It’s time to refresh the rankings after an eventful summer and a bit of fall action, and with that comes a substantial update in which we are expanding from 25 names to 50.

There are obviously a large number of newcomers in this update and we won’t be able to touch on all of them, but for now we are talking through some of the most notable names we have seen in the past few months.

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NEW LOOK TOP-5

+Staying at the top spot in this update, C Braedon Paczocha (Mukwonago) is an advanced defensive catching prospect with a ceiling as an impact defender at the next level. The right-handed hitter has made improvements at the plate as well, showing feel to drive the ball to all fields, quick and tight turns with balance and extension through the baseball, the raw strength and power continues to tick up as well as the athlete. One of the best defensive catchers regardless of class in the state, the right-right backstop could vault himself into the national conversation after a strong fall while he’s playing up a level.

+ MIF Maddex Welzien (West Bend West) moves up to the second spot in this rankings update, the athletic two-way prospect has seen steady improvements across his entire profile and seemingly continues to tick up as he continues to get more reps. A high-end athlete with twitch, 6.85 runner with speed that translates in game, defensively in the infield Welzien is a confident defender with soft hands and athletic actions, arm strength up to 82 mph that plays with accuracy. At the plate, the right handed hitter is a polished hitter with feel to drive the ball in the air using the entire field, direct path to the baseball with present bat-to-ball traits and an advanced approach to pair.

+ RHP Carter Unger (Kewaskum) projectable and high waisted right-hander with a frame that stands out on the mound standing at 6-foot-2, 170-pounds with plenty of room for added strength. Consistent performer on the mound, with growing feel to repeat an easy an raw crossfire delivery. Arm speed stands out, low 3/4 slot with deception. Confident to throw three pitches against either handed batter, The fastball routinely sits in the mid-80s, occasionally grabbing 87-88 when reaching back, playing with heavy life and running action. Two secondaries that both look like potential go-to options, a low-70s two plane breaking ball with big sharp action and a heavy fading changeup that plays against both handed batters.

+ OF Camden Jeske (Oak Creek) Wiry 6-foot left/left outfielder with feel to hit both advanced velo and spin with a potential top-of-the-order toolset. A performer across both the spring and summer seasons while hitting near the top or middle of the order. Bat-to-ball stands out with limited swing and miss across our looks to pair with growing present power from the left side. Defensively Jeske is a confident defender in center field, taking proper and efficient routes to the baseball with arm strength up to 82 mph.

+ OF Ian McClure (Reedsburg Area) A high-end athlete, potentially in the conversation as one of the top athletes in the country. Standing at 6-foot-3, 198-pounds with strength throughout his frame and even more room to continue to add as he continues to mature. Tools across the board. Advanced run-tool with top end speed and twitch that translates to the game.

 

At the plate, the right-handed hitter takes an easy and direct path to the baseball with twitch and feel to elevate the baseball to the pull side. Visible bat speed and the ball jumps off the bat when barreled. Defensively the speed translates to the outfield, twitchy and athletic routes with actions that play at all three outfield spots, with arm strength up to 85 mph.

RISERS INSIDE THE TOP-15

+ INF Benjamin Smet-Cooper (Westosha Central) and INF Kallen Magli (Sun Prairie West) have both been contant producers this summer, impressing our staff on a number of occasionals throughout the summer.

Smet-Cooper has done nothing but hit in front of our staff since he began his prep career. The frame continues to improve, adding on more and more strength across each look now standing at a physical 6-foot, 192-pounds. At the plate the feel to hit stands out, taking consistent “A” swings and barreling the ball with authority to all fields. The defense in the infield continues to see improvements looking a potential third baseman at the next level with more improvements with the foot speed, arm plays with accuracy at 83 mph.

Magli is another bat that consistently performs in front of our staff, making his debut inside the Top-10. Strong right-handed swing with present barrel control and feel to drive the ball in the air no matter the velo or spin. Defensively Magli is a natural infielder and can play multiple spots in the dirt with ease, also athletic enough to handle the outfield and has shown well there in limited time in past looks, arm strength up to 81 mph from across the diamond with accuracy to pair.

ROUNDING OUT THE TOP-15

+ MIF Eli Hart (Bay Port) projectable athlete with feel standing at 6-foot, 171-pounds with room to continue to add to his frame. The right/right infielder has performed in front of our staff throughout his prep career, including a standout showing at the Wisconsin State Games where he earned MVP Honors after going 5-for-6 with a home run against a top arm in the 2026 class. At the plate, the right-handed hitters swings a smooth and controlled bat with present barrel control and feel to drive the ball in the air. Defensively Hart is a steady defender with sure hands and an accurate arm that plays on the move.

+ RHP Maxwell Webb (Port Washington) advanced pitchability right-hander with feel to spin multiple secondaries in and around the zone. Standing at 6-foot-1 with plenty of room for added strength as he matures into his frame. Consistently establishes a low-80s fastball with life out of the hand, two different breaking balls both in the low-70s and offer upside, a tight downer curveball and a sweeping slider that are consistently in the zone. Rounding off the arsenal Webb flashes feel for a fading changeup in the mid-70s.

+ C Thomas Check (La Crosse Logan) left-handed hitting catcher with catch and throw traits that play in game. The catch and throw is a real asset to his game defensively, pairing with feel to block on top of being a quality receiver behind the plate. Offensively, the left-handed hitter swings an easy bat flashing feel for the barrel with an all fields approach and growing strength.

+ OF/LHP Braxton Thiede (Jefferson) advanced defensive outfielder with center field actions, efficient and athletic routes and arm strength to play in all three spots. At the plate, the right-handed hitter swings an athletic bat with feel to leverage the ball in the air, taking tight turns with extension through the baseball. Also a quality arm with arm speed and feel for multiple pitches, the fastball reaches 83 mph from the left side with feel to spin a breaking ball in the zone.

+ Debuting inside the Top-15, C Toay Ragatz (Lancaster) strong right-handed hitting catcher with feel to hit. Standing at 5-foot-11, 198-pounds with room to continue to add to the frame. Swinging an advanced right-handed bat with feel for the barrel, explosive at launch with tight turns and extension through the baseball showing feel to consistently drive the ball in the air to the pull side. Defensively Ragatz is a strong armed catcher with accurate throws to second and athletic actions out of the crouch.

+ RHP/INF Jacob Madlung (Arrowhead) frame immediately stands out, athletic and long limbed 6-foot-4, 188-pound frame with plenty of room to continue to add to his frame as he matures. Two-way upside, the 6.88 runner tests out well across the board athletically and is seemingly just scraping the surface.

At the plate, the right-handed hitter swings and easy and strong bat with feel to use the entire field. Defensively in the infield Madlung is a comfortable defender with confident and steady actions and projects to be able to stick in the dirt long term. On the mound the right-hander has shown feel for three pitches a low-80s fastball with life out of the hand and a tight breaking ball and diving changeup.

VIEW THE COMPLETE WISCONSIN 2028 RANKINGS HERE

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