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Inside the Wisconsin Class of 2025 Rankings: Risers & Newcomers

May 20, 2023
By Josh Fields & Andy Sroka
PBR Wisconsin Staff

This week, PBR Wisconsin updated its Class of 2025 rankings, expanding it to a top-75 overall. On Wednesday, we broke down the top-15 players in the state, taking note of their most recent performances that helped vault them up into this tier of prospect, ranked among the best in Wisconsin.

Today, we're examining the rest of the class as a whole, and more specifically the players either making major rises up the rankings, or the players making their first-ever appearances on the board itself.

We'll start by examining the talent climbing within the top-50 overall.

ON-THE-RISE SOPHOMORES

+ RHP Auden Pankonin (River Falls; uncommitted) has risen in each update of the rankings since its initial release last summer. Standing at 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, Pankonin is a high-waisted athlete with considerable room for strength to his physique that can support more muscle without reducing the looseness in his delivery and arm action. Pankonin has impressive arm talent for his age, with visible arm speed out of a fluid arm path that helps him generate easy velocity. It's a three-pitch mix featuring a fastball with advanced velocity, sitting 86-88 mph in a 'pen this winter, and he throws it in and around the zone effectively. Pankonin also has advanced secondary pitches, the first is a sharp breaking slider with high spin rates averaging 2,341 rpm that plays with sweep. He also throws a heavy changeup out of the same arm action as his fastball that plays with fading and running action to the arm-side.

Auden Pankonin (3/18/23)

+ RHP/OF Jacob Haugthon (Racine Case; uncommitted) standing at a strong, broad 6-foot-2, 210-pounds with and premium athleticism – he's arguably the best athlete on this list. He's been a track and field stand-out this spring, rather than on the diamond, but Haughton's raw, exciting tool set makes him one of the highest ceiling prospects in the '25 class. On the mound, he uses his size efficiently to generate easy 85-88 mph velocity, and he's made big strides over the winter in developing a breaking ball, as his sweeping slider, 72-75 mph, flashed some swing-and-miss action with spin feel. His firm changeup also features some hard arm-side action, sink, as well. Positionally, he's still progressing from the right-handed batter's box, but he already appears to be in the process of becoming a lockdown center fielder on defense, which raises his overall floor considerably.

Jacob Haughton (3/5/23)

+ LHP/1B Adam Kudronowicz (Mukwonago; uncommitted) broke out as a legitimate two-way prospect over the winter. Standing at an imposing 6-foot-3, 210-pound with strength throughout his frame and room for more added development. In the left-handed batter's box, Kudronowicz uses a short, compact swing to leverage baseballs and drives them with authority to the gaps on a consistent basis. A strong and powerful bat, Kudronowicz’s strength was further on display at the Milwaukee Preseason ID registering the second highest max exit velocity of the event (97.9 mph). On the mound Kudronowicz uses a repeatable delivery that creates deception. Out of a low ¾ slot, Kudronowicz utilizes a three-pitch mix starting with his fastball that he runs up to 85 mph with high spin rates averaging a spin rate of 2,314 rpm that he locates in the zone, and with lively arm-side run. His two offspeed pitches are his slider that profiles as a sweeper, averaging 14.9 inches of sweep that he can throw in the zone. And he rounds it out with a fading changeup that he throws with intent out of the same arm action as his fastball. His upside on the mound is compelling, but his size and left-handedness keep him an interesting prospect offensively too.

Adam Kudronowicz (3/18/23)

+ A winner at the Madison Preseason ID, LHP Brolan Frost (Elkhorn Area; uncommitted) is an upside left-handed-pitching prospect standing at a highly projectable 6-foot-3, 162 pounds, with room for significant strength to add to his spindly frame. Frost’s arm action further adds to his projectability, playing loose, free, and easy out of a ¾ slot with obvious whip and quickness out front. The arm action helps him generate easy velocity with the ability to run his fastball up to 83 mph with notable spin rates averaging 2,245 rpm at 88 percent spin efficiency that he is also able to locate in the zone consistently. Frost also has two secondary offerings, a curveball with short, late break that he has feel to throw for strikes, and a changeup that he throws with intent. Frost is someone our staff is especially eager to watch progress as he continues to add on to an upside physique with an already loose, athletic delivery from the left side.

Brolan Frost (3/12/23)

+ Somewhat like Frost's opposite, LHP Ben Verges (Franklin; uncommitted) is billed at the same height as Frost, though he fills out his 6-foot-3 build with a proportional muscle and strength in his upper and lower halves, listed at 220 pounds. The southpaw is an athletic mover, especially for his size, though maybe with less looseness in his arm when compared to a lefty like Frost. Still, Verges makes up for that with greater arm strength, though he gets to it with real ease. He sat 83-86 mph at the Milwaukee ID, on a fastball that has big arm-side run, measured at nearly 16 inches on average, released from a low height that he still stays on top of. His changeup projects to be his best secondary pitch, reaching horizontal movements highs as large as 17.2 inches, thrown with intent out of the same arm slot and with deceptive arm speed as his fastball, and he also showed the ability to locate it in this bullpen setting. His last offering is an in-development curveball, 68-70 mph, that works with shorter action that varies in shape, somewhat, working off a 1/7 plane or as more of a sweep-type. Verges is a high-follow arm throughout the summer circuit and the rest of his prep career.

Ben Verges (3/18/23)

+ RHP Ryan Buchta (Oak Creek; uncommitted) is an upside pitching prospect in Wisconsin’s class of 2025. Standing at an imposing 6-foot-4, 195 pounds, the physique stands out, but Buchta has built a reputation with his pitchability to this point, more so. On the mound Butcha is an athletic mover and throws on a downhill plane from a high release point. Butcha utilizes a three-pitch arsenal from a loose and fluid arm action, running his fastball up to 84 mph that plays heavy and gets considerable arm-side run on the pitch, averaging 16.8 inches of horizontal movement. His curveball flashed sharp 12/6 action with the ability to locate it, and it flashes as a potential weapon for him, and his changeup plays with hard sinking action, with works well off the fastball.

Ryan Buchta (3/18/23)

MORE ARROW-UP '25s

+ LHP/1B Warren Bowe (Cadott; uncommitted) stands at an athletic, strong, compact 6-foot, 180 pounds, and he is another intriguing two-way prospect in the Class of 2025. At the plate, Bowe employs a direct swing with quick hands making consistent contact out front and showing the ability to drive the ball on a line to all fields. Over the summer at the Western Wisconsin Open, Bowe posted advanced max exit velos for his age, ranging into the mid-90s, as evidence of his inherent strength. On the mound, Bowe works out of a repeatable, uptempo delivery with a quick arm action. Bowe’s fastball has been up to 84 mph and projects to add more velocity as he matures and has shown the ability to spot up in the zone. He also showed quality secondary offerings, a curveball with late two-plane break and a changeup that he throws out of the same arm action as the fastball with late fading action. He's reportedly been ticking up even more so this spring, which is something we'll have to find out ourselves first-hand – be it at Cadott or at a start later this summer.

+ A winner from the South MKE ID, and previously last fall's Southern Wisconsin Open, MIF Luke Schlosser (Oconomowoc; uncommitted) finds himself rising once again in this rankings update. Standing at an athletic 5-foot-11, 150 pounds, Schlosser put his offseason to good use as he was able to knock his 60-yard dash time down to a 7.33 time from the 7.73 he ran just four months earlier. In February, Schlosser impressed with his simple left-handed swing that showed the ability to manipulate the barrel and spray line-drives to all fields capably. In the field, Schlosser looks the part as a true middle-infielder and he's a smooth mover with active feet and range to both the forehand and backhand – and all of this is boosted by his premium arm strength, was was measured at 90 mph across at the winter's Waukesha-area event.

+ RHP/MIF Nick Hirsch (Hudson; uncommitted) looks the part as a projectable right-handed pitcher, standing with an athletic frame listed at 6-foot-2, 175 pounds. In our most recent look at the prospect in a start for Hudson, the sophomore Hirsch reached an easy 85 mph high, settling in at 82-84, showing a an uptick in velocity and stuff. Paired with his lively fastball is a slider-curveball combination, two pitches he has quality feel for, as seen in his most recent look. Both offspeed pitches are thrown for strikes and used as out-pitches, as they each live in a similar velo range, though with differentiating movement profiles. He's also a follow athlete with some positional upside as a middle infielder with a loose right-handed swing, which is equipped with some surprising bat strength.

+ 3B Andrew Carlson (Neenah; uncommitted) is a 6-foot, 205-pound prospect who moved up to No. 45 in our newest update, performing well at the Madison ID a couple of months ago, especially offensively. In the right-handed box, Carlson was all over the sweet spot in batting practice, featuring some innate strength that he's only beginning to tap into from the plate. He works his barrel off a naturally inclined plane, and he's a prospect to watch develop as he continues to add strength to a stature that can withstand it well. Defensively, Carlson reached 81 mph during his session, showing comfortable movements on the infield as a solid corner defender.

+ MIF Nathan Glapa (Sussex Hamilton; uncommitted) enters the new rankings at No. 47 after a quality showing at the Milwaukee Preseason ID at the end of the winter circuit. The middle-infielder stands at a lean 5-foot-10, 150 pounds and he's an athletic mover up the diamond, reaching 82 mph on his throws across, and he also has quick and smooth hands with a loose arm that projects to velocity naturally, aided by an overall quick rhythm and release. The right-handed bat plays too, as Glapa sprayed line-drives to all fields during his BP session efficiently.

BIG DEBUTS

+ C/UTL Ryan Lemm (Janesville Craig; uncommitted) is making his debut in this update of the rankings slotting in at the No. 19 spot – the highest among debuting players. Standing at an athletic, compact 5-foot-8, 180 pounds, Lemm has strength throughout his stature and his natural athleticism helps him project to be a versatile, useful defender. At the plate, Lemm's a left-handed hitter with a simple swing from a confident approach, and he syncs up on-the-barrel contact especially well. He's making firm contact to all fields presently, and that'll only get louder as he continues to develop, alongside the strength he already has in hands and wrists. Defensively, is a smooth backstop who works fundamentally and fluidly from his reception through the release of the ball on his catch-and-throws to second base, armed with 77 mph arm strength at the position. Though, he's a great athlete overall – with 7.10 speed which helps underscore this – and Lemm is more than capable of being a defensive asset on the infield or in a corner outfield spot, adding to his promise as a prospect.

Ryan Lemm (3/5/23)

+ C/OF Terek Verhage (Monona Grove; uncommitted) is another backstop that is making his debut in this update of the rankings and is slotting in at the No. 28 spot. Verhage is an athletic backstop with plenty of projection left in his 5-foot-10, 165-pound frame. At the plate, he swings an aggressive bat geared to lift the ball in the air and drive the ball through the middle of the field. Defensively, Verhage plays both outfield and catcher, but he really stands out behind the plate. He's an advanced catcher who's a quiet target, adept blocker, who's quick and smooth when getting out of the crouch on his throws down to second. He can control the run game given his quick and deliberate transfer paired with his accurate arm, up to 77 mph out of the chute. In the outfield Verhage is a smooth and athletic mover that takes aggressive routes to the baseball with arm strength up to 88 mph.

Terek Verhage (3/12/23)

+ Breaking out as an upside pitching prospect at the Milwaukee ID, RHP Manuel Sostre (St. Thomas More; uncommitted) stands at a highly interesting 6-foot-3, 175-pounds with long levers and athleticism. On the mound, Sostre drew the eyes of our scouts due to his low effort delivery and a fluid arm action that generates easy velocity. A three-pitch mix with each pitch having considerable upside themselves featuring a fastball that operates in the mid-80s that he is able to spot in the zone. Also his two breaking pitches, a sharp curveball that profiles as a sweeper, and a shorter slider that does work off a similar plane as the curve. Sostre is a high-follow prospect that our scouts will follow throughout the summer circuit and his prep career.

Manuel Sostre (3/18/23)

+ C/OF Dimitry Edmunds (Appleton West; uncommitted) is an athletic and tooled-up prospect who caught our attention over the winter at the Green Bay ID. Standing at an athletic 5-foot-7, 170 pounds, Edmunds is a very strong and obviously twitchy prospect, which helps him really stand out at catcher. He's quick to get the ball out to second, recording pop times in the 2.01-2.15 range, and he's a soft and sound blocker. In the outfield, Edmunds is active and attacks the baseball with a quick arm that is up to 81 mph on throws home. Offensively, the right-handed hitter has a powerful bat with max EVs measured in the mid-90s, and he drives the baseball into both gaps where he can make use of his speed on the basepaths, as a 6.86 runner with a 20.5 mph top speed. He's a prospect we're eager to get out and see sooner than later, to see how the tools translate to the baseball field in-game, because he can make an even bigger rise up this board soon.

Dimitry Edmunds (2/25/23)

+ Broke out as a name to know inside the states ‘25 class C Turner Kuhnke (Hortonville; uncommitted) makes his debut in this update of the rankings at the No. 40 spot. Standing at 6-foot-2, 175 pounds, with more room for added muscle and growth to fill out an advanced frame. Offensively, Kuhnke is a powerful hitter in this is across multiple looks. At the Milwaukee ID, Kuhnke was able to record max exit velocities in the upper-90s. Kuhnke's swing grades out well metrically, equipped with advanced max hand speed (24.4 mph) and high average bat speed (74.1 mph) – he can really do damage. Defensively, Kuhnke has impressed with his defensive ability and he's able to handle high-level pitching, something he gets practice with in the spring, handling some talented upperclass arms at Hortonville. As a quiet and smooth receiver that is capable of stealing strikes and helping out his pitching staff, he's also a sound and fundamental blocker who squares up the baseball and is able to keep the ball in front. Kuhnke has also shown the ability to control the run game in our live looks, recording pop times in the 1.95-2.07 range, paired with a strong and accurate arm that is able to put the ball on second base.

Turner Kuhnke (3/18/23)

MORE NEWCOMERS

LOUD BATS

+ CIF Macay Wagner (Slinger; uncommitted)
+ OF Jackson Neilitz (Plymouth; uncommitted)
+ OF/LHP Connor Weeks (Big Foot; uncommitted)
+ 1B/LHP Joseph Suokko (Westosha Central; uncommitted)

UPSIDE ARMS

+ RHP/OF Dominic Malich (Waunakee; uncommitted)
+ RHP Sean Beug-Hoffman (Brookfield Central; uncommitted)
+ RHP Logan Zaverl (Germantown; uncommitted)
+ RHP Sam Callow (Indian Trail; uncommitted)
+ RHP Nolan Witkowski (Verona Area; uncommitted)
+ RHP Sam Hoeft (Port Washington; uncommitted)
+ LHP/1B/OF Easton Harris (Middleton; uncommitted)
+ RHP Brody Schulte (Westosha Central; uncommitted)
+ RHP/INF Evan Brown (Waukesha West; uncommitted)

FOLLOW ATHLETES

+ MIF/RHP Nolan Meis (Lakeside Lutheran; uncommitted)
+ MIF Dom Najacht (Monona Grove; uncommitted)
+ OF Max Glusick (Sun Prairie East; uncommitted)
+ OF/UTL Yamato Takahashi (Arrowhead; uncommitted)
+ MIF Braylan Bigler (Brookfield Central; uncommitted)
+ OF Levi Watts (Appleton North; uncommitted)

+ Click here to view Wisconsin's Class of 2025 rankings in full.

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