Prep Baseball Report

South Milwaukee Preseason ID: Outfield Analysis


By: PBR Wisconsin Staff

On March 6, PBR Wisconsin hosted the longest running annual event on its winter calendar, the South Milwaukee Preseason ID at Hitters Baseball Academy in Caledonia, WI. Approximately 90 players, mostly from Southeastern Wisconsin, attended this event, many of whom have established themselves as high-level prospects in the state. This event also perennially provides our staff with a glimpse at the future, allowing us to gain a clearer understanding of the up-and-coming players in Wisconsin, specifically the Class of 2025.

This showcase has also consistently supplied us with players to invite to represent Team Wisconsin at the PBR Future Games, and there were numerous sophomores in attendance who have earned early consideration for the 2022 event.

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 pitch data compiled in TrackMan Files, swing metrics captured on the Blast Motion Board, and sight scores from an athletic perspective tracked on the Vizual Edge Scoreboard.

You can learn more about the state-of-the-art technologies featured at our showcases within the hyperlinks above. We began the post-event process yesterday by rolling out the event’s catcher reports, and we’ll transition to the outfield portion of the event today, which you can find below. 

TOP OUTFIELD PROSPECTS

1. JT Kelenic, Catholic Memorial  (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-4, 210-pounds. Athletic build throughout.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, controlled stride. Stays in his back leg. Flatter barrel set.  Aggressive rotation. Very strong hands. Violence delivering the barrel. Backspin flights with carry and control to all fields.
Power: 98.7 max exit velocity, averaged 88.5 mph. 327’ max distance.
Arm: RH.  OF - 90 mph. Long loop with power over the top.
Defense: Athletic actions. Long transition for power. Clean alignment and direction of energy.
Run: 6.52 runner in the 60. Long strides that cover ground. 

2. Cade Palkowski, Oak Creek (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-11, 188-pounds. Compact frame with an athletic build throughout.
Hit: LHH. Stock setup. Small wiggle rhythm. Cross striding slightly. Crowds the plate.  Short to the ball from inside. Vertical orientation with depth. Violence at impact. Quality contact with ball speed to all fields. Primarily pullside gap.
Power: 94.6 max exit velocity, averaged 88.8 mph. 320’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 91 mph. Power from a longer loop and 3/4 slot.
Defense: Athletic movements gathering and ranging. Quick to transition with a momentum.
Run: 6.85 runner in the 60. 

3. Chris Calico, West Salem (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-10, 170-pounds. Athletic build, strong lower-half.
Hit: RHH. Tall, open to square stride. Flat barrel set. Well timed stride and repeatable firing position.  Controls the zone from high to low with quality barrel direction. Controlled, low line drives through the middle of the field. Quality barrel control and ball flight control. Bat handler.
Power: 97 max exit velocity, averaged 84.9 mph. 325’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 76 mph. Long loop with clean direction from a higher slot.
Defense: Athletic mover, clean footwork alignment. Looks the part.
Run: 6.78 runner in the 60. Athletic strides. 

4. Roman Sienza, Mukwonago (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/1B
Body: 6-1, 150-pounds. Skinny, projectable frame.
Hit: LHH. Stock setup. Preset barrel. Small controlled move to plant. Quiet action.  Attacks from inside-above. Hard backspin line drives to all fields. Lower line drives.
Power: 91.3 max exit velocity, averaged 82.2 mph. 292’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 87 mph. Long loop, deep pocket with some arm speed.
Defense: Gains ground well, long strides with athleticism. Captures momentum well.
Run: 6.81 runner in the 60. Long strides. 

5. Braylen White, Brown Deer (WI), 2025
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-11, 150-pounds. Athletic build, wiry frame with projection.
Hit: RHH. Working from open to square with controlled rhythm.  High connection rotation. Quick hands and violence delivering the barrel to impact. Middle of the field line drives.
Power: 83.6 max exit velocity, averaged 75 mph. 278’ max distance.
Arm: RH.  OF - 81 mph. High slot with arm speed. Accurate to target.
Defense: Athletic actions. Moves well ranging to balls. Gains lots of ground. Energy alignment through the dish.
Run: 6.55 runner in the 60. Highly advanced athlete for age; clean, easy fluid strides that cover ground easily. 

6. Sam Steuber, Muskego (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-0, 175-pounds. Compact, strong frame, athletic.
Hit: RHH. Crouched, open setup. Striding square. Wiggle rhythm with 45 degree barrel set.  Vertical path through the zone. Extending up to deliver. Stays throughout the zone working from high to low and quality timing.
Power: 93.5 max exit velocity, averaged 87.3 mph. 323’ max distance.
Arm: RH.  OF - 89 mph. High slot action with a longer loop. Arm strength with carry and accuracy. Well timed footwork with alignment.
Defense: Gains ground well on the ball. Well organized feet with alignment.
Run: 6.76 runner in the 60. 

7. Ben Flerlage, Latin School of Chicago (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-11, 170-pounds. Athletic looking frame with evenly distributed strength.
Hit: RHH. Stock, open setup. Striding closed. Flatter barrel set. Aggressive modified leg kick.  Aggressive rotation with high connection. Flatter path with pullside approach.
Power: 92.6 max exit velocity, averaged 83.5 mph. 339’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 91 mph. Long over the top slot. Arm strength with carry.
Defense: Gains ground well, clean footwork alignment.
Run: 7.52 runner in the 60. 

8. RJ Thomae, Hartford Union  (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/2B
Body: 6-0, 175-pounds. Athletic build, strong lower-half.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, relaxed hands. Controlled load.  Direct ot impact. Works from high to low with some barrel depth. Mostly lagging from inside to the backside of the field.
Power: 91.2 max exit velocity, averaged 80 mph. 285’ max distance.
Arm: RH.  OF - 86 mph. Clean, high 3/4 action.
Defense: Moves with athleticism and feel for direction through the target. Well timed, in sync actions.
Run: 6.78 runner in the 60. 

9. Ty Cramer, Cedarburg (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/2B
Body: 6-0, 170-pounds. Athletic build throughout.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, flat barrel lay. Modified leg kick with minimal forward advance.  Flat path through the zone, extending up into impact. Covers the zone and stays through the middle of the field with feel from the barrel.
Power: 93.5 max exit velocity, averaged 84.7 mph. 299’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. OF - 77 mph. Long action, low 3/4 slot.
Defense: Simple straight up approach. Deeper point of receiving.
Run: 7.02 runner in the 60. 

10. Payten Jibben, Oak Creek (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-3, 190-pounds. Evenly distributed strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup with vertical tip.  Short the ball from over the top. Quick barrel delivery; Mostly pullside contact.
Power: 93.1 max exit velocity, averaged 85.8 mph. 72’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 90 mph. Long, easy action. Some arm speed.
Defense: Clean alignment and gains ground well on different plays.
Run: 7.30 runner in the 60. 

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Gabriel Ciralsky, University School of Milwaukee  (WI), 2025
Positional Profile: 
Body: 5-10, 150-pounds. Athletic frame.
Hit: LHH. Stock setup. Hands to neck in the setup. Hands stay high into firing position.  Flat barrel lay working from above. Steep path. Low flights spraying to all fields.
Power: 80.7 max exit velocity, averaged 69.4 mph. 168’ max distance.
Arm: LH.  OF - 74 mph. Shorter action, 3/4 release.
Defense: Average actions, moderate tempo.
Run: 7.37 runner in the 60. 

Aiden Clark, Naperville Central (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: OF/2B
Body: 5-7, 160-pounds. Compact, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Tall, open setup with big wiggle. Big leg kick.  Spinning posture. Enters deep trying to lift.
Power: 84.2 max exit velocity, averaged 70.7 mph. 294’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C -  mph. INF - 71 mph. OF - 73 mph. Short arm action 3/4 slot. 
Defense: Loud glove pats. Simple footwork hanging back.
Run: 7.06 runner in the 60. 

Jack DeRousse, Tremper (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-0, 165-pounds. Athletic frame, evenly distributed strength.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, relaxed hands. Aggressive drop into plant.  Short with the hands, barrel lags deep in the zone. Low flights through the middle of the field.
Power: 85.5 max exit velocity, averaged 74.4 mph. 221’ max distance.
Arm: RH.  OF - 81 mph. Long, high slot action with some arm side run.
Defense: Slow to gather, disorganized feet.
Run: 7.47 runner in the 60. 

Nolan Ewig, Brookfield East  (WI), 2025
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 44691, 145-pounds. Wiry frame, high waisted.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup with wiggle.  Long to impact. All fields spray. Stays through impact with his path.
Power: 78.3 max exit velocity, averaged 69.2 mph. 256’ max distance.
Arm: LH.  OF - 73 mph. Short, low 3/4 slot.
Defense: Slow to gather on the ball, stiff glove at times, and slow to transition.
Run: 7.56 runner in the 60. 

Cole Fox, Nicolet (WI), 2025
Positional Profile: OF/1B
Body: 6-0, 165-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup. Controlled rhythm.  Knob to the ball. Flat path with some feel for barrel out front. Low flights.
Power: 83.1 max exit velocity, averaged 73.8 mph. 269’ max distance.
Arm: RH.  OF - 78 mph. 3/4 action with some arm side run.
Defense: Gains ground well. Clean alignment through the target.
Run: 7.69 runner in the 60. 

Brennen Grams, Kimberly (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 5-11, 175-pounds. Athletic looking frame.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup. Hang and drift leg kick.  Lower hand set. Trapped rotation. Throwing the hands. Low backside flights.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 83.3 mph. 256’ max distance.
Arm: RH.  OF - 86 mph. high 3/4 slot with arm speed.
Defense: Slow to gather, footwork alignment.
Run: 6.71 runner in the 60. 

Justin Gritmacker, Alden-Hebron (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 6-2, 185-pounds. High waisted frame.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, Striding from open to square. Flat barrel set.  Working from high to low on top. Intentional staying through the middle with his swing.
Power: 88.5 max exit velocity, averaged 80.2 mph. 308’ max distance.
Arm: LH.  OF - 80 mph. Top shelf action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Stiff glove.
Run: 7.33 runner in the 60. 

Braedon Hatter, Prairie Ridge (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/C
Body: 6-1, 180-pounds. Athletic build, strong lower-half.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, preset barrel.  Trapped rotation with kick back. Short to impact. Chaining from lower to upper quickly with more vertical path. Working from above with the hands, and looping under with the barrel.
Power: 87.9 max exit velocity, averaged 68.1 mph. 168’ max distance.
Arm: RH.  OF - 74 mph. Short, high 3/4 action.
Defense: Gains ground quick. High tempo foot turnover. Quick to exchange and release.
Run: 7.26 runner in the 60. 

Sawyer Kowalkowski, Ozaukee (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-1, 140-pounds. Wiry with room to fill out.
Hit: RHH. Strides from open to square with a flatter barrel set.  Aggressive rotation. Deeper entry with low connection. All fields. Sporadic contact quality.
Power: 80.7 max exit velocity, averaged 67.4 mph. 281’ max distance.
Arm: RH.  OF - 86 mph. Long 3/4 action. Spinning to deliver.
Defense: Gains ground aggressively. Footwork alignment.
Run: 7.25 runner in the 60. 

Axel Krainz, New Berlin Eisenhower (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/2B
Body: 6-0, 155-pounds. Skinny frame, high waist.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, aggressive load with modified leg kick.  Vertical path with barrel depth. Long through the zone with backside approach.
Power: 79 max exit velocity, averaged 70.9 mph. 240’ max distance.
Arm: RH.  OF - 71 mph. Short loop, high 3/4 action with direction.
Defense: Gains ground well on the ball. Quick transition and alignment on target.
Run: 7.48 runner in the 60. 

Cristian Murillo, Dominican (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-8, 157-pounds. Compact frame.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, controlled stride. Soft on the front foot.  Vertical path with frozen posture. Upper half tilt into the zone. Backside approach.
Power:  max exit velocity, averaged  mph. ’ max distance.
Arm: RH.  OF - 73 mph. Long, over the top action.
Defense:  Simple actions. Moderate tempo.
Run: 7.70 runner in the 60. 

Logan Rampetsreiter, Brookfield Central  (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-0, 165-pounds. High-waisted frame, athletic.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup. Flat barrel set. Minimal stride.  Vertical shape from deep in the zone. Works from inside. Deeper points of contact.
Power: 89.8 max exit velocity, averaged 81.7 mph. 219’ max distance.
Arm: RH.  OF - 74 mph. Long loop, low slot.
Defense: Gains ground well, uphill action.
Run: 6.78 runner in the 60. 

Steven Wintheiser, Muskego (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-11, 170-pounds. Athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup striding from open to square. Minimal stride.  Hands back and works deep to the zone. Long to the ball with all fields contact. Mostly pull.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 82.7 mph. 260’ max distance.
Arm: LH.  OF - 87 mph. Long 3/4 action.
Defense: Slow to gather behind the ball. Misplaying a number of balls.
Run: 7.11 runner in the 60.

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