Eastern Wisconsin Open: Preview

On Monday, Aug. 16, the PBR Wisconsin team will host its final event on the summer slate: the fifth annual Eastern Wisconsin Open, coming to you from Wildwood Baseball Park in Sheboygan. Every year, the state’s staff reconvenes in Sheboygan where we get a closer look at prospects in the state that we don’t often get to see, and there are plenty of new faces we’re set to see for the first time.

For a look at the event’s most up-to-date roster, click here. Registration remains open, and for sign-up information, click here.

EVENT HISTORY

The 2019 edition of this showcase provided us with a strong look at one of the state’s best arms within its most recently graduated class: RHP Logan Schulfer (Stevens Point Area, 2021; Wisconsin-Milwaukee commit). The athletic, strong righty has huge arm strength with a power changeup, and he reasserted himself as one of the top arms in the Midwest at this very showcase a year ago.

Last year, a handful of prospects at this event became rising names to know in the state, earning invitations to select showcases the following year. Now en route to Wabash Valley JC, INF Nicklas Williams (Union Grove, 2021) propelled himself into a different company of prospect in Sheboygan, and he wrapped up his prep career as a top-40-ranked player in Wisconsin. Uncommitted RHP Ben Lee (Amherst, 2022) was excellent at this event in 2020, and remains one of the top uncommitted players in the state’s incoming senior class. Eau Claire Memorial’s INF/RHP Dylan O’Connell (2022; uncommitted) is another example of a player who used last year’s Sheboygan showcase to land on the prospect map, with his arrow pointed up even higher in the time since. 

RHP/SS Noah Dreier (Brookfield Central, 2023) made his PBR event debut at this event last year, and he made it count. He showcased intriguing two-way potential, and he’s particularly continued to shine from the mound, where he represented Team Wisconsin at the PBR Future Games just earlier this month down in Georgia.

ROSTER

Historically, this showcase has helped our staff identify players we’ve not yet seen – either in a showcase setting and/or in-game. With that being said, there’s a few players headed to Monday’s event with some momentum, like OF Luke Erickson (Eau Claire Memorial, 2022). Erickson’s an athletic left/left outfielder with above-average foot speed and upside strength in his swing. He averaged an exit speed of nearly 90 mph at July’s Top Prospect - Milwaukee event, and we’re eager for another up-and-close look.

Luke Erickson (7/13/21)

OF Hayden Konkol (Denmark, 2022) is an example of a player we’ve seen stand out in-game – while playing for his high school in the spring – though he’ll be making his event debut in Sheboygan on Monday. Konkol impressed our staff earlier in the spring in a regular season game against Little Chute, where emerged as a follow ‘22 player for the athleticism he displayed inside a lean 6-foot-4 frame. He continued to perform well, capably defending up the middle out in center field, and his right-handed swing flashed significant potential worth monitoring.

INF Anthony Chung (Homestead, 2023) is also headed our way Monday, having previously caught our attention back in February. There, Chung showed above-average athleticism that played on the infield, and his quiet right-handed swing projects.

We’re eager to learn of all the new names of players who will earn follow status stemming from their performances at this year’s Eastern Wisconsin Open.

CHECK-IN PROCESS

In an effort to continue and develop a simplified, contactless check-in process, upon arrival, players will scan a QR Code with their smart phone camera that will lead them to a Google Form. On that Form, players will enter their name (matching the spelling on their PBR profile) and hit submit. Upon submission, players will be prompted to click a link that will direct them to their jersey color and number, located next to their registered name. From there, players will be instructed to the area where they’ll pick up their designated jersey color and number.

ITINERARY

POSITION GROUPS

+ All Position Player Check-in: 9:20 to 9:30 a.m.

+ All Pitchers-only Check-in: 12 p.m. 

MORE EVENT DETAILS

Click here to learn more about our tech partners that have enhanced our players showcase experience. Partners like TrackMan and Blast Motion have helped both our in-event evaluation process, as well the compilation of our post-event scouting reports – and they're also a tool for our players to learn more about their measured and collected data, that can be applied to improve upon their game.

Finally, masks are strongly encouraged during non-baseball activity. We will facilitate a contact-less check-in. Staff will wear masks throughout the event. Hand sanitizer stations will be accessible. Wear baseball clothes; assigned and numbered PBR jerseys will be provided.

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