Outfielder Finalists
Wisconsin Sports Network is proud to showcase the WSN Senior Baseball Awards presented by Taco Bell.
The pre-season watch list has been trimmed down to five finalists. Winners are announced the week of the spring baseball state tournament.
WSN Senior Baseball Awards -- Outfielder Finalists:
Josh Baker, University School of Milwaukee -- The Wildcats have been ranked #1 in the Division 2 Coaches Poll all season, and Baker's contributions in all areas of the game have been a huge reason for that success. His offensive numbers may be unmatched in the state, as he has 40 hits in 60 at-bats (.667 batting average) to go along with 21 walks and 6 hit by pitches for an on-base percentage of .770. Baker, who signed with Jacksonville in the fall, cracked 13 home runs this season with 40 RBI and has a slugging percentage of 1.533. He's also stolen 15 bases for good measure. And if that's not enough, he could be a finalist for the Pitcher award as well with a 9-1 record, 0.13 ERA, 0.69 WHIP, and 98 strikeouts in 55 innings.
Mitch Champagne, Coleman -- The Cougars advanced to the Division 3 state tournament last year and are one of the favorites to make it back to Appleton after dropping down to D4 this season. A three-time First Team All-Conference pick in the Marinette & Oconto Conference, Champagne earned Second Team All-State honors last year. As a leadoff hitter in 2012, he's hitting .521 with 11 extra-base hits, 36 runs scored, and 20 RBI. He has outstanding power as evidenced by his .712 slugging percentage, but also blazing speed which has led to 28 stolen bases. One of the state's top three-sport athletes, he is a two-time Conference Player of the Year in both football and wrestling.
Nathan Mikolas, Kenosha Bradford -- Mikolas is the top-ranked prospect in the state of Wisconsin and could be drafted in the top five rounds of the upcoming MLB Draft. He also has a scholarship to Louisville if he chooses to go the college route. Before all of that however, he is proving that a year away high school ball hasn't hurt him. Then again, in playing for a traveling team out of Georgia last season, Mikolas earned valuable experience and exposure that have helped him dominate back at Bradford this year. He is hitting .515 on the year with a .660 on-base percentage and 1.000 slugging percentage. He's cranked 6 home runs with 22 RBI and 30 runs scored for the Red Devils, who blew away the competition for the Southeast Conference crown.
Stan Mrozinski, Ashwaubenon -- A two-year captain for head coach Shannon Van Laanen, Mrozinski will likely be a unanimous First Team All-Conference choice once again. With one game left on the season, Mrozinski is batting .442, which will mark the third straight season he has hit over .400. Add in 21 walks and he has an on-base percentage of .590. He was a Second Team All-Area and Honorable Mention All-District choice a year ago.
Nick Yenter, Rosholt -- Like some other players on this list, Yenter could be a nominee as both a pitcher and position player. In fact, he was a Second Team All-State choice last year at the position of "Utility" due to his outstanding contributions in all areas. This season, he's hitting .424 with 7 home runs, 33 RBI, and 35 runs scored as Rosholt is 21-1 and ranked 2nd in the WBCA Coaches Poll. On the mound he is 6-0 with a 0.48 ERA for head coach Jack Brooks.
To view the Watch List, click here.
Lists are compiled from statistical information available to WSN, coach nominations, player evaluations, and other resources.
Tag(s): News Travis Wilson
