The Wisconsin high school baseball season kicks off on March 31, opening day for regular season action under WIAA regulations. Over the next two weeks, leading up to opening day, we'll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2026 spring season, touching on programs spanning all state classifications, counting down through the official Prep Baseball Wisconsin Preseason Power 25 Rankings.
Perennially, we've submitted a preseason questionnaire to high school head coaches across the entire state. Their responses have been flooding in and we're using the detailed insight they've provided in our team-by-team preseason analysis.

Our 2026 preseason coverage continues today.

High School: Chippewa Falls Cardinals 
Preseason Rank: No. 23
Head Coach: Mitch Steinmetz
WIAA Division: 1
Conference: Big Rivers
2025 Record (Finish): 18-10-1

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ROSTER PREVIEW

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DATA CENTER

INDIVIDUAL DATA STAND-OUTS:

• Eastin Sorenson (6-foot-3, 177 pounds)
  • 60-yd. dash: 6.97s (No. 4 in state's 2029 class)
  • bat speed: 71.0 mph (No. 6 in state's 2029 class)
  • avg. EV: 87.9 mph (T-No. 10 in state's 2029 class)
  • max EV: 99 mph (T-No. 2 in state's 2029 class)
• Jacob Bleskacek (5-foot-8, 175 pounds)
  
  • bat speed: 73.6 mph (93rd state percentile)
• Ryan Dickson (5-foot-10, 144 pounds)
  
  • CB spin: 2,501 rpm (No. 21 overall in Wisconsin)
  • SL spin: 2,387 rpm (84th state percentile)
  • 60-yd. dash: 7.02s (82nd state percentile)
• Sam Bresina (5-foot-11, 138 pounds)
  • max FB: 85 mph (T-No. 12 in state's 2027 class among LHPs)
  • vert. jump: 27.9 in (No. 15 in state's 2027 class)

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X-FACTOR

LHP Sam Bresina (2027; uncommitted) is set to hold down a large workload for Chippewa Falls. Working off a sophomore year where he tossed 39.1 innings, to a 1.60 ERA, with 63 strikeouts, 18 hits, and eight earned runs. With still room to fill out his 6-foot, 137-pound frame, Bresina shows a strong mid-80s arsenal with some polish to it since the last time we’ve seen him. An arm that has shown us the ability to fill up the zone and generate whiffs. Bresina will be a top of the rotation arm that is looking to help lead Chippewa Falls past a sectional appearance this Spring. 

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IMPACT UNDERCLASSMEN

OF Mason Chittendon (2028; uncommitted) has always been a producer whenever we have had the chance to see him. The sophomore outfielder gave strong looks over the summer, setting himself out as a name to watch as we head into the spring season. It’s a lengthy frame that continues to grow with more to come around the corner. He’s going to fit right into the middle of this order, looking to bring a simple, contact-oriented approach with some power potential as he continues to add to the frame. 

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TEAM OUTLOOK

The Cardinals enter 2026 with an intriguing mix of young talent and limited senior leadership coming off an 18-10-1 campaign. Head coach Mitch Steinmetz will likely lean on a predominantly junior class that has shown considerable development through the showcase circuit, with graduation losses creating opportunities for underclassmen to step into larger roles.

The Cardinals' "co-X-Factor" INF/RHP Brady Smith (2026) who returns after a stand-out junior year, a three-year varisty starter that also serves as one of the top arms on the team as well. Also, one of the top bats in the lineup hitting .351 last year and offering some positional versatility defensively. Behind Smith, the Cardinals will return seniors Gavin Thompson and Landon Atkisson, Thompson was a First Team All-Conference utility player last spring hitting .381 from the left-side, while Atkisson was a steady bat offensively while providing reliabile defense behind the plate.

A deep class of juniors in C/SS Jacob Bleskacek, RHP/SS Ryan Dickson and INF Brigham Gerrits  add to an already talented roster. Dickson could be the most impactful of out of the group, two-way potential that could add to the depth on the mound and potentially work his way into an impactful role on the mound as well as the plate.

Additionally the Cardinals could bring up a number of underclassmen that have a chance impact the lineup in sophomore outfielder Enzo Isham and freshman infielder Eastin Sorenson that could further the depth inside the lineup.

The pitching staff features depth with multiple arms capable of contributing. LHP/OF Sam Bresina (2027) brings 85 mph velocity from the left side, while RHP Collin Balsiger (2027) adds to the depth at 79 mph. Senior RHP/2B Brady Smith (2026) provides experience as one of the few upperclassmen, and has consistently performed as an ace for the Cardinals. Senior LHP Evan Weiler (2026) is another steady arm to rely on after a 5-0 year and pitching to a 2.50 ERA last spring.

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BOTTOM LINE

Chippewa Falls possesses the athletic foundation and young talent to compete in the Big Rivers Conference, but development of pitching velocity and offensive consistency will determine whether they can exceed last season's solid 18-win total.

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Find more information on the 2026 Chippewa Falls program below:

+ Follow them on social media:
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Wisconsin Preseason Power 25 homepage

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