​FOND DU LAC — Jack Brenner’s high school baseball career at Fond du Lac came to a close on June 15, but as of Sunday, July 12, he has stepped into professional baseball. Brenner was selected by the Atlanta Braves with the 202nd overall pick in the seventh round of the MLB Draft, signaling the start of a new chapter for the young catcher.
During his senior season, Brenner put together an eye-popping .419 batting average, collecting 39 hits in 37 games. He demonstrated notable hitting power and speed, tallying seven triples, six home runs, and five doubles. The plate discipline was evident as well, with 16 walks against just four strikeouts, underscoring his ability to control the zone. His standout performance earned him recognition as the Fox Valley Association player of the year, as well as the Oshkosh, Fond du Lac player of the year.
The Braves’ pick marks Brenner as the third Wisconsin high school draftee in the 2026 MLB Draft. He joins Jace Mataczynski of Hudson, who was selected 131st overall by the Boston Red Sox, and Tyson Grulkowski of Muskego, chosen 173rd by Atlanta. Brenner’s selection comes with a significant signing value of $307,300, reflecting the organization’s investment in his potential as a backstop who can contribute both offensively and defensively.
Before turning pro, Brenner had pledged to play for the University of Oklahoma, the defending national champions. He stated after his final high school game that if he was drafted, he intended to begin his professional career rather than enroll in college, signaling his commitment to pursuing a professional path from the outset.
According to Baseball Reference, Brenner is the fourth player from Fond du Lac High School (or its predecessor, Goodrich High School) to be drafted out of high school. The earlier draftees from the local program were Weston Munson (2006, 1,112th overall), James Ramminger (1990, 1,206th overall), and Ottis Smith (1989, 1,236th overall).
For readers who want to share input or statistics related to Brenner’s journey, contact or send game stats to Ben Schultz at BSchultz@usatodayco.com. You can also follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @benschultz52.
This coverage originally appeared on Oshkosh Northwestern with the headline: Fond du Lac’s Brenner taken 202nd overall in the MLB Draft, and it’s reshaped to highlight Brenner’s transition from a standout high school career to a pro debut.