Eastern Wisconsin Open: Quick Hits
August 21, 2018
Yesterday, Monday, August 20, we visited Sheboygan, Wis., to host the second annual Eastern Wisconsin Open. This is now two straight years that the Open has generated some interesting, out-of-nowhere talent that’s planted themselves onto the area’s prospect radar.
Nearly 50 players came out to perform in the pro-style workout, many of whom used this platform to perform in their very first PBR event. Below, we’ve assembled some notes on some of the day’s highlights. Check back tomorrow for a look at the top statistical performances from the event.
STEVENS POINT STAFF MATES
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J.D. Schultz (Stevens Point, 2019) raised some eyebrows after touching 88 mph in his bullpen session. Schultz has a strong arm from an over the top slot that carries well through the hitting zone. He sat 85-87.
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The 2020 pitching staff at Stevens Point looks like it may be back to its 2014 form. LHP Kaleb Schulist is a 6-foot-5, 180-pound left-hander with a huge ceiling. Schulist showed feel for two breaking balls with their own identity and a running fastball topped at 80 mph.
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In the 2020 class, RHP Austin Beyer (Stevens Point) is a high-ceiling guy whose arm worked long and loose, with little effort, up to 82 mph. Beyer showed feel for the zone and a well-above-average slider at 69-71 mph.
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Another high upside 2020 who showed well was RHP Jamie Praefke (Stevens Point). Praefke is a 6-foot-5, 180-pounder with a long lanky frame. His arm is clean and easy and up to 81 mph, although he reached 82 mph across the infield. He currently throws just a fastball-curveball combination out of a ¾ slot with simple mechanics, but the upside is evident.
BIG FIRST IMPRESSIONS
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2021 RHP Bryce Leedle (Markesan) came away from the Open with one of the day’s standout showings. The incoming sophomore showed an 80-84 mph fastball that topped out at 85 mph with good feel for the zone. His curveball flashed sharp action on an 11/5 plane and he also throws an aggressive changeup at 72-76 mph.
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Cade Berendt (Germantown, 2019) is a highly intriguing southpaw. Like many on the day, the Open was Berendt’s first-ever PBR event, and he caught plenty of attention. Working from a ¾ slot, his fastball shows above-average arm-side run, sitting mostly 84-85 mph. He complements it with a 68-71 mph slider thrown with conviction, made even better by its late, sweeping action.
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2020 outfielder Reyshawn Sprewer (Pius XI) is an athletic left/left outfielder who played aggressively through the baseball with an above-average arm from the outfield, where his throws topped at 85 mph. His left-handed swing shows flashes of a loose, level line-drive stroke that will likely continue to progress.
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RHP Dakota Wagner is an incoming sophomore from Plymouth who showed above-average feel for three pitches, an advanced trait for at his age. His fastball was up to 80 mph and he matched it with an 11/5 curveball and a sinking changeup.
SIZE, STRENGTH, SKILL
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RHP Chase Dornfeld (Appleton West, 2019) is a strong bodied 6-foot-2, 192-pounder who worked 84-86 mph out of the windup.
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2020 Brent Hoffmann (Ozaukee) is a 6-foot-1, 187-pound right-handed hitting infielder. He has a balanced setup with a loose quick swing and good approach in the box. Hoffmann ran a 7.38 and posted an 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
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Brent Widder (Sheboygan North, 2019), an Evansville commit, showed off improved skillset with a 7.08 in the 60-yard dash, an 85 mph arm across the diamond, and a 90 mph exit velocity.
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2021 C Trett Joles (Boyceville) carries plus strength for his age and it shows at the plate and behind it. Joles posted the two best marks in catcher and exit velocity, at 80 mph from the crouch and a 92 mph from the tee.