JD
Dix

Wake Forest commit. Dix rounds out our group of infielders on the Second Team, as the No. 1 player in Wisconsin’s 2024 class enjoyed a strong season on the diamond to conclude his storied prep career. The switch-hitter capitalized on strikes when he saw him, but still tallied an impressive 36 walks during the season. From the leadoff spot, Dix swiped 33 bags and once again established himself as a table-setter for the 2023 Division 1 State Champions. The senior got hot toward the end of the year for Whitefish Bay, putting constant pressure on opponents with his patience at the plate and speed on the basepaths. In addition to his production, summarized by an OPS of 1.134, Dix returned to the shortstop position during the Blue Dukes’ playoff run—looking the part as one of the top infielders in the Midwest and beyond. Dix has already shown well at the MLB Draft Combine, as he continues to thrive after competing at the varsity level for multiple seasons donning the Whitefish Bay jersey.

Prep Baseball All-American Game: A switch-hitter with nearly identical actions from both sides of the plate. Dix works out of square, even base with a shoulder height handset and looseness in the wrists. Quick-twitch trigger keeps him on time with an up-the-middle approach that shows present barrel control. Good barrel feel from the left side with present above-average bat speed and pull-side power. Gap power from the right side, but plenty of projection remaining in the 6-foot-2 frame that can lead to future power as a natural right-handed hitter. Could moonlight as an above-average glove at multiple positions but potential to stick at shortstop is real with lateral range and fantastic hands. Great flexibility in the frame with confidence to attack balls. Present plus runner with a 6.48 60 and electric first step that allows to reach top speed quickly. Impressive athlete.

Decommited from Alabama. 

At the plate, the switch-hitter looked a grade better from the left side with more fluidity and better barrel control. Settling into an athletic base from both sides, a short stride allows the hands to take minor separation before generating impressive bat speed through the zone. Moving with ease from the left side, Dix turned the barrel with some authority in showcasing some power potential to all fields including the ability to change planes and hit to all fields... Just coming back from an arm injury that kept him off of shortstop for much of the spring, the arm strength was clearly not there (yet) in workouts, but it provided no ill effects with regards to the glove. Twitchy with the leather with innate ability for finding the right spot in the mitt even when balls took tough hops, the natural instincts seen in other elite prep shortstops is clearly present in the Wisconsin native, and there is an ease, yet intensity, to the way that he goes about his business on the defensive side of the ball.

He’s a top-shelf left side infielder that stands at a physically mature  6-foot-2, 175 pounds, with long limbs and he still has more room to add strength. He started his workout off by running a 6.61 in the 60-yard dash, a number that’s greatly improved from the 7.17 we saw him run at this same event last year. He showed present polish from both sides of the plate in BP, working relaxed to delivery from inside the ball and showing a propensity for rewarding ball flights with authority. He repeatedly connected for hard gap-to-gap contact from the left and right side, averaging 91 mph off the barrel with a max exit velocity of 97.1, and a peak batted distance of 358 feet. Dix also looked the part of a high-end prospect on the infield. He traveled low to the ball with athletic feel and slowed the game down naturally with his glove actions. It was a highly impressive look at arguably the state’s top prospect, regardless of class, as Dix looks every bit the part of a high-end national sophomore.

Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 6-2, 175-pounds. Athletic/projectable build.
Hit: SH. Tall, narrow setup. Well timed hand load from tight to the neck. Aggressive rotation with strength throughout. Direct to impact working high to low in line with the pitch. Pop to all fields. Quality feel for barrel path and contact points. Stays through  the zone from the right side a bit more. Slug from both sides of the plate. Prospect
Power: 97.1 max exit velocity, averaged 91 mph. 357’ max distance.
Arm: RH. Top shelf, 3/4 action.
Defense: Well timed footwork. Long strides when ranging. Smooth glovework with clean funneling.
Run: 6.61 runner in the 60. Long, fluid strides that cover ground easily. 

Dix recently showcased his switch-hitting skills and strong defensive actions up the middle at the Midwest Premier Underclass tournament at Creekside. Dix has a smooth swing from both sides of the plate with advanced bat speed and barrel control. Defensively, Dix makes tough plays look easy and showcases good lateral range with enough arm strength to remain on the left side of the infield in the future.

In his PBR debut, freshman Dix made a strong case for himself as the top prospect in the class. Dix is a high-ceiling, switch-hitting infielder at 6-foot-2, 175 pounds – and he looks every bit of the part from both sides of the plate, with a well-sequenced swing that works a middle-of-the-field approach. He’s brings similar upside on the infield where his hands work well, and he moves athletically to both sides, all while running a 7.17 in the 60. 

Positional Profile: SS/3B Presently ranked No. 108 nationally in the 2024 class.
Body: 6-2, 170-pounds. Well-proportioned frame that projects, strong upper half.
Hit: SH. Balanced setup in the box, smooth and simple load, strides to even with poise in the box through contact.  Present hand speed, short bat path, advanced feel to pepper the gaps with barreled up line drives. Fluid rhythm throughout, confident aura to him in the box.
Power: 91.04 max exit velocity, averaged 81.26 mph. 300’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C -  mph. INF - 86 mph. OF -  mph. Short, loose arm that finishes from a high 3/4 slot. Athletic arm, comfortable working from multiple angles on the move. Throws played true across the diamond.
Defense: Lower half works around the baseball in a smooth rhythm, positions himself well at gather. Soft hands, clean funnel, plays through the baseball at relief. Savvy, sure-handed defender.
Run: 7.17 runner in the 60.