quiet hands has been the formula in the past for Kasten, as the lefty continues to use it today to worry opposing teams. Kasten continues to add on strength in each look, currently standing at 6-foot-1, 215 pounds. He entered the weekend and the summer circuit as one of the top uncommitted bats in Wisconsin’s 2024 class, coming off of another standout spring season.

Kasten continues to show up and impress in event on both sides of the ball. Kasten’s overall frame is strong and sturdy standing 6-foot-1, 205 pounds with good proportions. During batting practice, Kasten hits from a stock set up from the left side. He has a short and quick swing that’s well-sequenced with good use of the ground and his lower half to deliver the barrel to and through the ball. He had one of the hardest max exit velocities of the event at 96 mph and hit a ball 363 feet. On the mound, he has a very polished look to how he gets it done. His fastball was sitting 79-82 mph but plays up at the plate. He also has a sharp breaking ball and a change-up with late fade to arm side at the plate for a three pitch mix.

Positional Profile: 1B/LHP
Body: 6-1, 205-pounds. Strong build with strong lower half.
Hit: LHH. Stock set up.  Direct path, well sequenced, short quick, hitterish.
Power: 96 max exit velocity, averaged 85.3 mph. 363’ max distance.
Arm: LH.  INF - 81 mph.  Long, loose arm action, low 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady defender, clean actions and feel for the first base bag.
Run: 7.49 runner in the 60. 

Delivery: Controlled tempo, repeats delivery, hips get moving quickly towards the plate from the balance point, stride works in-line.
Arm Action: LH. Long out of the glove into a 3/4 slot.
FB: T82, 79-82 mph. Plays harder than the velo says, life out of the hand and through the zone.  T2089, 2003 average rpm.
CB: 66-67 mph. Flashed sharp action, 1/7 shape.  T1575, 1457 average rpm.
CH: 71-73 mph. Thrown with intent and deception, plays off the fastball and then fades to the bottom of the zone.  T1229, 1085 average rpm.

Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 6-1, 190-pounds. Physical, strong lower half
Hits: LHH. Wide base, gather back to back side, falls to balanced center Uses leverage and quick hands to impact the ball to all fields, sprays it, hitterish, adjustability
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 87.3 MPH. 344' max distance.
Arm: LH. INF-77 mph .low 3Q slot,
Defense: Some feel around the bag
Run: 7.87 runner in the 60.

Positional ProfileLHP/1B
Body: 6-0, 190-pounds. Mature, strong lower half. Will continue to fill and get stronger
Delivery: Stays in line. Methodical windup. Crossfire. Efforty.
Arm Action: LH. Low 3/4 slot.
FB: T77.8, 75-78 mph. Cutting action. T2286, 2153 average rpm.
CB: 65-68 mph. 1/7 break. Tight. Thrown at arm speed. T1785, 1746 average rpm.
CH: 70-72 mph. Developing feel. T1668, 1543 average rpm.

Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 6-0, 190-pounds. Mature, strong lower half. Will continue to fill and get stronger
Hits: LHH. Stock set up, weight shift back gather to a powerful fall landing back to middle creating natural stretch and hand trigger. Clean path direct with slight uphill path through baseball spaying line drives to all fields with ability to loft balls over the fence. Aggressive, centered drive of lower half creating, Loft and leverage, pull side pop, top spin to pull side, hard contact, hand speed and quickness, ball jumps off bat.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 85.1 MPH. 353' max distance.
Arm: LH. INF-78 mph .3Q slot, accurate, carry,
Defense: Feet work around bag, shows ability to throw on the run and control body
Run: 7.63 runner in the 60.

Strong sturdy lower half on a 6-foot-0 190-pound frame with some strength gains remaining, showed the ability to hammer the ball with aggressiveness, centered drive of lower half creating a ton of hard contact with the ability to drive the ball deep into gaps, shoed hand speed and quickness, ball jumps off the bat.  Displayed soft hands and knowledge of how to work around the bag at first base. Kasten would then jump onto the mound where he continued his solid all-around day. From a low ¾ slot, the southpaw ran a fastball with cut up to 78 mph and sat in the mid-70s throughout his ‘pen. He then mixed in a tightly spun 1/7 breaking ball that was thrown for strikes and a developing changeup that flashed depth.