HARTFORD, Wis. — Whitefish Bay High School has an incredibly dangerous lineup, with its first five hitters all boasting Division I college commitments. The plethora of high-end talent resulted in the Blue Dukes averaging 16 runs per game in their first three contests.
Hartford Union High School junior right-hander Austin Kutz did a phenomenal job limiting the Blue Dukes’ offense early in Monday night’s game. But the Blue Dukes finally broke through in the third inning by scoring five runs to ease to an 11-0 victory.
Kutz showed feel for his breaking pitch, striking out the side in the first inning. In the third inning, junior second baseman Jack Counsell rocketed a line drive to the left-field wall to drive in the Blue Dukes’ first two runs. Later in the inning, senior outfielder DJ Kojis hit a two-run line drive to left field to increase their lead.
It was all the scoring the Blue Dukes needed with senior right-hander Mitchell Voit on the mound. Voit pitched six scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts. He allowed three hits, but only one left the infield.
MLB Draft Notebook
Below is a look at the players who are drawing MLB draft interest this year or are on the radar of professional scouts for the next couple of years.
Michael Lippe, OF, Whitefish Bay (2022 grad)
Lippe has been on scouts’ radars since his freshman year. The Louisville commit is one of the top players in Wisconsin and a potential pick in this year’s draft. On Monday, he went hitless while reaching base on a four-pitch walk.
Lippe uses a wide stance and a left leg kick as a timing mechanism. The right-handed hitter has a smooth swing with plenty of power potential.
Defensively, Lippe has above-average arm strength, which was on display when he pitched the final inning for Whitefish Bay.
Lippe is athletic and possesses good size, standing at 6-foot-3, 220 pounds. Although he didn’t have a loud performance, he is a must-follow prospect due to his five-tool potential.
Mitchell Voit, RHP, Whitefish Bay (2022 grad)
Voit, a Michigan commit, did a great job of mixing his pitches to make the Hartford hitters look uncomfortable. He had a lot of confidence in his fastball-slider combination and located both pitches well. He worked quickly, throwing exclusively from the stretch, and attacked hitters consistently, allowing only two hitters to square up the baseball.
Offensively, the right-handed hitter was selective at the plate, with his best at-bat resulting in a hustle double.
Voit is a highly talented two-way player. But it wouldn’t shock me if his future is on the mound due to his clean delivery, big arm and overall potential.
DJ Kojis, RF, Whitefish Bay (2022 grad)
Kojis, a Milwaukee commit, has a simple step up at the plate with a quick swing. The right-hander hitter laced a high fastball to the left-field wall to drive in two runs. He also showed some athleticism, beating out a throw to first base on a ground ball hit to third base.
Kojis has big-time arm strength, which allows him to pitch when he’s not playing right field.
Jack Counsell, 2B, Whitefish Bay (2023 grad)
Counsell, a Michigan commit, was the top performer on Monday, looking impressive in all aspects of the game. The right-handed hitter uses an upright stance with simple mechanics. He repeats his swing well and has notable bat-to-ball skills.
The junior second baseman profiles best as a top-of-the-order hitter who will consistently hit line drives with authority to all parts of the field. Counsell notched four hits, including two doubles, against Hartford.
On Monday, he showed some speed, beating a throw into second base after sending a line drive into right-center field. He then stole third base moments later.
JD Dix, SS, Whitefish Bay (2024 grad)
Dix is one of the top prospects in the 2024 class. The switch-hitter, who bats cleanup, registered his first hit in his second at-bat when he beat out a throw from the third baseman for a single. Later in the game, Dix launched a 2-1 pitch deep into right field for a stand-up double. He then easily stole third base. Both of Dix’s hits came from the left side.
Dix looks like a premium defensive player with the tools to stick at shortstop. On a ball hit up the middle, Dix ran to his left to field the baseball. While he was still going left, he managed to make a strong throw to first base to throw out the runner hustling down the line.
The Alabama commit is a must-watch player who will continue to gain notoriety in the next two years before the 2024 draft.
Carter Kutz, C, Hartford Union (2025 grad)
Kutz is only a freshman, but he is someone who is only going to get better as he matures physically. The right-handed hitter showed potential at the plate. He wasn’t overmatched by Voit’s fastball-slider combination, putting the ball in play in his three at-bats, including once for an infield single.
Defensively, Kutz was athletic behind the plate. He showed solid receiving and blocking skills. He also displayed a strong arm on throws to second base and third base.
Read more in-depth stories on top 2022 MLB draft prospects at Baseball Prospect Journal.
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Dan Zielinski III has covered the MLB draft for seven years. He has interviewed 356 of the top draft prospects in that period, including four No. 1 overall picks. Multiple publications, including Baseball America, USA Today, MLB.com and The Arizona Republic, have quoted his work, while he has appeared on radio stations as a “MLB draft expert.” Follow him on Twitter @DanZielinski3.
