On the Hotlist this past week, we broke down what we’re looking forward to most in 2020. We highlighted how the Wisconsin prep scene could have more eyes on it given the emergence of Dodgers shortstop Gavin Lux (Indian Trail, 2016) and the rise of pro prospects like Jarred Kelenic (Waukesha West, 2018) and Daulton Varsho (Marshfield, 2014; Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2017). But that’s omitting more homegrown names making strides in pro ball.

2019 DRAFT PICKS

The 2019 MLB Draft featured a handful of former Wisconsin prep stars like RHP Alec Marsh (Reagan College Prep, 2016; Arizona State), who landed in the second round with the Royals. This Kansas City system has gotten early returns on their 70th overall pick. He pitched 33 innings in Rookie ball in his introduction to pro ball and starred, punching out 38 over that stretch while walking only four. Reports of Marsh topping 94 or 95 mph combined with early signs of mastery over two different breaking balls that both project like swing-and-miss offerings down the road. His brilliant senior season at Arizona State neatly carried over inside the Royals’ system, so we’ll see what 2020 holds for Marsh as he’s handed bigger tests.

Alec Marsh (4/26/19 vs. Washington)

LHP Conner Wollersheim (Appleton North, 2015; Kent State) landed an eighth-round selection with the Mets and pitched 16 pro innings, including six A-ball innings, before he wrapped up his eventful 2019. He struck out 97 batters in 83.2 innings at Kent State and that pedigree helped him get drafted.

From La Crosse Aquinas, 1B Rudy Rott (2015; Ohio) won back-to-back MAC Player of the Year honors and became Ohio’s all-time hits leader in 2019 which helped him earn a ninth-round selection from the Philadelphia Phillies. Rott was sent straight to Low-A Williamsport where he struggled at first but really picked it up offensively to close out what must have been an exhausting, but exciting, year.

RHP Jake Sommers (Hortonville, 2015; Wisconsin-Milwaukee) was one of the best relievers in the Horizon League as a senior in 2019, and led the conference in saves (10). The Cardinals called his name in the 10th round and he actually started 10 games in Rookie ball for his parent club and began to show signs that he could really grow into the new role.

Adam Lukas (Grafton, 2016; Evansville) is a flame-throwing right-hander who showed he was capable of triple-digit velocity last spring and looks like he can be groomed into a high-leverage relief role inside the Royals’ system.

Adam Lukas (5/16/18 vs. Illinois State)

RHP Brandon Komar (Elkhorn, 2017; Madison JC) was an uber reliable arm inside the Wolfpack staff in 2018 and 2019 until he was drafted by the Padres in the 13th round. He took well to Rookie ball in more of a relief role and was rewarded with four appearances at Class-A Fort Wayne before returning to the Arizona League to end the year.

Also selected in the 2019 draft: Nick Lackney (Whitefish Bay, 2015; Minnesota), Cyrillo Watson (South Milwaukee, 2016; Illinois), Zachary Biermann (West Bend East, 2015; Coastal Carolina), Marshall Gilbert (Westosha Central, 2015; Mississippi State), and Cade Bunnell (Stoughton, 2015; Indiana). All set to get their pro careers started on the right foot in 2020.

2018 DRAFT PICKS

Cedarburg’s Jonathan Stiever (2015; Indiana) enjoyed a huge tick up in velocity in 2019 and it’s helped him become a name to know inside a loaded Chicago White Sox system. The White Sox have a pretty high-profile farm, but Stiever still managed to be, arguably, the team's breakout prospect of the 2019 season. He was promoted to High-A in June and groomed an ERA of 2.15 and punched out 77 batters in 71 innings, walking only 13 in that time. Reports have Stiever up to the 97 mph range with two different shapes of breaking balls to help bury batters. Chicago recognized Stiever's hard work by naming him the organization's Minor League Pitcher of the Month for August/September. He'll most likely be introduced to Double-A in early 2020, so we'll see what the future holds for the former Cedarburg star.

Jonathan Stiever (2/16/18 vs. Oklahoma)

Owen Miller (Ozaukee, 2015; Illinois State) can’t stop hitting. After a prolific career in Normal, Ill., Miller has really kept up that same momentum in pro ball for the Padres. He spent the entirety of 2019 at Double-A Amarillo, skipping High-A entirely, and led the Texas League in hits (147), slashing .290/.355/.430 all while striking out just over 15 percent of the time. The Padres opted to assign Miller a spot in the Arizona Fall League as well where he looked like a super utility type, one who can handle defensive roles all around the infield all while wielding a steady, contact-first kind of bat.

Terrin Vavra (Menomonie, 2015; Minnesota) was a third-round pick in 2018 and put up huge numbers at the Rockies’ Class-A affiliate in Asheville, N.C. He slashed .318/.409/.489 and looks like a bonafide prospect who could make an MLB impact in the next year or two. Vavra has a trademark patience at the plate which has helped him pick out the pitches he chooses to hit and drive. He profiles much like Miller, a multi-positional defender with a smart and athletic bat that should help him reach base at an above-average rate. He's turned himself into a top-10 prospect inside this Rockies system as a result.

Doran Turchin (Oak Creek, 2015; Illinois) spent practically all of 2019 at the Orioles' Class-A affiliate in Delmarva, Del., where he earned a spot on the South Atlantic League All-Star team. In that game, Turchin's clutch three-run double pushed his team into a late lead and eventual win, which in turn gave him MVP honors that day. 

Taken six rounds later in the 2018 draft was the former Kimberly standout Scott Schreiber (2014; Nebraska). He bet on himself after being taken in the 27th round of the ‘17 draft, he put together a great 2019 season in which he slugged 10 homers between A and High-A ball in the Astros’ system.

More notables from 2018’s draft: Austin Schulfer (Stevens Point, 2014; Wisconsin-Milwaukee), Dalton Roach (Eau Claire Memorial, 2014; Minnesota State-Mankato).

2017 DRAFT PICKS

From Holmen, Jeren Kendall (2014) starred at Vanderbilt but has struggled at the plate in pro ball since the Dodgers took him with the 23rd overall pick in 2017’s draft. He has some stellar tools – still does – and looks like he can be a Major League center fielder if his bat can come around.

Also from that 2017 draft, ninth-round pick Evan Kruczynski (Franklin, 2013; East Carolina). The Cardinals took a ninth-round roll on the former Saber and he’s paid it off in full. He made it all the way to Triple-A in 2019 after a terrific 2018 season. He faltered a little last year, but the athleticism is still here for this southpaw to contribute to the back-end of the Cardinals’ rotation one day soon or as a piece of its bullpen.

Evan Kruczynski (Super 60, 2013)

Caleb Boushley (Hortonville, 2012; Wisconsin-La Crosse) has been in the Padres’ system since 2017 and is coming off a really strong 2019 season in which he K’d 24 percent of the batters he faced in High-A. He was a Division-III baseball standout one of the best players in the country in 2016 before San Diego selected him in the 33rd round of the 2017 draft. Regardless of what Boushley does from here on out, it was remarkable to see him represent UW-La Crosse and Wisconsin as a 2019 California League All-Star.

MORE OF WISCONSIN IN PRO BALL

After making his MLB debut in 2018, Danny Jansen (Appleton West, 2013) spent all of 2019 with the Blue Jays and saw action in 107 games. He struggled offensively at the start of the season and broke out at the half-way point and a big August helped him close out the season on a high note. Despite the various slumps at the plate in 2019, Jansen was one of baseball’s best defensive catchers last season. His defensive skillset alone should keep him competing at the big league level for a long time.

Danny Jansen (Super 60, 2013)

Finally, from New Berlin Eisenhower, right-handed sinker-baller Alex McRae (2011; Jacksonville, 2014) made his MLB debut with the Pirates in 2018 and made it into 11 more games with Pittsburgh in 2019. The West Allis native will strive to make his way back to the Pirates' 40-man roster in 2020.

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