Prep Baseball Report

Milwaukee Preseason ID: Catcher Analysis


Wisconsin Staff

On March 18, the PBR Wisconsin staff traveled to The MOSH in Franklin, WI to host the annual Milwaukee Preseason ID. The event featured over 250 players from the surrounding area, and provided our staff with an ample opportunity to check-in on some of the state’s top high school prospects. 

In the week that followed this event, we produced post-event analysis that includes performance highlights inside of our Quick Hits story, a look at the traditional stats measured within our Statistical Analysis piece, batted-ball and swing metrics captured in our Positional Data Dive, and pitch data compiled in our Pitcher Data Dive.

You can learn more about the state-of-the-art technologies featured at our showcases within the hyperlinks above. Today we’ll begin our post-event process by rolling out the individual scouting reports of the day, starting with the catcher position while working our way across the diamond as the week continues.

TOP 2024 CATCHING PROSPECTS

Jonah Roloff C / RHP / Kettle Moraine , WI / 2024

Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-10, 160-pounds. Good proportions, high waist, lean, athletic, more fill coming.
Hit: LHH. Narrower set, slightly open.  Fast hands, short to the ball, loft to the path, hitterish, drives the ball to pull side.
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 81.1 mph. 312’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. INF -  mph. OF -  mph. Loose, fluid arm action, 3/4 slot, accurate to the bag.
Defense: 1.93-2.06 pop times. Athletic mover out of the crouch, soft hands, quick transfer, fundamental blocker.
Run: 7.35 runner in the 60. 

Nathan Hanel C / 3B / Oak Creek, WI / 2024

Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-2, 190-pounds. XL frame, strong lower and upper half, well proportioned, more fill and mass coming.
Hit: RHH. Stock set up with relaxed hands.  Quiet approach, quiet head, direct and inside hand path through ball, can juice ball to both gaps.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 84.8 mph. 274’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. INF -  mph. OF -  mph. Short, quick arm action. Accurate from a low 3/4 slot. One-hop to target at times.
Defense: 2.04-2.25 pop times. Soft hands, clean transfer, works in-line. Atheltic behind the dish.
Run: 7.35 runner in the 60. 

Lincoln Ascher C / Kettle Moraine, WI / 2024

Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-1, 210-pounds. Strong build.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, centered, balanced.  Stays grounded, rocks back into load, uses ground very well, well sequenced, loose short and quick.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 84 mph. 330’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. INF -  mph. OF -  mph. Compact, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.04-2.10 pop times. Soft hands, quick first movement, clean transfer, accurate throws, works in-line, clean blocker.
Run: 7.63 runner in the 60.

Joshua Gilroy C / 1B / Arrowhead , WI / 2024

Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-2, 205-pounds. Strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Strock set up, short stride. Centered move through the ball, quick hands and bat speed, ball jumps, stays through the middle to both gaps. Uses ground well.
Power: 97 max exit velocity, averaged 89.5 mph. 339’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. INF -  mph. OF -  mph. Short, quick arm action, high 3/4 slot, one-hop to bag.
Defense: 1.98-2.11 pop times. Works up through the baseball, quiet hands, athletic out of the crouch, works in-line, quick transfer.
Run: 7.48 runner in the 60.  

OLIVER VIGERUST

C / 3B / depaul college prep, il / 2023

Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-0, 205-pounds. Strength and mass throughout.
Hit: RHH. Wider base with higher hands.  Centered load, quiet, direct path, stays through the ball, fast hands and bat speed with ability to impact the ball to all fields.
Power: 98 max exit velocity, averaged 90.7 mph. 355’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph. INF -  mph. OF -  mph. Fluid arm action into a 3/4 slot, accurate to the bag.
Defense: 1.98-2.04 pop times. Soft hands, clean transfer, clean blocker.
Run: 7.29 runner in the 60.

Peyton Ryback

C / OF / Nathan hale, WI / 2024

Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-10, 180-pounds. Athletic with strength.
Hit: RHH. Stock set up with relaxed hands.  Hands load into strong hitting position, flat path, rotates hard through the ball for hard line drive contact through the middle of the field.
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 82.8 mph. 319’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. INF -  mph. OF -  mph. Smooth, quick, whippy arm action. Strong and accurate 3/4 slot.
Defense: 1.94-2.01 pop times. Works up through the ball, soft hands, quick and clean transfer, athletic actions, moves well out of the crouch, works in-line.
Run: 6.99 runner in the 60.

Neil Janssen C / 2B / Delavan-Darien, WI / 2024

Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-10, 185-pounds. Strong frame.
Hit: RHH. Stock set up slightly open.  Toe tap back, strong hitting position, strong quick hands, very well sequenced swing, long through the ball.
Power: 87 max exit velocity, averaged 77.9 mph. 305’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 80 mph. INF - 84 mph. OF -  mph. C: High 3/4 slot, accurate to the bag. INF: Clean arm action, multi-angle release.
Defense: 2.04-2.12 pop times. C: Soft hands, quick transfer, soft blocker. INF: Gets around the baseball, steady hands, shuffle through release.
Run: 7.31 runner in the 60.

Griffin Bowers C / Homestead, WI / 2024

Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-0, 165-pounds. Wiry build, projectable, more fill coming.
Hit: RHH. Wider base set up.  Centered and quiet load, flat path, rotates hard through impact with ability to hit line drives through the middle of the field.
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 87.2 mph. 298’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 80 mph. INF -  mph. OF -  mph. Loose, 3/4 arm with carry.
Defense: 2.10-2.28 pop times. Quick first step, works in-line, accurate throws.
Run: 7.01 runner in the 60.

Nathan Grams C / OF / Hortonville , WI / 2024

Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-8, 153-pounds. Athletic, with projection.
Hit: RHH. Stock set up, slightly open.  Gets to strong hitting position on time, handsy with ability to stay on the barrel.
Power: 87 max exit velocity, averaged 84.8 mph. 320’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. INF -  mph. OF -  mph. Short, quick arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.04-2.11 pop times. Works up through the baseball, soft hands, quick transfer, works in-line.
Run: 6.88 runner in the 60. 

Brett Goggins C / 2B / Greenfield, WI / 2024

Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 6-2, 165-pounds. Long, wiry, athletic.
Hit: RHH. Open set up with higher hands.  Flat path, line drive contact through the middle of the field, feel for barrel.
Power: 87 max exit velocity, averaged 80.6 mph. 304’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. INF -  mph. OF -  mph. Quick, whippy arm action. Accurate 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.08-2.18 pop times. Athletic actions, works up through the ball, quick transfer. Athletic fielding bunts.
Run: 7.37 runner in the 60. 

Alex Griswold C / 3B / Wisconsin Virtual Academy, WI / 2024

Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds. Strong build with good proportions.
Hit: RHH. Stock set up with relaxed hands.  Crashes through the ball using ground very well, flat path, short path, clean mechanics with power.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 81 mph. 313’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. INF -  mph. OF -  mph. Compact, quick arm action. 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.20-2.34 pop times. Works up through the baseball, smooth receiver, athletic actions behind the plate. Clean transfer, works in-line.
Run: 8.17 runner in the 60.

BEST OF THE REST 2024 CATCHERS (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Kayden Berenz, New Berlin Eisenhower (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-11, 185-pounds. Strong lower half, good proportions throughout.
Hit: RHH. Stock set up with strong back elbow.  Flat path works through middle to opposite field, stays through ball nicely.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 83.6 mph. 320’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. INF -  mph. OF -  mph. Compact arm, quick, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.15-2.17 pop times. Quick first step, works in-line, soft blocker.
Run: 7.68 runner in the 60.

Gage Finch, Indian Trail (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-8, 175-pounds. Strong build.
Hit: RHH. Stock set up, upright with higher hands.  Lands into strong loaded position, short quick, fast hands middle of the field contact.
Power: 87 max exit velocity, averaged 76.1 mph. 249’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. INF - 75 mph. OF -  mph. C: Compact, quick 3/4 slot. INF: Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.08-2.15 pop times. C: Soft hands, quick first step, quick, clean transfer, works in-line, soft blocker. INF: Soft hands, play low to the ground, upright through release.
Run: 7.52 runner in the 60.

Nicholas George, PHEP  (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-10, 180-pounds. Strong build.
Hit: RHH. Stock set up with higher hands.  Short swing with shorter finish through the ball, barrels ball through the middle.
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 73.2 mph. 286’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. INF -  mph. OF -  mph. Short, quick arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.18-2.32 pop times. Clean transfer, works in-line.
Run: 8.03 runner in the 60.

Jack Klippel, Slinger (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-9, 190-pounds. Strong build.
Hit: RHH. Narrow, open set up.  Short slightly uphill path drives balls to both gaps.
Power: 95 max exit velocity, averaged 87.6 mph. 326’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 63 mph. INF -  mph. OF -  mph. Short, quick arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.44-2.50 pop times. Transfer works in-line.
Run: 7.65 runner in the 60.

Diego Sifuentes, Muskego (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-9, 175-pounds. Strong, sturdy build.
Hit: RHH. Stock set up, slightly open.  Early foot down, flat path, ability to pull hands in, rotates hard through impact, middle of the field, can stay on barrel.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 84.4 mph. 286’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. INF -  mph. OF -  mph. 3/4 slot, accurate.
Defense: 2.22-2.26 pop times. Replaces feet, clean transfer, reliable blocker, quick and athletic out of crouch on bunts.
Run: 7.75 runner in the 60.

Noah Vernon, Sussex Hamilton (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-11, 203-pounds. Strong build.
Hit: RHH. Stock set up with higher hands.  Pull side approach with slightly uphill path, can juice balls to pull side.
Power: 95 max exit velocity, averaged 87.6 mph. 366’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. INF -  mph. OF -  mph. Quick and accurate release, backspins 4-seamer with accuracy. High 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.11-2.19 pop times. Quick feet, short quick right foot, gains ground, quickness to transfer, quick and athletic blocking balls and fielding bunts.
Run: 7.34 runner in the 60.

 

TOP RANKED 2025 CATCHERS

Turner Kuhnke C / 1B / Hortonville, WI / 2025

Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-2, 175-pounds. Strong build with good proportions, projectable.
Hit: RHH. Wider base with fast hands.  Gets to strong loaded position, fast hands, balls jumps off bat, can drive the ball to both gaps.
Power: 97 max exit velocity, averaged 83.1 mph. 267’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. INF -  mph. OF -  mph. Loose arm action, high 3/4 slot, plays accurate.
Defense: 1.95-2.07 pop times. Quick transfer, sound, fundamental blocker, smooth athletic mover out of the crouch.
Run: 7.36 runner in the 60.

Marek Wawrzyniakowski C / RHP / Catholic Memorial, WI / 2025

Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-9, 160-pounds. Projectable frame.
Hit: RHH. Slightly open set up.  Gets to strong hitting position, athletic, very quick hands, stays through the middle, well sequenced swing.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 73.8 mph. 288’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. INF -  mph. OF -  mph. Short, quick, whippy arm action. Accurate from a 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.11-2.15 pop times. Athletic actions behind the plate, smooth transfer, works in-line.
Run: 7.89 runner in the 60. 

Nick Kleczkowski C / 3B / Muskego , WI / 2025

Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-0, 170-pounds. Strong build.
Hit: RHH. Narrower set up, slightly open.  Lands into strong hitting position, Direct path with bat speed and ability to drive the ball to the gaps and over the fence. 
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 79.8 mph. 294’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. INF -  mph. OF -  mph. Fluid arm action into a 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.08-2.19 pop times. Clean transfer, sound fundamental blocker.
Run: 7.83 runner in the 60.

Calvin Hurtgen C / Watertown, WI / 2025

Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-10, 150-pounds. Athletic frame with projection.
Hit: RHH. Stock set up with relaxed hands.  Flat path, rotates through contact, stays through ball well through the middle.
Power: 85 max exit velocity, averaged 75.8 mph. 244’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph. INF -  mph. OF -  mph. Long arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 1.94-2.11 pop times. Plays low to the ground, active feet through release. Steady hands.
Run: 7.41 runner in the 60. 

Gabe Bockhop C / C / Brodhead, WI / 2025

Positional Profile: C/C
Body: 5-9, 170-pounds. Strong build with projection.
Hit: RHH. Wider base slightly open.  Leg tuck to strong position, fast hands, direct, drives it to both gaps.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 69.6 mph. 316’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. INF -  mph. OF -  mph. Compact, quick, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.12-2.26 pop times. Quick first step, soft hands, quick, clean transfer, accurate throws, soft blocker.
Run: 7.16 runner in the 60. 

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Maximus Cavanaugh, DePere  (WI), 2025
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-10, 165-pounds. Athletic with projection.
Hit: RHH. Slightly open set up with higher hands.  Short path, finishes long through the ball.
Power: 85 max exit velocity, averaged 78.5 mph. 288’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. INF -  mph. OF -  mph. Short, quick arm action, low 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.19-2.29 pop times. Works up through the baseball, two-hand transfer, athletic out of the crouch.
Run: 7.66 runner in the 60.

Colton Hagner, Rosendale (WI), 2025
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-9, 170-pounds. Athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Slightly open with strong back elbow.  Lands square, short hand path, through the middle of the field, stays on the barrel.
Power: 85 max exit velocity, averaged 77.3 mph. 288’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 68 mph. INF -  mph. OF -  mph. Short, whippy arm action, low 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.18-2.32 pop times. Works through the baseball, quiet receiver, works in-line.
Run: 7.92 runner in the 60.

Noah Heitman, St. Francis (WI), 2025
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 5-10, 215-pounds. Strong thicker build.
Hit: RHH. Wider base, slightly open.  Flat path barrel feel, stays through the middle.
Power: 85 max exit velocity, averaged 77.4 mph. 248’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 65 mph. INF -  mph. OF -  mph. Short arm action, low 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.43-2.54 pop times. Works up through the baseball, willing blocker.
Run: 9.57 runner in the 60.

Haidyn Stinnett, Badger (WI), 2025
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-10, 165-pounds. Wiry strong build.
Hit: RHH. Stock set up with relaxed hands.  Lands back of center, loft to path, hand quickness, drives the ball through the middle.
Power: 80 max exit velocity, averaged 71.2 mph. 231’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. INF -  mph. OF -  mph. Lower transfer with lower 3/4 slot with some accuracy.
Defense: 2.29-2.52 pop times. Replaces feet, lower transfer, reliable blocker, quick and athletic fielding bunts.
Run: 7.73 runner in the 60.

 

TOP RANKED 2026 CATCHERS

Jacob Huff C / SS / Delavan-Darien, WI / 2026

Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-8, 135-pounds. Projectable frame, well proportioned, more fill and strength coming.
Hit: RHH. Stock set up, athletic.  Small toe tap gather, slightly uphill path, fast hands, stays through the middle.
Power: 77 max exit velocity, averaged 72.9 mph. 224’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. INF -  mph. OF -  mph. Short, quick arm action with arm speed out front. Accurate 3/4 slot.
Defense: 1.86-2.07 pop times. Works up through the baseball, good receiver, athletic actions, clean transfer, works in-line.
Run: 7.57 runner in the 60.

John Arnold C / 1B / Sussex Hamilton, WI / 2026

Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-0, 155-pounds. Athletic, projectable frame.
Hit: RHH. Wider base, strong back elbow.  Stays grounded, rocks back, gets to strong hitting position, back spins line drives to pull-side gap.
Power: 85 max exit velocity, averaged 71.4 mph. 293’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. INF -  mph. OF -  mph. Compact, quick arm, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.08-2.16 pop times. Soft hands, quick first step, clean transfer, works in-line, accurate throws, soft blocker.
Run: 7.36 runner in the 60.

Jack Butler C / 1B / Waterford, WI / 2026

Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-1, 183-pounds. Athletic, strong, projectable.
Hit: LHH. Stock set up with relaxed hands.  Short swing, direct, slightly uphill through contact, bat speed, hand speed, drives balls to all fields.
Power: 85 max exit velocity, averaged 78.6 mph. 314’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 67 mph. INF -  mph. OF -  mph. Short, whippy arm action. 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.18-2.36 pop times. Works up through the baseball, lets the ball travel, athletic out of the crouch, clean transfer, works in-line. Athletic fielding bunts.
Run: 7.90 runner in the 60. 

Nate Anastas C / OF / Oak Creek , WI / 2026

Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-9, 155-pounds. Athletic with strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Wider base with relaxed hands.  Direct path geared for line drives, back spins balls to both gaps.
Power: 85 max exit velocity, averaged 76.4 mph. 306’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 67 mph. INF -  mph. OF -  mph. Compact, quick arm, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.21-2.36 pop times. Soft hands, quick first step, clean, smooth transfer, works in-line, clean blocker.
Run: 7.75 runner in the 60.

Mason Jones C / New Berlin Eisenhower, WI / 2026

Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-9, 150-pounds. Projectable frame, well proportioned.
Hit: RHH. Narrow, open set up.  Leg lift gather, lands into strong hitting position, stays through the ball a very long time through middle of the field.
Power: 80 max exit velocity, averaged 74.4 mph. 244’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 67 mph. INF -  mph. OF -  mph. Short, quick arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.36-2.51 pop times. Quiet receiver, works up through the ball, quick transfer.
Run: 8.38 runner in the 60.

Ben Swanson C / RHP / Brookfield East, WI / 2026

Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-10, 175-pounds. Strong build.
Hit: RHH. Stock set up with higher hands.  On plane path, works through the middle of the field.
Power: 82 max exit velocity, averaged 78.1 mph. 204’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 64 mph. INF -  mph. OF -  mph. 3/4 slot with some accuracy to throws.
Defense: 2.33-2.51 pop times. Short quick feet, quick transfer, quick to block and quickness on bunts.
Run: 8.94 runner in the 60.

Ethan Callahan C / 3B / East Troy, WI / 2026

Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-10, 130-pounds. Long levers, projectable.
Hit: RHH. Stock set up with strong back elbow.  Flat path, rotational through impact, pull side power.
Power: 79 max exit velocity, averaged 75.7 mph. 252’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 64 mph. INF -  mph. OF -  mph. Compact arm, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.36-2.50 pop times. Works up through the baseball, quick out of the crouch, quick transfer, works in-line.
Run: 8.61 runner in the 60. 

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