Kaden Kress of Kaukauna Voted Wisconsin High School Baseball Player of the Year

Kress earned 52% of the vote to outdistance Verona senior Landon Lassahn, who finished second with 32%.

Kaukauna senior second baseman Kaden Kress has been voted High School On SI Wisconsin Baseball's Player of the Year. Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Congratulations to Kaukauna senior second baseman Kaden Kress for being voted High School On SI Wisconsin Baseball's Player of the Year.

In the fan-voted poll (reflecting on the 2026 accomplishments of 16 worthy players from throughout the state July 2-July 16), the Kaukauna standout came out on top.

The talented Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association third-team all-state selection led the Galloping Ghosts to a second-place finish in the Fox Valley Association, a WIAA Division 1 state championship, and a 24-7 overall record.

Kress went 3-for-3 with three RBIs as Kaukauna defeated Madison Memorial 11-5 in the D1 state championship game on June 18 at Fox Cities Stadium in Appleton, earning its second title in program history and ending a 73-year drought dating back to 1953.

Kaukauna senior second baseman Kaden Kress (3) takes a hard swing versus River Falls in a WIAA Division 1 state quarterfinal game on June 15, 2026. Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Kress earned 52% of the vote to take top honors, Verona senior pitcher Landon Lassahn placed second (32%) with Hudson senior shortstop Jace Mataczynski, Kewaunee senior pitcher Brett Paulsen, and Kenosha St. Joseph senior outfielder/first baseman Dominic Santarelli each tying for third (2%).

Note:The elite list of all-state athletes (representing all four divisions) was compiled using information from the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association (WBCA) and Bound.com.

Other nominees included:

Jack Brenner, Fond du Lac, senior (C)

The Wisconsin Baseball Coaches first-team all-state selection led Fond du Lac to a third-place finish in the Fox Valley Association, a berth in the WIAA Division 1 state quarterfinals, and a 21-9 overall record.

Cayden Burtness, Pewaukee, junior (INF)

The WBCA second-team all-state selection led Pewaukee to a share of the Woodland Conference (West Division) title, a WIAA Division 2 state championship, and a 30-2 overall record.

Ira Hilbelink, Cedar Grove-Belgium, junior (DH/UTL)

The WBCA first-team all-state selection led Cedar Grove-Belgium to a Big East Conference title, a WIAA Division 3 state championship, and a 23-5 overall record.

Landon Lassahn, Verona, senior (P)

The WBCA first-team all-state selection led Verona to a Big Eight Conference, a berth in the WIAA Division 1 sectional finals, and a 21-9 overall record.

Parker Lawson, Bay Port, senior (P)

The WBCA second-team all-state selection led Bay Port to a Fox River Classic Conference title, a berth in the WIAA Division 1 sectional finals, and a 24-4 overall record.

Maddux Lessard, Muskego, senior (C)

The WBCA second-team all-state selection led Muskego to a Classic 8 title, a berth in the WIAA Division 1 state semifinals, and a 25-5 overall record.

Dawson Luther, Pittsville, senior (OF)

The WBCA first-team all-state selection led Pittsville to a Central Wisconsin Conference (South Division), a berth in the WIAA Division 4 regional finals, and a 22-5 overall record.

Jace Mataczynski, Hudson, senior (SS)

The WBCA first-team all-state selection led Hudson to a Big Rivers Conference title, a berth in the WIAA Division 1 sectional semifinals, and a 22-4 overall record.

Jon Murkowski, Germantown, senior (OF)

The WBCA first-team all-state selection led Germantown to a Greater Metro Conference title, a berth in the WIAA Division 1 sectional semifinals, and a 27-1 overall record.

Brett Paulsen, Kewaunee, senior (P)

The WBCA first-team all-state selection led Kewaunee to a Packerland Conference title, a berth in the WIAA Division 3 sectional semifinals, and a 28-1 overall record.

Calvin Roth, Stevens Point, senior (INF)

The WBCA first-team all-state selection led Stevens Point to a Wisconsin Valley Conference title, a berth in the WIAA Division 1 sectional semifinals, and a 25-6 overall record.

Dominic Santarelli, Kenosha St. Joseph, senior (OF/1B)

The WBCA first-team all-state selection led Kenosha St. Joseph to a share of the Metro Classic Conference title, a berth in the WIAA Division 2 state championship game, and a 25-7 overall record.

Mason Schmidt, Somerset, senior (P)

The WBCA second-team all-state selection led Somerset to a second-place finish in the Middle Border Conference, a berth in the WIAA Division 2 state semifinals, and a 20-10 overall record.

Cooper Sievert, Wisconsin Lutheran, junior (INF)

The WBCA third-team all-state selection led Wisconsin Lutheran to a second-place finish in the Woodland Conference (West Division), a berth in the WIAA Division 1 sectional finals, and a 20-7 overall record.

Braun Wotruba, Pulaski, junior (INF)

The WBCA second-team all-state selection led Pulaski to a second-place finish in the Fox River Classic Conference, a berth in the WIAA regional finals, and an 18-10 overall record.

-- Jeff Hagenau | jeffreyhagenau@gmail.com