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West Milwaukee Preseason ID: 2025/2026 Quick Hits

February 26, 2025
Prep Baseball Wisconsin Staff

On Feb. 23, Prep Baseball Wisconsin hosted its latest event along the 2024 winter showcase circuit, the annual West Milwaukee Preseason ID at GRB STiKS Academy in Waukesha, Wis. Around 100 players made it out to this event, providing us with updated looks and a new list of prospects to follow in an area of Wisconsin that regularly produces some of the state’s top talent.

Today, we’ll be highlighting the players who stood out in Waukesha within this Quick Hits piece. Stay tuned throughout the week as we continue to break down the in-depth metrics measured at this event, with the help of our tech partners TrackMan, Blast Motion, VALD, and Vizual Edge.

QUICK HITS

CLASS OF 2025

+ LHP/1B Adam Kudronowicz (Mukwonago, 2025; Iowa Western JC) continued to showcase his loud tools on both sides of the ball on Sunday. The 6-foot-3, 217 pound XXL framed athlete was very impressive on the mound from the left-side. He worked a heavy running fastball in the 87-88 mph range consistently getting it to areas of the zone. He paired the fastball with a late sweeping slider from 73-76 mph that he can land in the zone and expand for chase. He got through the change up and showed feel for the pitch at 78-80 mph. It was another quality look at the imposing left-hander on the bump. Kudronowicz's ability to hit cannot be ignored. He was hitting rockets throughout his round with explosive hand and bat speed through the ball. His 98 mph max exit velocity was one of the top marks for the event. He also shows impressive feel around the first base bag with soft hands and an accurate throwing arm to turn the rare 3-6-3 double play. Iowa Western Junior College is getting a talented prospect with upside in Kudronowicz.

CLASS OF 2026

POSITION PLAYERS

+ INF Trey Kerkhoff (Burlington, 2026) made a statement with his performance on Sunday. He grew an inch and put on a solid twelve pounds of muscle mass as he came in and measured 6-foot-1, 194 pounds. He started off his day by running the 4th best 60 yard dash of the day at 6.65 seconds. With the bat, Kerkoff was hitting rockets with a short and handsy path and registered an impressive 99 mph max exit velocity which was the 5th best mark on the day. His 94 mph average exit velocity was second best mark of the day and proved how frequently Kerkhoff was on the barrel throughout the round. It was such a clean and consistently looking swing using leverage from back to front in such a controlled way, it’s no wonder why he is one of the top bats in the state. With the glove, the middle infielder showed soft hands with a rhythmic funnel and will be able to stick at short. Kerkoff really took a step forward in this look and UIC is getting an ultra talented player with more ceiling left to be tapped into.

+ One of the biggest winners of the day was UW-Milwaukee Panthers commit INF Ian Kawczynski (Catholic Memorial, 2026; UW-Milwaukee). The middle infielder looked as if he added considerable strength to his lower half and it resulted in one of the event best 60 yard dash times (6.73 seconds) and hard consistent contact throughout his round of batting practice. The right-hander’s quick and twitchy hands through the baseball resulted in rockets to all fields from an aggressive yet controlled swing. He maxed out his exit velocity at 93 mph and had an average exit velocity of 90 mph. On defense, Kawczynski continues to show burst and athleticism in the infield to go along with his soft hands and has enough arm strength to stick on the left side and/or play multiple positions around the field. Kawczynski proved why he is a name to know in the state after his performance.

+ OF Matthew O’Grady (Badger, 2026) is an explosive athlete, a two sport standout on the gridiron and on the baseball field. He backed up his stellar reputation with some loud numbers on Sunday. First, with his feet. O’Grady ran a blistering 6.60 seconds 60 yard dash and jumped the highest vertical of the day at 27.8 inches. Next, with the bat he hit with a smooth and compact right-handed stroke with balance and a controlled move through the ball. The junior outfielder's max exit velocity of 102 mph was third best of the event and demonstrated how much easy raw pop he has. Finally on defense, the outfielder can play all three spots effectively and demonstrated considerable arm strength up to 90 mph which was the second best mark of the day from the outfield. O’Grady remains uncommitted currently, but wherever he lands, he has the potential to be a difference maker to a line up and to a defensive unit with how impressive the tool set is.

+ OF Niko Frangopoulos (Arrowhead, 2026) is a strong and projectable 6-foot, 182 pound projectable athlete who impressed with the bat and on defense. The smooth swinging left-handed hitter registered 97 mph max exit velocity and launched a ball 343 feet. Both marks were among the event best. From the outfield, Frangopoulos was 88 mph with accurate throws. Arrow continues to be up for the junior.

+ C Andrew Belott (Wisconsin Lutheran, 2026) is a backstop who can defend and impact the baseball with the bat. Belott’s 1.92 pop time was one of the top marks on the day while also showing soft hands and a confident presence behind the plate for pitchers. Belott hit with a flat path through the ball and was backspinning line drives throughout his round of batting practice and had an average exit velocity of 90 mph as well as a max exit velocity of 93 mph. He was also 85 mph from the outfield and making throws with accuracy and carry. Belott is an interesting prospect in the state for the 2026 class.

+ OF Nathan Hinek (New Berlin West, 2026) was very impressive with the bat on Sunday. The junior was hitting missiles through both gaps throughout his round and registered one of the top max exit velocities of the day at 96 mph. He also shows plenty of athleticism with his 6.95 seconds 60 yard dash time. On defense, Hinek was 85 mph from the outfield and showed solid carry and accuracy on his throws. Hinek is firmly on our staff’s radar going into the spring and summer seasons.

+ This is the third viewing of INF Bradyn Kundinger (Waukesha West, 2026) in a showcase setting and the Junior middle infielder continues to improve his stock as a name to watch in the state. He hit with a short and compact swing with a short trigger and was up to 93 mph with his max exit velocity as he was peppering the back of the facility with his line drive stroke. He also showed smooth and fluid actions on defense and was up to 84 mph across the infield and showed accuracy and carry on his throws. Arrow up for Kundinger and our staff is excited to continue to watch his growth as a prospect for the class.

+ INF Isaac Teisl (Mukwonago, 2026) took a big jump forward in this look. He measured at a strong and projectable 6-foot-1, 182 pounds. He did a very nice job of controlling the barrel and consistently back spun balls through the back of the facility with regularity. His 98 mph max exit velocity was one of the top marks of the event. He also showcased quality actions in the infield and will likely be able to handle the hot corner at the next level. Teisl was definitely one of the winners on the day with his performance.

+ INF Sam Scaffido (Kettle Moraine, 2026) measured a strong and athletic 5-foot-11, 191 pounds with a well proportioned build. He started his day by running an impressive 6.83 60 yard dash time with quick burst. Scaffido showed some pop from a short and compact swing through the baseball driving balls to all fields throughout his round of batting practice and was up to 90 mph max exit velocity. On defense, the Junior middle infield was 88 mph across the infield from a compact and repeatable arm stroke while also displaying quality actions through the ball. Scaffido continues to be a name we like and are excited to see how he performs this spring and summer.

+ C Chase Freschi (Catholic Memorial, 2026) is a backstop with the ability to impact the baseball with notable strength in his hands and feel for the barrel. Freschi showed some explosiveness through the baseball with a flat path. The max exit velocity he produced was 16th best among the field of 100 participants. Our staff has seen quite the leap in performance from the junior and he seems poised for a big offensive season.

+ INF Andrew Browne (Menomonee Falls, 2026) showed our Wisconsin staff that he is a prospect that should be on our radar. His powerful right handed swing is repeatable with barrel feel and produced a solid 93 mph max exit velocity. Browne’s athleticism was also on display as he ran a bursty 6.99 seconds 60 yard dash and on defense was 85 mph across the infield with smooth actions. Overall, it was a nice day from the junior infielder.

+ C Jake Dummer (Burlington, 2026) measured in at a strong 6-foot-1, 205 pounds with some projectability left in his frame. He ran a respectable 7.20 seconds 60 yard dash to start his day. During hitting, we were impressed with his balanced swing and the ability to impact the baseball with backspin to all fields. On defense, the athletic backstop recorded a solid 2.01 pop time to second base with 78 mph velocity while showing accuracy to the target. Dummer is an intriguing prospect and one that is on our staff’s radar going into the spring and summer seasons.

+ OF Ben Weber (Oconomowoc, 2026) is a XL framed athlete with tools that continue to show up in the showcase setting. The Junior right-handed hitter hit with a compact swing that produced multiple line drives throughout the round. His 96 mph max exit velocity was one of the top marks on the day and balls were coming off his bat with ease. Weber also showcased athleticism during defense and was 86 mph on his throws. Weber continues to be an interesting name in the state.

+ This is the first viewing of C Nolan Bowen (Menomonee Falls, 2026) in a showcase setting and he put together a notable performance. The junior backstop showcased an impressive swing with the ability to control the barrel and backspin baseballs through both gaps. Bowen registered a 93 mph max exit velocity and launched a ball 338 feet showing some raw pop. Our staff will keep an eye on the uncommitted junior moving forward.

+ This is our staff’s first look at INF/OF Israel Gessner (Brookfield East, 2026) in a showcase setting. Gessner showed a quick swing with fast hands with some feel for the barrel. He was able to drive the ball where it was pitched to all fields while showing solid balance through the swing. On defense, the utility player showcased athletic movements and actions when working through the baseball towards the target in both infield and outfield work. Our staff will monitor his development going forward.

PITCHERS/TWO-WAY PLAYERS

+ RHP/INF Ben Kuglitsch (Muskego, 2026; Florida State) measured at a long and wiry 6-foot-2, 182 pounds with plenty of room for fill and tons of strength coming in the future. The athletic and twitchy two-way Florida State commit started off his day by running an eye-popping 6.47 seconds 60-yard dash. On the mound, Kuglitch showed incredible arm speed through the baseball and touched 94 mph with the heater four times during his bullpen. He threw good strikes with a 78 mph slider and showcased feel for a 88 mph change up. Kuglitch seems as if he’s just scratching the surface with how good it could be on the mound. With the bat, the right-handed hitter has a short, controlled and balanced stroke and he was all over the barrel throughout his round. He was hitting effortless rockets up to 98 mph exit velocity through the big part of the field. Ben Kuglitch is a supremely talented two-way player who continues to take steps forward in front of our staff and is a name to know on the national stage.

+ LHP Colton Semmelman (Brookfield Central, 2026; South Carolina) proved why he is one of the top-ranked southpaws in the Midwest on Sunday, reaching a 91.8 mph high with the fastball, virtually sitting 90-91 mph throughout his ‘pen. He really extends down the mound, releasing the ball from a 5.6-foot release height on average, generating rise and run traits on the fastball. He separates himself from his peers with his secondaries, a high-spin curveball (2,620 rpm avg), 74-76 mph, with sharp action and depth, moving horizontally at over 15 inches on average. Semmelmann’s changeup is more than just a third pitch, it has -0.9-inch IVB on average with swing-and-miss fade that will deceive both-handed batters. He’s got an uber-smooth delivery with a very clean, quick arm that he consistently repeats, establishing himself as a high-follow junior in Wisconsin’s exciting 2026 class.

+ MIF/RHP Chance Ruby (Wilmot, 2026) is one of the most exciting players in the state with his ability to perform in game to go along with the premium toolset. The 6-foot, 187 pound athlete ran the second best 60 yard dash of the day at 6.56 seconds. He then used his short swing to produce impressive exit velocity numbers at 96 mph with an average exit velocity of 93 mph which was 4th best of the day. His smooth actions and quick first step to go along with considerable arm strength (89 mph across the infield on Sunday) indicate that he’s a slam dunk to be able to stick at shortstop at the next level. Yes, It’s loud tools, but also, Ruby has tremendous feel for the game with a low pulse and he’s the type of player who has an extremely high ceiling due to the raw talent in combination with the in game performance that we’ve witnessed. He’s poised for a monster junior campaign and will soon be a name to know on the national stage.

+ RHP Vince Bitter (Brookfield Central, 2026; Illinois State) was our very first pitcher of the day and he really set the tone for a talent-packed event. Bitter sat 88-89 mph (90.3 max) on a quality fastball that he attacked the zone with. He has feel for the zone with his secondaries as well, like his slider, 76-78 mph, that sweeps at nearly 10 inches on average (1.2-inch IVB avg.). The changeup might even be his best secondary, at 78-79 mph he gets it to move arm-side at 12.3 inches (-3.2-inch IVB avg.). From a simple, low-effort delivery inside a physical 6-foot-2, 210-pound stature, Bitter exhibits starter traits at the next level.

+ RHP/1B Tyson Grulkowski (Muskego, 2026) is one of the top uncommitted arms in the region, and his performance Sunday was one of the best on a loaded roster. His physicality immediately stands out, as a 6-foot-5, 227-pound prospect who moves very fluidly on the mound, a clean, fast arm that delivers the ball from a 5.2-foot release height on average, extending down the mound at over 7 feet. His low ¾ arm slot really complements his entire arsenal, a fastball, sinker, sweeper, and change. The fastball, 87-89 mph, spins at roughly 2,300 rpm that had late life and run. The sinker, however, really stands out given his arm slot, at 87-88 mph with 17.3 inches of arm-side movement that he landed in the zone more often. The sweeping slider, 75-77 mph, led the event in average spin rate (2,768 rpm) with 14 inches of glove-side action (0.5-inch IVB avg.). His changeup, 80-82 mph, is deceptive with arm-side fade and run too. Grulkowski is also a middle-of-the-order type of hitter, with a max exit speed of 102.0 mph and over 78.1 mph bat speed on average. It’s easy to envision another climb in velocity in the near future, which would only enhance a special profile.

+ RHP Noah Melby (Brookfield East, 2026) made gains over the offseason, clearly, sitting 87-88 mph on Sunday, listed at 6-foot-5, 223 pounds. Melby really extends down the mound (7.3-foot avg.) and generates 12.6 inches of horizontal break (14.2-inch IVB avg.) on the heater. His curve, 74-77 mph, spins at 2,400 rpm with short action, and the changeup, 83-84, has some arm-side fade/run, even though it’s firm in comparison to the fastball. The size and stuff helps make Melby a follow junior in the state.

+ LHP Tanner Buhlmann (Arrowhead, 2026; UW-Milwaukee) measured an athletic and projectable 5-foot-10, 172 pounds. The UWM commit showcased an explosive delivery from the left-side and was 84-85 mph with big running action to arm side on the heater. His change up at 75 mph is thrown with fastball intent and dies near the hitting zone with late depth and fading action. He can also spin it with a bigger curveball with some sweeping action across the plate with some depth. Buhlmann showed a nice three-pitch mix from the left side and displayed exactly why the UW-Milwaukee Panthers coveted the junior left-hander.

+ RHP Cail Geiger (Menomonee Falls, 2026) has been a name our staff has been monitoring for sometime now. The athletic and fluid right-hander is one of the top uncommitted arms in the state. Standing at 6-foot, 188-pounds with clear strength in his frame and even more room to add. On the mound, Geiger has a simple and easily repeatable delivery and arm action, with clear and visible arm speed through release The fastball jumped out of the hand with life, sitting 88-90 mph throughout his ‘pen, Geiger also showed a feel and confidence in a sinker at the same velo with heavy running action and depth off his fourseam. The secondaries stood out for Geiger on the day, his gyro slider looked like a potential weapon, sitting in the mid-80s and averaged 0.8” of IVB and 0.1” of HM. The changeup was thrown hard in the mid-80s with heavy fading action.

+ RHP Damian Kosempa (Marquette, 2026) had a very nice day on the mound. The physical right-hander was up to 87 mph with the heater that showed late and hard boring action to the arm side of the plate. Kosempa’s calling card is his ability to spin the baseball. He deployed a couple of different breaking balls. The curve showed big and late depth with 10/4 type shape while the slider (2700 RPMs) has more horizontal type break. Both profile as pitches he can land for strikes and ones he can get below for chase. The change-up is his 4th best but a useful offering with arm side type fade in the hitting zone. Kosempa is an arm we continue to like and he did not disappoint with his showing on the mound on Sunday.

+ RHP Ben Jones (Mukwonago, 2026) continues to be a guy who continues to improve. Jones was measured at 6-foot-2, 224 pounds with an extremely strong and sturdy frame. We saw the big righty up to 86 mph with a quick arm at the Wisconsin State Games in July and he showed up pumping the heater up to 89 mph with some carry and lift through the hitting zone. He featured a couple of different breaking balls with some lateral sweep to the pitch and a useful change up to go with it. It was yet another intriguing look at Ben Jones who continues to tick up with his stuff and overall performance.

+ RHP Jacob Beyer (Oak Creek, 2026) had a nice day on Sunday with his performance on the mound. The junior right-hander looks a bit more athletic with more lean muscle mass since last viewing. The fastball was up to 85 from a full arm circle and was driven downhill through the zone with angle. He showcased the ability to repeat the delivery and release point. He mixed in a bigger breaking curveball that he can land and a split that acts as his change of pace pitch that is a useful pitch to both handed hitters. It was a solid look from Beyer and a name our staff continues to be intrigued about.

+ This was our staff’s first viewing at LHP Caleb Mosley (Waukesha North, 2026) and we were pleasantly surprised. Mosley measured at 5-foot-11, 177 pounds with more strength coming to his frame. The left hander used a smooth and easy delivery to drive the 86-87 mph fastball through the zone. He used a sharp sweeping type slider out of the same window as the fastball at 73-74 mph and was able to locate the pitch in the zone for strikes. He also showed feel for a 73-75 mph change up to round out his three pitch mix which should play well as a starter. Mosley opened some eyes on Sunday and is a name that is being talked about among the Prep Baseball staff.

+ RHP/OF Collin Harrington (New Berlin Eisenhower, 2026) continues to impress as a two-way talent. Harrington started off his day by running one of the fastest 60 yard dashes of the day at 6.73 seconds. During batting practice, Harrington’s barrel is in the zone for a long time through the baseball as he was driving the ball to through both gaps with a max exit velocity of 93 mph and max distance of 349 feet which are both near the top among event participants. On defense, he was 87 mph from the outfield with a fluid arm stroke. On the mound, Harrington was up to 84 mph with the fastball, featured a sharp curveball and has a fading change up that he throws with fastball intent out of the same tunnel. Harrington is a name firmly on our staff’s radar going into the spring and summer seasons.

+ INF/RHP Finn Stovall (Harlem, IL; 2026) is an intriguing two-way talent from south of the border in Illinois. The sturdy framed right-handed hitter impressed with the bat with how he was able to control the barrel and stay through the baseball for a long time after contact. He produced some of the top exit velocities of the day at 95 mph with an 88 mph average. He featured clean actions in the infield with enough arm strength to be able to play solid third base defense. As a right-handed pitcher, he was 83-86 mph with the heater that featured late life through the zone, a late breaking horizontal slider (70-72 mph) and potential weapon with his change up (76-78 mph) that dies at the plate. Overall, it was an impressive look at the two-way Illinois prospect.

+ LHP TJ Allemand (Wayland Academy, 2026) measured a wiry and athletic 5-foot-9, 152 pounds. He showed a smooth and repeatable left handed delivery and was driving the ball downhill with angle from a 3/4 slot consistently throughout the bullpen. He filled the zone with strikes and was in the low 80’s with his velocity. The curveball and the changeup are his other two offerings which he can land and get below the zone for chase. Allemand is an interesting prospect especially once his frame fills.

+ OF/RHP Tyler Schettler (Waukesha North, 2026) continues to showcase smooth and fluid actions with the bat and on defense. Once the wiry 6-foot-1, 156 pound projectable-framed outfielder adds more mass and strength, he will pop. The right handed hitter shows feel for the barrel and a smooth line drive stroke to all fields and was up to 88 mph max exit velocity which is up from 82 max exit velocity in 2024. He also ran a respectable 7.22 seconds 60 yard dash and was 84 mph from the outfield with a smooth and accurate arm stroke. On the mound, his fastball has climbed up to 80 mph with feel to spin it and workings of a nice complimentary third pitch in his change up. Nobody is counting this Junior out at this point with the strides he made with more projection coming to his frame.

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