Wisconsin Class of 2025 Rankings: Update

August 30, 2023
By: Wisconsin Staff

Today, as part of Prep Baseball Report’s rankings week, our PBR Wisconsin staff is unveiling its 2025 rankings after an eventful summer, concluded with the 2023 PBR Future Games in Georgia.

Highlighted in the story below is an analysis on the new top-15 prospects in the Badger State, including a new No. 1 and multiple risers within the top portion of the 2025 class. Stay tuned throughout the rest of the week, as more athletes will be spotlighted within our rankings for their production during the spring and summer.

A NEW NO. 1

Trevor Vande Hey OF / Wrightstown, WI / 2025

Rankings, PBR Wisconsin: No. 1

What a summer it was Vande Hey, after impressing across the entirety of the summer circuit, he capped it off with an absolute standout week down at LakePoint where he represented Wisconsin at the 2023 PBR Future Games. Standing at 6-foot, 195-pounds, there are few prospects in the region who boast the advanced toolset Vande Hey currently possesses. The ultra athletic right/right outfielder possesses an intriguing power and speed profile as he has reached EV highs of 103.1 mph before, all while marking 60-times as low as 6.57, too. Offensively Vande Hey swings with intent and has a propensity for making hard contact and driving the baseball, especially to the pull side. This was on display during the final day of the Future Games when he launched a homerun to deep left-center field which put the finishing touches on his already impressive week. While Vande Hey’s power right-handed bat is advanced in its own right, his defense is equally impressive as he has shown before that he can play a legitimate center field. Defensively, Vande Hey uses his high-end athleticism to take aggressive routes to the baseball and he also possesses a strong arm which has been up to 91 mph in the past. The tools Vande Hey has shown over the course of 2023 have kept him inside of the top of the list for some time now, but after what he did in Georgia he entered a whole new tier in both the state and the national scene, and he is now, if he already wasn’t before, a must-see prospect as he enters his all-so important junior year.

AT THE TOP

Carter Kutz 3b / C / RHP / Hartford Union, WI / 2025

Rankings, PBR Wisconsin: No. 2

From the PBR Future Games: “... turned in another outstanding performance in front of our staff, this time on the national stage… The right-handed batter begins in an open stance before closing up and whipping the barrel through the strike zone, where he has consistently shown to elevate the baseball to the pull-side. The power comes naturally for Kutz, standing at 6-foot-2, 185-pounds. He homered in Appleton during the state tournament, showed that trait again during his round of BP on Wednesday morning, and then capped off the summer with a home run to deep left field in the second matchup of the weekend; Kutz’s bat speed and quick hands, shown throughout the on-field BP portion of the week, allows him to pull inside pitches and keep the ball fair, all of which was illustrated in gameplay. Positionally, Kutz performed as both a catcher and infielder, finishing with pop times from 1.89-1.94 seconds, and an infield velocity of 88 mph. He stuck at the third base position during gameplay when he wasn’t pitching on the mound. The right-hander got up on the bump for two innings of work, working at a quick tempo, and ranging his fastball up to 87.9 mph, spinning up to 2,453 rpm with carrying vertical break that projects as he continues to polish up his projection on the mound.”

Peter Kussow RHP / Arrowhead, WI / 2025

Rankings, PBR Wisconsin: No. 3

Louisville Commit. Listed at 6-foot-5, 200-pounds with extra-long limbs, the right-handed pitcher, Kussow boasts some of the highest upside in the state, regardless of class. Even with all the upside inside of his frame, Kussow already possesses an advanced arsenal, too. In our looks, we have seen the loose armed right up to 89.5 mph and consistently sit in the high-80s range with his lively fastball. He also spins an advanced slider with over 2,700 rpm and late, sharp bite that is arguably the class’ best breaking ball. Rounding out his three-pitch mix is a changeup, in which he kills spin on and has also shown the ability to spot up in the past, too. While injuries did limit Kussow’s work throughout the year, he is set to return in 2024 as one of the top arms inside of the state’s incoming junior class.

TOP-10 RISERS

+ RHP Sawyer Deering (Kimberly) continues to trend up as one of the top right-handed pitchers within this class, slotting in at No. 4 in this update. After a quality spring, Deering took on the summer and raised his stock even more, representing the Badger State at the PBR Future Games. It was there where Deering rushed a lively fastball up to 91 mph, along with featuring a mature arsenal of off-speed pitches. After his primary pitch, Deering snaps off a high-spin curveball that spun at a rate of 2,816 rpm on average during his outing in Georgia. In addition to the upper-70s breaking ball, he completes the mix with a changeup, killing spin and creating depth to ultimately throw hitters off balance. His work throughout the spring and summer, along with a bulldog demeanor on the mound, primes Deering for success in the future, as he remains uncommitted heading into his junior year.

Sawyer Deering (7/27/23)

+ Like a handful of others on this list, MIF Preston Yaucher (Edgewood) was another member of Team Wisconsin at the 2023 PBR Future Games, and there he proved to be one of the top prospects inside of the state’s 2025 class. The middle infielder is an advanced defender up-the-middle as he is a smooth mover with easy range, sure-handed actions and arm strength that will surely stick at the shortstop position at the next-level. Offensively, a right-handed hitter, Yaucher has continued to add more and more to his athletic right-handed swing, highlighted by a 4-for-7 weekend at LakePoint. Yaucher has long been an intriguing prospect inside of the state’s incoming junior class and after a breakout performance at LakePoint, he carries some major momentum as he takes over the No. 6 spot inside of this rankings update.

Preston Yaucher (7/26/23)

+ RHP Adam Urban (Wauwatosa West) emerged as one of the winners from the 2023 PBR Future Games, rising to No. 7 in the newest update. Urban, standing at a strong 6-foot-1, 185-pound frame, moves up in the top-10 after a quality showing in his second appearance for Team Wisconsin this past summer. The right-hander sat in the mid- to upper-80s with the fastball, touching 89 mph in his first outing. He finished the weekend with a dominant two innings over a noteworthy Team Missouri squad, striking out two batters while only allowing one hit in the process. He did so with the help of a slider-splitter combination. Each pitch proved to have out-pitch potential, as he earned consistent swings and misses, in addition to filling the zone with strikes. Urban provided an arrow-up look for our staff, as his stock continues to trend up heading into the fall and the offseason.

+ Standing at a sturdy/strong 6-foot-2, 189 pounds, LHP Ryan Brennecke (Oconomowoc) rises to No. 9 in this newest update, maintaining his spot as the top left-handed pitcher in Wisconsin’s 2025 class. Another representative at the 2023 PBR Future Games, Brennecke provided an upside look in his two outings. Despite struggling with command at times, the southpaw ran his fastball up to 88 mph, a large difference from where he was in the winter. That trait, along with his curveball and changeup, give Brennecke a solid foundation for the future. His feel for the changeup especially, sitting in the upper-70s and low-80s with fading actions, separates him as one of the top arms in the state. Brennecke remains uncommitted entering his junior season, inserting himself as a name-to-know heading into 2024.

+ MIF Jack Lutz (Whitnall) was one of the toughest outs for Team Wisconsin at the 2023 PBR Future Games this past summer, as the scrappy middle infielder showcased his advanced bat-to-ball skills and confidence at the plate. Those characteristics, along with his sure-handedness on the infield, elevates Lutz to No. 10 in the post-summer update. The left-handed batter stands at an ultra-projectable 6-foot, 150-pounds, featuring more room to grow and mature within his frame. Despite his build, Lutz provides bat-speed and a calm approach in the batter’s box, proving to handle velocity and hit to all fields. He took an impressive round of BP in Georgia with quick hands, averaging 258 feet of batted ball distance per swing. After maintaining a mid-80s throw from the shortstop position in multiple looks, Lutz proved over the summer that he is a next-level athlete on the diamond.

CRACKING THE TOP-15

+ The big lefty in LHP/1B Adam Kudronowicz (Mukwonago) rises to No. 13 in this update, consistently performing throughout the spring and summer in front of our staff, along with capping it off with a quality showing at the 2023 PBR Future Games. On the mound, Kudronowicz presents himself at a physical 6-foot-3, 210-pound frame, and utilizes that strength to maintain a mid-80s fastball throughout his outings. The fastball, maxing at 86 mph, has heavy sink to it at times, and the rest of his mix contributes to his on-the-rise profile. A sweeping breaking ball, 71-74 mph, keeps hitters guessing as to which side of the plate his ball moves, as it complements his arm-side fastball, as well as a sinking changeup, 75-79. His ¾ slot, low-effort delivery, clean mechanics, and strong stature make him a need-to-know pitching prospect in the class, but Kudronowicz’s left-handed swing is worth mentioning here as well. On a couple of occasions in 2023, the left/left prospect recorded exit velocities that journeyed into the upper-90s, packed with demonstrable pull-side power and loft as well. Within an eventful summer, Kudronowicz impressed in both the showcase and live action setting, establishing himself as an intriguing prospect.

Adam Kudronowicz (7/28/23)

+ C Marek Bolson (Oconomowoc) was steady and sure-handed behind the dish and at the plate throughout his multiple appearances at the 2023 PBR Future Games down at LakePoint. His consistent production for Team Wisconsin, standing at a wiry 6-foot-1, 175-pound frame, was noteworthy down in Georgia, along with his work behind the plate. Bolson showcased bat-to-ball skills and flashed power, earning a hit in half of his at-bats, including a double to his opposite field that nearly carried for a home run, flashing the potential he offers at the next level. The left-handed hitter features a short, compact swing and a direct path to the baseball. With that, he demonstrated his ability to extend and elevate on contact, projecting him to hit for power as he continues to develop. Defensively, Bolson makes accurate throws from behind the dish, with pop times ranging from 2.01-2.15 seconds. His overall work and calm demeanor on the diamond raised Bolson to No. 14 in the 2025 rankings for the Badger State, emerging as a name-to-follow heading into the offseason.

Marek Bolson (7/27/23)

+ After performing well at the 2023 PBR Future Games, MIF Jack Zeller (Indian Trail) slots in at No. 15 to round out the top pool of prospects within this class. Zeller is listed at an athletic 6-foot-1, 165 pounds, and he showed well all year long. His standout performances for his travel team was on display in Georgia, where Zeller earned three hits, including two doubles over the weekend. The lefty plays the game with ease and a relaxed approach, producing quality bat-speed from a tall, simple setup in the left-handed batter’s box. Zeller has excellent bat-to-ball skills and utilizes both gaps especially well, all while looking like a reliable defender at second base. A successful spring and summer shot Zeller onto the radar as one of the top middle infielders within his class entering the second half of his prep career.

Jack Zeller (7/26/23)

ELSEWHERE IN THE TOP-15

+ The two-way abilities of RHP/MIF/OF Ethan Bauerschmidt (Tremper) have been noteworthy for some time now, as the junior continues to evolve as a difference-maker both on the mound and at the plate. Within his projectable 6-foot-2, 172 pound frame, Bauerschmidt is equipped with some of the state’s best athleticism that plays on both sides of the ball. From the mound, he’s shown quick, live arm speed that looks especially projectable. On the mound, the right-hander has reached 90 mph in prior looks, maintaining his fastball in the mid- to upper-80s throughout his outings. Bauerschmidt also utilizes a slider that was used to frustrate opponents, freezing batters and forcing awkward swings while spinning sharply at over 2,500 rpm, at times. He followed it up with fastball-like changeup to round out his arsenal. The athlete produces at the plate as well, where Bauerschmidt earned two hits down in Georgia. The right-handed hitter produces bat whip and gets into his lower half to drive the baseball, rounding out his two-way skillset.

Ethan Bauerschmidt (7/28/23)

+ RHP/INF Greyson Zach (Pewaukee) from the PBR Future Games: “... was another two-way athlete who put in quality time for Team Wisconsin this past week, especially on the mound. Standing at a physical 6-foot-3, 205-pounds, Zach continues to add onto his frame as he progresses through his prep career. That strength welcomed a velocity bump, starting in the winter where he reached 90 mph from the mound. He has maintained that through the spring and summer, and showed it off on the national stage this past week. His fastball maxed out at 89.8 mph with life, sitting 84-88 mph throughout. He was able to pair his out-pitch with a curveball and changeup, as each pitch complements the fastball in a positive manner. Zach’s first outing of work illustrated that sequence, where the right-hander earned a strikeout and induced weak contact to shut down his opponents. What his pitching doesn’t necessarily speak to is the athleticism that Zach brings to the table, as the prospect ran a 6.84-second 60-yard dash to begin his workout day. At the plate, an easy swing allows Zach to utilize his natural strength to drive the baseball consistently; he finished with one hit in two at-bats over the course of the weekend, taking an upper-80s arm back up-the-middle for a base hit in Game Two of live action. After a strong showing on both ends of the diamond, Zach inserts himself as a name-to-know in Wisconsin’s 2025 class.”

Greyson Zach (7/27/23)

+ CIF/OF Cameron St. John (Altoona; Pepperdine) may boast some of the biggest power potential in not only the state but the entire Midwest. St. John stands out at first glance as he boasts a physical 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame, and despite his large stature he has managed to record a 7.12 in the 60-yard dash too, which is a noteworthy aspect to his game. In the right-handed box, St. John swings a fast and aggressive bat that produces some off the chart swing metrics and batted ball data. His max bat speed in our looks this winter was 86.3 mph and this helped him reach a max exit velocity of 105.0 mph, the highest exit speed measured at PBR Wisconsin events in 2023, thus far. It has been a big year for the Pepperdine commit and he looks primed to build off of it as he heads into his junior year.

+ RHP Loren Georger (Appleton West) maintains a spot in the top-15 spot after putting together an electric week down in Georgia at the Future Games. Standing at a projectable 6-foot-3, 180 pounds, Georger features a lively fastball that has been up to 89.5 mph, and plays with true backspin and carry traits, spinning up to 2,600 rpm. His spin traits carry over to both of his breaking balls, too, starting with his curveball. With this low-70s breaker, Georger creates over 2,300 rpm of raw spin, but what is even more impressive is that it plays with sharp horizontal bite, measured at over 16 inches on average. As for his slider, it profiles similarly, just with more velocity. After battling through some injuries at the start of the summer, Georger seemed back to full health when he stepped foot on the LakePoint campus, and he now finds himself at the No. 12 spot in this rankings update.