Tate
Schmidt

INF Tate Schmidt (Waunakee, 2024) continues to prove he is one of the better players in the Wisconsin ranks. Currently slotted at No. 45, the left-handed hitter has a fluid swing; staying short to the ball with a loose uphill path, staying up the middle of the field. Schmidt really shined during the defense portion of the event where he showed off some true up-the-middle actions on the infield. He coupled this with soft-hands and an arm that topped at 84 mph across the diamond. 

Schmidt is a high-waisted 5-foot-10, 150 pounds, and a growth spurt in 2022 has helped signal a bright future as a late-bloomer type to be made aware of. He roams around the middle of the infield with advanced defensive actions, and we’re excited to see what an offseason does to enhance his profile on both sides of the ball. Given his talent with the glove, Schmidt’s left-handed bat makes him that much more intriguing of a prospect. It’s a loose, easy swing that sprays the ball effectively to all fields, and we’ll be on the lookout for the strides he makes in early 2023, given how far he’s come over the last calendar year or so.

Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 5-10, 140-pounds. Wiry frame, high waist. Vertical entry with postural tilt to impact. Clean barrel direction. Controlled ball flights to all fields.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, toe tap stride. Cross striding.
Power: 81.3 max exit velocity, averaged 77.6 mph. 280’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C -  mph. INF - 77 mph. OF - 81 mph. Over the top slot, short arm action.
Defense: Over the top slot, short arm action. Big crow hop throw the baseball, long actions through release with extra footwork. Athletic feet. Moves well on infield, showed more natural actions.
Run: 7.37 runner in the 60. 

Started for GRB in their game against Fox Valley Freedom. Worked a three-pitch inning and showed good instincts for the game in all facets, from pitching to baserunning all night long. On the mound, Schmidt gave up just one hit and left the game with a shutout intact after three innings of work. Schmidt has some arm speed for his age and size, and he works quickly in tempo, while also showing the early feel to spin a breaking ball. At the plate Schmidt went 2-for-2 with a single, double, and two walks, and tallied three RBIs. He has a feel for the strike zone and demonstrated solid bat-to-ball skills over the weekend.

Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-foot-1, 100-pounds.
Defense: Above-average fielder as an infielder and outfielder, advanced hands for his age, clean transfer from glove to hand, plays through the baseball, natural instincts defensively, showed confidence in himself.
Arm: RH. INF - 62 mph. OF - 67 mph. Short arm action, Over-the-top slot.
Hit: LHH. Athletic setup, smooth load, short stride with a leg kick. Uphill path to the baseball, primarily hit line drives in his session, fluid rhythm throughout his swing.
Power: 60 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 8.45 runner in the 60.
Delivery: Third base side of rubber, side step into delivery, high leg kick, throws with effort, finishes towards first base side.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, quick Over-the-top slot.
FB: T64, 62-64 mph. Downward movement, thrown down in the zone.
CB: 52-54 mph. 12/6 shape, thrown near fastball arm speed, gradual action, worked down in the zone.
CH: 57-58 mph. Has sink to it, thrown for strikes, will play at his age.