Award Contenders 1 Month Into Season
Burlington's Jacob Lindemann pitches at the Hitters Top Prospect Camp in January
We’re about one month into the spring season, and the landscape of baseball in the state is starting to take shape. The best players are already separating themselves from the pack and making a name for themselves. Today we’ll take a look at a few of the players who have put themselves in the running for our Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year awards with their play to this point in the season. These lists are not conclusive, and any player not present can still win the awards at the end of the season. These players are listed in no particular order.
Player of the Year early season candidates
Jeff Holtz, Arrowhead
Holtz is the three-hitter for the best team in the state, and for good reason. The sophomore has posted fantastic numbers across the board so far this season. Through 10 games, he’s hitting .567 with 14 RBIs, six doubles, a triple and a home run.
Matt Korman, Waterford
Korman has played a huge role in Waterford’s success so far this season. The junior is batting .471 through 12 games played with 19 RBIs and two home runs. If he keeps up this pace, he’ll approach 40 RBIs by the end of the season.
Nick Winter, Milwaukee Lutheran
Winter has been a very tough player to get out this season. The UW-Milwaukee commit is batting .593 through eight games with two RBIs and seven stolen bases. He’s got an eight game hit streak, and has gotten multiple hits in all but two games this year.
Nick Sailer, Coleman
Coleman has dominated their opponents this season, and Sailer personifies that. Through 10 games, the senior is hitting .556 with nine RBIs and 10 stolen bases. He’s on pace to tally 23 steals this year if he keeps up his current rate.
Gavin Lux, Kenosha Indian Trail
Lux has been on a tear this year for the Hawks. The Arizona State commit is hitting .667 with five extra base hits, seven RBIs and six steals through nine games. He has not struck out yet this season.
Trevor Hogenson, St. Mary Catholic Central
Hogenson has been a dominant force in St. Mary’s lineup this spring. The UW-Whitewater commit is batting .500 with 18 RBIs and three home runs through eight games. At his current pace, he could potentially tally 40 RBIs this year.
Justin Lavey, Kenosha Tremper
Lavey has been a top player in Wisconsin for most of varsity career, and his senior season has been no different. The Louisville commit is hitting .462 with 12 RBIs, two doubles, four triples and nine stolen bases through 11 games.
Tanner Halvorson, Eau Claire North
Halvorsen has had a great year for the Huskies so far. Through nine games, the junior is hitting .471 with 15 RBIs. He has bashed three doubles and four triples this year.
Alec Morrison, Middleton
Morrison has been a key player in Middleton’s lineup this year. The senior is hitting .483 with 13 RBIs through 10 games. He has eight doubles this season, and has only failed to get an extra base hit in three games so far.
Tyler Flamme, Wisconsin Heights
Flamme has been nearly unstoppable this season for the Vanguards. He is hitting .720 with 12 RBIs, 13 steals, and a home run. He has produced more runs than outs this year.
Pitcher of the Year early season candidates
Jacob Lindemann, Burlington
Lindemann has been Burlington’s ace this spring. The Wichita State commit is 4-0 on the season with 21.1 innings pitched. He has 33 strikeouts and his ERA is just 0.32. He has only given up one earned run all year.
Brandon Bohl, Elk Mound
Bohl has been an unstoppable force on the mound this season. Per wissports.net, the senior southpaw is 6-0 with a perfect game and no-hitter under his belt already. He has not allowed a run all season, and he has only surrendered six hits. His 45 strikeouts lead the team by far.
Mack Blashka, St. Mary Catholic Central
Blashka has only pitched 14 innings this year, but he’s already 4-0 with 33 strikeouts. Most impressively, he has not given up any runs or hits yet this season. Not even a single hit!
Cam Anfang, Jefferson
Anfang has been nearly untouchable this season. The junior is 4-0 with 32 innings pitched. He has 43 strikeouts and his ERA is an impressive 0.21.
Nick Winter, Milwaukee Lutheran
As impressive as Winter has been as a hitter this year, he’s been even better as a pitcher. He is 3-0 with a 0.32 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 21.1 innings pitched this season.
Matt Osterberg, Coleman
Osterberg has been ridiculously good on the mound this year. The junior southpaw is 5-0 with 26 innings pitched. His ERA is 0.53 and he has 42 strikeouts. That’s an average that’s not too far away from two strikeouts per inning.
Nate Brown, Arrowhead
Brown is one of the biggest reasons that Arrowhead’s pitching staff is so formidable. The Florida commit is 3-0 with zero earned runs and 26 strikeouts in 19 innings pitched. He also has a save to his credit this year.
Keaton Knueppel, Verona
Verona has been inconsistent this year, but that’s not the case for their star pitcher. Knueppel is 2-1 with a 1.21 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 23 innings pitched this season.
