On Sunday, Mar. 3 the Prep Baseball Wisconsin staff is heading back to Hitters Baseball Academy to host the South Milwaukee Preseason ID—a showcase that has taken place since 2013. This is an open event to all high school classes (2024-27) and continues to winter showcase circuit in 2024.

For a closer look at the showcase details and the technologies we’ll have on-site to assist our in-person evaluation for all in attendance, click here. For a complete look at those registered to attend this event, view the most up-to-date version of the roster by clicking here. 

EVENT HISTORY

The South Milwaukee Preseason ID annually delivers with some of the top prospects from the Badger State, regardless of class. Most recently, our staff has witnessed some of these prospects take their skill set to the next level in college—as the spring season has gotten underway over the past couple of weeks. 

RHP Thomas Burns (Hortonville, 2023; Arizona State) was in attendance two years ago—rushing his fastball up to 91 mph. His development and growth has earned him starting time on the mound for Arizona State, as he currently slots in as the Sun Devils’ No. 1 arm. 

Similarly, MIF Alexander Alicea (St. Thomas More, 2023; Louisville) showcased his dynamic play at Hitters Baseball Academy two years ago. His prowess on the defensive end of the ball, mixed with a consistent, repeatable switch-hit approach at the plate, has played well for Louisville to start the season. Alicea has earned some time on the infield for the Cardinals, and recently got his first collegiate hit. He joins fellow Wisconsinites and members of Louisville’s team who also stood out at the South Milwaukee Preseason ID—including OF Michael Lippe (Whitefish Bay, 2022), INF Gavin Kilen (Milton, 2022) and C Will Vierling (Homestead, 2022).

Numerous of the top 2024s have made their way to this event in the past as well. OF Jackson Brewer (Homestead, 2024; Columbia commit) and INF JD Dix (Whitefish Bay, 2024; Wake Forest) were two prospects who made national noise after emerging as standouts at the South Milwaukee Preseason ID a couple of years ago. 

A pair of 2025 commits in RHP/INF Ethan Bauerschmidt (Tremper; Penn State) and C Ryan Lemm (Janesville Craig; Wisconsin-Milwaukee) will each return to the South Milwaukee Preseason ID on Sunday after showing well at the event last year. They each went on to enjoy a strong stretch of baseball—contributing at a high level for every team they played on during 2023. 

2024 ROSTER

This year’s roster boasts a similar level of talent—featuring young prospects who continue to elevate their skill set at the prep stage. Here are some of the standouts to watch out for on Sunday.

A pair of Louisville commits in 1B Dominic Santarelli (St. Joseph, 2026) and 3B/OF Cooper Schaefgen (Oconomowoc, 2027), two underclassmen, will be making their way to the event on Sunday. Santarelli, the No. 1 ranked player in Wisconsin’s 2026 class, continues to show well in a mature 6-foot-1, 190-pound frame. Santarelli put up average exit velocities of 92 mph at last year’s event—maxing at 99 mph from the left side of the plate. Our staff saw Schaefgen in both the showcase setting and gameplay over the summer at the PBR at The Rock Summer Championships, where the Louisville commit emerged as an advanced batter in the middle of a lineup. Schaefgen currently ranks No. 2 in the Badger State’s 2027 class, and displays his present strength as a right-handed batter and smooth defender at third base. 

The No. 1 ranked prospect in Wisconsin’s 2027 class, C Maddux Lessard (Muskego, 2027), is making his first appearance in front of our staff since the 2022 PBR Junior Future Games. Lessard stands at an athletic, physical 6-foot, 185-pound frame, and tore up the summer circuit as a powerful, aggressive bat. His fundamentals behind the dish make him one of the names-to-know around the country, as Lessard presented quick feet and advanced arm strength down in Georgia a year and a half ago. Lessard’s continued elevation to star status excites as one of the next prep prospect’s journey to follow from the state of Wisconsin, as he will get started with a young Muskego group this spring. 

INF Jack Zeller (Indian Trail, 2025) is fresh off a successful showing in Georgia at the 2023 Prep Baseball Future Games—representing Team Wisconsin as a pesky left-handed hitter that is sure-handed defensively on the infield. Zeller presents himself as an athletic, projectable 6-foot-1, 177-pound prospect who’s bat-to-ball skills are one of the best in Wisconsin’s 2025 class. Zeller ranks at No. 14 as of right now, as is listed as the Badger State’s top uncommitted 2025 prospect. 

Zeller is joined on the middle infield by numerous underclassmen who have impressed on the showcase circuit and beyond. Part of that list includes a pair of middle infielders from Milton in SS Jake Cummins (2026) and 2B Charlie Fitzke (2026). Each will take on a prominent role for a young Red Hawks squad as sophomores, and gained quality experience through this past summer and fall. Similarly, MIF Aidan Kolb (Hartford Union, 2026) is another slick-fielding defender in a compact 5-foot-8, 160-pound frame. MIF Nolan Julseth (New Glarus, 2027) is an intriguing follow that joins this group as well. Over the summer, Julseth provided pull-side pop from the left side of the plate for his team—reaching base numerous times as a top of the order bat. All four make up a new generation of scrappy middle infielders that excite as future prospects as they continue to develop in their prep careers.

The summer provided our staff with multiple looks at some more of the young talent from southern Wisconsin—including RHP/INF Sam Hirthe (New Berlin Eisenhower, 2025) and OF/RHP Ira Hilbelink (Cedar Grove-Belgium, 2027). Each two-way prospect excelled for their respective team both at the plate and on the mound. Hirthe put on a complete game showing at The Rock earlier in the summer—now making his first appearance in the showcase setting in front of our staff after reaching 83 mph on the bump in July.

Hibelink took on the Prep Baseball Junior Future Games later that month—showcasing his strength and power at the plate, paired with his athleticism in the outfield and on the mound. The freshman posted exit velocities in the low-90s throughout his BP round in Georgia, and got up in the low-80s on the mound during in-game competition. 

RHP/OF Cameron Carter (Arrowhead, 2026), SS/RHP Caleb Liggon (Madison Memorial, 2026), OF/LHP Ezra Liggon (Madison Memorial, 2026) and 1B/LHP Joseph Suokko (Westosha Central, 2026) are all ranked prospects who performed at a high level at the 2023 South Milwaukee Preseason ID—taking advantage of their offseason work. All four prospects look to do the same on Sunday—maintaining their momentum as prep athletes looking to take their game to the next level.

As is the case with all of our showcases, there are multiple new prospects making their way to Hitters Baseball Academy on Sunday, and our staff is intrigued to find new names to add to our list and rankings.  

EVENT CHECK-IN PROCESS

Because of the high number of prospects set to attend Sunday’s event, it is imperative that you read our adjusted showcase itinerary below, which will allow our staff to swiftly and efficiently educate and evaluate the players set to attend.

Additionally, in an effort to continue and develop contactless check-in strategies, upon arrival, players will scan a QR Code with their smartphone camera that will lead them to a Google Form. On that form, players will enter their name (matching the spelling on their Prep Baseball profile) and hit submit. Upon submission, players will be prompted to click a link that will direct them to their jersey color and number, located next to their registered name.

POSITION GROUPS

Check-in Times:

• All Position Players: 9:00 A.M.
• All Pitchers-Only: 12:15 P.M.

Click here to learn more about our tech partners that have enhanced our players showcase experience. Partners like TrackMan, Vizual Edge, and Blast Motion have helped both our in-event evaluation process, as well the compilation of our post-event scouting reports—and they’re also a tool for our players to learn more about their measured and collected data that can be applied to their game. Finally, wear baseball clothes—assigned and numbered Prep Baseball jerseys will be provided. 

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