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: Whitefish Bay Blue Dukes
Preseason Rank: No. 5
Head Coach: Zach Hayes
WIAA Division: 1
Conference: North Shore
2025 Record (Finish): 22-7 (conference co-champions; regional champions)
Key Players Lost: Mitch Kryger, Harry Bortolotti, Max Frieseke, Joe Mussoline

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ROSTER PREVIEW

No. of Returning Players: 6
No. of Returning Pitchers: 6
Team Strengths: Lineup and pitching depth; versatility.

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DATA CENTER

INDIVIDUAL DATA STAND-OUTS:

• Chase Wolter (6-foot-1, 192 pounds)
  
  • max fastball: 90.0 mph (95th state percentile)
  • IVB (rise): 18.0 in (90th state percentile)
• Nicky Vitucci (6-foot-1, 171 pounds)
  
  • max fastball: 86 mph (T-No. 11 in state's 2028 class)
  • SL spin: 2,230 rpm (No. 17 in state's 2028 class)
  • vert. jump: 27.2 in (95th state percentile)
• Max Egan (6-foot-1, 180 pounds)
  • max EV: 94.0 mph (71st state percentile)
  • bat speed: 69.1 mph (69th state percentile)
• Oliver Peltz (5-foot-11, 176 pounds)
  • 60-yd. dash: 7.06s (T-No. 11 in state's 2029 class)
  • bat speed: 69.8 mph (No. 12 in state's 2029 class)
  • OF velo: 90 mph (No. 1 in state's 2029 class)

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X-FACTOR

Set to be a dominant presence on both sides of the ball is RHP/SS Chase Wolter (2027; UIC commit). In just his sophomore year, the right-handed bat batted .323 with a .844 OPS, with 12 doubles and 26 RBIs. A true spark plug sitting at the top of the order, set to fit in with a veteran-heavy top half of the lineup. While his bat certainly stands out, it’s not where Wolter shines brightest. When he takes the mound, that’s where the attention shifts. The right-hander boasts an upper-80s arsenal, topping out at 90mph, positioning himself as Whitefish Bay’s number two arm. Last season, he tossed 26 innings, striking out 37, walking 10, with a 2.15 ERA. Everything for Wolter has ticked up since last spring as he maintained seeing high-level competition over the summer and fall, plus he continues to develop into his frame. Watch for Wolter to be a major production piece on both sides of the ball this spring. 

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NEWCOMER TO WATCH

While this Whitefish Bay lineup has key veteran pieces, there is still room for underclassman to make their mark. OF Oliver Peltz (2029; uncommitted) stands out as one of those names. While his role remains unclear as a freshman looking to break into the lineup, the tools are there to make an impact. It’s a projectable 5-foot-11, 175-pound frame that has added some clear strength since we last saw him this summer at the Junior Future Games. Someone who has been a consistent producer against high-level pitching, while also flashing his glove and athleticism in the outfield. While his role may be limited this season, Peltz looks to be a must-watch name through his four years at Whitefish Bay. 

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TEAM OUTLOOK

A year ago, Whitefish Bay was flying somewhat under the radar. By the time the Blue Dukes were done, they had gone 22-7, claimed a share of the North Shore Conference title, and won a regional championship behind one of the best pitching staffs in Wisconsin, finishing with a team ERA of 1.61. That kind of season tends to change expectations, and Hayes is frank about where this program stands heading into 2026.

"A realistic goal for Whitefish Bay is to repeat as conference champions and make a push in a loaded Division 1 sectional," he said. "The hope is that the pitching continues to be a strength, while the majority of the lineup returns to take some pressure off the starting staff."

The two biggest departures are right-handers Mitch Kryger and Max Frieseke, who anchored that staff a season ago, along with catcher Harry Bortolotti, whose defense behind the plate will not be easy to replace. But Hayes used his arms liberally throughout 2025, and the returning pitchers enter this spring with real experience under their belts.

The rotation figures to run through a pair of capable two-way players. LHP/OF Charlie McIntyre (2026; Youngstown State) is a four-year starter and three-year captain who brings a steadying presence at the top of this staff. He went 28.1 innings last spring, posted a 1.24 ERA and struck out 33 batters while walking just five, the kind of control-and-command profile that sets a tone for an entire pitching staff. Behind him, SS/RHP Chase Wolter (2027; Illinois-Chicago) is the arm with the highest ceiling on this roster. He logged 26 innings a year ago and showed plenty of promise, and Hayes has watched him take another step forward since. Wolter's fastball should sit comfortably in the upper-80s with genuine swing-and-miss life, and he pairs it with two useful secondaries. He represented Wisconsin at the Prep Baseball Future Games last summer, and Hayes expects him to grow into one of the more dangerous starters in the conference. RHP/INF Nicky Vitucci (2028) rounds out the projected rotation. As a freshman, Vitucci tossed 28 innings, with a 1.50 ERA and two saves, giving Hayes every reason to hand him a larger role this spring.

Seniors RHP/UTL Bo Behrendt (2026) and RHP Linus Pajot (2026) round out the bullpen picture. Both were reliable in high-leverage situations a year ago, and they will move into expanded roles this season as starters and relievers. Offensively, the Blue Dukes return a lineup with real depth and plenty of familiar faces. McIntyre hit .341 with 26 stolen bases and a .874 OPS in 2025, making him one of the most complete players on this roster. Wolter complemented him nicely, batting .323 with a team-high 30 hits, 12 doubles, and 26 RBIs. UTIL  Charlie Hoven(2026) was second-team all-conference and hit .341 with 29 hits. MIF Matthew Schoenfeldt (2026), a Second Team All-Conference selection at second base, batted .265 with 26 hits and 19 RBIs, and is a player Hayes sees taking another step at the plate this spring. 1B Liam Gann-Dudgeon (2027) brings back a .299 average and .422 on-base percentage from his sophomore campaign, and he projects as another offensive force capable of making a leap in year two.

Beyond the established contributors, Whitefish Bay has some of the most intriguing young talent in the state waiting to push for playing time. 3B/OF Max Egan (2028) is a right-handed bat returning from injury who brings premium upside at the plate, while OF Oliver Peltz (2029) is one of the most athletic freshmen in the state and figures to factor into the outfield mix, same goes for fellow freshman OF Elijah Johnson (2029). The Blue Dukes have shown a willingness to trust young players with real responsibility, and it has paid dividends in developing the kind of depth that makes programs sustainable. With the right pieces returning and a talented wave of underclassmen pushing from below, Whitefish Bay has the makeup of a team capable of doing something meaningful in a very competitive Division 1 field.

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BOTTOM LINE

Whitefish Bay has the pitching depth, the returning production, and the young talent to make a legitimate run at back-to-back North Shore Conference titles and a deep sectional push. The ceiling is a state tournament berth where anything can happen. Even on a difficult night, this is a roster built to win close games.

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Find more information on the 2026 Whitefish Bay program below:

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

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POWER 25 COUNTDOWN