2017 Player of the Year finalists
Pictured, from left to right: Mitchell Seager (Beloit Turner), Jeff Holtz (Arrowhead), Drew Behling (Waupun).
The Wisconsin Baseball Central Player of the Year award will honor the best position player in the state. The award is open to players of any year in school. Kenosha Indian Trail's Gavin Lux was named the winner last year. After much deliberation, our staff has chosen 10 finalists for this year's award. The finalists are listed below, in alphabetical order by last name. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, June 27.
Drew Behling, Waupun senior infielder
Behling helped lead Waupun to the Division 2 state championship game with his prolific bat. He hit .461 with six doubles, one triple, five home runs and 33 RBIs for the Warriors. He had a huge state tournament, going 5-for-7 in two games.
Peter Brookshaw, Prescott junior infielder
Brookshaw had a record-setting season for the Cardinals this spring. He broke the school record for doubles in a season with 22. He finished with a .583 batting average, a triple, two home runs, 38 RBIs and 16 stolen bases.
Jacob Campbell, Janesville Craig junior catcher
Campbell was the top-hitter for Craig this spring. The Illinois commit hit .463 with 10 doubles, four home runs, 37 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. He was named co-Player of the Year in the Big Eight Conference.
Tyler Flamme, Wisconsin Heights senior infielder
Flamme had another prolific season for Wisconsin Heights. Named to our first team All-Wisconsin squad last year, he followed with a senior showing in which he hit .500 with 11 doubles, two triples, two home runs, 32 RBIs and 22 stolen bases.
Hunter Gustafson, Webster junior infielder
Gustafson helped the Tigers reach the Division 4 state tournament this spring. As the club's cleanup hitter, he batted .518 with 10 doubles, two triples, seven home runs, 51 RBIs and 10 stolen bases.
Jeff Holtz, Arrowhead junior catcher
Holtz turned in another all-state caliber season for the Warhawks in his junior season. The Indiana recruit hit .452 with 14 doubles, three home runs and 24 RBIs.
Garrett LaBreche, Kenosha Tremper senior infielder
LaBreche had a phenomenal season for the Trojans this spring. The Mesa Community College commit hit .494, bashed nine doubles, knocked in 16 runs and stole seven bases. He was a tough out for opposing pitchers all year long.
Payton Nelson, Wausau West senior outfielder
The mighty Nelson crushed the ball all year for the Warriors. He batted .472 with 12 doubles, one triple, four home runs and 20 RBIs. He scored 31 runs of his own.
Mitchell Seager, Beloit Turner junior outfielder
To say Seager raked this spring would be an understatement. The junior hit .521 with 14 doubles, three home runs and 43 RBIs. He also stole 14 bags.
Ryan Wickman, River Valley senior outfielder
Wickman was named a preseason first team All-Wisconsin selection, and he lived up to the billing on the field. He batted .494 with eight doubles, three triples and two home runs. He stole 35 bases on the year.
