With the IHSA season underway, the ScoutConnect scouting staff will be out and about in full force throughout the spring, providing quality coverage to high school athletes on a game-to-game basis. Aside from the social media aspect of our scouting, we’ll release our ‘Scout Notes’ the day after each game, which will provide a more detailed analysis of some players that stood out to our staff on that given day.
Continue reading below to learn more about a few names that stood out to our staff in a non-conference matchup between Waltonville and No. 4 St. Anthony, which the Spartans won 4-0 and pulled off the ranked upset win.
WALTONVILLE SPARTANS
Brandon Menser, RHP, 2025, Cincinnati commit
Long, lanky 6-foo-4, 180-pound frame with lean levers that offer plenty to project on. Took the ball for the Spartans in their upset win over the defending 2A state champions, striking out 12 over six innings with just one walk and 50-of-76 pitches for strikes. Gave up his first baserunner of the day in the bottom of the fifth on a flared pop up into the right-center field gap. Simple and controlled delivery, stacks his backside slightly and gets down the mound with controlled intent through footstrike. Repeats well, consistently strides in-line to the plate. Clean, continuous arm path with some length on the backside, finishes out of a traditional over-the-top slot with notable arm speed out front. Fastball touched 92 mph once in the first, held 88-91 mph as he went on, including several 91s in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings, and sat 90-91 mph for the entire fifth inning. Holds plane and plays with life at the top of the zone, has produced advanced carry traits from a high release point on average in the past; averaged 20+ inches of vertical break on his fastball at the ScoutConnect Pro Day on February 19th. Completely confident in a 72-75 mph curveball with sharp, late break and bite. Would double, and tripled up on it once, and throw it in hitters’ counts. Able to throw it to either side of the plate, and to both handed hitters, for strikes or swing-and-miss. Manipulated the spin on it, would have more of a true 12-to-6 break to it at times, while also showing tighter, harder, and more lateral spin for glove side swing-and-miss. Showed a changeup with some fade in warmups, threw it with fastball intent but did not show it in game. An impressive look at one of the state’s top arms and a potential MLB Draft follow as the spring rolls on.
Witten Devor, INF, 2027, Uncommitted
Strong, compact right-handed hitter, hit out of the two-hole and started at second base for Waltonville. Was on the barrel twice in this look – squared a ball up to the pull-side for a fielder’s choice at third base, drove a pitch to center field in his next at-bat to bring a run home on a sacrifice fly. Strong hands with some length in the swing, level barrel through the zone with some bat strength.
Reed Robinson, MIF, 2028, Uncommitted
Lean, athletic frame with room to add strength. Led off for Waltonville and started at shortstop. Did not record a hit in this contest but did have two RBI and drew a walk. Competes at the plate with a short, direct right-handed swing that showed plate coverage and in-zone contact. Will start to hit for more impact as he continues to develop physically and tack on strength. Showed athletic actions on the infield in I/O. A freshman to keep tabs on for the Spartans.
NO. 4 ST. ANTHONY BULLDOGS
Xander Beals, RHP, 2026, Uncommitted
Athletic frame that’s started to fill out since our last look, adding strength with room for more. Started on the mound for the Bulldogs, allowing two earned runs on three hits over 3 ⅓ innings with four walks and five strikeouts. Tall, upright posture down the mound with a long arm swing that comes out of a ¾ slot. Cleaner, more efficient out of the windup, had some trouble syncing up with a short stride from the stretch. Fastball played straight at 80-83 mph, did flash subtle arm-side action at times. Main secondary in this look was a 69-71 mph curveball with tight spin and some depth, able to land it for strikes early in the outing. Showed a changeup with late fade to a left-handed hitter in the second inning at 75 mph, but used it sparingly.
Alex Mayer, RHP, 2027, Uncommitted
Compact frame with strength throughout, particularly in the lower half. Came out of the ‘pen for St. Anthony and fired 2 ⅔ scoreless innings with one hit, no walks, three strikeouts, and 23-of-33 pitches for strikes. Worked with tempo and rhythm on the mound, creates some deception with a lean in his front side as he works down hill. Long arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball touched 83 mph, played at 79-82 mph with heavy run, late at times. Turned over a mid-70s changeup off it that stayed on plane, thrown at arm speed.
