Wisconsin Rankings Class of 2026: Final Update
July 10, 2026
With the prep careers of Wisconsin's 2026 class now complete, we're rolling out one final update to the state's rankings. While the movement throughout the board is modest, this release takes a closer look at the order of the state's top prospects and the conversations that shaped the final top-15 before the next chapter of their careers begins.
From a trio of legitimate Day One draft hopefuls to one of the deepest collections of draft talent the state has assembled, this class has consistently raised the bar over the past four years. Wisconsin has produced standout classes before, but few have matched the combination of top-end talent, depth, and overall impact that this group has brought to the state's baseball landscape.
Read below as we break down the final rankings, discuss the key movement throughout the top of the class, and take one last look at a class that will be remembered as one of the most talented to come through Wisconsin.
THE TOP-3
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Dominic Santarelli 1B / St Joseph Catholic, WI / 2026+ A popular name among draft circles and a high-ceiling prospect with an exciting left-handed power profile that continued to evolve looking the part of an outfielder with average to above average speed that plays up with aggressive and relentless routes to the baseball. The multi-time Player of the Year has a resume that backs up the prospect pedigree and a number of pro tools that make him an exciting professional prospect, whenever he begins his professional career. An LSU commit, Santarelli stands out as a highly physical prospect possessing a true array of professional tools. Already established as one of the most decorated players in Wisconsin state history, he has done nothing but continuously elevate his overall profile. His recent positional transition from first base to center field underscores a clear improvement in athleticism, while a revamped swing adds even more intrigue to his offensive projection. While front offices will have to carefully weigh his limited exposure to high-level pitching and premium reps during the spring season, Santarelli’s immense physicality and high-ceiling toolset present a compelling case for evaluators to strongly consider him with an early selection in the upcoming draft. 
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Jace Mataczynski SS / Hudson, WI / 2026+ An electric athlete between the lines and a high-end competitor. The glove has long been his carrying tool; he is a smooth defender at shortstop with a high ceiling and a big arm from the left side of the infield. He flashes sneaky right-handed power with more in the tank as he continues to refine his swing and add physical strength. He rarely misses in-zone fastballs and consistently takes mature at-bats. Mataczynski has significantly elevated his draft profile over the past calendar year. After entering last summer as a relative unknown, he is now widely evaluated as one of the premier prep defenders in the current draft class. He concludes an outstanding high school career by securing his second First-Team All-State selection and earning National Player of the Month honors, firmly establishing himself as one of the most accomplished prospects to emerge from Wisconsin. 
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Tyson Grulkowski RHP / Muskego, WI / 2026+ Grulkowski checks all the boxes you want in a right-handed pitching prospect: a physical workhorse frame, natural athleticism, and a clean arm with elite spin and unique release traits. His stuff stands out, routinely working in the low-90s and touching 94 mph, with even more in the tank for the cold-weather, low-mileage right-hander. His slider flashes wipeout spin and projects as a future plus pitch, while he also shows the feel to turn over an equally impressive changeup. Grulkowski has consistently stood out as one of the top-performing arms in front of our evaluators. He presents a highly uncomfortable at-bat for opposing hitters, utilizing elite spin metrics and unique release traits that allow his arsenal and current velocity to play up. Serving as a workhorse ace for one of the premier programs in the state, he has a proven track record of executing against high-quality competition. It is a unique starter's profile that works heavily in his favor, firmly cementing his status as a premium arm in the prep class. 
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This segment of the class is heavily reinforced by a standout quartet of elite athletes in CF Ezra Liggon (Madison Memorial; Bradley), CF/RHP Ben Kuglitsch (Muskego; Florida State), C/CF Jack Brenner (Fond du Lac; Oklahoma), OF Callen Tomsyck (Muskego; South Dakota State), anchored by dynamic outfield profiles, premium speed, and advanced defensive instincts. It is a group characterized by diverse, game-changing tools, ranging from a true catch-and-throw tool set behind the plate to highly compelling arm talent on the mound. Collectively, this quartet represents some of the most dynamic, foundational athleticism available in the state.
+ E. Liggon is a twitchy near top of the class athlete, left-handed hitting center fielder with a budding five-tool skillset at a premium position. Although he was hampered by injury to start the year, he wasted no time getting back to squaring up the baseball at a high rate from a stronger yet still smooth and clean left-handed swing. His glove continues to impress in the outfield with range and jumps that cover significant ground, even making a professional-sized outfield look small during their State Finals run.
+ Kuglitsch has tested out as a top-of-the-class athlete for years, and his overall profile has steadily developed around that foundational athleticism. His physical build stands out, offering remaining projection that complements a twitchy, handsy right-handed swing with a natural feel to lift the ball in the air. His center field defense has looked special, exhibiting the same 'field-shrinking' range seen in others across this tier, matched with arm strength that keeps runners honest from anywhere on the grass.
+ Brenner could see himself playing a variety of positions on the diamond at the next level, whether that is behind the dish or out in the dirt and grass. He offers another profile where true athleticism shines through, featuring a twitchy right-handed swing with advanced bat-to-ball feel and a track record of promising results against higher-end arms and competition.
+ Tomsyck has made significant offensive strides over the past year, emerging as a potentially dynamic right-handed hitter at the next level. He features a strong, repeatable swing that generates quality impact, paired with twitchy athleticism that translates cleanly across the diamond.
Transitioning to the dirt, this bucket of the class features an impressive crop of highly athletic infielders SS Chance Ruby (Wilmot Union: Illinois-Chicago), SS Ian Kawczynski (Catholic Memorial; Wisconsin-Milwaukee), MIF/ATH Calvin Moreau (Monona Grove; Central Florida), INF Trey Kerkhoff (Burlington; Purdue), SS Caleb Liggon (Madison Memorial; Bradley) who possess the requisite actions and instincts to remain in the infield long-term. Highlighted by a standout who flashes the premium footwork and glove presentation of a potential plus defender, the group is equally compelling in the box. Each prospect in this collection swings a true upside bat, presenting highly enticing, well-rounded profiles that project favorably to the next level.
+ Ruby is a high performer with a well-rounded collection of tools to complement an athletic defensive skill set, giving him a strong chance to stick at a premium position long-term even if he slides off shortstop. He boasts a proven track record of professional level at-bats dating back to his freshman year, underpinned by an advanced bat-to-ball approach.
+ Kawczynski looks every bit the part of a future plus defender at shortstop, displaying clean, smooth actions that make the infield look small. His right-handed swing has continued to trend upward, and there is significant physical strength remaining to fill out his 6-foot frame.
+ Moreau is another highly athletic prospect with the tools to stick at a premium position long-term. He offers immense physical upside inside a projectable frame, generating real strength at impact from an athletic, direct right-handed swing. Also a legitimate talent on the mound, the right-hander has reached back into the low-90s with an advanced feel to spin an upside breaking ball.
+ Kerkhoff has heavily elevated his stock as a right-handed hitter over the past year, consistently delivering 'A' swings and mature at-bats in front of our evaluators while seeing his quality of contact surge throughout his prep career. His defensive actions continue to refine as well, looking like a capable, long-term defender at third base with requisite arm strength and lateral athleticism.
+ C. Liggon is uniquely athletic like his brother, looking increasingly comfortable as a reliable defender on the left side of the infield while pairing a strong right-handed swing with advanced barrel control. He is a high-ceiling infielder with long levers and a natural aptitude for driving the baseball in the air.
The pitching crop in this class is highlighted by a compelling quartet of arms, evenly split between two right-handers and two left-handers. Interestingly, the group presents a mirrored dichotomy of pitching profiles. One righty-lefty duo offers the prototypical starter's package LHP Colton Semmelmann (Brookfield Central; Uncommitted) & RHP Mason Schmidt (Somerset; Wisconsin-Milwaukee), headlined by highly projectable arsenals and inherent swing-and-miss traits that should allow them to remain in a rotation long-term. Conversely, the other right-and-left-handed pairing boasts exceptionally loud, raw stuff capable of generating massive strikeout numbers RHP Damian Kosempa (Marquette University; St. Louis) & LHP Montgomery O'Brien (Wauwatosa East; Notre Dame). Together, these four arms offer high-upside profiles on the bump.
+ Semmelmann is a clean looking left-hander with feel for the zone and locate multiple pitches along with the ability to spin. There’s more velo on the way inside the clean and repeatable operation and plenty to dream on for one of the top uncommitted left-handers on the market.
+ Schmidt stands out on the mound, a hulking 6-foot-5 right-hander with a low-90s carry fastball and plenty more left in the tank in terms of velocity. The stuff and pitchability have steadily ticked up throughout his prep career with feel to spin and kill spin on multiple shapes including a few that could turn into real weapons at the next level.
+ Kosempa was one of the true breakouts of the spring. Always known for his ability to spin the baseball, that trait took another step forward this season. He now pairs it with a ticked-up fastball and multiple 'outlier' pitches that grade out well regardless of the competition level.
+ O’Brien enjoyed a breakout spring following an updated look at his arsenal during the preseason procase. His multiple advanced pitches at higher velocities give the left-hander a number of options to get both left- and right-handed hitters out at the next level. His fastball already reaches into the mid-90s, with even more on the way for the power-armed southpaw.
VIEW THE COMPLETE 2026 RANKINGS HERE
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