Wisconsin Pro Baseball Players Hit The Field

With Major League Baseball back in full swing, several cheeseheads can be found trotting out onto the pristine grass of MLB diamonds. Whether it’s the iconic infield at Dodger Stadium or the chilly spring outfield in Toronto, Wisconsinites are making the most of their time in the Majors.

Daulton Varsho has been a mainstay in the lineup for the Toronto Blue Jays since the beginning of the 2023 season. The former catcher-turned-outfielder is from Marshfield, Wis., and played at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In addition to his time with the Panthers in Milwaukee, Varsho also spent two summers playing for the Eau Claire Express in the Northwoods League, where he won Team MVP Honors. More recently, he has been lighting it up for the Blue Jays in the leftfield, where in 2023 he was a finalist for a Gold Glove award. 

It’s usually a good sign when you’re trading reps with an MVP. For Gavin Lux, this has been the case throughout the year, as he has become the Dodgers’ starting second baseman over former American League MVP Mookie Betts. The two take turns at two, with Lux’s bat and solid fielding earning him a spot in this talented lineup. Lux is from Kenosha, Wis., and has spent his entire young career with Los Angeles after being selected by them in the first round of the 2016 MLB Draft.

Jarred Kelenic has gotten off to a hot start in 2024, holding a very early season batting average of over .500 for the Atlanta Braves. After a recent trade from Seattle sent him to Atlanta, Kelenic has become the starting leftfielder and a consistent bat at the bottom of the lineup. Kelenic is from Waukesha, Wis., and was selected 6th overall in the 2018 MLB Draft. 

Teaming up with Daulton Varsho in Toronto is Danny Jansen who serves as a member of the Blue Jays catching staff. Although just 28 years old, Jansen has been in the Jays organization since he was drafted out of high school. The Appleton West standout never needed to play an inning of college ball, showing MLB scouts all they needed to see to be selected in the 16th round of the 2013 Draft. After getting the call-up to the big leagues in 2018, Jansen has spent the majority of his time serving as a backup catcher for Toronto.

Alec Marsh is on the rise in the Kansas City Royals organization. The starting pitcher earned the final spot in the Royals’ rotation before the season, and in his first start of the year, he did not disappoint. Facing off against a formidable Baltimore Orioles team on April 2, Marsh got the start, and lasted an impressive 7 innings, giving up just 1 run on 2 hits. Before attending Arizona State en route to the Majors, Marsh was a standout pitcher in his hometown of Milwaukee, Wis.

In the last three years, Ben Rortvedt has seen his fair share of clubhouses. The 26-year-old from Verona Wis., is with his third team in as many years in the majors, after starting out with the nearby Minnesota Twins. Hopping from the Twins to the Yankees, before landing in Tampa Bay with the Rays, he will look forward to increased playing time as their backup catcher. 

In addition to these six athletes, seven other ballplayers from Wisconsin are at high levels with professional clubs’ Minor League teams. 

JP Feyereisen from River Falls, Wis. is with the LA Dodgers’ Triple-A Affiliate in Oklahoma City, Okla.

Former 2-year Eau Claire Express standout Alex Call has split time over the last few years between the Nationals' 40-man roster, and their Triple-A affiliate in Rochester N.Y. 

Getting his first big league start with the Brewers at the end of the 2023 season was Caleb Boushley of Hortonville, Wis.. This offseason, Boushley stayed close to home after being signed by the Minnesota Twins in free agency.

Owen Miller of Mequon, Wis. will look to be a contributing member for his home-state Milwaukee Brewers this upcoming season. Having spent 280 games in the Majors between Cleveland and Milwaukee in the last few years, Miller will no doubt be called upon soon to join the Brew Crew in the infield. 

Nearby Milwaukee, in Cedarburg, Wis., is where Jonathan Stiever calls home. Stiever is currently pitching for the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.

Terrin Vavra was born just down the road in Menomonie, Wis. Vavra has gotten a taste of big league ball over the past two seasons with the Baltimore Orioles but is currently working through injuries while playing for their Triple-A affiliate in Norfolk, Va.

Finally, the Holmen, Wis. native, Taylor Kohlwey has been patrolling the outfield for the Triple-A Syracuse Mets so far this season. Kohlwey will look to earn his spot on the New York Mets 40-man roster. 

No matter what team you follow this summer, it is clear that there is no shortage of home-grown talent playing in the Big Leagues. From the West Coast of sunny Los Angeles to the North Eastern Canadian city of Toronto, Wisconsin baseball players are making their mark on the game of Major League Baseball.