The Madison area has consistently turned out talented high school baseball players.
That hasn’t changed with a bevy of skilled players around the diamond this spring.
Here are 10 players to watch.
Brock Buskager, Sr., Oregon
Position: Pitcher/infielder
Notable: Buskager was nearly untouchable on the mound last season for the Panthers, racking up a 1.355 ERA over 53 innings. Oregon’s ace was 5-3 in 10 starts while allowing a .180 batting average with 69 strikeouts. Buskager, whose versatility means he can play anywhere, also hit .290.
Quotable: “He’s a leader that’s looked up to by his teammates and brings not only baseball experience, but was also a member of the state runner-up hockey team his junior season,” coach Jake Soule said.
People are also reading…
Kaden Connor, Jr., Monona Grove
Position: Pitcher/third base
Notable: A Xavier baseball commit, Connor is rock steady for the Silver Eagles. The reigning Badger East Conference Pitcher of the Year was 7-0 with a 1.14 ERA in 42.2 innings, producing 42 strikeouts and just 10 walks. Connor also hit .328 with a .512 on-base percentage featuring six doubles and 14 RBIs.
Quotable: “He’s risen to every challenge that has ever been placed in front of him,” coach Kevin Connor said. “He’s not the loudest guy in the dugout, but his steady approach and reliable approach make him successful.”
Jack Detienne, Sr., Verona
Position: Pitcher/shortstop
Notable: Detienne can truly do it all for the Wildcats. The second-team All-Big Eight Conference shortstop is filthy on the mound, topping over 90 miles per hour. The Xavier baseball commit also has command behind a 5-1 record with a 1.08 ERA last year. To complement that, Detienne hit .292 and has power with a pair of home runs.
Quotable: “Jack is very versatile and a very good athlete,” coach Brad D’Orazio said. “His pitching ability is special. He has tremendous velocity and he’s been working hard on his secondary pitches. When he’s on, he is very tough to beat.”
Cal Donovan, Sr., Madison West
Position: Catcher/outfielder
Notable: A three-year starter, Donovan is a rock behind the plate for the Regents. The honorable mention All-Big Eight pick hit .310 with 7 RBIs and 9 runs scored while helping Madison West finish 17-10 overall, including 13-7 in league play to finish fourth in the Big Eight.
Quotable: “Cal does whatever it takes to help his team and is not afraid to be uncomfortable,” coach Mike Huie said.
Jackson Guerrero, So., Middleton
Position: Infielder
Notable: Guerrero played a massive role in the Cardinals’ run back to the WIAA Division 1 state tournament for the first time since 2016. The honorable mention All-Big Eight selection started over half of the season while hitting .245 with a .314 on-base percentage, numbers coach Brent Jorgensen feels are only “scratching the surface.”
Quotable: “He’s a very good athlete who’s just starting to learn to use his body and play a little more aggressively,” Jorgensen said. “He’s extremely smooth in everything he does; he makes really tough plays look easy, and he’s able to take advantage of anything on the field with his athleticism.”
John Hadley VI, Sr., Sun Prairie East
Position: Outfield/first base/third base
Notable: No matter where he plays, Hadley has a starring role for the Cardinals. The UW-Milwaukee baseball commit earned second-team All-conference honors in the outfield last year but can man either corner of the infield. At the plate he’s equally effective, having hit .396 last year with 21 RBIs, including 3 home runs and 3 triples.
Quotable: “John has worked his tail off to become a heck of a baseball player,” coach Jack Marchese said. “He has set a great example for our younger guys on how hard work pays off. We expect big things from him this year.”
Noah Latham-Woodruff, Sr., Madison Memorial
Position: Outfielder/pitcher
Notable: Latham-Woodruff will be crucial for the Spartans as they look to move up the Big Eight ranks. The senior earned honorable mention all-league honors at outfielder last season and is one of Memorial’s top returning bats after hitting .297, making the most of his 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame. Latham-Woodruff has speed to burn, too, with a 7.10-second 60-yard dash.
Quotable: “His combination of strength and speed, at his size, along with an elite arm really make him stand out,” coach Nick Krohn said. “He truly is a ‘five-tool’ player.”
Mason Roe, Jr. McFarland
Position: Pitcher/outfielder/first base
Notable: After getting called up as just a freshman to McFarland’s varsity team, Roe quickly became the Spartans’ ace pitcher with a 3.15 ERA and a 6-1 record. Role also hit .442 and had 5 doubles despite missing a good portion of last season. It’s helped set the table for a big junior campaign in McFarland’s first year in the Badger Small.
Quotable: “At the time, Mason demonstrated his competitiveness and confidence. The moment wasn’t too big for him,” coach John Feldner said of Roe’s emergence as a freshman in 2023.
Tate Schmidt, Sr., Waunakee
Position: Shortstop
Notable: The Warriors return a slew of talent from last year’s team, with Schmidt playing a starring role. The senior second-team All-Badger East pick is the team’s top returning batter after hitting .318 last season. The UW-Milwaukee commit racked up 28 hits, 10 RBIs and 15 runs scored.
Quotable: “Tate brings a calming presence to the squad that helps his teammates relax and play their best,” coach Micah Thingvold said. “His physical skill set, mental approach, and quiet leadership make him a vital member of our program.”
Preston Yaucher, Jr., Madison Edgewood
Position: Infielder
Notable: A two-year starter in the middle infield, Yaucher has been a pillar of the Crusaders’ current run of success. The Penn State baseball commit garnered first-team All-Badger West honors last season. From belting a home run to making a running throw across his body to first base for an out, Yaucher can do it all.
Quotable: “Preston is a tremendously talented player who is a much better teammate,” coach Rich Newton said. “His ability to make others around him better is a big reason that our program has been able to do what it has done the past couple of years. I’m looking forward to this season and seeing how much better he can become.”
Editor’s note: The Wisconsin State Journal’s high school coverage area includes the following schools: Madison Memorial, Middleton, Verona, Madison La Follette, Sun Prairie East, Sun Prairie West, Madison West, Madison East, DeForest, Waunakee, Mount Horeb, Stoughton, Monona Grove, Oregon, Madison Edgewood, McFarland, Madison Abundant Life, Madison Country Day, St. Ambrose, Lodi and Sauk Prairie.