Wisconsin Baseball Central
Division 2 Preseason Rankings
The 2016 spring season is nearly here, and it's time to take a look ahead to what Wisconsin will have to offer this year. Preseason rankings, exciting as they may be, are subjective and up for debate. There will undoubtedly be ranked teams that go through struggles this season, while unranked teams that were overlooked will come from nowhere to make some noise. With that being said, the following teams are who we at Wisconsin Baseball Central feel will be the best of the best this year. Read on to see our Division 2 preseason rankings.
Honorable Mentions
Jefferson
Mosinee
St. Thomas More
Watertown Luther Prep
10. Ashland
The Oredockers won the Lake Superior Conference last year but ultimately were knocked out of the postseason in the regional finals. Five starters return from last season, including 2nd team all-conference infielder Wyatt O’Bey (.338 average) and honorable mention all-conference outfielder Brendan Carter (.363 average). O’Bey will be an important pitcher for Ashland again this year after notching a 7-1 record in the regular season last spring. The team has three top pitchers back this year in total. The Oredockers have won two consecutive conference titles, and they will compete for a third this year.
9. Altoona
The Railroaders had a modestly successful season last year. They went 14-9 and finished in third place in the Cloverbelt West Conference. They were knocked out of the playoffs in the regional semifinals by top-seeded Ellsworth. This spring, they will have seven starters back, including their six best hitters. Jake Sandstrom (.438 average, 14 RBIs), Winona State commit Nathan Santos (.370 average, 22 RBIs), Trent Peterson (.368 average, 21 RBIs) and UW-La Crosse commit Lucas Maurina (.391 average, 9 RBIs) will lead what should be a good offense. Santos (3-2, 44 innings, 1.11 ERA) is also Altoona’s ace, while Brent Stanton (1-2, 20.2 innings, 3.73 ERA) will likely see several innings as well. Now that they’re more experienced, Altoona should be a team to watch this spring.
8. Southern Door
The Eagles bring back almost their entire lineup from a team that finished in second place of the Packerland Conference last spring. They’ll need to replace Mitch Neubauer, their top pitcher and hitter, but the eight returning starters should be up to the task. Outfielder Mitchell Gerend is back with 1st team all-conference honors, while 2nd teamers Nick LeCaptain, Michael Larsen, and Tyler Malcore also bring back valuable experience. The most likely candidate to fill the role of ace for the Eagles is Alex Ploor, who was a 2nd team all-conference pitcher last year. If their returning players can continue to improve, it could be a season to remember for Southern Door.
7. Wautoma
The Hornets went 12-8 last year and finished tied for second in the South Central Conference. They have seven starters returning this year looking to do even better this time around. Preseason 1st Team All-Wisconsinite and reigning Gatorade Player of the Year in Wisconsin Jack Eagan is undoubtedly Wautoma’s top pitcher and hitter. On the mound, he posted a 0.89 ERA in 47.1 innings last year. At the plate, he hit .463 with 4 home runs and 32 RBIs. He’s not the only Hornet capable of making things happen, though. 1st team all-conference outfielder Nolan Hinz and unanimous 1st team infielder Colton Burt both had strong seasons last spring too. Pitching will be a bit of a question mark for Wautoma, as they don’t have many returning starting pitchers. Still, the Hornets should be able to compete for a conference title this season.
6. Catholic Memorial
Like Arrowhead, Catholic Memorial made the switch from summer ball to spring ball last year, and they did fairly well in their debut season. As a Division 2 team playing in a largely Division 1 conference, the Crusaders won 14 games and reached the regional finals. They will have eight starters and their entire pitching rotation returning this season. Michigan commit Ben Dragani will be one of their top pitchers, while honorable mention all-conference player Jonathan Dominguez will contribute on the mound and at the plate. Now that they’ve had a full season to acclimate to spring ball, the Crusaders should be ready to take the next step.
5. Columbus
The Cardinals won 16 games last year but were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round. They’ll have their entire lineup back this season, including seven players with all-conference honors. 1st team all-conference outfielders Randon Dauman and Tanner Kirchberg are joined by fellow 1st team all-conference infielder Kevin Hussey and 2nd team catcher Connor Manthey to form an offense that is capable of winning more than a few games this year. Hussey and Dauman will be their two main pitchers who are tasked with replacing last year’s ace. The Cardinals will battle with Lodi for the Capitol North title this year.
4. River Valley
The Blackhawks reached the state tournament last year for the first time since 2003 but were knocked out in the semifinals. Six starters are back from that team, including three-hitter Elijah Alt (.323 average, 18 RBIs), leadoff man Derek Bodendein (.302 average, 13 RBIs) and outfielder Ryan Wickman (.422 average, 23 RBIs). River Valley also brings back two-thirds of their pitching rotation in Alt (9-1, 55.2 innings, 3.14 ERA) and Matthew Yanke (4-2, 49 innings, 2.42 ERA). As is often the case, the Blackhawks will do battle with Prairie du Chien for the Southwest Conference title this year.
3. Waupaca
The Comets were knocked out of the playoffs last year in the sectional finals at the hands of state champion Milwaukee Lutheran. They tallied 15 wins over the course of the year, and they’ll likely improve on that this spring. Only two players graduated from last year’s squad, and five returning players earned all-conference honors. Unanimous 1st team All-Eastern Valley Conference infielder Johnny Popham, 2nd team outfielder Shane Olsen, and 2nd team utility man Walker Smith are back as important players in the lineup. Their ace, Jason Ellie, is also back for a final year on the mound. Waupaca has the potential to challenge for a conference title and state tournament berth this year if they are able to build on last year’s performance.
2. Lodi
The Blue Devils have not returned to the state tournament since winning the Division 2 state title in 2013, but they got close last year. They were knocked out in the sectional finals by River Valley in a back and forth affair after winning 19 games over the course of the season. They have eight starters and their four best pitchers back in the mix this spring, including three players who were starters on the 2013 championship team. Garrett McGraw, last year’s Capitol North Player of the Year, will anchor the pitching staff, while 1st team all-conference players Zach Steuck, Garret Wegner, and Garrett Schreiber will lead the offense.
1. Milwaukee Lutheran
The Red Knights made a surprise run to the Division 2 state title as a #4 seed last year, and they have every reason to believe that they can be even better this year. They’ll have seven starters back this spring, including some of the top talent in the state. 1st Team Preseason All-Wisconsinite and UW-Milwaukee commit Nick Winter (.475 average, 12 extra base hits, 13 RBIs, 32 steals) and 3rd Team Preseason All-Wisconsinite and Jacksonville University commit TD Walker (.410 average, 14 extra base hits, 33 RBIs) will be their best hitters, while Austin Peay commit Ryan Selner (.315 average, 14 RBIs) and Northwestern College commit Christian Gerner (.299 average, 10 RBIs) are also back. Winter (8-3, 88.1 innings, 1.03 ERA, 120 strikeouts) was the team’s top pitcher last year, and he’ll be supported by Walker (7-2, 53.2 innings, 2.08 ERA) and Benedictine College commit James Wright. The Red Knights play in a largely Division 1 conference, and their strength of schedule should help them come playoff time.
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