Prep Baseball Report

Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 21 Mukwonago


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: Mukwonago Indians
Preseason Rank: 21
Head Coach: Paul Moser
WIAA Division: 1
Conference: Classic Eight
2023 Record (Finish): 13-13 (Lost in Regional Final)
Key Players Lost: Tristan Arnold (Wisconsin-Milwaukee), Connor Greuel (Upper Iowa), and Gavin Schuett (Wisconsin-Eau Claire).


ROSTER PREVIEW

Team Strengths: Returns most of their starting pitching
No. of Returning Starters: 5
No. of Returning Pitchers: 4

NAME STATE CLASS POS COMMITMENT
Roman Sienza WI 2024 OF Butler
Aidan Perdreau WI 2024 CIF Earlham College
Chase Baker WI 2024 LHP Madison JC
Cael Bertrandt WI 2024 LHP -
Adam Kudronowicz WI 2025 LHP/1B Central Florida
Austin Arnold WI 2025 MIF -
Ben Jones WI 2026 RHP/3B -

X-FACTOR

+ LHP/1B Adam Kudronowicz (2025; Central Florida commit) is fresh off of representing Team Wisconsin at the 2023 Prep Baseball Future Games as a pitcher down in Georgia. Kudronowicz further proved he could handle the bat though in a strong 6-foot-3, 210-pound frame. His bat speed, paired with a quiet, open stance provided our staff multiple quality looks over the summer at his prowess at the plate. On the mound, Kudronowicz uses four pitches to navigate opposing lineups—including a mid-80s fastball that has reached 86 mph in the past. The left-hander’s ability to spin both of his breaking balls is key, as he has proven to use them consistently. His two-way play will be important for Mukwonago coming up in 2024—solidifying a pitching staff that went through its struggles last season and bringing some power to the table as a batter. Our staff will get an updated look at Kudronowicz this weekend at the Milwaukee Preseason ID.

Adam Kudronowicz (7/28/23)

NEWCOMER TO WATCH

+ RHP/3B Ben Jones (2026) recently made an appearance at the West Milwaukee Preseason ID and made some noise for himself as a pitcher to follow in the future. Jones—standing at a physical 6-foot-1, 233-pound frame—presented a lively arsenal that garnered attention at GRB Stiks Academy in February. His fastball ranged in the low-to-mid-80s—topping out at 84 mph with an average spin rate of 2,194 RPM. Jones was also comfortable going to the curveball and slider—landing each pitch for strikes in a clean ‘pen. He killed spin on a changeup—throwing the offspeed pitch with fastball intent. The sophomore’s mix is polished as an underclassman, and he may see some time on the varsity stage as a spot starter or reliever for the Indians in 2024.

Ben Jones (2/17/24)

TEAM OUTLOOK

The Indians feature multiple returners to a program that experienced a couple of ups and downs en route to a .500 record in 2023. Part of those hot streaks can be credited to the offense for Mukwonago, which is led by the likes of OF Roman Sienza (2024; Butler) and CIF Aidan Perdreau (2024; Earlham College)

Sienza is a wiry left-handed bat who will man the outfield for the Indians—capping off a successful prep career. The senior was a member of Wisconsin’s 2022 Prep Baseball Future Games team, and showed well in Georgia to eventually earn a commitment to Butler. Sienza presents himself at a lean 6-foot-2, 165-pounds, and hit .291 for Mukwonago last season.

Roman Sienza (3/18/23)

Perdreau is a true middle-of-the-order bat—showcasing some of the best bat speed and barrel awareness in the class. With heavy power to the pull-side, Perdreau is a threat for the long ball every time he steps up to the plate. After batting .353 in the spring for Mukwonago, Perdreau was one of the biggest winners throughout the summer circuit—earning an invite to the Top Prospect Games in July. At a mature 6-foot-2, 210-pound frame, Perdreau is primed for an quality spring season to finish his prep career.

Aidan Perdreau (7/21/23)

That leads to the pitching staff for the Indians, one that will need to step up to improve from last year in a tough conference. LHP Chase Baker (2024; Madison JC) returns as one of the top arms for Mukwonago after finishing 1-1 last year with a 0.98 ERA. Baker ranges in the mid-80s with slight arm-side run with the fastball. He presents a mature four-pitch mix that has proven to get wins on a consistent basis.

LHP Cael Bertrandt (2024) joins Baker as another left-handed starter in the rotation for the Indians. The southpaw is a low-80s arm and an under-the-radar prospect that can take Mukwonago to the next level in the regular season and beyond. He showed well over the summer and made numerous appearances on the bump throughout the tournament circuit.

Cael Bertrandt (6/22/23)

In addition to Kudronowicz, RHP Bennett Wolfe (2024; McHenry County JC) rounds out the starting pitching staff for the Indians. Wolfe is an athletic mover on the mound and arguably the hardest thrower amongst the group of prospects. The right-hander impressed at the 17U National Championships in Georgia—using a sharp breaking ball to garner swings and misses. His fastball reached 87 mph with above average spin rates during that time. Wolfe’s development over the winter could add to the elite depth Mukwonago possesses in their pitching staff.

Bennett Wolfe (7/20/23)

The rest of the roster includes newcomers to starting roles on the varsity—including a large junior class. One of those members of that class is MIF Austin Arnold (2025), who showcased his skill set at the Southern Wisconsin Open back in October and may play an important role for the Indians in his first year as an upperclassman.


BOTTOM LINE

+ Mukwonago will have to compete in one of the top conferences in the state in the Classic Eight with powers such as Arrowhead, Muskego, Oconomowoc and Kettle Moraine. The Indians have the pitching staff and the lineup to do so though. With numerous left-handed arms who have proven to be successful on the varsity stage, Mukwonago has the ability to keep powerful teams off balance throughout the course of the season. There will be a learning curve with new head coach Paul Moser in his first season at the helm, but his staff has a veteran program to work with. Mukwonago begins their season Apr. 2 against a competitive non-conference opponent in Whitnall.


Find more information on the 2024 Mukwonago program below:

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