PLAYERS TO WATCH

Jacob Bolwerk, Living Word Lutheran: The reigning Midwest Classic player of the year went 6-2 with a 1.75 earned-run average last season. The senior also ranked second on the team in batting average (.356) and RBI (22).

Tyler Brandenburg, Lake Country Lutheran: The junior first baseman and pitcher hit .435 with a 1.229 OPS, 37 RBI and five home runs last season. He also went 3-1 on the mound for the Midwest Classic runner-up.

Aaron Chapman, Waterford: The senior infielder hit .389 with a .583 slugging percentage last season. He’ll also be invaluable in the field for a Wolverines’ pitching staff that boasts a lot of arms.

Jeff Holtz, Arrowhead: The senior catcher was a second-team all-state pick from the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association last season as well as the Wisconsin Little Ten player of the year. The Indiana recruit hit .452.

Luke Howard, Martin Luther: The senior shortstop is a four-year starter for the Spartans. He hit .396 with 16 RBI to help the team take second in the Metro Classic.

Jake Kaiser, Catholic Memorial: The senior does the job behind the plate as the catcher and at the plate as a hitter for the Crusaders. The Iowa Western Community College recruit hit .361 last season with a .469 on-base percentage.

Trey Krause, Burlington: The junior left-hander is a UW-Milwaukee recruit who plays outfield when he’s not on the mound.

Blake Lazaris, Hartford: The senior third baseman was a first-team all-Wisconsin Little Ten pick last season when he hit .397 (.457 on-base percentage) and scored 17 runs.

Josh Leslie, Westosha Central: The senior shortstop earned first-team all-Southern Lakes recognition last year when he hit .416 with 23 RBI and 11 stolen bases. Teddy May, Racine Lutheran/Prairie School: As a junior, May hit .435 and went 8-1 with a 1.55 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 58 2/3 innings to lead his team to an undefeated season in the Metro Classic.

Gunner Peterson, Wilmot: The senior outfielder’s return is one reason expectations are high for the Panthers. He hit .449 with 16 RBI and 15 extra-base hits in 69 at bats last season.

Savier Pinelas, Milwaukee Riverside: The Tigers are young, but they have a conference player of the year candidate in Pinelas, who hit .403 with 11 RBI and 21 stolen bases. At shortstop, the senior posted a .908 fielding percentage.

Erick Rodriguez, Milwaukee Hamilton: The junior infielder is one of the City’s most dangerous hitters. He hit .444 last season with a 1.132 OPS.