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Wisconsin Class of 2026 Rankings: First Look

November 16, 2022
By Andy Sroka, Vinny Rottino, and Isaiah Glidden
Wisconsin Staff

It is still extremely early, perhaps even premature, to be forecasting Class of 2026 prospects, especially since they have yet to play a high school spring season. Then again, with the acceleration of recruiting over the years, high-level 2026 prospects are already making verbal commitments.

Over the course of the last year, we’ve seen impressive talent in the 2026 class, ready to make their way through the high school scene. Several of the high-end talents should also be known on a national level as well.

With that said, we have released our initial 2026 rankings, a list of the top-15 prospects that have caught our attention on the field both in game and in showcase looks. Certainly this list will grow and change over time, as we know many players will reach their ceilings at different times and with different trajectories. We also know that we likely haven’t seen a number of other 2026 prospects that may be deserving of this list.

It can also be said that this Class of 2026 in Wisconsin is, at this stage, one of the most advanced we’ve seen in recent memory. There are already three committed players on this list, and the top-three, specifically, will earn even more attention when the national ‘26 board is updated and unveiled at the end of this week.

THE TOP-3

Aiden Arnett OF / Stoughton, WI / 2026

Arnett, a Florida commit, is the consensus top prospect in the state, and he’s managed to garner recognition on the national circuit earlier than Wisconsin products typically do. He committed to Florida at the start of the summer having established himself as one of the class’ best pound-for-pound hitters, and opposite its most talented arms. Listed at a strong and compact 5-foot-11, 175 pounds, Arnett showcases an impressive multi-faceted toolset. He has a short compact stroke from the right side with the ability to consistently barrel up baseball driving them in both gaps efficiently, and he’s already demonstrating genuine power – he launched a no-doubt homer at The Rock Complex at the start of the summer, all while cruising around center field with natural actions and instincts. His polish offensively stands out instantly, and he carries himself like an older, more experienced player. Arnett has elite tools, especially for someone his age, and he debuts at No. 1 here, surrounded by legitimate competition that shapes the makings of a memorable class. 

Ben Kuglitsch SS / RHP / Muskego, WI / 2026

Kuglitsch slots in at the second spot on our first look at this class. At a wiry and projectable 6-foot-2, 155 pounds, Kuglitsch first made himself known to our staff at the summer championships at The Rock. Using a short compact stroke with very quick hands, Kuglitsch’s hit and power tools stood out to us with his ability to hit balls hard to all over the diamond and loft balls over the fence. His power will continue to be one of his carrying tools as his frame will continue to fill out and get stronger. Additionally, Kuglitsch has smooth athletic actions at shortstop with plenty of arm to stick on the left side of the diamond. Kuglitsch also impresses on the mound with a fastball up to 85 mph and ability to use his offspeed for strikes. Kuglitsch has an extremely high ceiling and is one of the more exciting prospects to keep an eye on going forward.

(6/9/22)

Dominic Santarelli 1B / OF / Kenosha St. Joseph, WI / 2026

Santarelli, a Louisville commit, checks several boxes as a future middle-of-the-order impact bat, and he debuts at No. 3 on this initial rankings. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound first baseman is a natural left-handed hitter with great rhythm and timing in the box. It only takes a couple of at bats to see the innate ability to barrel up balls to all fields with the sweet left-handed swing Santarelli can hit velocity, breaking balls and offspeed pitches all over the field with ease, something we saw at The Rock this summer as he was arguably the best pure hitter of the weekend. A left-handed thrower, he handles himself well around the bag providing reliable quality defense at first base. Santarelli also made the trip to LakePoint to represent Team Wisconsin at the PBR Junior Futures Games, and provided the team with one of the weekend’s most clutch hits, a triple against high-end velocity late in an elimination game. Without even playing a high school game yet, Santarelli has already proved to be a force in the Badger State and with still four more years until he heads off to Louisville, there is no telling what this young prospect could accomplish.

(7/26/22)

ELSEWHERE ON THE TOP-10

+ OF Matthew O’Grady (Badger) occupies the No. 4 spot on our state board. At an athletic, twitchy and projectable 5-foot-11, 165 pounds, O’Grady really made himself known to our staff at The Rock and at the Junior Future Games this past summer. There, O’Grady showed off his impressive raw tool set. O’Grady is an effortless runner, running a 6.86 time in the 60-yard dash, and he can use his speed both on the bases and to cover a lot of ground in center field. He has a short, compact right-handed stroke with the ability to spray the ball to both gaps. O’Grady’s natural athleticism helps him profile as a center fielder with bat-to-ball skills and blossoming strength that can improve his profile that much more.

Matthew O'Grady (7/26/22)

+ OF/LHP Ezra Liggon (Madison West) and SS/RHP Caleb Liggon (Madison West) are twins who debut at Nos. 5 and 9, respectively, on this talented list. The two are multi-spot stand-outs in highly projectable and athletic frames.

Ezra boasts one of the most projectable frames on this rankings list, at 6-foot-3, 165 pounds. All across the summer circuit, Ezra has attracted attention, starting at The Rock during the 14U Summer Championships. There, the projectable athlete swung a smooth left-handed stroke which resulted in multiple hard-hit balls all throughout the weekend. Not only does Ezra impress on the baseball diamond, it also seems that he is a high-end basketball prospect which points to his athleticism he shows while on the field. If Liggon can continue to develop and grow into his projectable frame, the ceiling is enormous for this young prospect, whether it is in baseball or basketball. 

As for Caleb, he has a slightly different profile than his brother, as a right/right infielder with left side defensive actions. This athleticism transfers over to the diamond as he wreaks havoc on the basepaths to only add to his already impressive skill set. Caleb’s bat-to-ball skills are also strong from the right-handed box, and he, too, is an impressive basketball prospect. The projectability and athleticism is real for these twin brothers, and both are names to keep a close eye on as they continue their prep career.

+ MIF Jake Cummins (Milton) is slotted in at No. 6 in this initial rankings update after multiple stand-out performances in front of our staff. Cummins is a quick twitch athlete that has registered a 7.22 time in the 60-yard dash in front of our staff, and should only improve as he continues to develop as a prospect. This athleticism is really put on display while manning either of the middle infield positions as he effortlessly ranges from side-to-side and makes even the tough plays look easy. This is something that our staff saw firsthand at the PBR Junior Future Games, where he made multiple slick defensive plays that even shocked our staff. Offensively, Cummins doesn’t try to do too much, he knows his game as a top-of-the-order type player and he sticks to it, as he is able to consistently spray balls to the entire field. Overall, Cummins is a relaxed and confident gamer type and seems to have all the makings of the next high-level middle infielder out of Wisconsin, something that the Badger State has become known for over the last few years.

Jake Cummins (7/26/22)

+RHP/1B Brett Biondich (Kettle Moraine Lutheran; Texas Christian) is our No. 7 prospect in the initial rankings for the state. Biondich is listed at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds with a projectable frame and strength throughout. He stands tall in the box, uses his lower half well with a dynamic move to and through the baseball, leveraging the baseball out front showcasing his impressive power. He also impresses on the mound with a fastball up to 82 and the ability to keep hitters off balance by throwing multiple pitches for strikes. It’s easy to see why Biondich is an early commit to TCU and top-10 ranked 2026 in the state. 

Brett Biondich (6/9/22)

+3B/RHP Caleb Johns (New Berlin Eisenhower) ranks inside the top-10 at No. 8. Johns is listed at a long and projectable 6-foot, 165 pounds. Johns continually shows out well to our staff every viewing in tournament play and also did so at the Junior Future Games this past summer. Johns has a knack for the barrel with a short, under-control-swing who can hit for both average and for power. He can hit the ball to all fields and does an impressive job of controlling the strike zone. Johns is a defensive asset at third base with easy actions and a low pulse when the game is on the line. On the mound, Johns has a fastball clocked close to 80 mph and the ability to land multiple secondaires for strikes. His body and the loose delivery project for more velocity in the near future and have Johns as an exciting two-way prospect in the Badger States talented ‘26 class.

Caleb Johns (7/26/22)

+RHP/OF Carson Hawley (Bay Port) rounds out the initial top-10 for the 2026 class. Hawley is listed at a projectable 5-foot-11, 160 pounds. Hawley is a middle-of-the-diamond athlete who runs a 7.04 in the 60-yard dash with instincts to track down balls in center, and was also clocked at 87 mph from the outfield. His right-handed swing is easy, loose and repeatable that generates consistent line-drive contact through the middle of the field. As his body continues to strengthen and develop, the power should come. He also shows upside on the mound with clean, repeatable mechanics with a feel to command the baseball and has been up to 81 mph in our looks. Hawley is a high upside prospect for the class, and one of its best athletes – which is saying something, considering the level of athleticism that exists on this list.

Carson Hawley (7/26/22)

EVEN MORE STANDOUTS

It’s not so common that we’re able to identify this number of high-level freshmen this early, but Wisconsin’s Class of 2026 is in the midst of establishing itself as one of the best to come through the state.

+ RHP/INF Calvin Moreau (Monona Grove) was dominant from the mound across a couple looks this past summer, with projectable velocity that easily exits a short, low window and jumps on hitters. We saw him up to 79 mph this year, but given his athleticism and 6-foot-2, 155-pound frame, there’s no need to worry about his present day velocity. Moreau has already weaponized his fastball, and he’s shown a feel to pitch that will only enhance his profile as he develops into more arm strength naturally. He’s also performed well as a position player, with a loose right-handed swing and actions fit for the left side of the diamond, and we’ll continue to monitor his progress on both sides of the ball.

Calvin Moreau (6/10/22)

+ OF/RHP Matthew Hietpas (Appleton North) showed well both at the Green Bay Rising Stars ID at the beginning of the year, and represented Wisconsin at the Junior Future Games in July, putting him at No. 12 in the 2026 rankings. At a 5-foot-11, 175-pound frame, the righty brings a mature body with room to continue to grow as he enters high school. Hietpas was all over the bases during the Junior Future Games, scoring runs and driving in teammates for Team Wisconsin. In his first game in Georgia, against Team Georgia, he finished 3-for-3 with four RBI’s, showcasing his offensive talent on the biggest stage. Hietpas provides a future middle-of-the-order bat and complements it with his outfield defense, where he topped out at 91 mph, giving him a chance to contribute to Appleton North right away as a freshman. He can bring it on the mound as well, topping out at 83 mph during one of his performances at The Rock this past summer.

Matthew Hietpas (7/26/22)

+OF Luke Schaning (Nathan Hale) is the No. 13th ranked prospect for the class. Schaning is a quick twitch 6-foot-1, 180-pound, physical athlete with strength throughout his frame. Schaning continually impresses our staff with his present toolset both at the plate and on defense. Schaning displays strength in his hands with the ability to drive balls for extra base hits. He covers ground in the outfield with solid routes and jumps and quick turnover to track balls down in the gaps. Schaning was a valuable member of the Junior Future Games squad for the state last July and will be one we keep our eyes on going forward.

Luke Schaning (7/26/22)

+ 3B/OF Winston Alonso (Reedsburg Area) has a natural left-handed swing and he uses the entire field efficiently for a player his age. His robust bat-to-ball skills should develop nicely as he adds physicality to his 5-foot-11, 150-pound stature. He has a loose, dynamic barrel that syncs up pitches up and down the zone well. Alonso repeatedly took quality at-bats during The Rock 14U Summer Championships, all while holding down third base athletically, showing actions while on the move.

Winston Alonso (6/9/22)

+ 3B/RHP Sam Abrahamson (Hudson) rounds out the initial rankings for the class at No. 15. We are excited about the two-way prospect who is listed at a wiry/strong 6-foot, 170 pounds. Abrahamson has a short, direct swing that produces line drives all over the field, and he was one of the top run-producers for his Minnesota-area travel club this past summer. He displays soft hands in his infield work with a strong and accurate arm. On the mound, Abrahamson has a loose repeatable delivery that works downhill to spots with the fastball. His fastball topped out close to 80 mph but the delivery, body, athleticism, arm speed and feel to pitch indicate more velocity is coming. He also has the feel to land both a breaking ball and a changeup in the zone for strikes, and he has the overall upside that’s earned him a place among this first look at the top-15 in the state.

Sam Abrahamson (6/28/22)

Stay tuned for more coverage of some more 2026 names to know in Wisconsin, coming in the next couple of days.

**CLICK HERE to view the full class of 2026 RANKINGS**

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