Prep Baseball Report

Wisconsin Class of 2017 Rankings Updated



By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor - Wisconsin/Illinois

The WIAA season kicks off today and for many the weather is somewhat cooperating. Don’t forget to keep up with all your WIAA action on the Prep Baseball Report, including Daily Roundups, Schedule, Scout Blogs, Power 25 updates and more.

As we kick off the new season we completed our countdown of the Preseason Power 25 finishing off with No. 2 Indian Trail and No. 1 Janesville Craig. Today with rollout our updated Class of 2017 rankings, highlighting our top 150 seniors in the state.

Last year there was plenty of draft buzz around the top prospects in the state of Wisconsin, leading to a historic year in the MLB Draft. You won’t see that same buzz in the 2017 class, but keep tabs on this class after three years of college and things may be different.

This winter a new No. 1 took over the top of the ranks, as RHP Nathan Burns (West Bend West) was the consensus Wisconsin favorite from the Super 60. Burns ran his fastball up to 91 mph and shows a mature three pitch repertoire that is likely to impact an Oregon State staff in year one.

Closely behind Burns was fellow Beaver commit, 3B/OF Zach Clayton (Oconomowoc). Clayton is a three sport star, something rarely seen anymore, and showed he arguable swings the best bat in the state. A physical 6-foot-2, 220-pounds Clayton projects as a legitimate middle of the lineup threat at the next level, give him a few years to focus solely on baseball and watch out.

RANK NAME STATE SCHOOL CLASS POS COMMITMENT
1 Nathan Burns WI West Bend West 2017 RHP Oregon State
2 Zach Clayton WI Oconomowoc 2017 3B Oregon State
3 Ryan Hoerter WI Indian Trail 2017 RHP Auburn
4 Augie Mihlbauer WI Mukwonago 2017 LHP Texas Christian
5 Jacob Lindemann WI Burlington 2017 RHP Wichita State
6 Jack Blomgren WI Janesville Craig 2017 SS Michigan
7 Ben Dragani WI Catholic Memorial 2017 LHP Michigan
8 Griffin Doersching WI Greendale 2017 1B Northern Kentucky
9 Trevor Olson WI Chippewa Falls 2017 LHP Xavier
10 Ryan Bader WI Mukwonago 2017 LHP Northwestern

Both RHP Ryan Hoerter (Indian Trail) and LHP Augie Mihlbauer (Mukwonago) both showed similar stuff at the Super 60 from recent outings last year. Hoerter will be a big cog in the Hawks success this season as the ace of the staff.

Coming off a state championship season, Burlington’s RHP Jacob Lindemann underwent elbow surgery early in the fall, and likely won’t be back on the mound till the summer.

More notes from the Super 60 included SS Jack Blomgren (Janesville Craig) who showed to be one of the top middle infield defenders in the Midwest. His athleticism and leadership have the potential to take the Cougars to a state title this June.

CLICK HERE for complete 2017 Wisconsin Rankings.

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