Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association

WBCA Division I Preseason Rankings

1. Green Bay Preble Hornets: Two 1st Team All-State juniors including Max Wagner (5-1, .443) and Ryan Stefiuk (8-0, 0.50 ERA) make them the favorite.
2. Waunakee Warriors: The State Champs are still loaded.  Arkansas recruit Nate Stevens is one of the State’s best players.   The Warriors have a lot of momentum going.
3. Burlington Demons: The Demons have a one-two pitching punch in 2nd Team All-State recruit Trey Krause and Trent Turzenski.  Most of the team that went to Appleton last year is back.
4. Arrowhead Warhawks: Fresh off a State-Runner-Up, the Warhawks get three of their starting pitchers back including Davis Zeutzius who was 7-1, 1.15 ERA as a junior.
5. Janesville Craig Cougars: Sectional champs are looking to take back the Big Eight from Sun Prairie.  Mitchell Woelfle  and Dan Blomgren lead an experienced team that won 23 games last year.
6. Stevens Point Panthers: SPASH won 21 games last year along with winning the Valley Conference.  Three 1st Team All-Valley picks return in Jack Kelly, Brady Franz, and JD Schultz.
7. Kimberly Papermakers: Kimberly went to State last year and didn’t lose a single player.  Four seniors were named 1st Team All-FVA, including outstanding catcher Beau Schumacher.
8. Kenosha Tremper Trojans: Picked to win the ‘new’ Southeast Conference.    Tremper won 21 games last year.  They return six starters including two 1st Team All-SEC picks.
9. Oak Creek Knights: Oak Creek is picked to give Tremper their biggest challenge.  The Knights were one of summer baseball’s preeminent teams and will have an experienced team.
10. Hortonville Polar Bears: The Bears won the FVA outright last year after sharing it with Kimberly the year before.  Eli Kramer is one of the State’s best hitters.  Jason Jennerjohn was 4-1 last spring.
11. Eau Claire Memorial Old Abes: Will battle cross-town rival North per usual for the Big Rivers title.  Winona State committ Cooper Kapanke will lead an experienced offense.  Pitching will be key. 
12. Sun Prairie Cardinals: Won a share of the Big Eight title last year but lost a lot of talent.  Still always a force in the state under Rob Hamilton.
13. Holmen Vikings: Picked to win an improved Mississippi Valley.  Won 15 games last year and return most of their pitching and five starters, including two 1st Team All-MVC picks.
14. West Bend West Spartans: Legendary coach Billy Albrecht steps down as Dan D’Amico comes from Waukesha North to take over.  Logan Rupnow will lead the team in this new era.
15. Milwaukee Marquette Hilltoppers: The Toppers won 20 games last summer and return three-quarters of their lineup including 1st Team All-GMC Sean Garczynski.
16. Menomonee Falls Indians: Falls returns five starters and have of their pitching staff from a 26-win, Sectional Championship team last year.  Will fight Marquette for the Greater Metro. 
17. Wilmot Union Panthers: Won 16 games last year and return talented Tanner Peterson who will lead a fairly experienced pitching staff.  One of at least four teams that could win the SLC.
18. Bay Port Pirates: The Pirates are always tough under Hall of Fame Coach Mike Simoens.  Bay Port has most of their pitchers back and will be Preble’s biggest challenge in the FRCC.
19. Kenosha Bradford Red Devils: Have three terrific seniors including Jarett Ramer  and will battle, as usual, for a South East Conference title.
20. Eau Claire North Huskies: Have dominated the Big Rivers the past three years but will be challenged by Memorial this season.  1st Team All-BRC players in Carter Hesselman and Sam Stange return.

Also Receiving Votes: Waterford Union, Oconomowoc, DC Everest, Appleton West, Germantown, Franklin, DeForest, Verona Area, Milwaukee Rufus King.