2025 Wisconsin Player of the Year Watchlist
January 29, 2025
With the sping season right around the corner, we wanted to take the time to go through some of the players from around the state that will likely be in consideration for Player of the Year when its all said and done.
We are strictly speculating and making educated guesses, as there are countless talented players from around the state that will have a chance to win the award.
Continue reading below to see who our staff came up with in this rendition.
FRONTRUNNERS
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Peter Kussow RHP / 3B / Arrowhead, WI / 2025The top ranked prospect in the senior class is primed for another big spring. Coming off a Second-Team All-State selection in 2024 where he struck out 68 in 46 innings with a 0.91 ERA. The Louisville commit is set to attend the Super 60 this weekend and will anchor down a deep pitching staff for a strong Arrowhead program. |
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Carter Kutz 3B / 3B / Hartford, WI / 2025The Nebraska commit was a two-way standout for Hartford, being selected Third-Team All-State for his season on the mound in 2024. Also one of the top bats in the Midwest and generating pro interest, Kutz is set to attend the Super 60 setting him up for his final season as a prep. |
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Ryan Brennecke LHP / 1B / Oconomowoc, WI / 2025The top left-hander in the state, the Wake Forest commit has feel to pitch to pair with an advanced arsenal. A starters arsenal with a low-90s fastball that he can locate throughout the zone with a tight breaking ball and a quality changeup. Brennecke will anchor down the pitching staff for a quality Oconomowoc program as they compete in one of the tougher conferences in the state. |
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Ethan Bauerschmidt RHP / SS / Tremper, WI / 2025The Penn State commit had a quality season on both sides of the ball after he tossed 48.2 innings with a 5-1 record with two saves. The senior will be a name to watch in Major League Scouting Departments everytime he takes the mound this spring as he looks to build off his numbers this spring. |
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Sawyer Deering RHP / OF / Kimberly , WI / 2025Rankings StateRank: 10 / POS: 5
The Tennessee commit was a top performer in the state, earning First-Team All-State where he hit .452 with nine home runs. Known for what he can do on the mound, with a low-90s fastball and a power breaking-ball, Deering proved he can be an impact with the bat and will look to build on his numbers this spring. |
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Dominic Santarelli 1B / OF / St. Joseph, WI / 2026Santarelli was named First-Team All-State as a sophomore after a runner-up finish at state last spring. The Louisville commit has long been one of the top bats in the Midwest and has shown no sign of slowing down. As a sophomore Santarelli hit .465 with 26 extra base hits including five home runs to go with 25 walks to just eight strikeouts. As a junior, Santarelli leads a strong Lancer lineup as they compete to make it back to state. |
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Calvin Moreau SS / RHP / Monona Grove, WI / 2026The Central Florida commit has seen his prospect ascend into one of the top two-way athletes in the Midwest. Earning a Second-Team All-State selection as a sophomore after hitting .411 with four home runs to go with 50.1 innings with a 5-0 record and 62 strikeouts. Moreau will be a key piece for a strong Monona Grove team this upcoming spring as he looks to build on his numbers. |
BREAKOUT CANDIDATES
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Jack Lutz SS / 2B / Whitnall, WI / 2025One of the top athletes in the state regardless of sport, Lutz one of the top middle-infielders in the region with advanced feel to hit and a shot to stick at short at the next level. The South Florida commit will lead a competitive Whitnall lineup in his final prep season. |
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Preston Yaucher SS / 2B / Edgewood, WI / 2025The Penn State commit was apart of an Edgewood squad that took home state last spring where he played a key role. Earning a Second-Team All-State selection, Yaucher hit .427 with 37 RBIs and 13 walks to two strikeouts while playing some of the best defense in the state. Yaucher started to tap into more game power as the summer progressed, hitting his stride in the fall going for multiple home runs at The Rock Fall Championships. |
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Ben Kuglitsch RHP / OF / Muskego, WI / 2026The Florida State commit is one of the top two-way athletes in the Midwest and was a key piece for Muskego the past two seasons. Now an upperclassmen with two years of varsity experience Kuglitsch will be a key piece for the Warriors once again both as an arm atop the rotation and an impact bat. |
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Chance Ruby SS / RHP / Wilmot High, WI / 2026Rankings StateRank: 5 / POS: 2
Ruby is one of the top infielders in the state, and is coming off a year where he took home Conference player of the year as a sophomore in a conference deep with prospects. As a sophomore, Ruby hit .467 with 43 hits in 26 games including 17 total extra base hits. |
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Winston Alonso 3B / SS / Reedsburg, WI / 2026Rankings StateRank: 6 / POS: 1
Alonso was another WIAA performer as an underclassman last spring, earning a Third-Team All-State selection after hitting .432 with 13 extra base hits and 14 walks on the year. Alonso saw his stock with the bat improve after a strong summer and looks to build off his numbers he set last spring. |
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Maddux Lessard C / SS / Muskego, WI / 2026Rankings StateRank: 8 / POS: 1
Lessard earned First-Team All-State as a freshman after hitting .406 with five home runs and 35 RBIs while being a mainstay in the middle of Muskego's lineup. Lessard reclassed into the 2026 class and heads into the spring as a junior and will look to build off his numbers from the previous spring. |
DARKHORSE CANDIDATE
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Brett Biondich RHP / 1B / Kettle Moraine Lutheran, WI / 2026Rankings StateRank: 7 / POS: 2
The TCU commit was apart of a Kettle Moraine Lutheran team that finished as state runner-up last spring with Biondich playing a key role on both sides of the ball. Heading into the spring Biondich will look to lead Chargers a top the rotation and in the lineup, as he looks to improve on the success from last season. |