Watch for these Wisconsin names in the upcoming MLB draft
Wisconsin has become a hotbed when it comes to the Major League Baseball draft.
In recent years, a flood of state players have made it to The Show, including Owen Miller (Brewers), Gavin Lux (Dodgers), Jarred Kelenic (Mariners), Ben Rortvedt (Twins, Yankees), Daulton Varsho (Diamondbacks, Blue Jays), Danny Jansen (Blue Jays), Terrin Vavra (Orioles), Alex Call (Nationals) and Alec Marsh (Royals).
There are also several Wisconsinites knocking on the door of the majors, such as Noah Miller (Twins), Alex Binelas (Red Sox), AJ Vukovich (Diamondbacks), Connor Prielipp (Twins) and Max Wagner (Orioles), all of whom were taken with the top 120 picks in recent drafts.
Who will add to the list this year? Here's what to know about the 2023 MLB Draft:
When and what time is the MLB draft?
For the third straight year, the draft is part of MLB's all-star week. It'll start at 6 p.m. Sunday with the Pittsburgh Pirates on the clock.
The first day will consist of Round 1, Competitive Balance Round A (10 picks), Round 2, Competitive Balance Round B (six picks) and three second-round compensation picks.
Monday and Tuesday will consist of Rounds 3-10 and 11-20 respectively, with both days starting at 1 p.m.
Where can you watch the MLB draft?
The MLB Network and ESPN will broadcast all of Sunday’s coverage from Lumen Field, home of the Seattle Seahawks, in Seattle. Rounds 3-20 will be streamed on MLB.com.
Which Wisconsin players are likely to get drafted?
Here are some top state talents to keep an eye on:
Dylan Questad, right-handed pitcher, Waterford Union High School
Questad was nearly unhittable this season, with a 0.48 ERA, 89 strikeouts and 17 walks in 43⅔ innings. His fastball stands out the most among his pitches, sitting mid-90s, and he touched 97 mph at max effort earlier this season.
The right-hander ranks No. 194 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 200 Draft Prospect Rankings. The question going into the draft surrounding Questad is whether he'll turn pro if he gets drafted or honor his commitment to play at Arkansas.
“Arkansas has been my dream school for a while now, and I just love every part of it and would love to end up on campus," Questad told the Journal Sentinel in May. "I just think that whatever opportunity comes in July (at the MLB draft) and whichever one fits me better will be the decision I choose."
RHP Dylan Questad (Waterford, 2023; @RazorbackBSB commit) punched out seven of the 15 batters over a scoreless 4 IP, H, 2 BB.
Sat 91-93 mph. Two different breaking balls; CB flashed sharper action, 73-75. Also showed a swing/miss CH, 82, that looked like a weapon against LHHs. pic.twitter.com/vI3ebE8BZW— PBR Wisconsin (@PBRWisconsin) April 10, 2023
Cal Fisher, shortstop/second baseman, Deerfield High School
Fisher ranks as Wisconsin’s top draft prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. He hit .479 this season for the Demons with 45 RBIs, 18 doubles and nine home runs — and he's gotten high scouting grades for his defensive skills.
The Florida State commit is playing for the Madison Mallards in the Northwoods League, most recently hitting two home runs in a July 5 win over the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters.
Two home runs in TWO DAYS for Cal Fisher 💪@CalFisher4 | #RollLards 🦆 pic.twitter.com/4g6ttGFQ8I
— Madison Mallards (@MadisonMallards) July 6, 2023
George Klassen, right-handed pitcher, University of Minnesota
The Port Washington High School alumnus is considered the the top collegiate player with Wisconsin ties in this year’s draft class, thanks to his pitching arm. Despite struggling this year for Minnesota (1-7, 5.72 ERA), his upside has led him to be projected in the top five rounds.
George Klassen (‘23 elig.) showcasing massive stuff early on. FB has sat 95-99 mph, reaching 100 mph here in the 1st. Pairs it w/ tight, mid-80’s breaking ball. Creates late bite on the offering #PGDraft @GopherBaseball pic.twitter.com/TtHu7C9dX5
— PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall) February 18, 2023
Kyle Hucksturf, outfield, University of Iowa
Hucksturf first jumped onto scouts' radar last year when he went 7-for-13 (.538) with three home runs, 12 RBIs and five runs in a two-game span for the Hawkeyes against Indiana. This season, he finished tied for team lead in triples (5) while batting .280 with 13 homers and 54 RBIs.
He played for the State College Spikes in the Major League Baseball Draft League this summer, where he was a perfect 15-for-15 in stolen-base attempts.
He previously attended Waterford High School and Iowa Western Community College.
.@KyleHuckstorf now leads the @mlbdraftleague in stolen bases by going 12-for-12 - he led off with this steal on the @PALottery Video Highlights as one of 3 on the night!
See the Spikes' newest offensive spark at the top of the order, and we'll see you for 4 for $44 Friday! pic.twitter.com/1x5rCQitwM— State College Spikes (@SCSpikes) June 23, 2023
Other names to know
Riley Frey, left-handed pitcher, UW-Milwaukee: The Oshkosh West alumnus saw an uptick in his fastball this season, sitting low-90s. He was the Panthers' No. 1 starter this season and led the team in starts (15), innings (90) and strikeouts (87). He's pitching in the Cape Cod Baseball League this summer for Orleans, where he has a 3.37 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 10⅔ innings.
Josh Leslie, shortstop, McNeese State: The Kenosha native is rated the No. 44 college shortstop, according to D1Baseball this season. He was named to the Brooks Wallace Award watch list, which honors the top college shortstops. Leslie played at Westosha Central High School and Mesa Community College.
Ben Hampton, left-handed pitcher, Texas Christian: The West De Pere High School grad gained significant attention this season after leading the Cape Cod League last summer with 49 strikeouts in 42⅔ innings for Chatham. Playing for West Virginia, he was named to the all-Big 12 first team this season with an 8-5 record, a 4.66 ERA, 90 strikeouts and 27 walks in 83 innings. He transferred to TCU after the season.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: MLB draft could include these Wisconsin names
