Wisconsin Baseball Central
Preseason 2nd 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: 2nd Team All-Wisconsin.
Catcher: Pete Schuler, Kenosha St. Joseph
Schuler is about as good as it gets behind the plate in Wisconsin. The Kent State recruit batted his way to a .456 average last season and flashed good power in his bat as well. With a good arm defensively, Schuler is the complete package.
First Base: CJ Teske, Lake Country Lutheran
Teske played first base for last year’s Division 4 state champions, and he did it really well. At the plate, he batted .513 with 11 doubles, 5 triples, and a home run. That effort was good for a crazy .820 slugging percentage. He also knocked in 31 runs and stole 10 bases. Defensively, he had a .984 fielding percentage, which was one of the best on the team.
Second Base: Cade Bunnell, Stoughton
Bunnell hit near the top of the lineup for a highly talented Stoughton team last spring. The Kansas State commit batted .299 with 23 RBIs, 2 home runs, and 9 stolen bases. He also got on base at a .446 clip for the Vikings. Bunnell is also a solid defensive player in the infield.
Shortstop: Nick Schrader, Jefferson
The starting shortstop on the Division 2 state champions last spring, Schrader (a Western Illinois commit) batted .462 over the course of the year. With 12 doubles and 3 triples, he put up an impressive .659 slugging percentage. He was also one of the team’s top run producers, as he collected 27 RBIs. This stat is made even more impressive considering the fact that he hit in the 2-hole for the Eagles.
Third Base: Vinnie Hubli, Kenosha Bradford
Hubli, a Chicago State commit, was a key part of Kenosha Bradford’s offense last season. He hit his way to a .394 batting average and an impressive .469 on-base percentage. His 21 RBIs were the best on the team.
Left Field: Jon Krueger, River Falls
Krueger batted .531 for a sectional finalist team last spring, which is no small feat. The reigning Big Rivers Conference Player of the Year, Krueger will be the main offensive threat next year for the Wildcats.
Center Field: Kyle Schulz, Kenosha Bradford
Schulz is one of the premier two-way players in Wisconsin, as shown by his numbers last spring. The UW-Whitewater commit batted .346 and got on base at an impressive .433 clip. He is also dangerous on the base paths, collecting a team-high 12 stolen bases last year. On the mound, Schulz was Bradford’s ace. He posted a 2.37 ERA in 47.1 innings of work and struck out 68.
Right Field: Joe Baier, Bay Port
Baier, a Chicago State commit, was an offensive force for Bay Port last season. The outfielder hit .333 and slugged 5 doubles, 2 triples, and a homer. His effort added up to 19 RBIs over the course of the spring. Bay Port will be a very tough team to beat this year, and Baier will be one of many Pirates to watch.
Designated Hitter: Hayden Houts, Owen-Withee
Houts, who will play college ball at Northern State University, is a two-time all-conference player in his career. Last year, he dominated opposing pitching, batting .510 while tallying 29 RBIs and 7 extra base hits.
Pitcher: Alec Haluzak, Wilmot Union
Haluzak was the ace of a state semifinal team last year, and his numbers show why. In 44 innings pitched, he only allowed 2 earned runs and struck out 64 while walking just 10 hitters. His effort added up to a 0.32 ERA. Pitching will be Wilmot’s biggest strength this year, and Haluzak is a big part of that.
Pitcher: Hunter Van Zandt, Janesville Parker
Van Zandt was the Player of the Year in the Big 8, arguably the toughest conference in Wisconsin last spring. He was only a sophomore, but in 55 innings he posted a 0.90 ERA and struck out 64. This accomplishment is even more impressive due to the fact that he did it in the Big 8, which is filled with great hitters.
Pitcher: Dakota Klein, Bay Port
Klein was the ace of Bay Port’s staff last year and he will be again this spring. Pitching about 47 innings last season, he put up a 0.90 ERA and struck out 65 batters. The Texas A&M commit has a fastball that hits the mid 80s, and an excellent curveball. He will look to defend his title of FRCC Co-Player of the Year in 2015.
Leave a comment below to let us know what you think!