PREPS ALCOVE

Preps Alcove: A potential No. 1 pick and other Wisconsin connections to upcoming MLB Draft

Daniel Zielinski
Special to Now Media

Editor's Note: Last week, we talked a little NFL Draft; this week, we're shifting to another sport's draft. This week's Preps Alcove comes from Dan Zielinski, who takes a look at the several local players who may hear their name called at this year's (or next year's) Major League Baseball drafts, plus some college connections to the state. That includes a potential No. 1 overall pick when the MLB Draft begins June 12.

States in the Northeast and Midwest are usually not known for producing elite-level high school baseball talent due to the weather and competition level. But last year, Wisconsin produced a remarkable MLB First-Year Player Draft class.

Sixteen Wisconsinites heard their names called in 2016, including two prep players who went in the first two rounds.

Kenosha Indian Trail High School shortstop Gavin Lux became just the fourth prep player from Wisconsin to get selected in the first-round when the Los Angeles Dodgers drafted him with the 20th overall pick.

Verona Area High School catcher Ben Rortvedt was the 56th overall selection when the nearby Minnesota Twins drafted him.

“I think that was an extraordinary class for Wisconsin high schools last year,” MLBPipeline.com’s draft expert Jim Callis said. “I don’t think we will see that ever year, obviously.

“But I do think at the same time, I think the state is underrated in terms of high-school talent. People sometimes don't realize that talent that leaves the state for college. I think high-school baseball in Wisconsin is better than the typical fan might realize it is.”

Although Wisconsin doesn’t have a high-school player who will hear his name called in the first 10 rounds of this year’s draft, the state has well-regarded prep players who will attend college for the next three years before reentering the draft in 2020.

Here are are some names to watch from the area as potential draft prospects for the next couple years, along with three college players from the state who are well-regarded draft prospects in 2017:

2017 HS prospects

Zach Clayton, SS, Oconomowoc

Zach Clayton has primarily played shortstop for Oconomowoc during his four-year varsity career but will likely switch to third base at the next level. In his first three high school baseball seasons, he’s hit over .400, including a .422 batting average as a junior in 2016.

A 6-foot-2, 220-pound infielder, Clayton will play baseball at Oregon State University, beginning in the fall, unless he turns pro.

Austin Mihlbauer, LHP, Mukwonago

A 6-foot-1, 186-pound left-handed pitcher, Austin Mihlbauer is the No. 2 prospect in Wisconsin behind West Bend West right-hander Nathan Burns. Mihlbauer has a clean delivery and throws from a low three-quarters arm slot.

He has a three-pitch repertoire, featuring an upper-80s fastball, a low-70s curveball and a changeup. He’s committed to Texas Christian University.

Ben Dragani, LHP, Catholic Memorial

Left-handed pitcher Ben Dragani is an imposing figure on the mound, standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 220 pounds. A senior at Catholic Memorial, Dragani is known for his fastball-slider combination, with his slider being his best offering. His fastball tops out in the mid-80s.

Dragani will attended the University of Michigan this fall if the draft doesn’t work out in his favor.

Griffin Doersching, 1B, Greendale

A 6-foot-4, 250-pound first baseman, Griffin Doersching is the top power bat in Wisconsin. Hitting from the right side, Doersching is a confident hitter who has major pull-side power and solid discipline at the plate.

Committed to Northern Kentucky, Doersching drew college offers from multiple schools, including the University of Illinois.

Ryan Bader, LHP, Mukwonago

Ryan Bader is a left-handed pitcher with a 6-foot-2, 160-pound frame. Bader has a three-pitch mix, featuring a mid-80s fastball, a changeup and curveball.

Committed to Northwestern, Bader will likely head to college to develop for three more years before re-entering the draft in 2020.

2018 HS prospects

Jarred Kelenic, OF, Waukesha West

One of the top high school players in the 2018 baseball prep class, Kelenic has become a household name for scouts after participating in numerous showcase events last summer. A 6-foot-1, 190-pound outfielder, Kelenic has room to improve but is already an advanced player with five-tool potential.

Committed to the University of Louisville, Kelenic is Wisconsin’s top draft prospect and will have a shot to go in the first round in the 2018 MLB Draft.

Jeff Holtz, C, Arrowhead

A University of Indiana recruit, Holtz was a second-team all-state catcher, hitting .462 with 40 RBIs, as a sophomore in 2016. A solid defensive catcher, Holtz has a strong arm  and makes consistent, hard contact as a right-handed hitter at the plate.

Alex Binelas, 3B, Oak Creek

Committed to the University of Louisville, Alex Binelas is a left-handed swinging third baseman. Binelas is a solid all-around player, as he drives the ball to all fields at the plate and is a smooth defender at the hot corner.

2019 HS prospects

Steve Jamroziak, OF, Muskego

Jamroziak is an exciting young outfielder with five-tool potential. Committed to the University of Oklahoma, he will likely have to make a difficult decision about turning pro out of high school or going to college come the 2019 draft.

Paul Toetz, SS, Greendale

A University of Indiana recruit, Toetz is known as a line drive hitter and average defender. He figures to shift over to third base at the next level. He also pitches for Greendale, possessing a low-80s fastball, a changeup and curveball.

2017 college players

Daulton Varsho, C, UW-Milwaukee

Listed at 5-foot-10, 200 pounds, Daulton Varsho is undersized but has tremendous hitting ability, presenting a balanced combination of power and plate discipline.

His father, Gary, played eight seasons in the major leagues. He’ll have a chance to follow in his father’s footsteps this June, as he’s expected to go in the top four rounds of the draft.

Jeren Kendall, OF, Vanderbilt

A Holmen native, Jeren Kendall is a true centerfielder with blazing speed and athleticism. Offensively, he hits for average from the left side of the plate. He has a shot to go No. 1 overall to the Minnesota Twins in this year’s draft.

Austin Jones, RHP, UW-Whitewater

A Wauwatosa West baseball star from 2009-2013, Austin Jones was drafted in the 26th round by the Chicago Cubs in the 2016 draft. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound right-hander has a three-pitch repertoire, featuring a low-90s fastball, a changeup and a curveball.

Jones has improved his draft stock this spring and could hear his name called in the top 10 rounds of June’s MLB Draft.