The 2025 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 2025 preseason coverage continues today.

High School: Madison Memorial Spartans
Preseason Rank: 14
Head Coach: Nick Krohn
WIAA Division: 1
Conference: Big Eight
Last Year’s Record: 19-8
2024 Season Highlights: Regional Champions
Key Players Lost: Cashton Jones

 

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ROSTER PREVIEW

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X-FACTOR

UTL/RHP Brayden Banyai (2025, Wisconsin-Milwaukee) is one of the fiercest competitors in the state, and a tough out at the plate. The right-handed hitter has a quality approach at the plate while possessing standout bat-to-ball traits. A true threat on the basepaths once he gets to first as well, not just in the stolen base department either but the overall IQ shows on the basepaths, taking the extra base when presented.

Banyai has seen time at multiple positions and could prove valuable once again as a senior, providing a lot of versatility to the lineup.

On the mound, Banyai is equally as competitive, while strikes have been an issue in the past Banyai look to attack every hitter when they’re in the box. Armed with a two-pitch mix with a lively fastball that reached 85 mph as a junior and a breaking ball to pair off of it.

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NEWCOMER TO WATCH

INF/RHP Drew Haferman (2027) is a potential underclassmen that could impact the season in multiple ways. The sophomore left-handed hitter has shown well in front of our staff, working on the barrel and driving the ball on a line to all fields.

On the mound, Haferman has feel for three pitches, a fastball that reached 79 mph this winter, and a tight breaking slider and a changeup to pair.

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TEAM OUTLOOK

“We return a core of talented juniors to mix in with some solid seniors gives us some good experience to lean on. Replacing a true ace pitcher in Cash Jones will be a tall order, but confidence is high” – Nick Krohn, head coach

The Spartans enter the year with a talented roster throughout. The lineup features the aforementioned Banyai, but also INF/RHP Caleb Liggon (2026) who was one of the top performers last season and is one of the top athletes in the state.

Liggon has run producing capabilities, driving in 21 runs last spring, and provides quality defense on the left-side of the field.

OF/LHP Ezra Liggon (2026) can add another middle-of-the-order piece with another step forward in production. The left-left athlete shares the same athleticism as his twin-brother, giving him an immense ceiling himself. The left-hander can play all three spots in the outfield and cover ground with easy range.

INF Oliver Soldat (2025, Wisconsin-Whitewater) enters his fourth varsity campaign and has a chance to break the school record for games played. Another competitor and tough out, putting together strong at-bats in front of our staff regularly.

Rounding off the lineup C Tyler Craig (2025), INF Bryce Belshaw (2025), OF Harry Watson, and OF Simon Sellwood (2026)

On the mound the Spartans are deep, despite the loss of Jones, returning every other arms from last spring. Giving them multiple capable options to start and relieve games. RHP Kellen Mulcahy (2025), Banyai, and Caleb Liggon return with the most innings thrown under their belts. Mulcahy and Liggon both pitched to some success with both players sporting sub-2 ERAs for the season. RHP JJ Ackerman (2025, Marian) and LHP Logan Lenz (2025) can also be relied on in multiple roles on the staff.

Adding to the depth, RHP Myles Hosking (2026), Blake Adams (2026), and Ezra Liggon are also capable of hoping on the mound when called upon.

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BOTTOM LINE

Bringing back most of the impact pieces from last spring, including the majority of the innings, the Spartans have the pieces in place to compete for a spot at the top of the conference this spring.

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Find more information on the 2025 Madison Memorial program below:

• Follow the Spartans on X: @VPMBaseball

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