Wisconsin Class of 2026: Update
May 30, 2024
In part of Prep Baseball’s release of the 2026 national rankings throughout the course of this week, the Prep Baseball Wisconsin staff has made an update to the 2026 rankings within the Badger State. There are numerous changes within, including a new No. 1 atop a deep, talented class. Check out some of the top standouts and their notes from throughout the spring below.
Keep an eye out for more content coming out this week related to the state's on-the-rise prospects who are just wrapping up their sophomore years.
HIGH-FOLLOW TRIO
+ RHP/INF Ben Kuglitsch, Muskego; Florida State commit:
Kuglitsch takes over the No. 1 spot after multiple standout looks over the spring season on both sides of the ball:
From 4/19/24: “... barreled an opposite-field double off the wall to drive in a big run in Muskego’s one-run loss to St. Thomas More on Friday. The 6-foot-2, 173-pound Kuglitsch played left field in the contest, but also profiles well at shortstop at the next level. The two-way talent was also up to 91 mph on the mound this winter. It’s a balanced swing with easy power and long levers that create leverage presently, while also showing room to add.”
From 4/29/24: “Listed at a lean and athletic 6-foot-2, 173 pounds with long levers and plenty of room to add. Currently ranked No. 2 in Wisconsin’s talented 2026 class and No. 124 nationally. Monday provided us our first in-game look at Kuglitsch and it certainly did not disappoint. On the bump, Kuglitsch features simple mechanics and pairs it with a quick, loose arm that produced fastball velocities up to 91 mph in his four inning start, while sitting in the 88-90 mph range throughout. He went to a sharp, low-70s 11/5 curveball with late depth early on into the game while he found the zone with his fastball and it continued to get sharper as the game went on. He finished his illustrious outing with 10 strikeouts and allowed just three walks across four frames while looking the part of a high-end two-way talent inside of the Badger State.”
+ 1B Dominic Santarelli, Kenosha St. Joseph; Louisville commit:
Santarelli has continued to excel this spring for Kenosha St. Joseph—emerging as a potent bat in the middle of their lineup. The left-handed hitter hit .472 at the conclusion of the regular season for the Lancers. He finished with an impressive OPS of 1.570 and had 22 extra base hits, including eight triples and three home runs. His production at the varsity level continues to rise—priming him for an elite summer circuit.
+ RHP/INF Cal Moreau, Monona Grove:
Moreau has done it all for Monona Grove over the past couple of months from a two-way perspective, leading the Silver Eagles to the Power 25 rankings and a high seed during this postseason stretch. The right-hander showed well on the mound numerous times in front of our staff in live action—rushing his FB up to 90 mph on a cold, windy day at The Rock back in April. He boasts confidence and power at the plate in a strong 6-foot-3, 185-pound frame—producing at a consistent rate as Monona Grove’s leadoff hitter for a majority of the season. After multiple quality showings, Moreau has earned a spot to represent Team Wisconsin at the Prep Baseball Future Games in late July.
IMPACT PROSPECTS IN THE TOP-10
+ LHP Colton Semmelmann, Brookfield Central:
Semmelmann has put together a solid season on the mound for Brookfield Central, as the left-hander has emerged as the ace of a competitive pitching staff in just his sophomore season. Semmelmann presents a four-pitch mix, led by a FB that has touched 88 mph in the past. This spring, our staff had him up to 87 mph, complemented by two mature BBs and a CH. He has continued to perform in live action throughout the spring—raising his stock as a name-to-know within the top-5 of this 2026 class.
+ RHP Tyson Grulkowski, Muskego:
Grulkowski showcased one of the top arsenals in the class over the winter, and has excelled for a successful Muskego team on the mound as one of their go-to arms in both a starting role, and as a reliever. The right-hander has reached 87 mph with the FB in the recent past, but his SL has been a difference-maker. Grulkowski has a mature feel for the pitch, as our staff has been able to witness in live action this spring. He has provided some pop at the plate in prior looks as well—emerging as a high follow throughout the rest of the year.
+ RHP/1B Brett Biondich, Kettle Moraine Lutheran; TCU commit
Biondich popped in multiple showings throughout the spring, mostly due to his presence on the mound for a quality Kettle Moraine Lutheran. The right-hander topped at 92 mph with the FB in our most recent look—filling the strike zone with life. With a strong frame, Biondich uses his lower half to consistently repeat his delivery. He showcased a developing SL at times throughout the live action to round out his arsenal. Biondich has shown well at the plate, too—demonstrating his easy power that he provides from the right side.
+ SS/3B Winson Alonso, Reedsburg Area:
Alonso has been the centerpiece offensively for Reedsburg, who was one of the handful of teams to make their way on to the Power 25 this spring. Alonso has a smooth left-handed swing with power to the gaps—showcasing his talent in front of our staff at the Madison Preseason ID back in March. He has enjoyed a strong spring at the top of the lineup for the Beavers, as our staff is curious to witness his production for the rest of the season and into the summer tournament circuit.
+ RHP/INF Caleb Johns, New Berlin Eisenhower:
After battling some injuries early on in the season, Johns is back in full force for New Berlin Eisenhower—looking to get some time on the mound in the near future. Despite his lack of work as a pitcher in live action, Johns’ bat has continued to rise to the occasion. In the strong left-handed swing, Johns presents quick hands and the ability to handle varsity pitching. He has been a staple in the middle of the lineup for the Lions all spring, as he will be integral to their success in the upcoming playoff run.
O’Grady has been one of the most productive underclassmen in the state at the varsity level—taking over the top of the lineup for Badger, another Power 25 program. He has manned the centerfield position for the entire year, and has not skipped a beat at the plate. O’Grady provided our staff with exit velocities in the mid-90s during his showcase in the winter, and it has translated to the diamond this spring.
MUST-SEE ATHLETES
+ OF Ezra Liggon, Madison Memorial:
From 4/19/24: “The athletic left/left outfielder stands at a lean 6-foot-4, 190-pounds and offers some of the state’s highest upside. With the bat, Liggon took controlled hacks to ball all night long for Madison Memorial from a simple left-handed swing. He came up big for the Spartans late in their game on Friday night, as he shot a two-strike single to the opposite field to bring in a pair to put the game out of reach for the opposition. His premium athleticism is very apparent in the outfield, as he covers ground effortlessly and he pairs it with a strong arm that topped at 87 mph at this winter’s Milwaukee Preseason ID.”
+ INF Caleb Liggon, Madison Memorial:
Liggon is an athletic left-side of the infield defender with a high ceiling. Unlike his brother, Caleb is a right-right athlete but carry similar frames and athleticism between each other. Performing out of the middle of the order this spring, Liggon swings simple and controlled bat with advanced feel for the barrel.
+ INF/RHP Chance Ruby, Wilmot Union:
Ruby is an ultra-athletic two-way prospect, standing at 6-foot, 176-pounds. Ruby has feel to consistently drive the ball at the plate, spraying line drives over the field. His athleticism carries over into the infield where he projects to stick on the left-side of the diamond. On the mound Ruby has been up to 88 mph with a four pitch mix, a low-70s curveball, a mid-70s changeup and a low-70s slider. Now with two year’s experience as a varsity starter Ruby enters the summer as a must watch.
+ OF/RHP Carson Hawley, Bay Port:
Hawley is a strong and athletic outfield prospect. At the plate on the right-side, Hawley swings a whippy and strong bat with feel to elevate the baseball. Hawley worked his way into the starting lineup this year at Bay Port where he took advantage of the chances he got this spring.
+ MIF Aidan Kolb, Hartford Union:
From 4/20/24: “Kolb made for a number of tough at-bats in Hartford’s one game on Saturday, resulting in one hit in two at-bats. At the plate, he doesn’t try to do too much, he knows his game and he executes it, consistently shooting the ball to all fields atop of the Orioles lineup. He is also a steady and sure-handed defender up-the-middle, playing shortstop in this look and he has an accurate arm, too. Kolb is certainly an intriguing uncommitted sophomore in the state and should continue to garner attention throughout the spring and into the summer.”