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Top Ten: Class of 2022

April 1, 2022
Tell Taylor
Scouting Director

TOp 10

The Wisconsin high school baseball season is underway. Today, we begin the annual spring rankings update to begin the high school season. This update includes two new faces in the top ten, and a familiar face returning to the first tier of Wisconsin's senior class. 

1. Gavin Kilen (2022, Louisville) 5’11 180lb L/R MIF out of Milton, WI. 

Coming off an eventful 2021 with Team USA, Kilen picked up momentum heading into the spring of 2022. Kilen showcased improved capacity at the PBR Super 60 event in Chicago this winter. Kilen ran a 6.71 60 yard dash at the event, and some directors have had him in the low 4.0’s to first out of the box. During Kilen’s infield segment, he showed as well as the best. Showcasing elite defensive instincts, as well as feel for the positional demands at shortstop. What stood out most about Kilen's day was his improved capacity at the plate. Posting the second-highest hand speed of the day (28mph) while staying very controlled throughout his rounds. Kilen also has begun to answer one of his biggest offense questions - ground ball rate. He hit zero ground balls throughout his round, and this is becoming a theme in 2022 as well. Kilen is high in character, high in aptitude, and very capable of competing at the highest level. 

2. Mitchell Voit (2022, Michigan) 6’0, 190 RHP/INF out of Whitefish Bay, WI. 

Voit’s a legitimate two-way that does it all. The six-footer was another PBR Super 60 attendee, and Voit brought the juice. Voit showcased skill and capacity on both sides of the ball. Clocking as high as 97mph across the infield, which was an event best by 4mph. During Voit’s batting practice round, he generated a 86% sweet spot rate while blasting balls as far as 380ft, and living in the backside gap. What was most impressive about his day, was the progress he’s shown on the mound. Voit worked up to 93mph on the day, and it looked more like 95mph. His track record on the mound would suggest that he gets the most out of his capacity, and makes the most of his toolset. 

3. Rory Fox (2022, Notre Dame) 6’2 200lb L/R RHP/INF out of Waukesha, WI.

The 6’2 Notre Dame commit has made real progress year over year for Catholic Memorial. Coming off a football state championship, and possessing new capacity around the diamond as a legitimate two-way. Fox opened the season for the Crusaders in 2022 with two doubles and barely missed a home run. Showing a new level of bat speed and barrel control than he’s possessed in years past. While much could be said of Fox’s versatility, his mound presence is his carrying tool. In his first live-action of the year, he sat 91mph with ease and some arm-side tilt with feel. What stands out most in his arsenal is the useability of his changeup. Not many high school-age pitchers can command a quality changeup with the degree of touch he pitches with. This is worth noting as his curveball spins in the mid to upper 2000s, and is typically well managed. Fox is capturing momentum and is well worth the time and effort to get out and watch. 

4. Christian Oppor (2022, Gulf Coast St. College) 6’1 175 LHP out of Columbus, WI.

Oppor is a special athlete and maybe the best athlete in any room he enters at any given time. He’ll be 17 on draft day, and has all the upside of an explosive left-hander that should draw plenty of signing interest when the time comes. Oppor has run his fastball into the mid-90s on a number of occasions and seems to do so with raw, brute-force athleticism. Oppor can land a three-pitch mix and has marked improvement to his secondaries this offseason. Worth noting that he’s also can run 21.7mph, and possesses a 34i vertical jump. 

5. Will Vierling (2022, Louisville) 6’0 190 L/R C out of Homestead, WI.

 Vierling’s a strong backstop who also made a splash at the PBR Super 60 event in Chicago. Vierling was a scout favorite on the day, and many were thoroughly impressed with his offensive operation. While Vierling has always had a presence in the box beyond his years, currently he’s found a new level in multiple regards. Vierling works his swing from inside and above the baseball with barrel lag and repeats high line drives that carry through the middle. And there’s currently enough pop to fly the big fields to the alley, and looks like plenty of more juice can be tapped into. Vierling popped a 2.00 flat at the Super 60 with 82mph of arm strength and appears to be trending positively as a backstop as well. 

6. Nate Snead (2022, Iowa Western CC) 6-2, 195lbs RHP out of South Milwaukee, WI. 

Snead is the highest riser in the top ten for the senior class. He’s always been a quality athlete with capacity, but this winter he’s found an entirely new gear. At the PBR Midwest Procase in Iowa, Snead ran a 6.56 60yard dash and proceeded to blow away the field on the mound. Producing a fastball that sat 95-97mph, and marking a new top velocity in the state of Wisconsin. He also holds the top velocity throughout the Procase series nationwide for PBR. Snead currently spins his fastball over 2400RRPM, his curveball marks as high as 2700RPM, and his changeup has 17i of horizontal break. Snead will be an interesting follow this spring as he taps into his power arm upside.

7. Tyler Deleskiewicz (2022, UW-Milwaukee) 6’5 210 RHP out of Lake Geneva, WI.

Long, lean, and athletic in his mound moves, Deleskiewicz offers a very interesting right-handed look on the mound. Deleskiewicz delivers a funky low slot delivery with some of the best arm speeds in the region. During a 2021 Midwest Procase, he measured the highest in arm speed amongst a talented deck of arms. His fastball has worked up as high as 95mph with arm side sink. Some days the sink is very pronounced, and his delivery appears to have improved from the summer to the fall over numerous looks. Deleskiewicz also offers a nearly 2400RPM slider, and a changeup that plays well with his natural arm side bite.  

8. Michael Lippe (2022, Louisville) 6’2 218lb R/R OF out of Whitefish Bay, WI.

 The first outfielder on Wisconsin’s senior board, is a physical specimen. Standing at a lean and explosive 6-2, 218lbs, and running a 6.5 60 yard dash time. Lippe has been a mainstay of the 2022 class as a powerful prospect that offers all the tools. Lippe strikes baseballs into the triple digits off the bat with ease, and is growing into his sluggers groove heading into the 2022 season. Expect a monster year from Lippe for top-ranked Whitefish Bay. Lippe looks the part of a professional prospect that makes noise on campus when it all comes together. 

9. Mason Buss (2022, Kansas State) 6-0, 170lb out of Pewaukee, WI. 

Cracking the top ten for the first time during his high school career is the six foot right hander playing for Arrowhead Union. Buss, a Kansas State commit has dominated throughout his high school career and has produced enough to not be denied from this consideration. This winter, Buss has reached into new capacity in terms of velocity ceiling (91.5mph). Buss is well known for his ability to compete hard, attack hitters early, and pound the zone every time out. During his 2021 circuit, Buss posted 63 innings of work, and only gave up 26 hits, and struck out 106 batters. Everything in his three pitch mix moves, and his curveball offers some swing and miss bite that’s historically given hitters fits. Buss is extra tough on right handed lineups, and that trend should continue well into college.

10. Ryan Karst (2022, Illinois-Chicago) 6’3 220 RHP out of Brookfield, WI. 

Returning to the top ten for the first time since 2020 is 6’3 220lb freak athlete Ryan Karst. Currently, Karst looks the part of a physically developed professional athlete with all the necessary capacity to succeed. This winter, Karst has been up to 92mph in live settings and has shown a much-improved feel for his ability to spin his offspeed pitches. His improved ability to spin a curveball showed late last fall and has even taken further strides this offseason. One of the more noteworthy improvements to his arsenal is a diving changeup that he’s developed confidence in and offers multiple options in tough spots and tactful pitch-backward situations. Karst is well on his way to becoming a very interesting power arm and may push higher on the board with consistent high-end performance this spring. 

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