Wisconsin Class of 2026 Rankings: Update

September 4, 2024
By Andy Sroka, Josh Fields, & David Go
Wisconsin Staff

WI2026Rankings_Summer Wisconsin’s class of 2026 continued to show its depth over the summer, but it also carries exceptional star power at the top.

The top three players at the top of the board have retained some separation from the rest of their peers, but there are several prospects that are in the rearview mirror, and a few new names among them.

RHP/INF Cal Moreau, 1B Dominic Sanarelli, and RHP/OF Ben Kuglitsch have traded places numerous times throughout each of our rankings updates, however this is now the first time Moreau is seated at No. 1 overall. On the trio’s heels are three other Team Wisconsin standouts from July’s Prep Baseball Future Games, each of whom remains uncommitted: LHP Colton Semmelmann (Brookfield Central), SS Chance Ruby (Wilmot Union), and 3B Winston Alonso (Reedsburg Area).

+ VIEW THE PREP BASEBALL WISCONSIN 2026 RANKINGS UPDATE HERE

We’re going to explore just how the top of this class performed in this piece today, while highlighting some of the other top-15 performers along the summer. Later on this week, look for more content that’ll highlight the prospects who have climbed the most up the board this update, as well as the names of the players who are debuting inside of this end-of-summer rankings update.

AT THE TOP OF THE CLASS 🎓

Calvin Moreau SS / RHP / Monona Grove, WI / 2026

UNCOMMITTED

Here’s a report from the Prep Baseball Future Games [7/24/24]: “... emerged as one of the biggest winners from the week from a two-way perspective, first showing well at the plate in live action after finishing as one of Team Wisconsin’s top showcase performers. Moreau got on the barrel in multiple looks throughout the course of the weekend, not always being rewarded for it. He broke through with a big triple against Team Missouri on day two of competition—showcasing his effortless speed as he cruised around the basepaths. It was half of the reason Moreau went on to win the MVP of the game, as he tossed two scoreless innings on the mound to cap off the day. The right-hander’s fastball played in the upper-80s throughout his outing, as he tallied multiple strikeouts while only allowing one hit. Moreau mixed a mature breaking ball in the process, keeping hitters off balance throughout. It summarized a successful 2024 for Moreau as a whole, as the two-way standout continued to establish himself as a force to be reckoned with in Wisconsin’s 2026 class and beyond.”

Dominic Santarelli 1B / Kenosha St. Joseph, WI / 2026

LOUISVILLE COMMIT

Here’s a report from a Prep Baseball Tournament [7/17/24]: “Santarelli looked the part as one of the top prospects in not only Wisconsin, but in the Midwest during tournament play this weekend, as our staff got another look at the No. 2 ranked player in the state after a strong showing at the State Tournament for the Lancers. Santarelli presented an ease to his game, consistently making hard contact at the plate. He wound up being the difference-maker for his team in game one of the weekend, barreling up two singles in a narrow victory. Santarelli is an advanced defender at first base, too. The to-be junior showcased smooth actions with the glove—making difficult picks in addition to throws to second base with tight windows. He continues to show well after a stellar spring, where he garnered First Team All-State honors at the first base position.”

Santarelli also went on to show well at the Underclass Area Code Games in early August; video below.

Ben Kuglitsch SS / OF / RHP / Muskego, WI / 2026

FLORIDA STATE COMMIT

Here are reports from April 2024: “... 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, April 19. 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.

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.”

CLOSING IN... 💨

+ LHP Colton Semmelman (Brookfield Central, 2026; uncommitted): Here’s a report from the Prep Baseball Future Games [7/24/24]: "... solidified himself as a top talent in the state’s 2026 class with his work on the mound in his one-inning stints on Thursday and Saturday. Semmelmann has an extremely loose and easy delivery from a three-quarter slot and sat in the upper-80s-to-low-90s with the fastball. The heater shows impressive late tailing action to the arm side and jumps through the hitting zone. His breaking ball profiles with quick break, in addition to throwing it for strikes and getting below the zone for chase. The 6-foot-1, 176-pound left-hander has a projectable frame with long levers and more room to add size and strength, as his arsenal will continue to tick up.”

(Colton Semmelmann; 7/24/24)

+ INF/RHP Chance Ruby (Wilmot Union): Here’s a report from the Prep Baseball Future Games [7/24/24]: "... finished the week as one of the top performers overall during this week-long stretch. Ruby was a standout from the spring and summer tournament schedules, continuing to excel on the diamond in Georgia. Ruby tallied numerous barrels during his time at the plate, as the to-be junior attacked strikes and showcased his patience with the bat throughout the weekend. Defensively, Ruby was automatic with the glove at the shortstop position—making the routine plays with ease, in addition to some difficult plays to both the backhand and glove side. The right-hander hopped on the mound on the final day for Team Wisconsin for just an inning, yet continued to impress. Ruby’s fastball played in the mid-80s throughout, as he garnered a strikeout and filled the zone with a four-pitch mix. The rising junior was one of the biggest winners from the week, emerging as a premium name-to-know in the state of Wisconsin.”

(Chance Ruby; 7/24/24)

+ 3B/2B Winston Alonso (Reedsburg Area; uncommitted): Here’s a report from the Prep Baseball Future Games [7/24/24]: "... emerged as one of the strongest hitters throughout the course of tournament play during the weekend. Alonso presented loose hands and a whippy barrel at the plate, coming off of a strong offensive showing during the workout day. The to-be junior provided a hit and an RBI right away in game one of action, pulling a single past the first baseman to get things started for Team Wisconsin. Defensively, Alonso is a steady mover on the corner infield positions—making multiple tough plays throughout the weekend of action. Alonso enjoyed a successful weekend—continuing to establish himself as one of Wisconsin’s top prospects in the 2026 class."

(Winston Alonso; 7/24/24)

RISING ARMS 💪

Each of the following players remains uncommitted:

+ LHP Montgomery O’Brien (Wauwatosa East): Here’s a report from the Prep Baseball Future Games [7/24/24]: “... displayed impressive stuff during his two one-inning stints last week at the Future Games. The athletic 6-foot-2, 179 pound south-paw showcased an athletic and repeatable delivery and was up to 91 mph with the fastball with late life through the zone. He landed a quality breaking ball in and out of the zone and flashed a changeup to round out his arsenal. O’Brien further established himself as a top ranked 2026 after the impressive stuff and delivery with the likelihood to remain a starter in the future—emerging as one of the biggest winners from the summer.”

O'Brien reached a PR on the mound at the Future Games, showcasing the sky-high potential he wields, which boosted him all the way to No. 10 overall in this update.

(Montgomery O'Brien; 7/24/24)

+ RHP Cameron Carter (Arrowhead): Here’s a report from the Prep Baseball Future Games [7/24/24]: “... showcased one of the more interesting right-handed pitching profiles at the event with what he was able to do on the mound, and projecting his frame to add a lot more size and strength. Carter worked from an over-the-top slot with an extremely quick arm. The fastball was up to 88 mph and displayed some late jump at the plate. His breaking ball was sharp with late downer action that he was able to land for strikes and get swing and miss and chase below the zone. Carter's changeup is a developing third pitch and a potential consistent weapon for the 6-foot-4, 171 pound righty with an extremely high ceiling.”

+ RHP Mason Schmidt (Somerset): Here’s a report from the Prep Baseball Future Games [7/24/24]: “... is a big, sturdy right-hander with a starter profile. Schmidt showcases a repeatable delivery with clean arm action through the ball from a high three-quarter slot. Schmidt illustrated the ability to drive the fastball through the zone with late boring action inside to right handed hitters. His sharp breaking ball and feel to get through his changeup make up a right-handed starter's arsenal. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound frame has more room for mass and strength. Schmidt has more ceiling to get to and likely will as a rising junior.”

+ RHP Cail Geiger (Menomonee Falls): Here’s a report from the 16U Rock Summer Championship [7/11/24]: “... was dominant on Thursday morning as he earned a victory over four innings of work. Over the four frames, Geiger allowed no runs on just one hit, striking out nine in the process. The right-hander’s fastball was up to 89 mph while it sat 86-89 mph and spun at 2,300 to 2,400 rpm and landed on the outside corner for strikes. Geiger also featured two types of fastball, a two-seam and four-seam with the prior being a go-to. For offspeed, Geiger spun a tight slider at 78-79 mph and spun it around 2,300 rpm. The put-away pitch garnered plenty of swings-and-misses and was one facet of many in a lights-out showing from Geiger.”

A minor injury kept Geiger off the Team Wisconsin roster for the 2024 Future Games, but we were eager to see what he was capable of producing in Georgia – and we're still high on this right-hander moving forward.

(Cail Geiger; 5/25/24)

+ LHP Bryce Mischler (Kimberly): Here’s a report from the Prep Baseball Future Games [7/24/24]: “... was one of the biggest winners of the week at Lakepoint. Mischler pitched on Friday and mowed down Missouri hitters with a deceptive low three-quarter delivery from the left side. His fluid and athletic movement through the delivery allowed him to pound the zone and get the fastball through the top of the zone, garnering multiple swings and misses on the pitch. His fastball topped out at 84 but there is certainly going to be a jump in velocity as his 6-foot-5, 172 pound frame fills out.”

+ RHP Vince Bitter (Brookfield Central): Here’s a report from the Prep Baseball Future Games [7/24/24]: “... settled into his two innings of work nicely on the mound on Friday. Bitter showcased a repeatable and athletic delivery with a quick arm through the baseball and pounded the fastball 86-88 mph to all four quadrants. Bitter also showed a sharp slider that he was able to land for strikes consistently and got the pitch below the zone for chase. Bitter flashed a feel for the changeup during warm ups, as the pitch continues to develop as he progresses in his prep career—rounding out his three-pitch arsenal. Bitter will continue to add velocity as he continues to mature physically.”

+ LHP Bron Schaefer (Kaukauna): Here’s a report from the Prep Baseball Future Games [7/24/24]: “... was another big winner from the week. The athletic and quick-twitched left-hander had hitters guessing throughout, as he pounded the upper part of the zone with his deceptive fastball and sharp breaker. Schaefer has a deceptive, short-arm delivery and very late life on the heater; hitters were consistently late and under the ball as he attacked. He faced eight total hitters and retired all of them. Overall, it was one of the most impressive two-day performances of the week.”

You can't pitch better than Schaefer did in his two-inning stint in Georgia. It's a rare combo of cometitiveness and pitchability, and he knows exactly how to use his pitch mix to his own advantages.

(Bron Schaefer; 7/24/24)

MORE UNCOMMITTED ATHLETES 🏁

+ OF Ezra Liggon (Madison Memorial): Here’s a report from the Prep Baseball Future Games [7/24/24]: “... showcased why he is one of the top ranked players in the state after his performance during the week. Liggon’s impressive bat speed and compact swing was on display during his at bats. He hit balls hard and had quality at bats during game play. He shows a natural feel for the barrel and the ball jumps off of his bat. Liggon also showcased a strong arm from the outfield and showed acumen for both the centerfield and corner outfield positions with his jumps and route running when tracking a fly ball. Liggon has a very high ceiling as his body will continue to fill and strength will continue to improve.”

+ UTL Sam Abrahamson (Hudson): Here’s a report from the Prep Baseball Future Games [7/24/24]: “... was one of the biggest winners of the week. Abrahamson showed some serious feel for the barrel. Using a wide base and a balanced, rhythmic approach at the plate, Abrahamson barreled up multiple balls throughout the three-game look. He showed he could handle velocity, too. His two-strike approach showcased some real feel for making adjustments mid at-bat. Abrahamson can play both infield and outfield, but played solely outfield during the week. He showcased solid jumps and routes on fly balls and played with intent and aggressiveness. Overall, Abrahamson opened up quite a few eyes at the Future Games.”

Abrahamson was one of the most productive players on Team Wisconsin at the Future Games. The tools, athleticism, and in-game performance pushed him all the way up to No. 12 overall in this update.

(Sam Abrahamson; 7/24/24)

+ INF Caleb Liggon (Madison Memorial): Here’s a report from the Prep Baseball Future Games [7/24/24]: “... showcased multiple tools during the week at Lakepoint. Liggon has a short and compact right-handed swing and very strong hands. He has a quiet and balanced approach—showcasing the ability to hit the ball where it’s pitched and attack strikes. On defense, Liggon can really handle himself at the hot corner with soft hands and a strong and accurate arm. His actions are smooth and athletic and will continue to improve with an already impressive defensive profile. Overall, Liggon impressed the coaches and scouts in attendance and proved why our staff believes in this high-ceiling prospect.”

+ INF/RHP Trey Kerkhoff (Burlington): Here’s a report from the Wisconsin State Games [7/30/24]: “... was one of the best hitters of the event, showing quick hands with a short path, spraying line drives across the field. It’s a narrow, upright set-up with a short and controlled move toward center, generating exit velocities up to 94 mph. An all-around player, Kerkhoff showed fluid movements in the outfield and ran a 6.71 60-yard dash, bested by only four other competitors.”

We've long been huge fans of Kerkhoff, and it feels like he still has even more room to rise further up this board in future updates.

(Trey Kerkhoff; 7/30/24)