Inside The Rankings: 2016 Risers

November 5, 2015

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor –Wisconsin/Illinois

As a cold weather state Wisconsin is notorious for late blooming baseball prospects, especially pitchers and once again this year we’ve seen several prospects making big leaps up the 2016 rankings including a couple of arms who were huge risers in our latest update.

RHP Kevin Hussey (Columbus) and RHP Jim Jarecki (Marquette University) both shot up the rankings after impressive showings this fall with improved velocity and off-speed stuff bumping them into the top 35 in the state.

Hussey jumped almost 20 spots after he showcased sharp stuff at the Unsigned Senior Games, tabbing him the second best prospect at the event right behind recent Kent State commit Ben Carew. At 6-foot-4, 210-pounds, Hussey has a typical sturdy pitchers build with a delivery that should allow him to maintain his stuff for long stretches. Hussey has shown reliable control of the zone with multiple pitches and an improved curveball that keeps hitters off balance.

Jarecki boasts an even more impressive frame at 6-foot-7, 220-pounds and rose over 40 spots from his previous ranking. Previous to this fall we’ve seen his fastball sit in the 80-82 range with the projectability for more, it was just a matter of when. Late this summer we heard rumblings of that velocity starting to show and saw it first-hand this fall with a fastball that can now reach upper 80’s numbers. While we would like to see him create more tilt out of his 6-foot-7 frame, his arm is clearly live and throws a hard curveball as well at 75-77 mph. Jarecki took the top overall spot at the Unsigned Senior Showcase in October. I’d be willing to bet we will see even more velocity from Jarecki down the road.

Inside the top ten, RHP Cyrillo Watson (South Milwaukee) jumped three spots to No. 6 in the state. It’s only three spots but with the level of talent at the top of this class it speaks volumes to how well Watson has thrown the baseball this fall.

SS Tanner Strommen (Burlington) has been on the PBR radar since his freshman year and is really starting to come into his own this fall. Jumping almost 30 spots, Strommen is a legitimate shortstop prospect for someone at the next level showing soft hands, a playable arm from the left side, and a better than average bat for that position.

Jacob Grenberg (Wauwatosa West) jumped into the top 45. Recently committed to UW-La Crosse after the Unsigned Senior Games, Greenberg showed dynamic two-way abilities in the outfield and as a left-handed arm.

Rounding out our top risers is C Trevor Hogenson (St. Mary Central) who cracked the top 50 in the state. Hogenson is one of the better defenders behind the dish in the state, a highly reliable backstop who has also picked his game up with the bat as well.

CLICK HERE for complete Wisconsin 2016 Rankings.

Inside The Rankings: 2016 Risers

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