The Wisconsin high school baseball season kicks off on March 31, opening day for regular season action under WIAA regulations. In the lead-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: Kenosha St. Joseph Lancers
Preseason Rank: No. 25
Head Coach: Ryan Gavinski
WIAA Division: 2
Conference: Metro Classic
2025 Record (Finish): 24-7 (WIAA D3 State Champions)
Key Players Lost: Mason Ballard, Tim Falk, Peter Visconti (UW-Milwaukee)

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ROSTER PREVIEW

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DATA CENTER

• Dominic Santarelli (6-foot-1, 224 pounds)
  
  • max EV: 110.0 mph (No. 1 overall in Wisconsin)
  • avg EV: 104.8 mph (No. 1 overall in Wisconsin)
  • bat speed: 72.0 mph (87th state percentile)
  • rot. accel.: 20.0g (93rd state percentile)
  • 60-yd. dash: 6.83s (93rd state percentile)
• Zach Rizzo (6-foot-5, 239 pounds)
  • max EV: 102.6 mph
  • max FB: 88.8 mph
• Robbie Johnson (5-foot-11, 199 pounds)
  
  • avg EV: 91.6 mph (92nd state percentile)
• Tommy Kelley (5-foot-9, 164 pounds)
  • 60-yd. dash: 6.98s (T-No. 5 overall in the state's 2029 class)

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MLB DRAFT WATCH

Returning after earning 2025 Prep Baseball Wisconsin Player of the Year honors, OF/1B/LHP Dominic Santarelli (2026; Louisiana State signee) is an obvious impact presence in any lineup. The left-handed hitter has been a consistent force for the Lancers throughout his prep career and could expand his impact this spring with more defensive opportunities, potentially in the outfield, as well as innings on the mound.

Much of the attention will remain on his performance at the plate, where he’s shown the ability to impact the game beyond just his in-game power, drawing over 40 walks while also swiping 43 bases a season ago. Was nails on the mound when called upon as a junior, posting a 2-0 record with 4 saves and 20 strikeouts to just five walks across 24 innings good for an ERA just over one.

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X-FACTOR

More than worthy of “X-Factor” status for the Lancers this spring, 1B/RHP Zach Rizzo (2026; UW-Parkside signee) brings a physical, middle-of-the-order bat to pair with a steadily developing skillset on the mound that could take another step forward as a senior. A workhorse arm with a four-pitch mix, Rizzo steps into the de facto ace role after logging 47.2 innings last season, including a six-inning start in the state semifinals, and looks well-equipped to handle the added responsibility.

At the plate, he’s just as productive from the right side, driving in 34 runs as a junior while collecting 17 extra-base hits. The swing is low-effort and repeatable, showing feel to consistently lift the ball and impact it with authority.

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TEAM OUTLOOK

Kenosha St. Joseph enters 2026 with one of the most prolific offensive players in Wisconsin as their centerpiece. 1B/OF Dominic Santarelli posted metrics during the winter showcase circuit that rank him as the top performer in multiple categories statewide. His 110.0 mph max exit velocity and 104.8 mph average exit velocity both lead Wisconsin and the 2026 class, showcasing the power that helped him set the school home run record with 11 long balls in 2025. Santarelli's complete skill set extends beyond power, as evidenced by his 6.83-second 60-yard dash time which plays in game with the aforementioed stolen base numebrs and strong pitching resume.

Beyond the firepower Santarelli and Rizzo a pair of athletic and dynamic juniors compliment and extend this already powerful lineup. Junior infielders Patrick Davidson (2027) and Chris Kenesie (2027) is an athletic duo up the middle for the Lancers that can do a little bit of everything both at the plate and defensively. Davidson has been known for his hit-tool for sometime now and continues to show feel for the barrel throughout our looks at him in game, Kenesie is an athletic multi-sport athlete with feel to hit from the right-side, slashing .394/.457/.986 as a junior.

The supporting cast includes several experienced players that are positioned to contribute immediately. 3B/1B Robbie Johnson (2027) brings legitimate offensive upside, posting a 91.6 mph average exit velocity that ranks in the 92nd percentile statewide and 90th percentile for his class. The program continues to develop young talent with OF Tommy Kelley (2029) showing advanced speed and raw hitting ability for his class.

On the mound behind Rizzo, left-hander Jack Schmitz (2026) brings experience to the mound after tossing 10 innings as a junior and should see more run as a senior. A low-slot lefty with feel for a firmer breaking ball that was a performer in front of our staff over the summer. Right-hander Brock Smith (2027) was a steady contributor, mostly out of the 'pen for the Lancers as a sophomore pitching to a 3.09 ERA over 11.1 innings giving them a number of options out of the 'pen.

Right-hander Nick Falk (2028) and left-hander Carson Tanke (2026) were also contributors for the Lancers during their state title run a year ago. Falk would toss 15 innings which was good for a 1.87 ERA while Tanke would pitch to a 2.23 ERA over 15.2 while working mostly out of the bullpen.

The Lancers are coming off a successful 2025 campaign that saw them post a 24-7 record with Santarelli leading an explosive offense that relied heavily on multi-positional depth. The program's emphasis on developing athletes that compete is evident, with multiple contributors demonstrating both offensive and defensive versatility. The combination of established star power and emerging underclass talent positions St. Joseph well for sustained success.

With Santarelli anchoring the lineup and providing veteran leadership in his final high school season, the Lancers possess the type of difference-making talent that can elevate a program.

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BOTTOM LINE

Santarelli's elite-level production gives St. Joseph a legitimate star around which to build, with enough supporting talent to make a deep postseason run. The floor is a competitive season built around one of Wisconsin's premier offensive weapons.

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Find more information on the 2026 Kenosha St. Joseph program below:

+ 2026 Season Schedule
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Wisconsin Preseason Power 25 homepage

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