Wisconsin Class of 2027: Update
June 5, 2024
In part of Prep Baseball’s release of the 2027 national rankings throughout the course of this week, the Prep Baseball Wisconsin staff has made an update to the 2027 rankings within the Badger State. There were multiple shifts throughout—including an expansion to a top-25 after witnessing quality performances during the spring season.
Keep an eye out for more content coming out this week related to the state's on-the-rise prospects who are just wrapping up their first seasons on the prep stage.
NEW LOOK TOP-FIVE
After staring as a freshman for one of the best schools in the WIAA, Lessard goes into the summer as a must-watch prospect due to his advanced tools across the board. Lessard is able to translate his tools in game, across multiple looks Lessard has been a constant contributor and has impressed playing in the toughest conference in the WIAA.
From 4/19/24: “balanced swing and the ability to hit the opposite way, also. The freshman recorded two hits along with a run and RBI in the loss against the Cavaliers on Friday. The Warrior showed strong abilities behind the plate, with athletic actions and a strong arm that is advanced well above his years. Lessard has been off to a roaring start this spring, despite this being his first at the prep level and he continues to impress with each and every look we get.”
Maddux Lessard (5/9/24)
Moving up to No. 2 overall in the state Spielmann started on varsity as a freshman, moving around the order and playing different positions across the diamond. The athletic 6-foot, 164-pound catcher/outfielder and left-handed hitter has real feel for the barrel and to drive the ball in the air with authority. Spielmann is also an advanced defender behind the plate flashing soft and quiet hands when receiving while showing the ability to get the ball out quick and on target on throwdowns showing the ability to keep the run game in check. The arm also translates to the mound as he has been up to 84 mph in front of our staff with an athletic and loose arm action.
Jack Spielmann (3/3/24)
+ INF Cooper Schaefgen, Oconomowoc; Louisville commit
Schaefgen was another everyday starter in the state’s top conference, manning the hot corner. The right-handed hitter has an advanced skill set in the batters box, a simple and direct swing with feel for the barrel and the ability to elevate the baseball. In the field Schaefgen has a pair of soft hands and is a confident defender on the left side with some arm strength, up to 81 mph. Young for his class, Schaefgen has one higher ceilings with plenty of experience compared to his peers.
Cooper Schaefgen (3/3/24)
Shaw is one of the most athletic prospects in the class and possesses some of the best arm talent in the class. Across multiple looks this spring the freshman left-hander has seen his in-game fastball velo tick up, now up to 87 mph with feel to use both sides of the plate. Shaw is also confident in a sharp breaking ball that he is able to consistently earn swings-and-misses with. Shaw is another high-level prospect in the state’s freshman class that remains a name-to-know moving forward.
Joey Shaw (4/19/24)
+ RHP/INF Carter Gordon, Germantown
The imposing 6-foot-3, right-hander that has already reached 90 mph with his fastball as a freshman has feel to pitch. A two sport athlete that also stars on the football field that played along the offensive line as a freshman, Gordon is an impressive athlete with feel to repeat his delivery. Gordon has has feel to spin a firm breaking ball with consistent tight sweeping action in the low-80s. At the plate, Gordon hit in the middle-of-the-order and was one of the most consistent performers this season. A simple setup and swing taking a direct path to the baseball, Gordon has easy power to all fields and has shown feel to elevate the baseball. Gordon’s skillset and stature is one of the most unique in the state and is a name-to-know as he continues his prep career.
IMPACT FRESHMAN ROUNDING OUT THE TOP-15
Hagman has enjoyed one of the strongest spring campaigns amongst the freshman class, as he emerged a top hitter for a Hudson team making their way to the State Tournament next week. Hagman hit home runs in front of our staff both at The Rock on a chilly evening in April, and then in another look at Sun Prairie East later on in May. He just provided the game-winning hit in their Sectional victory over River Falls—priming himself for a strong summer on the circuit. With his immense production and importance for the Raiders, Hagman jumps three spots in Wisconsin’s 2027 rankings.
From 4/19/24: “...one of the top freshmen in the state and is performing out of the leadoff spot for one of the better teams in the state. Hagman announced his presence with authority leading off the game with a home run on a 2-2 count off of a fastball. Hagman would hone down on his approach the rest of his at-bats being selective and working counts and notching two more hits in game one, also missing his second home run of the night by a couple feet. Hagman is one of the more advanced prospects with his ability and overall physicality in the state’s freshman class and is a name to watch as he starts his prep career.”
Logan Hagman (5/11/24)
+ RHP/MIF Kyle Rogosienski, Muskego
From 3/16/24: “...showed us exactly why he is a top-10 player in the state for the 2027 class. The freshman measured at a lean and athletic 5-foot-11, 148 pounds with all kinds of upside and projection to his frame. He started off his day by running a sub 7.00 seconds 60-yard dash (6.97 seconds). He then proceeded to show off his athleticism further by recording one of the best vertical jumps of the event at 31.10 inches. During the hitting portion of the event, Rogosienski was hitting rockets to all fields and reached a max exit velocity of 90.6 mph and an average exit velocity of 86.8 mph, both of which are notable marks for a player his age. Next, the middle infielder showcased his acumen on defense with one of the best infield looks on the day. His smooth and twitchy actions on the infield indicate a very reliable shortstop who can also make the above average play to both sides with a quick first step. His 90 mph velocity on throws across was tied for the second best mark of the event, and was the best among all freshmen in attendance. Our staff was high on Rogosienski before the event but are even more excited about his potential after his impressive performance on Saturday.”
+ C/INF Grady Cheever, Germantown
Cheever has inserted himself into a competitive Germantown program right away in his freshman season—showcasing a quality skill set from behind the dish. The right-hander is a quality receiver with solid footwork—providing a strong arm that continues to develop and improve as he ages. Cheever is a switch-hitter at the plate, and has demonstrated his ability to elevate the baseball in a smooth, repeatable approach. The freshman was challenged this spring in the Greater Metro Conference and beyond—boding well for his summer of competition as a top-10 prospect in the Badger State’s 2027 class.
+ RHP/OF Ira Hilbelink, Cedar Grove-Belgium
From 3/3/24: “On the pitching side, it’s a controlled tempo into a medium leg-lift with a tall-and-fall style delivery. He showed polish on the mound, filling the zone with three offerings - a mid-80s fastball, low-70s curveball and upper-70s changeup. His clean, loose arm action into a high-¾ release allowed the freshman to reach 86.4 mph on the fastball. His curveball showed sharp 11/5 action. At the plate, Hilbelink works from an athletic set-up with a short, consistent trigger into a downhill path that leads to hard-hit line drives. He creates some easy bat speed that contributes to his power, maxing at 94.4 mph off the bat. Hilbelink has quick feet and range in the infield, showing quality actions all-around.”
+ RHP/CIF Eli Bauler, Monona Grove
From 3/10/24: “...one of the top ranked players in the state’s freshman class and he put together a loud performance on both sides of the ball. Built at a mature 6-foot-1, 215-pounds, took a clean round of BP. Working short to the ball, Bauler registered the day’s top exit velocity at 98.1 mph and he also averaged 84.4 mph. Then on the mound, his upside was equally as apparent. From a low-effort delivery, Bauler ran his running fastball up to 85.1 mph, while sitting in the 79-84 mph range throughout. As for offspeeds, he spun in a mid-to-high-60s curveball with late 11/5 bite and also killed spin on fading changeup with late fade, too. After popping late into the fall circuit which ultimately earned him a spot inside of our rankings. Since then he has already made some big strides on both side of the ball and he is certainly a young prospect to know in the Badger State.”
Eli Bauler (3/10/24)
+ OF Chace Staude, Kettle Moraine
From 4/19/24: “Listed at a lean and projectable 5-foot-11, 152 pounds, Staude is an athletic freshman to know in the state. From the left side, he swings a loose and simple bat that has the ability to shoot line drives from gap-to-gap. Worked deep into the count consistently throughout the weekend, earning a number of walks in the process. His biggest hit of the weekend came in Kettle Moraine’s close matchup with a highly-talented Monona Grove squad. In the final inning, Staude delivered an RBI double to the opposite-field gap that brought home the game-tying run. In the outfield, he is an athletic mover that can cover ground and pairs it with a strong that was up to 88 mph at this winter’s West Milwaukee Preseason ID. He also offered some considerable upside on the mound in a brief look this weekend where he was up to 81 mph from a repeatable delivery.”
Chace Staude (4/19/24)
+ RHP Dylan Schreiber, Waukesha West
From 3/10/24: “...arguably the most projectable prospect in the state, built at a long-limbed 6-foot-6, 180 pounds and he came away a huge winner from Sunday’s event. Despite his extra-long levers and young age, Schreiber is a clean mover on the bump, pairing it with a loose arm that created some of the day’s top velocities. Schreiber started off his ‘pen with an electric 87.2 mph fastball, which ultimately was his hardest of the day as he consistently sat in the mid-80s throughout the remainder. He also showed upside feel for a lateral breaking slider in the low-70s that flashed out-pitch potential and a late-fading changeup in the upper-70s, too. He also took a clean round of BP from the left-side on Sunday, where he utilized a direct path to consistently drive the ball back up the middle of the field. Metrically, his hardest hit ball came off at 91.2 mph and he averaged 86.1 mph throughout his round, both of which are well-above average numbers for someone his age. After hitting an 83 mph high back in July at the Prep Baseball Junior Future Games our staff certainly saw some huge upside inside of Schreiber’s lanky frame. While we did expect him to tap more and more into that upside as he progressed through his prep career, we didn’t expect him to do it as early as he has and he is certainly a high-follow name in the state’s freshman class.”
Dylan Schreiber (3/10/24)
DuCharme was an integral part of Waunakee’s formula for success throughout the spring—garnering attention in our staff’s Diamond Notes during the season. The multi-spot athlete got the job done on both sides of the field throughout the year—taking over the varsity stage in a comfortable manner. Continues to play a prominent role, not only in baseball, but in football and basketball, too.
From 3/10/24: “...is a name our staff has heard some positive things about recently, and during his Prep Baseball showcase debut they proved to be true. Boasting a high-upside 6-foot-1, 157-pound frame, Ducharme started off his day with a 7.06 60-yard dash and also recorded a 29.8” vertical jump, which speaks to the athleticism he possesses. Offensively, DuCharme swung a free and easy bat from the left-side that showed the ability to shoot line drives from gap-to-gap. Defensively, he is a clean and athletic mover, pairing it with an arm that topped at 84 mph with carry through the target. DuCharme also flashed some upside on the bump, too. Out of a repeatable delivery, Ducharme’s fastball sat in the upper-70s with some carry through the zone. He also featured a curveball with 10/4 shape and a fading changeup, too.”
Wes DuCharme (3/10/24)
+ RHP/INF Eli Dreier, Wisconsin Lutheran
From 10/14/23: “...athletic, strong, and projectable 6-foot-2, 185 pounds. Dreier hits with a well-sequenced swing from the ground up and a short quick hand path, registering the fifth hardest hit ball of the event despite being one of the youngest players in attendance. In the field, Dreier has natural actions and smooth reactions up the middle with plenty of arm strength to stick on the left side. Finally, on the mound, Dreier lit up the radar gun with a fastball that sat 84-85 mph, touching 85.5 mph multiple times, with impressive touch and command of the baseball to spots. His curveball had sharpness and late bite to the pitch at the plate, while sitting in the 70-71 mph range. Dreier’s 71-73 mph slider has more lateral sweep to the movement profile and gives hitters a different look and distinguishes itself from the curveball. He flashed feel for his change up and will likely continue to develop into a useful fourth pitch. Overall, it was a standout performance from this young up-and-coming prospect, and he certainly looks the part of one of the state's top freshman prospects.”
+ MIF Jonny Deets, La Crosse Aquinas
From 3/10/24: “...showed exactly why he is one of the top ranked players in the state’s freshman class with his performance on Sunday. Despite being one of the youngest players, the freshman ran one of the quicker 60-yard dashes of the event at 6.98 seconds and also reach a 31.0” vertical jump, too. Deets also impressed with the bat showcasing his feel for the barrel and a balanced and rhythmic swing. In the infield, Deets showcased quality action and plenty of arm to stick at shortstop as he topped at 84 mph across.”
+ CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE EXPANDED 2027 RANKINGS
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