Wisconsin Class of 2023 Rankings Update
May 3, 2021
The Wisconsin Class of 2023 is really taking shape following an informative winter showcase circuit, in which we saw many of the state’s best sophomores ahead of their first seasons as part of their high school programs. Today, we’re unveiling our state sophomore rankings update, where we added 25 new names to the rankings.
We’ll break down the updated class rankings throughout this week, starting in this post, where we’ve highlighted the top-10 players in the state and their most recent performances over the past few months.
THE TOP-10 RANKINGS
+ There’s a change at the top, with SS Alex Alicea (St. Thomas More; Louisville commit) becoming the state’s new No. 1 overall player. The compact, athletic switch-hitter has developed a hard-earned reputation as one of the top defenders in the Midwest. His heads-up defense and on-field IQ, combined with his well-rounded shortstop actions, make for a dynamic skill set up the middle. Offensively, Alicea’s a productive and competitive at-bat from both batter’s boxes, geared to reach first base by any means necessary. From there, his speed and instincts make him a constant threat to steal second and/or third base, projecting to be a prototypical top-of-the-order catalyst. He makes more firm contact from the right-handed box, but swings a short, simple stroke from both sides. Alicea is the latest shortstop with Wisconsin roots to be garnering national attention – much like the next name on our board.
Alex Alicea (3/7/21)
+ Though we haven’t seen SS Cal Fisher (Deerfield; Notre Dame) in a showcase setting in some time, our live looks at the gifted sophomore have not disappointed. His value is tied inside his compact, strong right-handed swing, as he’s demonstrated a natural feel for the barrel while looking the part of a natural middle-of-the-order bat. He has a physical look, though his athleticism allows him to roam the middle of the infield well, especially on the move – and he has a really quick glove-to-hand exchange that enhances his arm strength profile. Ranked inside the top-175 nationally, Fisher remains one of the state’s top 2023 players.
+ RHP Adam Switalski (Westosha Central; Indiana) is next, ranked No. 3 overall in the state and another top-175 national rank. Switalski’s arrow is pointed way up as he exited the offseason following his performance at the South MKE I.D. There, while his high-end athleticism was expectedly on display, he demonstrated the new and improved feel to spin and locate his curveball which now trends as one of the best breaking balls in the class. Switalski also sat at an athletic, low-effort 87-89 mph, featuring ride through the strike zone from a projectable release height (5.68 feet on average) and high ¾ slot. His changeup effectively mimics his arm speed with arm-side fade/run, generating a competitive three-pitch mix combined with the athleticism that produces an authentic starter’s profile.
Adam Switalski (3/7/21)
+ RHP Cole Selvig (Regis) just recently announced his verbal commitment to Texas, prior to which he was arguably the top uncommitted prospect in Wisconsin, regardless of class. At March’s Madison I.D., Selvig demonstrated advanced arm speed to produce a fastball that lived 90-91 mph exclusively, with some effort, though he pounded the bottom of the strike zone with it, coupled with swing-and-miss offspeed. His changeup projects as his go-to offspeed, thrown aggressively with late arm-side fade beneath the zone, though he can really spin a breaking ball – his curve was measured at an average spin rate of 2,492 rpm, featuring sharp action off an 11/5 plane. Selvig has an live arsenal contributing to what’s becoming an exciting 2023 Wisconsin class.
Cole Selvig (3/14/21)
+ We were fortunate enough to see RHP Jonah Conradt (Hortonville; Arizona) on more than one occasion this past offseason. The wiry 6-foot-1 righty has live arm speed that generates some of the biggest velocity in the class, up to 90.4 mph at the Madison I.D., sitting effectively 88-89 mph in several of our most recent looks. The fastball features above-average ride and carry through the strike zone backed by advanced spin, 2,317 rpm on average. Conradt’s spin feel translates to his slider and curve, two breaking balls he’s manipulated differently that have flashed advanced action separately, and his changeup is a totally viable out-pitch in the making as well. The athleticism, arm speed, and spin feel combine to grant Conradt another one of the state’s most impressive ceilings.
Jonah Conradt (3/14/21)
+ Power-armed RHP Dylan Questad (Waterford; Notre Dame) remains the No. 7-ranked player in the state in this update, though he’s trending up having showed the ability to reach premium velocity. Questad doesn’t require much effort to touch 90-91 mph, built at a broad-shouldered, strong, athletic 6-foot, 190 pounds. Greater offspeed feel shown at the Madison I.D. helped him end the winter on a high note, and he’s still firmly among the most interesting sophomores in a blossoming ‘23 class.
STILL ON THE MARKET
TOP-10 TABLE
| RANK | NAME | POS | SCHOOL | COMMITMENT |
| 1 | Alex Alicea | SS | St. Thomas More | Louisville |
| 2 | Cal Fisher | SS | Deerfield | Notre Dame |
| 3 | Adam Switalski | RHP | Westosha Central | Indiana |
| 4 | Cole Selvig | RHP | Regis | Texas |
| 5 | Jonah Conradt | RHP | Hortonville | Arizona |
| 6 | J.T. Kelenic | OF | Catholic Memorial | - |
| 7 | Dylan Questad | RHP | Waterford | Notre Dame |
| 8 | Thomas Curry | C | Arrowhead | - |
| 9 | Thomas Burns | RHP | Hortonville | - |
| 10 | Luke Agnew | RHP | Marquette University | - |
+ OF J.T. Kelenic (Catholic Memorial) is now the top uncommitted player on our state rankings following the winter, possessing one of the highest offensive ceilings in the state still. His upside 6-foot-3, 195-pound stature is noteworthy on its own, and his long levers generate advanced strength on contact that’s really only just starting to show itself. Kelenic’s right-handed swing works with above-average bat and hand speed metrics that combine to produce impactful contact. He’s still growing into the control of those levers, but there’s also a skill set here that separates him from his peers.
J.T. Kelenic (3/7/21)
+ There’s a case to be made that C Thomas Curry (Arrowhead; uncommitted) has one of the top offensive profiles in the state’s sophomore class. Simply, few prospects in the state are able to generate the kind of strength on impact that Curry generates from the right side. At the Madison I.D., the Arrowhead backstop averaged an exit speed of 93.3 mph – with a 99.8 max – and he creates that kind of exit speed without selling out for power. It’s a vicious, aggressive right-handed swing, complete with bat and hand speed marks at the top of the scale, but Curry maintains his balance through impact and he’s long shown the ability to barrel hard-hit contact to all fields. His physicality makes his 7.13 speed stand out, and he moves well behind the plate with prominent arm strength, measured at an 84 mph high to second.
Thomas Curry (3/14/21)
+ RHP Thomas Burns (Hortonville) is currently ranked as the top uncommitted pitcher in the state following his stellar ‘pen thrown at the Fox Cities I.D. There, Burns reached the 90 mph mark from an upside 6-foot-3, 180-pound frame. His fastball projects beyond its velocity, too, as the pitch also features advanced vertical action and above-average spin rates (2,270 rpm on average), coming out of a steep, high slot to home. Burns’ improved velocity is likely a direct result of his diligent work over the offseason to clean up his arm action. It’s more efficient now, and the results are evident. Burns also has the makings of a swing-and-miss 12/6 curveball that plays out of a similar slot, and his changeup has effective metrics behind it, too.
Thomas Burns (3/6/21)
+ One of the most surprising performances of the offseason came back in February at the West Milwaukee I.D., where RHP Luke Agnew (Marquette University; uncommitted) leapt into the category among the top right-handers in the state. Agnew’s athletic/strong 6-foot-3, 203-pound physique naturally elicits stater traits, and his three-pitch mix only makes that instant impression even more true. In February, the sophomore sat at an ultra clean, loose 83-85 mph, and he reached back for an 88 high later in his ‘pen. The fastball obviously projects to grow into more velocity, attached to natural arm-side action, and his curveball and changeup look like they’ll develop well alongside it.
Luke Agnew (2/21/21)
For a complete look at the state’s Class of 2023 Rankings, click here. Stay tuned for more notes on this budding sophomore class later this week.
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