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.

Since the start of 2020, Wisconsin has seen an increase in top draft selections. As the year comes to a close, we wanted to take a look and check in on how some of these players have done since being drafted.

+ INF Gavin Kilen, San Francisco Giants
The No. 1 ranked player in the 2022 class while at Milton High School, Kilen was selected by the Red Sox in the 13th round back in 2022 before opting to honor a commitment to Louisville. Kilen spent two seasons with the Cardinals where he was named to the Third-Team All-ACC team his sophomore year. He then transferred to Tennessee for his junior season where he earned First-Team All-SEC honors and a first round draft selection by the Giants in 2025 after slashing .357/.441/.671 with 15 HRs and 46 RBIs. Kilen played in only 10 games in Low-A San Jose in the Giants organization in 2025, but will get his first crack of a full-season of pro ball next year.

From 2022 Super 60: "Kilen, a Louisville recruit, more than solidified himself as one of the premier shortstops in the class, and reassured all that the Wisconsin shortstop pipeline is still alive and well. A consummate in-game performer, this was my first look at Kilen in a workout setting, and he did not disappoint. Athletic with some lean, compact strength on a 5-foot-11, 180-pound frame, the left-handed hitter posted a 6.71 60-yard dash time to start the day before posting exit velocities up to 100.2 mph (93.2 avg.) including a 379 ft. max distance during a second round that provided a glimpse at what could be much more power on the way in coming years. The left-handed hitter looked even more fluid throughout the load, and seemed to move easier through impact, as his quick hands and strong wrists provided firm contact to the middle of the field with minimal effort. Equally as impressive in the defensive portion, the ball found the perfect spot on the glove with each ground ball no matter the hop, and the glove-to-hand ability showed as the best at the event with accurate throws from all angles. Much more than his straight away speed (and much more important), Kilen’s first step on the infield is both quick and crisp, and the side to side agility allows him to look even quicker on the infield. Already highly regarded in the class, Kilen’s strong performance left me an even bigger believer. – Shooter Hunt”

+ INF Mitch Voit, New York Mets
Mitch Voit has put together quite the baseball resume so far. After being named Wisconsin’s player of the year in 2022 while playing for Whitefish Bay, Voit found himself in Ann Arbor where he was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team in 2023 and then to the All-Big Ten First Team in 2024 and 2025. Following his stellar career at Michigan, he was taken 38th overall by the New York Mets. He made a brief appearance in Low-A St. Lucie in 2025, but he will get his first full-season of professional ball in 2026.

+ RHP Nate Snead, Los Angeles Angels
A product of South Milwaukee High School, Nate Snead was the No. 6 ranked player in our 2022 class rankings. He spent one season at Whitchita State before transferring to Tennessee for his final two years of his collegiate career, including playing a part in Tennessee winning the College World Series in 2024. Snead’s college career saw him pitch as a long reliever for both teams, logging over 167.2 innings with a 3.54 ERA across three seasons and appearing in 20+ games in all three years. The right-hander was selected in the 3rd Round with the 105th overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, and will throw his first professional pitches in 2026.

From 3/21/21: "Snead generated a ton of pre-event buzz, as he’d been rumored to have taken some huge strides developmentally over the offseason. He’s a quick-twitch athlete and it showed right away, running one of the fastest 60s of the day at 6.77, and hit 98 mph four straight times from the outfield. His bat works too, with loose wiry levers working a balanced gap-to-gap round of BP, with above-average bat speed. On the mound, the wiry 6-foot-2, 180-pound righty sat exclusively 91-92 mph, reaching a 93 mph at the end of his ‘pen."

"Snead attended All-State Games in late June of 2020 where he reached an 83 mph high, so this 10 mph climb is substantial, and arguably was the biggest takeaway of the day. Snead generates live arm speed from a high slot and release that jumps down a steep plane to home, exploding through the strike zone with late run. His breaking ball is aggressive and improving, and his changeup projects well as he fine-tunes it to better match his natural arm speed. Regardless, this was an exciting look at one of the state’s rising juniors, who’s still uncommitted."

+RHP Peter Kussow, New York Mets
The No. 1 ranked player in the 2025 class, Kussow was selected by the New York Mets in the 4th round as the 133rd overall pick in the 2025 MLB draft. Coming out of Arrowhead High School, Kussow had a feel for a powerful pitch mix that overpowered hitters throughout his high school career, striking out 87 hitters in 45 innings in his varsity career. He is yet to throw a pitch as a member of the Mets, but we cannot wait to see what the 2026 season has in store for Peter Kussow.

From 2025 Super 60: "Louisville recruit, came into the day as the top ranked player in Wisconsin in the 2025 class one of the top right-handers in the Midwest. Kussow did not disappoint despite the stage, showcasing power stuff while landing nearly every pitch for a strike. The long levered 6-foot-5, 211 pound athlete is an imposing presence on the mound with more strength and fill coming to his frame in the future. The senior right-hander got down the mound with consistency, repeatability and balance with his powerful move through the baseball. The high 3/4 arm slot allows him to drive the ball downhill from a 5’8” release height giving hitters an extremely deceptive look, especially from someone his height. His fastball 93-95 was located with power and forward life through the zone to precise locations while topping out at 95 mph which was the 4th best velocity of the day. The secondary offerings were equally impressive from Kussow. His slider 87-88 mph displayed a hard and late two plane break that he landed in the zone at will. The 2484 avg RPM’s on the breaking ball was the 4th best at the event. The shape and lateness to his breaking ball was nothing short of Major League quality. Kussow rounded out his arsenal with a change-up at 88-90 with fade and depth when it was near the hitting zone. This offering also landed in the zone with ease and pairs well with his fastball and the presence of the third pitch confirms his profile as a potential starting pitcher prospect. Kussow left the scouts on hand a bit “wow’d” with this performance on Sunday and will certainly see his stock rise as a result of this “lights out” look."

+ MIF JD Dix, Arizona Diamondbacks
A product of Whitefish Bay High School, Became the highest pick from Wisconsin since Jared Kelenic was selected 6th overall in 2018. The Arizona Diamondbacks selected Dix 35th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft and has put together a strong start to his professional career. Dix slashed .297/.404/.406 across two levels, finishing the season in Low-A Visalia and is currently ranked No. 6 in the Arizona System according to MLB Pipeline.

From Prep Baseball All-American Game: "A switch-hitter with nearly identical actions from both sides of the plate. Dix works out of square, even base with a shoulder height handset and looseness in the wrists. Quick-twitch trigger keeps him on time with an up-the-middle approach that shows present barrel control. Good barrel feel from the left side with present above-average bat speed and pull-side power. Gap power from the right side, but plenty of projection remaining in the 6-foot-2 frame that can lead to future power as a natural right-handed hitter. Could moonlight as an above-average glove at multiple positions but potential to stick at shortstop is real with lateral range and fantastic hands. Great flexibility in the frame with confidence to attack balls. Present plus runner with a 6.48 60 and electric first step that allows to reach top speed quickly. Impressive athlete." - 9/23/23

+ SS Eddie Rynders, Pittsburgh Pirates
Ranked the No. 2 player in the 2024 class, the Wisconsin Lutheran product was selected 112th overall in the 4th round by the Pirates in the 2024 MLB Draft. He signed with the Pirates, foregoing a commitment to play at Kent State. He spent almost all of his time in the Florida Complex League, but reached Low-A Bradenton.

From 6/24/24: "Kent State commit. Rynders emerged as one of the most highly regarded infielders in Wisconsin entering the 2024 season, and lived up to the hype as he prepares for the MLB Draft in the near future. The slick-fielding shortstop was a problem on the offensive end for Wisconsin Lutheran, batting .430 with 13 extra base hits and 36 runs scored. Rynders capitalized on strikes when he saw them, but also provided a disciplined eye at the plate. The senior finished with 20 walks and only nine strikeouts during the regular season—finishing the year with a 1.318 OPS. He led the Vikings to a conference championship amongst quality programs in the greater Milwaukee area, along with a Regional Title in the Division 1 field. Even when he didn’t produce extra base hits, the No. 2 player in the state found himself in scoring position often. Rynders swiped 25 bags in 2024—summarizing his dominance on the offensive end. In the field, Rynders finished with a 0.96 fielding percentage at the shortstop position—continuing to raise his stock on the infield as a defender. The senior has a bright future ahead of him, as our staff will be intrigued to see where he takes the field next after concluding his prep career on a high note."

+ SS Noah Miller, Los Angeles Dodgers
The No. 1 player in the 2021 class, Miller was a standout defensive prospect during his time at Ozaukee High School that had us thinking he could have a claim to be the best defensive prospect in his class throughout all of the Midwest. He was selected by the Minnesota Twins 36th overall in the 2021 MLB draft, forgoing a commitment to Alabama, before being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024. This past season saw Miller rise up to AAA Oklahoma City, leaving him just one level away from reaching the majors.

From 2/07/21: “Alabama recruit. 6-foot, 187 pounds; lean athleticism with long levers, high-waisted build. Further room to add more strength to frame without sacrificing agility that he utilizes especially well on defense. Miller had a claim to be considered the top prospect in attendance entering the event, and he leaves with the notion intact. Started the day by running a 6.93 on soft, new turf; long, athletic strides, effort in gait. Switch-hitter with similar, fluid, repeatable swings from both sides; projects well from both batter’s boxes, natural barrel feel from the right and left. Generated a slightly higher exit speed from the right side, though creates a little more loft, naturally, from the left-handed box. Sprays line-drives to all fields effectively; max exit speed of 96.04 mph in batting practice. Blast Motion recorded his average bat speed at 71.47 mph. Defensively, showcased trademark body control while ranging to his backhand and forehand. Advanced hands/feet fluidity optimizes efficiency from funnel to transfer, and his release is consistently uber quick, with precision. Miller is among the top-ranked shortstops in the class, and arguably the best defender in the Midwest, which helps continue the trend of Wisconsin producing elite middle infield talent.”

+ OF AJ Vukovich, Arizona Diamondbacks
A product of East Troy, Vukovich was the No. 1 player in the 2020 class before being selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks 119th pick in the 4th round, signing with the club and forgoing a commitment to Louisville. Vukovich has had a steady minor-league career and has found himself just one step away from the big leagues. He’s coming off his strongest season yet, slashing .284/.355/.498 in 111 games while also clubbing 22 home runs and driving in 79 for AAA Reno.

From 7/25/19: "Louisville commit. Vukovich earned some national headlines this summer for harnessing some of the best right-handed power of any prep prospect in the country. That pop was on display in Hitters Navy's contest against Wisconsin Impact on Saturday afternoon, when Vukovich turned around an 0-2 fastball on the outer half and casually smashed it over the right field fence for a grand slam."

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