WISCONSIN

2007 FOLLOW LIST  

OVERVIEW: The 2007 spring season inWisconsin has been best described by the word “delayed”. Delayed, as in the wet and cold weather that kept players at all levels off fields until mid- to late-April. Delayed also in terms of when scouts got to see the one prime prospect in the state for 2007, Wisconsin-Stevens Point righthander Jordan Zimmerman.

Everyone had hoped to see Zimmerman early on his spring trip to Florida ; however, a broken jaw from a batting-practice line drive knocked Zimmerman out during February and March, and caused him to lose 15 pounds and the chance to throw in the Florida sun.

 

With a team that was far deeper than just Zimmerman , Wisconsin -Stevens Point advanced to the Division III World Series ranked sixth nationally and ended up finishing third. Ironically, one of the teams Wisconsin-Stevens Point eliminated early in that championship was No. 8-ranked Carthage College of Kenosha. Madison Area Technical CC also had a big 2007 season, finishing 41-16 with a deep pitching staff.

 

The Wisconsin high school ranks feature some promising young arms but none that appear ready to enter pro ball yet. Righthander Andrew Paulauskas is the hardest thrower, reaching 92 mph, and he may have a team pick him in a signing round due to his lack of college options.

 

STRENGTH: Jordan Zimmerman.

WEAKNESS: Prospect hitters.

OVERALL RATING (1-to-5 scale): 3.

 

Best Out-of-State Prospect, Wisconsin Connection: Mark Hallberg, ss, Florida State U. (Attended high school in Barron).

Top 2008 Prospect: Chris Wakefield, rhp, Bay Port HS, Green Bay .

 

Highest Pick, Draft History: Kevin Brandt, of, Nekoosa HS (1979, Twins/1^st round, 11^th pick).

Highest Pick, 2006 Draft: Anthony Butler, lhp, Oak Creek HS (Mariners/3^rd round).

 

Best College Team: Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Best Junior College Team: Madison Tech CC.
Best High School Team: Eau Claire North HS.

 

TOP 10 PROSPECTS / By David Rawnsley

 

GROUPS (College, Junior College, High School)

      1   High-round draft (Rounds 1-3)

      2   Mid-round draft (Rounds 4-10)

      3   Late-round draft (Rounds 11-25)

      4   Chance draft / Player to follow

 

*Draft-and-follow; eligible to sign before 2007 draft

 

GROUP ONE

Rank  Player                                  Pos.       Yr     B-T      HT     WT     School                              Hometown                 Drafted/(Commit) B’date

     1.   Jordan Zimmerman          RHP      Jr.     R-R     6-1     200     U. of Wis. -Stevens Point    Auburndale              Never drafted        5-23-86

SCOUTING REPORT: This was a rough spring for Zimmerman, who entered the year as a scout’s darling: a Division III prospect who came out of nowhere to become a potential first-round pick. First came a batting practice incident that left Zimmerman with a broken jaw and cost him the opportunity to pitch in front of large groups of scouts on Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s March trip to Florida . Then came the removal of his wisdom teeth, further weakening him. Then the weather in Wisconsin was miserable and wet all spring. While Zimmerman was not up to duplicating the live 93-95 mph fastball he showed last summer in the Northwoods League, he got back up to the 88-92 mph range and began to get the snap back in his slider. Zimmerman also throws a curveball and a changeup. His development from a high school junior who threw 81-84 mph and walked on to a Division III team to a top-three round prospect is one of the more amazing stories in this year’s draft. His adversity this spring just added to the story. Zimmerman ended the season on a high note, winning MVP honors at the Division III World Series, throwing a one-hit shutout against Emory (Ga. ) College from the mound and going 8-for-13 with two home runs as a DH. His regular season numbers were 10-0, 2.08 in 78 innings.