Wisconsin Signing Day: ACC, B10 and Big 12 Outlooks

December 23, 2025
By: Kai Formella
IL/WI Content

On Nov. 12th, thousands of high school baseball players across the country signed to lock in their commitments to their respective schools, with many of these signings hailing from Wisconsin.

Over the next few days, we will spend some time highlighting the names from Wisconsin that signed to play baseball at the Division I level. We’ll do so by breaking these names up by conference, continuing today with the ACC, BIG 10, and Big 12.

ACC

FLORIDA STATE

Ben Kuglitsch OF / RHP / Muskego, WI / 2026

Rankings StateRank: 5 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 226 / POS: 41

The Seminoles bring in one of the top two-way athletes in the country with the signing of Kuglitsch. Currently ranked No. 5 in the state, Kuglitsch is coming off a strong spring and summer that included a WIAA Division 1 State Championship with Muskego. Listed at a projectable 6-foot-2, 182-pound frame, the right-hander shows notable tools across all facets of the game. He possesses some of the top speed in the state, recording the fourth-fastest 60-yard dash in Wisconsin’s 2026 class at 6.47 seconds. At the plate, the right-handed hitter displays intentful swings with feel for the barrel to all fields, registering a max exit velocity of 97.6 mph with an average of 93.1 mph. Defensively, he has consistently showcased above average range in the outfield with a strong arm that has reached up to 90 mph. Kuglitsch has also shown plenty of promise on the mound, flashing a lively fastball that sits 91-94 mph and pairs well with an effective slider/changeup offspeed combination.

From 7/17/25: “The Florida State commit, ranked No.2 in the state of Wisconsin and 124th nationally in the 2026 class, gave one of the best looks on both sides of the field this tournament. With the bat, the right-handed hitter showed why he has some of the biggest power tools in the state from the long-limed, 6-foot-2, 182-pound frame. Staying all over the barrel with strong, quick trigger hands able to drive the ball to all parts of the field with ease, showing it through an opposite field warning track shot and double. On the mound, Kuglitsch came out in relief, working with a two-pitch mix relying on his fastball sitting 89-91 mph, T92, flashing a breaking ball in the lower 80s. Complete command of the zone, attacking hitters early and staying ahead, striking out six over three and ⅔.”

NOTRE DAME

Montgomery O'Brien LHP / OF / Wauwatosa East, WI / 2026

Rankings StateRank: 20 / POS: 2

O’Brien is a projectable left-handed arm who should add valuable depth to the Fighting Irish pitching staff as he continues to develop. Coming in at a long-levered 6-foot-2, 179-pound frame with some strength throughout, the left-hander is fresh off a strong spring and summer campaign that earned him Second Team All-Conference honors. He features an upper-80s fastball with quality carry through the zone, reaching up to 90 mph with a 2,500+ rpm spin rate. His repertoire is rounded out by a big-breaking 11/5 curveball, a high-spin horizontal slider, and a fading changeup that flashes deception out of the hand.

From 7/17/25: “Notre Dame commit & Future Game Alumni. Would throw two and two third innings in relief, collecting six strikeouts while not allowing a run. Worked off a fastball up to 90 mph and spin rates north of 2500 rpm. Athletic 6-foot-2, 179-pound frame with room for added strength.”

BIG 10

MINNESOTA

Maddux Lessard C / SS / Muskego, WI / 2026

Rankings StateRank: 16 / POS: 2

The Golden Gophers continued to strengthen their Wisconsin pipeline with the addition of Lessard, a catcher who features some of the best potential power and field tools in the Midwest. Standing at a well-proportioned 6-foot, 195-pound frame with strength throughout the right-handed hitter shows easy power to all fields, recording a 99 mph max exit velocity and a 93 mph average in-event. Defensively, Lessard possesses a steady catch-and-throw presence behind the plate, with quality blocking skills and notable arm talent, posting a top pop time of 1.95 seconds and an 82 mph throw.

From 5/5/25: “A physical presence at 6-foot, 185 pounds the junior is one of the strongest prospects in the state. At the plate Lessard swings with intent and looks to do damage on every swing, taking plenty of big “A” hacks while maintaining and staying within his approach, not expanding and working a walk in his first at-bat. Lessard would finish the day with 1-for-3, the strong right-hander would find the barrel for a single and would later come around to score. Behind the dish Lessard’s actions were on full display. Confident and natural receiver of the baseball with loose and strong wrists paired with quiet movements behind the dish. Natural blocker keeping every ball in front, soft and athletic with range out of the crouch. The catch-and-throw is some of the best in the Midwest, maintaining control over the run game, proving to be an asset in that department as well.”

PURDUE

Trey Kerkhoff 3B / 1B / Burlington, WI / 2026

Rankings StateRank: 11 / POS: 1

The Boilermakers made a statement in this year’s recruiting class by adding a strong bat in Kerkhoff, currently ranked No. 11 in the state and the top-rated third baseman. Possessing a durable 6-foot-1, 194-pound frame with strength throughout, the right-handed hitter displays some of the top hit and run tools in the state. Kerkhoff has shown some advanced speed on the bases in front of our staff, putting up a 6.65 60-yard dash in-event with a 21 mph run speed. At the plate, Kerkhoff shows a loose, handsy swing with quality bat-to-ball skills, posting a 99 mph max exit velocity and a 94 mph average. On the defensive side, he displays fluid actions at the hot corner with a steady glove and a loose arm across the infield, reaching 86 mph.

From 2/26/25: “INF Trey Kerkhoff (Burlington, 2026) made a statement with his performance on Sunday. He grew an inch and put on a solid twelve pounds of muscle mass as he came in and measured 6-foot-1, 194 pounds. He started off his day by running the 4th best 60 yard dash of the day at 6.65 seconds. With the bat, Kerkoff was hitting rockets with a short and handsy path and registered an impressive 99 mph max exit velocity which was the 5th best mark on the day. His 94 mph average exit velocity was second best mark of the day and proved how frequently Kerkhoff was on the barrel throughout the round. It was such a clean and consistently looking swing using leverage from back to front in such a controlled way, it’s no wonder why he is one of the top bats in the state. With the glove, the middle infielder showed soft hands with a rhythmic funnel and will be able to stick at short.”

BIG 12

CENTRAL FLORIDA

Calvin Moreau SS / RHP / Monona Grove, WI / 2026

Rankings StateRank: 8 / POS: 3 OverallRank: 382 / POS: 93

Moreau is one of the state’s top two-way talents and appears poised to make an immediate impact upon his arrival in Orlando. Currently ranked No. 8 in the state and No. 382 nationally, the right-handed hitter possesses the potential to be a table setter in the lineup for the Knights. The right-hander is fresh off a strong Spring season that earned him Second Team All-State honors. The physical 6-foot-3, 186-pound two-way still has room to continue filling out, and it will be interesting to see how his frame develops once he arrives on campus. The right-hander possesses some above-average or better speed on the basepaths, putting up a 6.61 60-yard dash. He also showcases easy whole field power with feel for the barrel, registering a 96 mph max exit velocity with a 91 mph average. Moreau also offers plenty to dream on on the mound, working with an effective three-pitch mix that includes an upper-80s fastball that has reached 91 mph, along with a curveball/changeup combination that has shown swing-and-miss potential.

From 4/12/25: “Central Florida commit, currently the No. 3 ranked player in the state’s junior class, one of the top athletes in the country with real two-way upside. Standing at a physical and upside 6-foot-3, 186 pound frame with strength and twitch. Moreau started on the mound and hit leadoff, striking out four batters across 4.1 innings, allowing two runs and walking three while earning the win. Two pitches in this look, both for strikes and play up in the zone, the fastball reached 90 mph early while setting in the upper-80s. Moreau spun and located a firm slider in and out of the zone for swing and miss. Also went 1-for-4 at the plate with a stolen base and two runs scored, providing value on both sides of the ball.”