At the end of each calendar year, the Prep Baseball Wisconsin staff reflects back on the 10 most intriguing headlines that surrounded the baseball scene in the Badger State. Through the end of the month, we will break down the most impactful storylines from an eventful 2025 campaign, ending with our No. 1 story revealed Dec. 31.

This year, the Los Angeles Dodgers won their second World Series Championship in as many years. This is also the second year in a row that they've gotten crucial contribution from former Wisconsin Prep players. The 2024 Championship team saw notable Wisconsin high school graduates like Gavin Lux (Indian Trail; first round pick in 2016) and J.P. Feyereisen (River Falls) win their first World Series rings.  

• From 4/26/16 - Gavin Lux (Indian Trail, 2016) Arizona State commit. Currently ranked No. 27 in the PBR Draft 100. Multiple national level scouts on hand to see him on a brutally cold day. Has seen his draft stock rise this year, showing improvement with the bat form the summer. Playing with a chip on his shoulder this spring. 6-foot-2, 182-pound left-handed hitting shortstop with an athletic frame, has continued to fill out physically with room to add more strength. Offensively had a big day at the plate going 2-3 with a home run. Hits from a balanced setup with a leg lift trigger. Short, uphill swing path with fast hands, creating whip. Gets extension thru contact. Jumped on the first pitch of the game for a homerun to leftfield. Second at bat turned around another first pitch fastball for a single to left. In his final plate appearance worked the count to 3-0 and then popped up on the infield, reaching on an error. Well known for his exploits on the defensive side. Turned what should have been a routine single into a close play at first ranging deep into the hole after the third baseman wiffed on a one hopper, jumping and making a strong throw across the diamond.

In 2025, two other former Wisconsin Prep players emerged for the Dodgers, making important contributions down the stretch and through the playoffs. Alex Call (River Falls; third round pick in 2016) was acquired by the Dodgers in July, coming from the Washington Nationals where he had a slashline of .274/.371/.386 with three home runs, 26 RBI and 30 runs scored through the first 72 games of the season. His success continued throughout the rest of the regular season with the Dodgers, and he ended up collecting four hits in 11 at bats during the Postseason. Catcher Ben Rortvedt (Verona Area; second round pick in 2016) was another July acquisition by the Dodgers, part of a three-way trade coming from the Tampa Bay Rays. Rortvedt collected three hits in seven at bats during the Postseason for the Dodgers, picking up one run batted in en route to a World Series Championship. While Feyereisen was not on the 2025 World Series roster, he appeared in two games for the Dodgers during the regular season. 

• From 4/12/16 - Ben Rortvedt (Verona Area, 2016) Arkansas commit. Currently ranked No. 22 in the PBR Draft 100. 5-foot-11, 180-pound left-handed hitting catcher with a strong and flexible frame. Third game of the season, with multiple crosscheckers in attendance. Offense separates himself from the rest of the catchers in the draft class. Hits in the leadoff spot for Verona in hops of seeing more pitches to hit. Projects as a middle of the order hitter with power to all fields. Balanced, relaxed setup at the plate, with a short, smooth weight transfer to the backside. Middle away approach at the plate with good feel for the barrel. Plus strength in the wrists and forearms generating good bat speed. Went 1-3 on the day with a double. Defensively has a loose arm action, showed ability to throw from different arm angles in pregame. Popped 1.82-2.01 in warm-ups, throws showed carry. Still working on receiving consistently in games.

On the other side of this World Series matchup, Daulton Varsho (Marshfield; second round pick in 2017) was an instrumental part of the success the Toronto Blue Jays had this season. The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee grad collected 17 Postseason hits for the Blue Jays, including three home runs and 10 runs batted in. 

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