Winter Watchlist Names to Follow: Pitchers

Caden Baker RHP / OF / Mukwonago, WI / 2027

From 3/12/25: “is a long-levered upside prospect who measured in at a long and athletic 6-foot-3, 183 pounds. He pitched with his fastball up to 86 mph with 6.9 feet of extension which is a huge extension number at any level of baseball. His 11/5 shaped breaking ball was thrown with intent and he showcased feel for the pitch. He rounded out his arsenal with a late sinking change up in and out of the zone. Baker is an athlete and ran a solid 7.12 seconds 60 yard dash and jumped an impressive 26.7 inches on his vertical. He hit with a downhill swing with quick hands and was up to 92 mph with his exit velocity. Last, he was 89 mph from the outfield during defense. Caden Baker checked multiple boxes on Sunday and proved why he is a name to follow in the state, especially as an upside right-handed pitcher.”

Derrik Beckstrand RHP / 1B / Elkhorn, WI / 2027

From 7/31/25: “Standing at a physical and strong 6-foot-4, 230-pound frame. The right-hander struck out two across two innings showing some feel to work around the zone with multiple pitches. The fastball reached 87.4 mph, sitting 83-86 mph throughout his outing flashing ride and run action while showing feel for a bigger two plane breaking ball in the low-70s and a running changeup at 78-80 mph.”

Ty Bumgardner RHP / 3B / Notre Dame De La Baie Academy, WI / 2027

From 7/31/25: “Fresh off of an appearance as a member of Team Wisconsin for the Future Games. Bumgardner stands in at a projectable 6-foot-2, 182-pounds with plenty of room to add to the frame. Bumgardner features smooth, repeatable mechanics. He has an athletic delivery down the mound with a high leg lift, slight coil into extension, working in-line with the mound. Throwing out of a high 3/4 slot, the righty offered an 83-85 mph fastball that came in with arm-side run. He also offered a slider in the 76-78 mph range with a quality feel for spin at 2582 avg RPMS and 10/4 bite, and found the zone often with the pitch. To round out his arsenal, Bumgardner through a high-70s changeup that kills spin.”

Eli Dreier 3B / RHP / Wisconsin Lutheran, WI / 2027

From 7/31/25: “stands in at a physical 6-foot-2, 215-pounds and works with a lot of athleticism down the mound. He features a high-tempo, intense delivery that while aggressive, finishes in-line with the plate consistently. Dreier features a hard 87-89 mph fastball that has a quality feel for spin, maxing out at just over 2300 rpms during the Futures Games. He offered a pair of secondaries: a 72-75 mph curveball with 11/5 shape and decent spin, and also flashed a high-70s changeup. Dreier put together a strong two innings of work on Friday, allowing two hits, no walks, no earned runs and punching out two. Also a physical bat with strength from the right side and capable defense in the infield.”

Braeden Hermes LHP / 1B / Kimberly, WI / 2027

From 9/23/25: “is a twitchy two-way left/left first baseman and left-handed pitcher who continues to impress our staff with his athleticism and skills on the field. He started his day by running the third best 60 yard dash time of the day at 6.98 seconds. With the bat, the ball jumped off the barrel and registered the second best max exit velocity 95.4 mph and the 4th best average exit velocity of 86.5 mph. Additionally, Hermes has good feel for first base defense and can handle the 3-6-3 double play. On the mound, he explodes with his lower half down the mound and is up to 83 mph with the fastball showing considerable life on the heater. He throws a two plane slider with late breaking action, a change up with fade and has a knuckleball to round out his arsenal. Our staff was not surprised that it was another good look at the talented junior.”

Maddux Hermus RHP / SS / Kimberly, WI / 2027

From 7/3/25: “Currently ranked No. 33 in the state. Strong 5-foot-10, 190-pound frame. Hermus flashed some loud stuff as he struck out seven batters through five and ⅔ innings. The right-hander operates from a simple, controlled delivery with a high leg lift while having a drop/drive approach. Loose, full, clean arm action from a ¾ slot. His fastball sat 83-86 mph with life through the zone. Hermus mixed in a slider that sat 73-74 mph with sharp actions.”

Alex Johnson RHP / SS / Eau Claire Memorial, WI / 2027

From 5/6/25: “Uncommitted, a rising name in the state’s sophomore class. Standing at 6-foot-1, 168 pounds with room to add to his frame. Johnson came on in relief of Jesperson and tossed the final two innings where he struck out three batters, walking one. Mostly two pitches in the look, locating both in the zone throughout this look, the fastball sat 80-82 mph with feel to locate the baseball throughout the zone. Went to a 69-71 mpg breaking ball that worked off the fastball with feel to locate in the zone.”

Jayden King RHP / SS / Union Grove, WI / 2027

From 9/24/25: “currently ranked No. 72 in the state’s 2027 class, King threw the loudest bullpen of the event, leading the group in velocity. King showed command throughout and worked a three pitch mix. The 5-foot-11, 167-pound right-hander worked his fastball up to 89 mph, sitting 87-88 mph with an avg. of 2399 rpm and 15 in. of avg. IVB. King flashed a curveball in the low to mid 70s with -14 in of HM and an 2238 rpm. Also, showed a changeup in the low 80s with 11 in. of HM, working armside. King is an uncommitted name to follow in the 2027 class.”

Keegan Kruzan LHP / 1B / Wausau West, WI / 2027

From 3/23/25:

Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 6-1, 193-pounds. Strong build with projection.
Delivery: High leg lift with balance, lands slightly cross fire, high leg swing finish through release.
Arm Action: LH. Inline arm action, 3/4 slot, quick arm, repeats.
FB: T81, 78-80 mph. Angles it to spots, has feel to get to cross corner. T2444, 2265 average rpm.
CB: 68-69 mph. Two-plane action can land. T2020, 1913 average rpm.
CUT: 72-74 mph. True cutter, short and quick lateral breaker, has feel for the pitch.
ATH: 7.44 runner in the 60. 1.80 and 4.18 in the 10 and 30 yard splits. 21.70 max vertical.

Maxwell Lubenow RHP / 3B / Madison West, WI / 2027

From 7/31/25: “Perhaps this biggest winner of the event, the long-levered 6-foot-3, 186-pound right-hander showed easy arm speed and feel for an advanced arsenal while challenging and beating hitters in the zone. Easy stretch-only delivery with repeatability, features a high leg-lift, drops back leg and utilizes his frame to gain ground, hard but controlled follow through and throws out of a high 3/4 slot with a whippy arm. His primary offering was a 86-88 mph FB (T89) that came with lively arm-side run. The righty also offered a 73-76 mph curveball with sharp 11/5 bite, with the two offerings allowing him to strike out three batters in his two innings of work.”

Carson Lysaght RHP / OF / Elkhorn, WI / 2027

From 3/28/25: “put together a solid day with the bat and with the glove. He was 88 mph from the outfield and demonstrated impressive carry on his throws from the outfield. With the bat, Lysaght used the entire field to drive the baseball and produced some loud barrel contact up to 93 mph off the bat.”

Finley Pearson RHP / 1B / South Milwaukee, WI / 2027

From 7/31/25: “Standing in at a powerful 6-foot-2, 284-pound frame, Pearson gave a good look on the mound for his two innings. The right-hander tosses from a staggered stance, with a high leg kick, followed by a clean, fluid, full-circle arm action, from over the top. Working with a two-pitch mix, the fastball was sitting 81-84 mph, T85 mph, with late ride at the top of the zone, grabbing 2100 RPMs, and the curveball was sitting 71-73 mph, with 12-6 shape. Striking out two during his outing, Pearson was attacking the zone, challenging hitters.”

Taylor Rampetsreiter RHP / OF / Brookfield Central, WI / 2027

From 7/31/25: “Rampetsreiter has plenty of projection in his 6-foot-2, 178-pound frame with more room for added strength. Rampetsreiter starts open in his delivery but stays compact pre-extension, where he utilizes his frame to gain ground, staying controlled throughout the delivery. The righty has a loose arm action that throws out of a high 3/4 slot. His fastball stayed in the 82-85 mph range that comes with heavy arm-side run. Rampetsreiter offers a mid-70s changeup with both heavy depth and some fade, showing a similar look to the fastball, and flashed a low-70s slider with sweeping horizontal action.”

Owen Reuland RHP / 3B / Appleton North, WI / 2027

From 7/31/25: “Reuland stands in at 6-foot, 185-pounds with present strength and room for more. Stretch-only delivery, high leg-lift, uses frame for extension with aggressive follow-through with a quick arm out of a high 3/4 slot. Fastball played in the 83-85 mph range with some late arm-side run. He also showcased a 72-75 mph changeup with depth and some fade, as well as a high-60s curveball with 11/5 bite. Struck out one batter across 1.2 scoreless innings during gameplay.”

Paul Schmolinske RHP / OF / Menasha High, WI / 2027

From 7/31/25:

Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-0, 205.7-pounds. Well-proportioned frame with some strength present throughout.
Delivery: Controlled, hybrid delivery, high leg lift into drop and drive lower half, cross-fire finish.
Arm Action: RH. High 3/4 slot, short arm action.
FB: T86, 82-84 mph. Cutting action. T2315, 1985 average rpm.
CB: 68-68 mph. 11/5 shape with depth. T2108, 2099 average rpm.
SL: 70-72 mph. Sweeps, some depth. T2330, 2165 average rpm.

Mark Susa LHP / 1B / Hudson, WI / 2027

From 7/31/25: “has plenty of projectability in his 6-foot-4, 180-pound frame in addition to his strong feel for his mechanics on the mound. Susa works in line down the mound and does a strong job of utilizing his frame to gain extension down the mound. Susa worked a fastball in the 81-83 mph range. The southpaw also worked in a curveball with some 2/8 sweep, as well as a 73-74 mph changeup that came with late running action.”

Carter Tuerk RHP / RHP / Arrowhead, WI / 2027

From 2/26/25: “is another player with a big step forward from the last time we saw. When we saw Tuerk in Sheboygan, he had an average velocity on his fastball at 82 mph. On Sunday, it was 85 mph with the same downhill angle and carry through areas of the zone. He measured an athletic 6-foot-1, 172 pounds with a well-proportioned and athletic build to his frame. He complimented his fastball with a big breaking curveball at 73-75 mph and a fading change up at 77-79 mph. The arrow continues to be up on the sophomore right-hander.”

Lucas Weber RHP / OF / Whitnall, WI / 2027

From 7/31/25: “A quick armed right-hander standing at a compact and strong 5-foot-10, 171-pound frame. Throwing out of an easy tall-and-fall delivery and overhand slot, his delivery is simple and repeatable and has a strong feel for a three-pitch mix. His fastball plays in the 85-87 mph (T88) range with arm-side run, as well as a tight mid-70s slider with a strong feel for spin at 2689 average rpms of spin.”

JD Weiland LHP / OF / Lincoln High School, WI / 2027

From 3/28/25: “is a 6-foot-4, 210 pound athlete who has considerable upside potential with the XL frame with plenty of room to add. On the mound, he ran the heater up to 82 mph where he demonstrated the ability to angle is to spots in the zone from a 3/4 slot. He tunnelled the change up off the fastball at 73-75 mph and showcased solid feel for the pitch. With the bat, he backspun the baseball throughout his round with his strong and quick hands through the baseball and was up to 91 mph and drove a ball 315 feet.”

Ethan Westrate RHP / OF / Fall Creek High School, WI / 2027

From 7/31/25: “Standing in at strong 5-foot-11, 185-pounds with notable present strength, the rising junior started off the day running a 7.07 60-yard dash and then went on to put together one of the louder rounds of batting practice of the event. He sets up to hit with a low stance with a wide base, toe-tap trigger, hands working with his body through the swing. He hit the ball hard consistently throughout his round, topping out at 98.1 mph with a 90.6 average exit velocity throughout his round with a line drive approach. On the mound, he features a loose and athletic delivery, with a high leg lift and slight drop in his back leg into extension, throwing out of a high 3/4 slot. He offered a fastball in the 80-82 mph range with some late arm-side life, as well as a 70-72 mph curveball with lateral bite and a low-70s changeup that did a quality job of killing spin.”

Chase Wolter RHP / SS / Whitefish Bay, WI / 2027

From 7/31/25: “stands in at a long-levered 6-foot-2, 185-pound frame with noticeable added strength from the last time we saw him. There is still room for more strength as it stands and with his quality feel for his mechanics he could turn into a can’t-miss arm in the Badger State. Wolter attacked hitters with a lively 86-89 mph fastball that possesses above average spin. The righty also attacks hitters with a mid-70s slider with 2284 average rpms and has late horizontal break, landing it for strikes often. Wolter is a three sport athlete and his athleticism is noticeable on the mound, using his athleticism and frame to gain extension down the mound. His up-tempo delivery, while aggressive, is controlled down the mound and has consistency. In his two innings of work, Wolter allowed a hit, two walks, and struck out two. Wolter is a high follow arm that could very well continue to rise up the rankings and has a lot of upside on the mound.”

Dominic Barbosa RHP / OF / Brookfield East, WI / 2028

From 3/28/25: “is a talented two-way prospect that we viewed on the mound on Saturday. We saw him earlier in the winter working out as an outfield prospect at the South Milwaukee Preseason ID where he established himself as a follow. He did the same thing off the bump on Saturday. Barbosa was 81-83 mph with the heater, and paired it with a tight two-plane breaker and a change up thrown with fastball intent. He threw strikes with all three and the stuff is only going to tick up in the near future as he adds to his frame. It was another good look at the freshman.”

Tanner Bergey RHP / 3B / Jefferson, WI / 2028

From 10/5/25: “is a top ranked player in the state for his class and his performance on Sunday backed up his ranked status. Bergey is a long levered and projectable 6-foot-6, 185 pound two-way player. On the mound, Bergey timed up his long levers consistently and was running his heater up to 84 mph through the zone. His sharp 12/6 breaking ball was thrown to the lower part of the strike zone and has the potential to be a swing and miss weapon for him in the future. His slider is a tight and quick breaker and gives him an additional breaking ball weapon. He also showed some feel for a developing change up. As a position player, Bergey has an athletic and quick swing from the right side of the plate and was hitting rockets throughout his round. His 95.1 mph max exit velocity was the third best overall at the event. Additionally, he worked with clean and loose actions in the middle infield and displayed reliable defensive actions throughout his round. The sophomore has a high ceiling and our staff will continue to keep close tabs on him as we enter into the winter showcase season.”

Mason Borseth LHP / 1B / Pulaski, WI / 2028

From 7/31/25: “A deceptive arm from the left side, Borseth would offer a projectable name to follow for our staff. Standing in at 6-foot-1, 166-pounds with room to add, Borseth would show some wiry strength throughout the event. On the mound, he showed deliberate movements while working from a low-3/4s slot. The fastball would get up to 80 mph and was thrown alongside a mid-60s curveball with depth. Also showed a 72-74 mph slider with sweeping action. Would also show an easy left-handed bat, with an ability to create length through the zone. Took a quality round of batting practice, producing a max exit velocity of 92.8 mph.”

Landon Hagland LHP / 1B / Germantown, WI / 2028

From 3/28/25: “came away from the event on Saturday as a follow. Hagland hit with a short and compact swing and impacted the baseball consistently throughout his round and was able to register a max exit velocity of 89 mph and drive a ball 306 feet. On the mound, Hagland showcased life on the fastball up to 80 mph, and paired it with a sweeping breaking ball and a fading change up with depth at the plate.”

Evan Harbort 3B / RHP / Cambridge, WI / 2028

From 7/31/25: “Harbort is a tall, filled-out, 6-foot-1, 208-pound frame. The right-hander works from a staggered set-up, with a high kick motion, followed by a clean full-circle arm action from the ¾ slot. Showing a two-pitch mix, the fastball was sitting 78-81 mph, with late ride at the top of the zone, then the curveball was sitting 69-70 mph, with late break from an 11-6 shape. Throughout his outing, Harbort showed obvious feel to land his curveball for strikes, pounding the zone and working at his own pace, striking out two. A strong right-handed hitter at the plate as well finding the barrel consistently during our looks.”

JonDavid Jacobs RHP / 1B / Pewaukee, WI / 2028

From 3/12/25: “is a two way prospect with upside. The 5-foot-11, 178 pound prospect was impacting the baseball throughout his round with a flat and efficient bat path through the ball with some max exit velocities in the upper 80’s. On defense, he worked through his groundball work with athleticism and quickness and was up to 82 mph across the infield. On the mound, he drove the fastball through the glove up to 82 mph, a sharp slider and a deceptive change-up. Overall, it was a good look from Jacobs.”

Brady Lauer RHP / SS / Germantown, WI / 2028

From 7/31/25: “Lean, athletic 5-foot-11,150-pound build with room to add strength. Athletic mover with an easy, repeatable delivery. Medium leg lift into a directional drop-and-drive move down the mound. ¾ slot with a short, quick arm. Attacked with his fastball at 81-83 mph touching 84 mph with ride and run. Maxed out at 27.3 inches of induced vertical break and 19.7 inches of horizontal break. Added a breaking ball with gyro shape at 70-72 mph with an average spin rate of 2,326 and a developing changeup at 76-78 mph. Struck out two batters over two innings.”

Clay Maxam RHP / 1B / West De Pere, WI / 2028

From 7/31/25: “Maxam would offer a quick arm from the right side, hinting at more velo in the near future. A segmented delivery with explosive actions down the mound, Maxam would work from a 3/4 slot and full arm circle. The fastball would sit 77-80 mph with significant run (T23.9" HM) and was thrown alongside a 65-68 mph curveball with depth & sweeping action. Athletic 6-foot, 140-pound frame with room for added strength.”

Samuel Patterson LHP / OF / Sauk Prairie, WI / 2028

From 7/31/25: “Physical 6-foot-1, 195-pound frame. The rising sophomore showed an intriguing look on the mound. Works exclusively out of the stretch with a closed-off setup and a simple, repeatable delivery. Utilizes a drop-and-drive move, landing slightly across his body. High ¾ slot with a smooth, fluid arm-action. Fastball came out clean with ride, sitting in the low-80s topping at 83 mph. The breaking ball sat 68-70 mph with sweep and depth with a max of 2,612 spin rate. Mixed in a changeup with depth at 74-77 mph with an average of 2.1 inches of IVB. Finished the day tossing 1 ⅔ scoreless innings while not allowing a hit. A left-handed pitcher to follow moving forward. At the plate the left-handed hitter found the barrel during gameplay while reaching 93.0 mph max exit velocity throughout his round.”

Carter Unger RHP / SS / Kewaskum, WI / 2028

From 7/31/25: “One of the top arms in the state's sophomore class with a two-way ceiling. He stands in a 6-foot-2, 170-pound frame with loose, easy action on the mound and a clean arm path. His fastball worked up to 85.7 mph, sitting mostly 82-85 mph, also showing the ability to attack the zone with an 11/5 shape curveball that sat in the low-70s with -21.3 inches of horizontal movement and -6.5 inches of induced vertical break. He rounded out his arsenal with with one change-up at 80.3 mph. One of the top prospects in the state's 2028 class.”

Grayson Uttech LHP / 1B / Sun Prairie East, WI / 2028

From 7/31/25:

Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 6-1, 183.4-pounds. Trim, high-waisted frame.
Delivery: Stretch-only mover, high leg lift with tuck, tall/fall down the mound.
Arm Action: LH. Compact arm action, low 3/4 slot.
FB: T81, 76-80 mph. Plays mostly straight, slight arm-side action at times. T2067, 1930 average rpm.
SL: 69-70 mph. 2/8 shape, late break. T2091, 2014 average rpm.
CH: 66-71 mph. Downer action, kills spin. T2083, 1735 average rpm.

Nicky Vitucci RHP / 2B / Whitefish Bay, WI / 2028

From 2/26/25: “is a lean 6-foot-1, 158-pound two-way that showed well this past weekend. At the plate, the right-handed hitter took easy and controlled swings with feel to leverage the baseball in the air especially to the middle of the field. Defensively Vitucci showed clean action, with soft hands with an accurate arm up to 88 mph. On the mound, the arm worked with arm speed and showed overall feel for the zone with three pitches. His fastball sat 82 mph throughout his entire pen with running action, showing a tight breaking curveball in the low-70s with downer action, as well as a heavy fading changeup.”

Maxwell Webb RHP / OF / Port Washington, WI / 2028

From 2/26/25: “is an athletic 6-foot, 160-pound with a high ceiling on both sides of the ball. At the plate, the right-hander has an easy and controlled swing almost having a natural look to it. Showing overall feel for the barrel and to drive the ball in the air with leverage. Defensively in the infield, Webb is a natural defender with soft hands and easy arm strength across the diamond. On the mound, Webb showed similar ease and control through his delivery, easily repeating it, while the arm works fluidly with arm speed through release. Webb ran his fastball up to 81 mph with life out of the hand, leveraging it downhill. Webb also showed feel for both a curveball and a slider as well as a fading changeup.”

Hunter Shepstone LHP / 1B / Oak Creek, WI / 2029

From 4/2/25: 

Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: Proportional frame with strength.
Hit: LHH. Starts with hands back, medium leg kick and stride, rotates hands behind head during load, sits on backside. Loose, easy, direct path, long through the zone, on the barrel, ball jumps, up the middle approach. mph bat speed with g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 mph max exit velocity (82.6 avg.); 271-foot max batted distance. Loose, easy, direct path, long through the zone, on the barrel, ball jumps, up the middle approach.
Arm: LH. INF - 81.00 mph. Full arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two hand gather out front, soft hands, shuffle to throw, feel for the bag.
Athletic Testing: 7.82 runner in the 60-yard dash.

Delivery: Slight back knee bend, quick leg lift, throws across body, easy landing.
Arm Action: LH. Steady arm, mostly compact, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T80, 77-80 mph. Stays on top of the ball with some life. T1871, 1746 average rpm.
SL: 61-65 mph. Has some sweep with depth. T1918, 1887 average rpm.
CH: 69-72 mph. Has a lot more depth than fastball, deceiving. T1323, 1136 average rpm.

Heath Rosemeyer RHP / SS / Fall Creek, WI / 2029

From 7/31/25: “Evident athleticism on both sides of the ball, strong throwing arm that plays well on the left side of the infield. Quick, aggressive RH swing. Rosemeyer would show well on the mound in game two, tossing three scoreless innings, while only allowing two hits and one walk while striking out four against team Pennsylvania. The right-handed bat would also collect a single on the weekend.”