The 2025 Wisconsin high school baseball season is quickly approaching and, as usual, excitement is abound throughout the state. Players and coaches have been working in preparation for the upcoming season and, as is the case each year, there are some very talented players and teams across the Badger State.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in their respective WIAA Division State Championship, but there is plenty of work to be done before that becomes reality. We hope to familiarize our readers with many of the teams with this initial Preseason Power 25 release which will take us right up to first pitch.

Please keep checking back throughout the season as we will be your one-stop shop for everything related to high school baseball across Wisconsin. Each week we will be releasing our Power 25, Players of the Week, Diamond Notes, Scout Blog and much more.

Our 2025 preseason coverage continues today.

High School: Kimberly Papermakers  
Preseason Rank: 4
Head Coach: Ryan McGinnis
WIAA Division: 1
Conference: Fox Valley
Last Year’s Record: 24-6
2024 Season Highlights: Fox Valley champions
Key Players Lost: Brady Koester LHP (Notre Dame), Brady Coons (Concordia-Mequon), Alex Vander Loop (UW-Milwaukee), Bryson Vieth (UW-Platteville, football), Carson Medden (UW-Platteville), Hudson Wagner (UW-River Falls), and Ayden Tomlinson.

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ROSTER PREVIEW

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X-FACTOR

There are few players in the state with a profile as exciting as RHP/OF Sawyer Deering (2025; Tennessee). Deering enters the season at No. 10 in the class of 2025 rankings and is poised to have a stellar season on both sides of the ball this spring. The senior absolutely dominated at the plate last season, hitting .452 with 9 HRs en route to a First Team All-State selection in 2024. However, all eyes will be on what he can do on the mound after being sidelined from pitching halfway through the season. The Tennessee commit features a fastball that can get into the 90s, but his high spin curveball is his calling card. Getting up to 2900+ RPMs at past events, it truly is a pitch advanced for his age and could be seen as one of the best individual offerings in the state. For a team that is already rich in pitching depth, getting a full season's worth of Sawyer Deering on the mound in addition to his offensive success could prove deadly to opposing teams.

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IMPACT UNDERCLASSMEN

After finding limited varsity innings his freshman year, RHP/C/INF Maddux Hermus (2027) enters the 2025 season looking to make a strong start to his young high school career. The sophomore impressed at the Green Bay PID earlier this March, showcasing a quality four pitch pitch that will only get better as time goes on. Hermus offers a firm, mid-80s fastball (T86) with late life and pairs it with a high 70s changeup that comes with depth. He also offers a pair of breaking balls in the low 70s: a slider with sweep and a sharp biting curveball with 10/4 action. At the plate, Hermus posted impressive numbers during his round which included a max EV of 95 mph. Maddux Hermus enters the season likely to fill in innings, but don’t be surprised if he has an impact on both sides of the ball this spring for the Papermakers.

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TEAM OUTLOOK

“We have a solid group of returners who have worked while they waited. Sawyer Deering highlights a group that loves to compete and understands the importance of playing this game with joy, passion, and togetherness.” - Ryan McGinnis, Head Coach

While Kimberly has more departures than some other teams within our rankings, there are plenty of names throughout their team that are primed to make an impact this season. Their rotation contains plenty of high upside names and depth throughout, and seen by some as among the best in the state.

Uncommitted RHP Connor Olson (2025) will return as the Papermakers top innings thrower from the 2024 season. At 6-foot-1, 180 pounds, Olson possesses some projectability in his frame and is an athletic mover down the mound. The senior has shown a four-pitch mix in the past, with a fastball that got up to 86 last summer. Kimberly will lean on Olson to help lead this talented staff.

Likely to see more opportunities this spring, RHP Jack Anzelmo (2025; Concordia) is an athletic mover down the mound that shows repeatability in his delivery. Throwing out of a lower ¾ slot, there are times where the senior can provide some uncomfortable ABs for the hitters.

Along with the previously mentioned Maddux Hermus, LHP Bryce Mischler (2026) is another high upside arm that saw limited opportunities in 2024 and is poised for a bigger role within the rotation. Standing at t 6’5” 178lbs, possesses plenty of projectability in his frame and pitches with ease, as well as a quality feel for all his offerings. A former Future Gamer in Wisconsin, Mischler enters the season at No. 20 in our class of 2026 rankings.

There are plenty of other options for Head Coach Ryan McGinnis to fill out innings within this deep Kimberly staff, including Grant Gloudemans (2025), Kaden Peeters (2025), and LHP Shaefer Peterson (2026).

Offensively, Kimberly has some big shoes to fill due to quite a few departures, but they feature plenty of bats that could have an impact for the Papermakers this season.

Returning with the aforementioned Deering is OF Ben Jonhston (2025; Wisconsin-Eau Claire) returns for his senior season after regular starts last spring. Johnston oozes athleticism and posted one of the best 60 yard dash times (6.68) in the state at last year’s Wisconsin State Games. Hitting from the left side, the senior can hit the ball to all fields and possesses raw strength that he will look to tap into more during his senior season.

Looking to get his first crack at regular appearances in the lineup is OF Shaefer Peterson (2026). The smooth swinging lefty put up some impressive numbers this March at the Green Bay PID, showcasing loud contact throughout his round and impressive swinging metrics. Keep an eye on Peterson as he is in a good position to make a name for himself this spring.

Another senior returning with Deering and Johnston is INF Benny Kieffer (2025; Wisconsin-Eau Claire). Like the other two, Kieffer saw starting time in the lineup and will look to improve upon his 2024 season. OF Ian Meyer (2025) is an athletic outfielder that looks primed to get more starting opportunities for the Papermakers in 2025.

When not on the mound, the aforementioned Connor Olson, Bryce Mischler, and Kaden Peeters could all find opportunities on the field and at the plate for the Papermakers.

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BOTTOM LINE

The Kimberly Papermakers will enter the spring looking to continue their reign of dominance in the Fox Valley Association. They boast one of the most talented staffs in the state with experience and upside throughout, and their lineup should be able to produce despite the recent departures. Look for Kimberly to continue their success with aspirations of a deep playoff run in 2025.

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Find more information on the 2025 Kimberly Papermakers program below:

• Follow the Papermakers on X: @thekimberlybase

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