Sunday, the PBR Wisconsin team travelled to the Madison area to host its final high school showcase of the winter, the Madison Preseason I.D., at GRB Academy.

Yesterday, Monday, we followed up our Madison-area event by examining the top highlights coming out of the showcase inside of our Quick Hits post. Today is reserved for a dive into the more statistical side of Sunday, a closer look at the leaderboards in each of the measured categories. Videos from Sunday’s event will be placed inside player profiles in the next couple of weeks and scouting reports will be compiled and written in the weeks following that. But until then, here is our statistical analysis coming from the final high school showcase on our winter circuit:

MAX FASTBALL VELOCITY

There were a ton of on-mound takeaways from Sunday, as highlighted inside of our loaded Quick Hits post, and we’ll touch on the top velocities posted here, led by junior RHPs Bryce Leedle (Markesan) and Jason Starr (Sun Prairie). We had some idea of the velo jump Leedle was producing in late 2019, but Starr’s big uptick was among the most notable highlights coming out of the weekend. Columbus’ RHP/OF Trace Kirchberg (2021) sat at a firm 86-88 mph himself while taking one of the better rounds of BP on the day. Union Grove’s RHP Isaiah Cerfus (2021) has long been known to us for his arm strength and he touched a personal PBR best of 87 mph here, the same high as RHP Aaron Rice (Brillion, 2021), another upside follow junior. Sophomores Mason Buss (Arrowhead), Caden Capomaccio (Notre Dame Academy), Carson Klaus (Adams-Friendship), and Taylor Kilps (Whitnall) each reached an 86 mph high, leading the 2022s in attendance. Kilps’ high was especially notable considering his came from the left side. Freshman RHP Dylan Questad (Waterford) has some exceptional arm strength and he reached 86 mph, too, and it helped him land on more leaderboards elsewhere.

TOP 60-YARD DASH

There were 23 prospects who recorded sub-7.00 marks in the 60, so we’ll highlight a few here. Sophomore Dominik McVay (Mineral Point) had a statistically strong day from multiple areas, most especially on this chart, where he led all prospects with a 6.58 time. Both Tanner Marsh (Mondovi, 2021) and Carson Shepard (Sun Prairie, 2021) repped Team Wisconsin at the PBR Future Games last summer and look like two of the top uncommitted prospects in the region – and they both made demonstrable strides over the offseason. Marsh ran a 6.60 here and Shepard ran a 6.63. Aforementioned junior Kirchberg recorded a 6.71 mark, further breaking out on Sunday. Will Michalsky (Wisconsin Dells, 2022) made a strong first impression at his PBR debut with a 6.78 mark. It was also impressive to see sophomore RHP/OF Ryan Karst (Brookfield East) run a 6.79 with his physical 6-foot-3, 195-pound build. Zander Rockow (Thorp) has an advanced look and build for a freshman, resembling a high-level running back, and he recorded a 6.89 mark here as well.

TOP EXIT VELOCITY

More familiar faces here as Kirchberg and Marsh led the way with 95 mph highs off the tee at the exit velo station. The 5-foot-9, 150-pound athlete, Shepard, impressed with a 94 mph high from the tee, especially given the fact that he’s more well-known for his soft and quick actions up the middle of the infield. OF Noah Hanson (McDonnell Central Catholic, 2022) led the sophomores on Sunday with a 92 mph best from the tee. Junior Brigs Richartz (Menomonie) really improved his prospect stock on Sunday, with the help of a loud round from the left side on Sunday, topping 92 mph off the tee, too.

TOP INFIELD VELOCITY

Two of the smoothest rounds of infield defense topped this leaderboard: Austin Bestul (Elkhorn, 2021) and Shepard. Bestul’s trending way up after a big all-around performance on Sunday, and he led this group with an 89 mph best to first, with accuracy and quick overall actions. Shepard, overall, may have produced the most efficient and natural infield session and his uptick in arm strength gained over the offseason will help him increase his chances to star at shortstop rather than slide over to roam second at a high level. Kimberly’s Thomas Ellisen (2021) debuted at a PBR showcase on Sunday and performed well in multiple areas, running a sub-7.00 while being 88 mph across the infield. Torin Byrnes (Tremper, 2022) ranges well for his lanky 6-foot-5 size and he has some big arm strength, topping 88 mph himself which translates well on the mound.

TOP OUTFIELD VELOCITY

At a showcase this size, it’s especially noteworthy to see a freshman atop a leaderboard like this. Questad led the way with a 93 mph best to home, further establishing himself as a high-follow in the state’s budding 2023 class. Kirchberg, again, was right near the top of another leaderboard, recording a 92 mph high to home. Karst was up to 89 mph on the mound at a showcase back in February, so it was natural to see the high-follow sophomore reach 90 mph from the outfield. More representatives from the 2022 class impressed inside this group: Addison Ostrenga (Sun Prairie), Christian Oppor (Columbus), Nathan Elias (Verona Area), and Taylor Kilps (Whitnall).

TOP CATCHER VELOCITY

From Stevens Point, physical 6-foot-1, 185-pound sophomore Brandon Vlcko led this group by a few ticks with an 82 mph high to second. He took a loud round of BP, too, though he’ll work making his actions from behind the plate more efficient to make better use of his advanced arm strength. Colten Schillinger (Stratford, 2021) showcased a new-look, strong build which helped him produce some above-average actions from behind the dish, aided by a 79 mph top to the bag. Verona Area sophomore Mason Fink also impressed with a 76 mph best which helped him produce some impressive defensive actions, regardless of his age.

TOP POP TIMES

Mount Horeb junior Charlie Bogue is both quick and accurate on his throws through the infield and repeated well out of the crouch to average some of the lowest pop times of those in attendance. The same can be said of Waukesha South’s Nick Nowak (2021), who was also quick and controlled erupting from the crouch on Sunday. Aforementioned sophomore Fink averaged the lowest pops of the day. Richartz landed as a junior follow to know exiting this event for his left-handed bat but he also was consistently quick and clean out of the chute, enhancing his overall profile. Freshman Josue Figueroa (Sun Prairie) took some solid switch-hit reps at the plate and also performed with advanced actions from behind the plate.

RELATED CONTENT