See also: GRB, Moreno Wrap Up Big Summer
GRB held their annual Top Prospect Camp recently welcoming roughly 170 players, mostly from the state of Wisconsin (with a few from Illinois and Iowa sprinkled in), from the classes of 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. A handful of Division II, Division III, NAIA and JUCO recruiters were on hand to take in the action and all of the day’s activities were streamed online via Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. This allowed Division I coaches – who are currently in a dark period as determined by the NCAA – to also tune in from afar.
All of the video (GRB had multiple cameras set up to get a variety of angles, depending on the drill being conducted) taken on the players will be individually shared in the players’ “Film Room” profile pages. To access the entire day’s video taken from the GRB Academy in Windsor, Wis., visit this YouTube link:
Or just watch it here:
A tip of the cap to Greg Reinhard and his hard working staff, who not only place a premium on the players and the experience (and exposure) they received from attending this event, but also to how smoothly the entire event was run. This clearly wasn’t their first rodeo.
Below I have compiled my own reports on the players that stood out during the second and third sessions of the day (I did not attend the morning session). Please keep in mind that these are my thoughts and opinions. Thanks to GRB for supplying the individual player videos.
Players broken down by class. All players are uncommitted unless otherwise noted.
Class of 2021
Jason Starr, RHP, Sun Prairie, Wis., Sun Prairie HS
Starr deserves mention as an uncommitted senior that has potential to pitch somewhere at the next level. He’s listed at 6-foot-1, 170-pounds with a lean and lanky frame with some projectable strength. He generates 86-88 mph fastballs and shows some feel, and power, for a 72-74 mph curveball that he’ll need to snap off more consistently well moving forward, but the foundation is there to be a good secondary pitch.
Charlie Bogue, C/3B, C/3B, Mount Horen, Wis., Mount Horeb HS
It was a solid showing for the uncommitted Bogue, particularly when it came to his arm strength and transfer (2.02-2.04 POP times) from behind the plate while making online throws to second base. He also showed a strong arm (83-84 mph) from across the infield and displayed a line drive swing plane with hard contact as a right-handed hitter.
Class of 2022
Matthew Mueller, LHP/1B, Brookfield, Wis., Brookfield Central HS
Mueller was the overall standout from the event from my perspective, really looking the part of a Division I hurler, and potential two-way player, with a 84-85 mph fastball, touching 86, with the ball jumping out of his hand. It’s important to note that his velocity increased 4-5 mph over the course of the summer, and his tall, angular and long-limbed 6-foot-4, 190-pound frame suggests that there will be further velo jumps moving forward. Both his 70-71 mph curveball and 78-79 changeup also show promise. As a left-handed hitting first baseman he swung the bat consistently hard to produce line drive contact and fielded his position very well during the event’s infield drills.
Video: Matthew Mueller 60-yard, infield, BP
Theo Zeidler, SS/RHP, Suamico, Wis., Bay Port HS
Zeidler had the best overall performance on the day, starting things out with a 6.95-second 60-yard dash time, 88-89 mph throws from the outfield and 85-87 mph throws across the diamond, all of which were thrown online and on target. As a right-handed hitter he has a good swing, keeping his hands in with good power up the middle of the field, hitting the ball consistently hard. On the mound he was 85-87 mph – 84-85 out of the stretch – with some feel for both a low-70s curveball and a mid-70s changeup. He was one of the more obvious physical players in attendance as well with a strong 6-foot-2, 185-pound build and profiles as a strong-armed third baseman with some two-way potential at the next level.
Video: Theo Zeidler pitching
JJ Vargas, SS/RHP, Hartland, Wis., Arrowhead HS
Vargas was one of the day’s pleasant surprises, an obvious, physical athlete that looks bigger/more physical than his listed 5-foot-10, 180-pound build. He ran a 6.94-second 60-yard dash and made easy, effortless online throws across the infield recording 83 mph. He carried that easy velo to the mound where he recorded 84-85 mph fastballs, touching 86 on his last pitch, with a pair of secondary show-me pitches. In batting practice is where he stood out, really hitting the ball hard while showing off his obvious strength as the ball jumped off his bat.
Video: JJ Vargas pitching
Caden Capomaccio, RHP/OF, Green Bay, Wis., Notre Dame Academy
In my early notes I wrote “wanna see him pitch” after he threw 88 mph from the outfield with a strong, sturdy and athletic 6-foot, 175-pound frame. Onlookers (myself included) were rewarded when he threw 87-88 mph as a right-handed pitcher, showing easy, effortless arm strength and mixing in a short-breaking 77 mph slider and some feel for a 79-81 mph changeup. He also showed good strength at contact as a right-handed hitter, but his value lies in his arm strength on the mound.
Video: Caden Capomaccio 60-yard, BP, OF
Caleb Guden, OF/SS, Medford Wis., Meford Area Senior High
It was a good overall day for Guden who stood out as one of the more well-rounded players in attendance. He threw 85-86 mph from the outfield with big carry, showing similar velocity with good accuracy on his throws across the infield. A switch hitter, from the left side he showed a mostly pull approach, consistently hitting the ball hard, and showed a similar quick bat from the right side with an aggressive swing. On the mound the 5-foot-10, 165-pound right-hander dialed his fastball up to 84 mph (82 out of the stretch) while mixing in a 71-72 breaking ball with shorter shape.
Video: Caleb Guden pitching
Dylan O’Connell, SS/RHP, Eau Claire, Wis., Eau Claire Memorial HS
O’Connell struck me as a gamer, the type of player you can tell that he knows what he’s doing on a baseball field simply by his body language. He had a solid overall day, running a 6.94 60-yard dash, throws 83 mph across the infield, taking a strong BP and firing 82 mph fastballs on the mound. Defensively there is some zip on his throws, getting the ball across the infield on a line and accurately. He was confident enough in his swing to swing the bat hard, squaring up a few, and he threw a promising low-70s breaking ball in addition to his low-80s heat.
Video: Dylan O’Connell pitching
Nick West, 3B/RHP, Verona, Wis., Verona Area HS
West is a big, physical athlete at a listed 6-foot-1, 184-pounds. A switch hitter, West was smoking the ball from the right side and just mashing from the left with a very impressive batting practice performance. He threw 85 across the infield and 83-84 mph off the mound, touching 86 out of the stretch, giving him one of the day’s better overall performances.
Video: Nick West pitching
Dominik McVay, OF/RHP, Mineral Point, Wis., Mineral Point HS
McVay is built like a running back, with compact strength and quick-twitch fiber in his 5-foot-10, 180-pound frame. He stood out immediately by running a 6.60-second 60-yard dash time, the fastest of any participant, and also recorded an 87 mph throw from the outfield. He carried that arm strength to the mound, throwing a 83 mph fastball, and swung the bat hard from the right-handed batter’s box, producing hard, line drive contact up the middle.
Video: Dominik McVay pitching
Mason Fink, C/OF, Verona Wis., Verona Area HS
Running a 6.88-second 60-time will draw some attention as a primary catcher, as did his arm strength that registered 2.03-2.09 second POP times. He had a quick transfer on his throws and his last four swings in BP were better than his first, hitting loud line drives.
Aaron Jungers, LHP/1B, Madison, Wis., James Madison Memorial HS
Jungers has the rare left-handed throwing, right-handed hitting profile and had a solid overall day. He ran a 7.0-second 60-yard dash and threw 75 mph from first base. His upside lies on the mound where he threw 84-86 mph and maintained his velocity well out of the stretch. Jungers mixed in a 68 mph curveball that has some decent shape to it and what appeared to be a 73-74 mph changeup that he’ll need to fine tune.
Video: Aaron Jungers 60-yard, 1B, BP
Grant Meulemans, SS/2B, Freedom, Wis., Freedom HS
Meulemans jumped out early by running a 6.82-second 60-yard dash, one of the faster times at the event, and based on his current stride and stature he should run faster with some speed training and natural physical development. He threw 77-78 mph across the infield and displayed a line drive swing as a right-handed hitter with a simple stride into contact. On the mound he fired 82-83 mph fastballs with a quick arm making the ball look as though it jumped out of his hand.
Video: Grant Meulemans pitching
Brandon Carew, OF/LHP, Kimberly, Wis., Kimberly HS
Carew immediately stood out in the second group when he recorded 88 mph on a throw from the outfield; those throws were online and accurate. As a left-handed hitter it’s clear he’ll need to add some strength to make a greater impact, but his athletic frame has room for him to do so, and he ran a 7.04-second 60-yard dash, so there’s a promising foundation if he’s able to take his talents across the board to the next level.
Video: Brandon Carew pitching
Luke Shepski, RHP/OF, Waunakee, Wis., Waunakee HS
Shepski showed easy arm strength from the outfield, recording 81-83 mph velocity on his throws, and was 81-82 mph, touching 83, on the mound as a right-handed pitcher. He also threw a low- to mid-70s slurvy breaking ball and took easy swings while routinely hitting the ball in the air with a lofted swing plane as a left-handed hitter during BP.
Max Stocco, SS/RHP, Shorewood Wis., Marquette University HS
A compact and strong, physical athlete, Stocco performed well in all phases. He threw 84 across the infield and swung the bat hard as a left-handed hitter to make consistent hard contact. On the mound he threw 79-80 mph fastball with some feel to spin a 67 mph curveball.
Kase Reierson, C/3B, Rio, Wis., Deforest HS
Reierson deserves mention for the simple fact that he recorded POP times from 1.97- to 2.03-seconds. That tool alone will keep him on recruiters’ radars.
Nolan Klug, RHP/1B, Menomonee Falls, Wis., Menomonee Falls HS
Klug is another quick-hit mention as a 6-foot-5, 200-pound right-hander that can throw 85-87 mph fastballs with some feel for an upper-60s curveball.
Evan Long, RHP, Tomah, Wis., Tomah HS
With an athletic 6-foot-1, 185-pound build and arm strength to produce 84-86 mph fastballs, Long was one of the harder-throwing pitchers on the day.
Mason McKellar, C/3B, Nashotah, Wis., Arrowhead HS
I like McKellar for what he was, with good, not great arm strength and a taller frame (6-2/165) that he used well to create leverage in his right-handed swing that allowed him to sting the ball consistently well.
Class of 2023
Cole Selvig, RHP, Altoona, Wis., Eau Claire Regis HS
Selvig’s arm strength stands out, especially for his age/class. He threw 86-87 mph consistently at the Top Prospect Camp and it seems likely he’ll be touching 90 during the spring of what is his sophomore year in high school. There’s some feel for both a 68 mph curveball and a mid- to upper-70s changeup, although both pitches need to be developed further to be more effective. There’s some effort to his delivery when he dials up his fastball in a setting such as this, but he’s athletic and repeats his actions well.
Caleb Karll, C/OF, Madison, Wis., Madison West HS
Karll is one of those catchers that was clearly born to play the position. A good looking athlete at 6-foot-1, 180-pounds, his arm stood out, recording POP times of 2.03, 2.06 and 1.94 and his throws were consistently on a line and on the money. There’s some need for refinement to his swing but he was hitting the ball consistently hard with obvious strength as a right-handed hitter.
Noah Dreier, SS/RHP, Brookfield, Wis., Brookfield Central HS
Dreier recorded a 7.00-second flat 60-time, one of the best among the 2023 players in attendance. He also threw 83 mph across the infield with easy arm strength, showing that arm strength deep in the 5-6 hole with good lateral range and overall actions. As a right-handed hitter it looks like he tries to muscle the ball a little too much at times instead of letting his swing path do more of the work, but he has the strength to impact the baseball hard.
Video: Noah Dreier pitching
Logan Frank, RHP/1B, Oshkosh, Wis., Oshkosh North HS
Frank was one of the top 2023 players in attendance, although his 6-foot-2, 215-pound frame made it hard to believe he’s a high school sophomore. A left-handed hitter, Frank hit the ball hard despite the need to tighten up his swing mechanics. There’s easy strength to his 83 mph fastball on the mound while throwing a pair of secondary pitches, and at this stage of his development he needs to add some polish to his game to truly flourish.
Video: Logan Frank 60-yard, BP, 1B
Roman Trapani, 3B/RHP, Eau Claire, Wis., Eau Claire Memorial HS
Trapani is the younger brother of Vince Trapani, a mid-90s right-hander from the class of 2021. The younger Trapani doesn’t have that kind of arm strength, at least not yet, but it is clear he knows how to pitch. His fastball worked in the low-80s (81-83) with a sharp mid-70s slider and a distinctly different low-70s curveball. The power in his breaking balls may suggest his fastball is due for a jump in velocity in the not-so-distant future.
Video: Roman Trapani 60-yard, BP, IF
Mason Armstrong, C/OF, Verona, Wis., Verona Area HS
I had been impressed by the strength in Armstrong’s swing in a previous look and he smoked a couple of balls during BP of GRB’s Top Prospect Camp. He has the needed arm strength behind the plate although his throws varied from a 2.0-second POP to a 2.24-second throw. He looks like a catcher with a sturdy and strong 5-foot-11, 200-pound frame.
Braden Smith, 3B/RHP, Byron, Ill., Byron HS
Smith stood out for being a high school sophomore throwing 84-85 mph fastballs (81-82 out of the stretch) with some feel to spin a 65-68 mph curveball. He ran a 7.02-second 60-yard dash and showed a bounce in his step while taking infield, producing strong, accurate throws across.
Video: Braden Smith 60-yard, BP, IF
Tyler Lusic, RHP/OF, Waterford, Wis., Waterford Union HS
Lusic had a solid workout, throwing 83 from the outfield and hitting some balls hard during his BP session, although he didn’t appear to be squaring the ball up as well as he could. He profiles the best on the mound with a 83 mph fastball while using his 6-foot-2 stature well to throw on a downhill plane. His mid-60s breaking ball has some frisbee type action to it and he also threw a mid-70s changeup that will be a better pitch with more experience and reps.
Video: Tyler Lusic 60-yard, BP, OF
Jackson Hunley, RHP/3B, Sun Prairie, Wis., Sun Prairie HS
Hunley had a solid showing during the workout portion of the Top Prospect Camp and was especially intriguing when he took the mound. He has good size for a ’23 grad at 6-foot-3, 170-pounds with a lot of room remaining for add strength. He threw comfortably in the low-80s (80-81 mph) with a 71 mph curveball and a 73-75 mph changeup. He also hit the ball hard during his BP session and showed strong throws across the infield during infield drills.
Video: Jackson Hunley 60-yard, BP, IF
Andy Nordloh, C/3B, Waunakee, Wis., Waunakee HS
Nordloh had a solid overall day as a strong-armed catcher and third baseman with some pop to his pull side as a right-handed hitter. He made consistently online and accurate throws, both across the diamond and from behind the plate, recording 2.14-2.19 POP times.
Drew Kloster, RHP/1B, Stillman Valley, Ill., Stillman Valley HS
Kloster is super projectable as a high school sophomore and is worth following considering he’s 6-foot-6 and 190-pounds with an easy right arm that produces 78-81 mph fastballs. His arm slowed on his mid-60s breaker, but the overall package is worth keeping an eye on as he develops.
Daelen Johnson, RHP/OF, Beaver Dam, Wis., Beaver Dam HS
Johnson enjoyed a solid workout, recording a 86 mph outfield throw and showing some strength in his right-handed swing. His upside lies on the mound where he threw a 82 mph fastball and a shorter yet still-sharp 68-71 curveball.
Drew Gernert, OF/RHP, Mequon, Wis., Homestead HS
Gernet is all about projection, as he didn’t stand out but it was obvious he’s going to throw harder from his current 77-78 mph velocity as he continues to grow, fill out and hone his game. He also displayed good feel to spin a mid- to upper-60s curveball.
Miles Nelson, 1B/RHP, Cottage Grove, Wis., Sun Prairie HS
You need to look past the body type with Nelson (5-10/220) and focus on the baseball skills and talents as he should play college baseball somewhere at some level. He moves well for his size and can smoked the ball consistently as a right-handed hitter while touching 80 mph from the mound.
Class of 2024
Noah Wech, SS/RHP, Manitowoc, Wis., Lincoln HS
Wech was the standout of the 2024 players, a well-rounded athlete with obvious baseball actions that made what he did look easy. He threw 80 mph across the infield with strong, accurate throws and easy actions to the ball. As a right-handed hitter he used a short, simple stride into contact consistently stinging the ball up the middle of the diamond. His easy arm strength continued to show on the mound, recording 81 mph with some promise in his low-70s breaker.
Video: Noah Wech pitching
Tevyn Montgomery, 3B/OF, Green Bay, Wis., Bay Port HS
It’s hard to believe Montgomery is a high school freshman as he looks like a man among boys with a chiseled 5-foot-10, 198-pound frame. It made more sense when I was told Tevyn is the son of Green Bay Packers defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery. He ran a 6.97-second 60, the fastest of any 2024 players in attendance, and threw 78 mph from the outfield and 74 from the infield. As a right-handed hitter he hit the ball consistently hard and took equally hard swings, confident in his ability to impact the baseball.
Logan Dunn, OF/LHP, Neshkoro, Wis., Wautoma HS
The ball made a different sound off the left-handed bat of Dunn as he hit off the tee and took some soft toss swings prior to his round of BP. During BP he didn’t impact the ball the same way, but as a 2024 grad it’s clear he has an easy, fluid swing and should hit the ball more consistently harder, while handling velocity, as he continues to mature physically. He also threw 77-79 mph fastballs from the mound as a left-handed pitcher, although his future value clearly centers around his potential in the left-handed batter’s box.
Video: Logan Dunn pitching
Eddie Rynders, SS/RHP, Wind Lake, Wis., Wisconsin Lutheran HS
It’s easy to envision Rynders showing up at this event a year from now and looking significantly different as his listed 5-foot-10, 145-pound frame is well-proportioned with long, wiry strong limbs and more to come with maturity. He was solid across the board, with 77-78 mph infield throws, an easy line drive swing plane as a left-handed hitter and some promise as a right-handed pitcher, throwing 77-79 mph fastballs and recording 80 on his final pitch.
Video: Eddie Rynders pitching
Eason Hurd, SS/RHP, Green Bay, Wis., Ashwaubenon HS
Hurd’s an exciting player and it’s obvious he’s going to get bigger, faster and strong as he continues to mature. Currently listed at a well-proportioned 5-foot-9, 155-pounds, Hurd ran the 60-yard dash in 7.18 seconds and threw 73 across the infield. As a right-handed hitter he made easy line drive contact. On the mound he threw 77 mph out of the windup and 76 out of the stretch with a big, slow bender in the mid-60s and some feel for a 79-71 changeup. The pieces are all there for him to elevate his game.
Video: Eason Hurd pitching
Cal Casper, C/2B, Pulaski, Wis., Pulaski HS
It’s not often you see a 2024 catcher show the kind of arm strength Casper did, recording a 2.0-second POP time while adding 2.13- and 2.20-second throws. Those throws were online and accurate with a very quick glove-to-hand transfer and sound overall mechanics. As a right-handed hitter he put a charge in a few balls swinging the bat hard. He’s definitely a player to keep tabs on moving forward.
Nate Langbehn, RHP/3B, Rothschild, Wis., DC Everest HS
Built lean and lanky with a listed 6-foot-3, 165-pound frame, Langbehn looks like a pitcher and has some future promise given his projection. Currently he’s throwing in the low-80s (81-83) with obvious room for more velocity and an upper-60s breaking ball.
Gage Bishop, SS/RHP, Dubuque, Iowa, Galena HS
Bishop stood out for his actions taking infield, with easy, flowing lateral movements while recording 81 mph on his throws to first base, particularly notable for a high school freshman. As a right-handed hitter it took him a few swings to find his rhythm, but once he did he squared up the ball well.
Broden Jackson, 1B/C, Janesville, Wis., Milton HS
There are some things to like about Jackson with a tall and angular build for a high school freshman. He put a charge in some balls as a right-handed hitter and showed some arm strength – 73 mph as a first baseman with POPs in the 2.3-second range.
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