On Monday, our staff released the first edition of the Wisconsin Class of 2027 Rankings. Much like the state’s 2026 class, this current freshman class has made its presence felt early on into their prep careers, not only in the state but nationally, too. Seven of the top-15 prospects in the state debuted in the top-250 of our national rankings, the most ever by a group of Wisconsin prospects.

We broke down the top-15 thoroughly on Monday, but there were plenty of players who earned consideration. So today, we wanted to shine some light on a number of those names who were on our list, though there are even more players who’ve intrigued our staff across 2023.

Regardless, we are excited to watch this group develop in the coming years, and it will be compelling to watch how these young prospects utilize the offseason. For now, here are some names to know for the future.

JUNIOR FUTURE GAME FOLLOWS

+ OF/LHP Prescott Sanford (Franklin) is an athletic left/left two-way prospect who has placed himself firmly on the map as a name to know in the state after his performances viewed by our staff in the past year. Sanford’s swing is short, compact and repeatable, which allows him to consistently find the barrel. His 7.29 60-yard dash and athletic gait shows off his athleticism which certainly allows him to play at all three outfield positions. On the mound, his loose and well-synced delivery with feel for the ball allow him to pound the zone consistently with the fastball in the upper-70s, as well as spin a useful slider and get through an effective changeup. Sanford was a consistent performer in front of our staff this year, highlighted by an exceptional one at the Prep Baseball Junior Future Games, and he is certainly an intriguing prospect in the Badger State’s freshman class.

(Prep Baseball Junior Future Games; 7/25/23)

+ Coming off of a successful stint at the 2023 Prep Baseball Junior Future Games, LHP Cal Schneider (New Berlin Eisenhower) showcased his competitor demeanor and maturity on the mound on numerous occasions. While he adds to a long 5-foot-9, 130-pound frame, Schneider presents the tools on the mound to be a quality starter in the near future. The left-hander utilizes a deceptive four-pitch mix to effectively miss barrels and make hitters uncomfortable from the 3/4 slot. He ranges in the lower-to-mid-70s with the fastball, and has the feel to spin a breaking ball. Schneider is an up-and-coming prospect amongst a young nucleus at New Berlin Eisenhower, and our staff is excited to see how he blossoms in his prep career.

(Prep Baseball Junior Future Games; 7/25/23)

+ Across a number of looks this year, INF/RHP Danny Flor (Oconomowoc) was a consistent performer in front of our staff, highlighted by one at LakePoint for the Prep Baseball Junior Future Games. At the plate, Flor swings a simple and sound right-handed bat that has the ability to produce line drives to all parts of the field. On the infield he is a reliable defender with above-average arm strength that can certainly stick on the left-side of the infield in the long run. His arm strength is apparent on the mound too. He has run his fastball up in the high-70s in our looks, and it features some pretty intriguing spin traits as well. His capacity to spin carries over to his breaking ball, a pitch that plays with depth low in the zone and projects as an out-pitch in the near future. Inversely he kills spin on his changeup in the high-60s, which rounds out his three-pitch mix.

(Prep Baseball Junior Future Games; 7/25/23)

+ LHP/OF Mason Robertson (Martin Luther) represented Team Wisconsin at the Prep Baseball Junior Future Games this past summer, and showed well on the mound with a high-70s fastball. He reached 79 mph in his outing, and complemented that with two breaking balls that continue to develop as he grows in his prep career. The left-hander proved he can get outs at a high level from an effortless, calm delivery – boding well for this upcoming winter and spring season. As for his bat, his loose and easy left-handed swing sprays line drives to all parts of the field and he is also an athletic defender in the outfield, too.

TWO-WAY UPSIDE

+ LHP/OF Zachary Steichen (Brookfield East) is a talented two-way prospect in the state. The left-handed hitting outfielder consistently barrels baseballs and shows the ability to hit line drives to all fields. As his frame fills out, his quick hands will allow him to develop more power in time. On the mound, the left-handed pitching Steichen sits in the upper-70s with his fastball currently, but his quick arm and athletic delivery are indicators that more velocity is on the way in the future. Steichen fills the zone with three pitches, which helps him keep hitters off-balance. The future for Steichen is bright as a two-way prospect in the state.

+ SS/RHP Mason Sturma (Muskego) is a talented two-way prospect who just missed the top in our initial rankings. Sturma stands 5-foot-10, 120-pounds and has plenty of room in his athletic frame for more size and strength. His balanced and compact right-handed stroke allows him to use his quick hands to hit consistent line drives to all fields. He displays soft hands in the middle of the field and shows arm strength which indicates that shortstop could be his long term home. On the mound, Sturma’s fastball is already up to 77 mph and has a couple of different versions of his breaking ball that help him keep hitters off-balance. Throughout the offseason, our staff has heard positive things about Sturma and if they reign true, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him earn a rankings spot in our next update.

+ Listed at 6-foot-4, 195-pounds RHP/1B Henry Koopmeiners (Waukesha North) is a physically mature prospect in Wisconsin’s freshman class. After a strong showing in the summer, Koopmeiners made it out to the Northern Wisconsin Open in late October - here is what our staff has to say regarding his performance there: “...sets up wide and takes a short/compact path to the baseball with easy bat speed and feel for the barrel. The right-handed hitter recorded an 85.8 mph average exit velocity with a max of 90.9 mph. His Blast metrics were also impressive, recording an average bat speed of 69.1 mph topping out at 77.6 mph. Defensively at first base, Koopmeiners has feel for the bag and plays with soft feet that pairs with an accurate arm across the diamond up to 77 mph. On the mound Koopmeiners impressed with his ability to repeat his delivery and arm action. His three-pitch arsenal features a running fastball that sat in the 78-80 mph range and topped 80.8 mph. He also showed feel for a tight breaking slider that he was able to consistently throw to his glove side and a low-70s changeup that he was able to throw for strikes, too.”

(Northern Wisconsin Open; 10/21/23)

+ RHP/CIF Tristan Berrens (Hortonville) stands an imposing 6-foot-2, 205 pounds. With the bat, Berrens uses his strong hands to impact the baseball with impressive exit velocities already in the low-90s. On the mound, Berrens’ fastball is in the upper-70s from an easy delivery, and he pairs it with a curveball that shows late bite.

+ INF/RHP Elijah Yeager (Hortonville) displays a natural feel to hit with a smooth and loose swing. His 5-foot-11, 130-pound frame shows plenty of room to fill out and, once it does, Yeager has the potential for some loud tools. On the mound, Yeager repeats a simple delivery with shorter arm action and a high 3/4 slot. He’s consistently in the zone with the fastball, shows quality shape to his curveball, and has a useful changeup that will continue to get better. Yeager is a player who our staff is high on and will follow closely this winter and spring.

MORE BACKSTOPS TO KNOW

+ C Tyler Flemming (Waukesha North) is a strong and athletic backstop who can hit and defend behind the plate. Flemming creates loft with a short swing which allows him to drive the ball to both gaps. Behind the plate, Flemming folds well into the catching position and displays soft hands as he presents pitches well to umpires. He has quickness to his release and an accurate arm in throwing out runners. Flemming is another prospect who we have heard positive things about over the past few months, and we are certainly curious to see his gains over the course of 2024.

+ C Haaken Hovestol (Delavan-Darien) has proved to be an intriguing name in the state’s 2027 class over our past couple of looks. Most recently he was at the Southern Wisconsin Open in early October - here is what our staff had to say about his performance: “is listed at an athletic 5-foot-11 171 pounds with more fill and strength coming. His smooth and balanced left handed swing allows him to consistently barrel the ball up and he has the ability to drive the ball to both gaps for power. Hovestol drove a ball 312 feet which was the ninth farthest ball hit at the event. Hovestol also showed advanced skill behind the plate and was able to register a 2.11 pop time to second base showcasing his quick feet and transfer on throws.”

(PBT The Rock Summer Championships 14U; 6/11/23)

His swing arguably works better in-game, too, as he was a consistent performer at a number of tournaments throughout the year. While he didn’t crack the top-15 in our initial 2027 rankings, he certainly has the makeup and talents to do so in our next update. In a class with as many talented backstops as this one does, Hovestol still has made a name for himself and is certainly a name to follow over the next handful of years.

+ C Ethan Miller (Slinger) provided powerful looks and quality bat-to-ball skills in tournaments over the summer as a rising freshman. Standing at a strong 5-foot-10, 175-pound frame, Miller presented middle-of-the-order bat traits in front of our staff at The Rock Summer Championships in June – including a home run. Miller has quiet hands and a violent swing. The righty showcased strength in his lower half, along with the ability to elevate the baseball. His pull-side power is noteworthy, and something our staff is excited to see in the winter, spring and summer as he begins his prep career at Slinger.

‘27 C/RHP Ethan Miller

Has been impressive in front of our staff this weekend. Multiple hits including a #PBRBombSquad from todays morning slate.

Quality defender behind the plate with plenty of arm strength. #PBRatTheRock | @PBRWisconsin pic.twitter.com/taSZwvWSY7

— Prep Baseball Tournaments Scouting (@pbrtscouting) June 10, 2023

+ C Ethan Hellengreen (Neenah) is long-levered, projectable and athletic backstop. He whips the bat through the zone and shows the ability to drive the ball to the gaps. Hellengreen handles himself well behind the plate and shows feel to consistently find the pocket when receiving. Hellengreen has quick feet, a fast transfer and can put the ball on the bag when throwing to second. Like many of these prospects, Hellengreen is still developing as a prospect, which is typically the case for prospects this young but he already presents above-average tools that should only continue to get better.

INTRIGUING ATHLETES

+ OF Wes DuCharme (Waunakee) boasts an intriguing skillset in an athletic and projectable 6-foot-1, 160-pound frame. DuCharme enjoyed a quality summer of tournaments – including notching a couple of hits at the PBRT Wisconsin Open in early July. The left-handed bat presented the ability to spray line drives to all fields – showcasing strong hands and a fluid swing throughout his approach. DuCharme’s bat provides some pop as well, as he continues to develop as a prospect. In addition to his prowess on the field over the summer, DuCharme enjoyed success on the basketball court, too. Our staff is excited to see this multi-sport athlete throughout the upcoming winter and spring in the next couple of months.

+ OF Kale Schneider (Lodi) is an intriguing prospect that presents himself at an athletic 6-foot-2, 165-pound frame. Schneider enjoyed success on both sides of the diamond in 2023 – showcasing a quick, compact swing from the right side, in addition to a trusted glove in the outfield. Schneider earned his club team’s Defensive POTY award at the end of the summer, and has already made an impact on the varsity stage in numerous sports for Lodi. Schneider is fresh off of a state championship in football, and has been a key contributor on the basketball court for the Blue Devils – demonstrating the athleticism presented on the field all summer. Our staff is excited to see Schneider at an upcoming Preseason ID in the near future.

+ OF Hayden Konczal (Nicolet) is an athletic outfielder with a natural swing and ability to impact the baseball, especially to his pull side. Konczal has an extremely athletic move to and through the baseball and has a direct and flat path through the ball. Our staff saw this first-hand at The Rock Summer Championships, where he was a consistent threat in the heart of his club team’s lineup and put together one of the better weekends of players in attendance. While his bat has proved to be his carrying tool, he is also a quality defender in the outfield equipped with a strong arm which points to him sticking at either corners in the future.

OF Hayden Konczal (Nicolet, 2027; @PBRWisconsin) displayed a natural feel for the barrel this morning, producing hard contact in all three of his ABs.

Was 2-for-2 with a 2B and two RBIs in a win for @MidwestHalos.#PBRatTheRock pic.twitter.com/C0BuzF4GFK

— Prep Baseball Tournaments Scouting (@pbrtscouting) June 9, 2023

+ INF Ryan Rose (West Bend West) is a long, lanky and projectable 6-foot, 170 pounds. He hits line drives through both gaps with a smooth and rhythmic left-handed stroke. He impresses with his ability to stay balanced and stay on off speed offering as well as have plenty of bat speed to handle velocity. Rose has plenty of athleticism showing quickness and burst as a straight line runner and on defense. Rose has established himself as a notable name in the state.

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