Wisconsin Baseball Central
Preseason 1st Team All-Wisconsin
As the 2015 season draws closer, the top players all across Wisconsin are prepping to continue their success during the spring. We’ve sorted through the many talented ball players in Wisconsin and come up with 3 teams featuring the best of the best. A few notes before we get into them: The teams were selected based on a few factors, including last year’s performance, overall ability, and difficulty of competition. The most important factor was last year’s performance/stats. Stats were collected from various sources: the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association, the official state tournament program book, Prep Baseball Report, Wisconsin Baseball Report, team websites, and from the players themselves. So without further ado, let’s take a look at Wisconsin Baseball Central’s Preseason All-Wisconsinites. In this edition, the cream of the crop: 1st Team All-Wisconsin.
Catcher: Rudy Rott, La Crosse Aquinas
Rott committed to play baseball at Ohio University during his junior year, and it’s not hard to see why. The left-handed hitting catcher batted .592 last spring, good for one of the highest batting averages in the state. Also solid defensively, Rott is a force to be reckoned with in the Mississippi Valley Conference. On the mound, he posted a 1.63 ERA.
First Base: Mike Brekke, Sun Prairie
The 3-hole hitter for last spring’s Division 1 state champions, Brekke posted great numbers offensively. He put up a .413 batting average, slugged 9 doubles and 5 home runs (good for a .713 slugging percentage), and knocked in 31 runs. Those numbers were one of the big reasons that the Cardinals were able to win their 3rd straight state title.
Second Base: Gavin Lux, Kenosha Indian Trail
Lux was the main man in Indian Trail’s lineup last year. The Virginia Tech commit hit .459 with 7 doubles, 4 triples, and 2 home runs. He knocked in 22 runs while scoring 28 of his own. Throw in 12 stolen bases and you’ve got his season in a nutshell. His advanced defensive work is also a big plus, although he was limited in the field with arm soreness last spring. All in all, Lux may be the best junior in Wisconsin this season.
Shortstop: Alex Henwood, Appleton North
Henwood, a Nebraska commit, has been an all-conference player every year of his high school career. Last year he was named to the 1st team All-FVA squad. He is one of the most well-rounded infielders in Wisconsin, in the field and at the plate. He started at shortstop as just a freshman for the Lightning at the state tournament in 2012, and they'll be aiming to get back to Fox Cities Stadium this June.
Third Base: Justin Lavey, Kenosha Tremper
Lavey, a Louisville commit, will lead a talented Kenosha Tremper team this year. Last season, Lavey slugged his way to a .333 batting average, hitting 9 doubles, 6 triples, and a home run. Tack on 22 stolen bases and a .415 on-base percentage, and you’ve got a terrific season. Expect more of the same this year from Lavey.
Left Field: Shane Coker, Athens
Statistically speaking, Coker may be the best hitter in Wisconsin, although that fact is not known by many. That’s a shame, because the Akron recruit won the Wisconsin batting title last season after posting a ridiculous .646 batting average. He was the Marawood North Player of the Year last year, and he’s the favorite to take that crown again this spring.
Center Field: Dominic Clementi, Arrowhead
As Arrowhead moves to spring ball this season, Clementi figures to be a key part of the lineup. Playing against the best competition in the Midwest with the Rawlings Hitters (a travel team in Racine) this summer, he hit for a .330 average, and got on base at a .390 clip. Factor in a cannon of an arm from the outfield, and you’ve got the complete package. Clementi, a University of Michigan recruit, will lead a very talented Arrowhead squad this year. He was plagued by a concussion over the summer, but it remains to be seen if that’s had any lasting impact.
Right Field: Connor Rutherford, De Pere
There was not much fanfare around Rutherford’s performance last spring, but there should have been. Only a junior, he batted .476 while playing a tough schedule. In conference play alone he had 12 extra-base hits, including 3 home runs. To put that stat into perspective a little, he averaged an extra-base hit once per every 5 at bats in conference play. He also dominated on the mound, highlighted by a no-hitter against a state tournament team (Notre Dame).
Pitcher: Alex Hintze, Oshkosh North
Playing in the brutally tough Fox Valley Association last spring, Hintze went 8-2, posting a 1.53 ERA. The UCONN commit’s fastball sits in the mid-to-upper 80s, and he flashes a good breaking ball to keep hitters off balance.
Pitcher: Jack Eagan, Wautoma
Playing in Wautoma, Eagan (an Indiana University commit) went 11-1 with a 0.53 ERA as just a sophomore last year. His fastball has touched the 90 MPH benchmark and his curveball has good break to it, which spells trouble for hitters in the South Central Conference this year. Ultimately, he may be the best pitcher in Wisconsin this upcoming spring.
Pitcher: Brendan Meissner, West De Pere
Meissner will headline a very talented West De Pere team this spring. A year ago, he threw 51 innings and posted a 0.95 ERA with 68 strikeouts and only 15 walks. The University of Illinois commit has a fastball that clocks in around 85 MPH, and a prolific breaking ball to fool hitters.
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