Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 10 Oconomowoc

March 20, 2024
By: Maddox Durst
Staff Writer

The 2024 Wisconsin high school baseball season is quickly approaching and, as usual, excitement is abound throughout the state. Players and coaches have been working in preparation for the upcoming season and, as is the case each year, there are some very talented players and teams across the Badger State.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in their respective WIAA Division State Championship, but there is plenty of work to be done before that becomes reality. We hope to familiarize our readers with many of the teams with this initial Preseason Power 25 release which will take us right up to first pitch.

Please keep checking back throughout the season as we will be your one-stop shop for everything related to high school baseball across Wisconsin. Each week we will be releasing our Power 25, Players of the Week, Diamond Notes, Scout Blog and much more.

Our 2024 preseason coverage continues today.

High School: Oconomowoc Raccoons
Preseason Rank: 10
Head Coach: Vince Mancuso
WIAA Division: 1
Conference: Classic Eight
2023 Record (Finish): 17-12 (Sectional Finalists)

ROSTER PREVIEW

Team Strengths: Pitching and experience
No. of Returning Starters: 8
No. of Returning Pitchers: 5

NAME	STATE	CLASS	POS	COMMITMENT
Anderson Hayes	WI	2024	RHP	Notre Dame
Bradyn Nelson	WI	2024	INF	Bryant and Stratton (WI)
Alex Bryan	WI	2024	OF	-
Ryan Belawski	WI	2024	UTIL	-
Hayden Christman	WI	2024	RHP/UTIL	-
Mason Foerstera	WI	2024	RHP	-
Owen Borkowski	WI	2024	LHP	-
Ryan Brennecke	WI	2025	LHP	South Carolina
Marek Bolson	WI	2025	C	Kent State
Jackson Reno	WI	2025	OF	-
Luke Schlosser	WI	2025	MIF	-
Jaiden Delaney	WI	2025	RHP	-
Brady Ploch	WI	2026	RHP/OF	-
Cooper Schaefgen	WI	2027	3B/RHP	Louisville

X-FACTOR

+ LHP Ryan Brennecke (2025; South Carolina commit) continues to raise his stock as one of the top left-handed pitchers in not only his class, but arguably in the entire state of Wisconsin. Brennecke has excelled ever since his work at the 2023 Prep Baseball Future Games, where he represented Team Wisconsin in a quality fashion. In a strong 6-foot, 198-pound frame, Brennecke tossed one of the more polished ‘pens of the winter at the West Milwaukee Preseason ID—topping out at 91 mph. Brennecke presented a mature command for all three of his pitches—including a sharp breaking ball and a diving changeup. The No. 1 left-handed pitcher in Wisconsin’s 2025 class can kill spin on his changeup in an efficient manner and provides a sharp 1/7 action on his curveball. Brennecke is coming off of a strong 5-2 spring for the Raccoons, in addition to an elite summer circuit. His performances on the bump will partially determine how high Oconomowoc can climb in the loaded Classic Eight Conference.

Ryan Brennecke (2/17/24)

NEWCOMER TO WATCH

+ 3B/RHP Cooper Schaefgen (2027; Louisville) is ranked at No. 2 in the Badger State’s 2027 class as he enters his freshman year at Oconomowoc. Schaefgen stands at a physical 6-foot, 190-pound frame and was recently one of the biggest winners from the South Milwaukee Preseason ID a couple of weeks ago. The right-handed hitter provided exit velocities in the low-to-mid-90s (T95.3 mph) and consistently used an up the middle approach in his session. Schaefgen is a competitive batter and a tough out, as he will look to get some time at the plate for the Raccoons early on. Additionally, we saw the right-hander showcase some velocity on the mound—illustrating an advanced feel for three pitches. His fastball reached 85 mph and he comfortably tossed in a curveball and changeup to keep future opponents off balance. While we don’t necessarily know how much his pitching will play for a deep Oconomowoc staff this spring, his bat and work at the third base position will be key to the success of the Raccoons in 2024.

Cooper Schaefgen (3/3/24)

TEAM OUTLOOK

The other electric arm next to Brenneke is RHP Anderson Hayes (2024; Notre Dame), who stands at an intimidating 6-foot-7, 215-pound frame. Hayes found a rhythm over the entirety of 2023 on the mound and established himself as a pitcher-to-follow here in his senior season. The ball explodes out of Hayes’ hand, as he has reached 89 mph in front of our staff. His advanced spin rates on the fastball give his go-to pitch life and ride through the zone, in addition to a sharp breaking ball that spins at an average of 2,557 RPM. Hayes extends down the mound as well in his large frame—adding on velocity and deception to his arsenal. The senior is primed for a strong finish to his prep career for the Raccoons.

Anderson Hayes (5/30/23)

C Marek Bolson (2025; Kent State), will once again assume the catcher position for Oconomowoc in 2024. Bolson was a member of the 2023 Prep Baseball Future Games and represented Team Wisconsin well down in Georgia. Standing at a strong 6-foot-1, 190-pound frame, Bolson is a loose, athletic defender behind the dish with pop times that range between 2.00-2.14 seconds. The left-handed hitter can also handle the bat too, as our staff witnessed at LakePoint and most recently at the West Milwaukee Preseason ID. Bolson has a smooth swing that presents power to the pull-side. He returns as one of Oconomowoc’s strongest hitters from 2023 and will be a key piece in the middle of this order in his junior season.

Marek Bolson (2/17/24)

OF Jackson Reno (2025) was arguably one of the biggest surprises for the Raccoons last season, as he returns to the lineup after hitting .402 for Oconomowoc in 2023. Reno recently showed well at the West Milwaukee Preseason ID about a month ago, and stood out as a batter who consistently barreled line drives to the pull-side and up the middle. The right-hander has a reliable glove in the outfield as well—reaching back to throw 82 mph during his showcase in February. Reno will be an intriguing prospect to monitor in the Classic Eight this spring as an uncommitted junior.

Jackson Reno (2/17/24)

Another hitter that will join Bolson and Reno in the lineup as a threat is INF Bradyn Nelson (2024; Bryant & Stratton (WI)). Nelson presents himself at a mature 6-foot, 195-pound frame, and has posted exit velocities in the mid-90s in the past in front of our staff. Nelson has a quiet approach in the box with relaxed hands—allowing himself to get the barrel out in front of the plate and drive the baseball. He hit .302 for the Raccoons last season—hoping to continue to improve upon those numbers in a couple of weeks in gameplay.

Bradyn Nelson (4/10/23)

MIF Luke Schlosser (2025) is another contributor to the depth of this crew—coming off a quality performance at the West Milwaukee Preseason ID this winter. Schlosser currently ranks at No. 44 in Wisconsin’s 2025 class, and is known for being a scrappy defender and a tough out at the plate. His role for Oconomowoc will continue to elevate in his junior season, as they will need his consistent left-handed bat and speed on the basepaths to play a role in their games. The middle infielder was also up to 90 mph from across the infield during the event—demonstrating his growth and improvement over the offseason.

Luke Schlosser (2/17/24)

OF Alex Bryan (2024), UTL Ryan Belawski (2024) and RHP/UTL Hayden Christman (2024) are a trio of seniors who will fill out the rest of the lineup for Oconomowoc in 2024. Belawski concluded his summer by showing well at the plate at the Eastern Wisconsin Open up in Sheboygan. His play—in addition to Bryan’s and Christman’s—will be key to the success of the Raccoons.

As for the rest of the pitching staff, RHP Jaiden Delaney (2025) has emerged as an arm that may surprise opposing teams this season. Delaney topped out at 83.5 mph in his ‘pen at GRB Stiks Academy back in February, and spun both his fastball and curveball at high rates. Delaney gets on top of his pitches and drives down the mound—creating power and velocity within his delivery and execution. His arsenal is an intriguing one with a three-pitch mix, even going to a deceptive changeup to keep hitters off balance.

Jaiden Delaney (2/17/24)

RHP/OF Brady Ploch (2026) is an underclassman that may play himself into the lineup for Oconomowoc as just a sophomore. Ploch reached 82 mph back at the West Milwaukee Preseason ID on the mound, and got up to 84 mph during his defensive session from the outfield. Ploch stands at a 5-foot-10, 173-pound frame with room to grow and develop. He showed a comfortable feel for all three of his pitches, and will look to gain some experience at the varsity level with a strong pool of upperclassmen leading the way.

Brady Ploch (2/17/24)

RHP Mason Foerstera (2024) and LHP Owen Borkowski (2024) may each see some time in spot starts or relief appearances for Oconomowoc. Each pitcher continues to develop his craft, and has proven that they are able to get outs on the varsity stage after earning some innings last season.

BOTTOM LINE

+ Oconomowoc finished their season very strong last year en route to being a game away from the State Tournament in head coach Vince Mancuso’s first season. The team was young and inexperienced, and used 2023 as a stepping stone for 2024. This year, with a plethora of elite and rising arms to work with, the Raccoons are primed for success in the upcoming weeks. They did not lose any key contributors from their 2023 run. While they will need to earn contributions from their lineup offensively, they present a reliable pitching staff that can compete with anyone in the state. Oconomowoc boasts one of the toughest schedules in the state between their non-conference opponents and the Classic Eight gauntlet. They will get their season started on Apr. 3 when they host Sussex Hamilton in a non-conference matchup at the Dockhounds Stadium.