By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

Leading up to the start of the high school season, we will count down the top 75 preseason teams every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage:

Team: Metamora
Preseason Rank: 15
2013 Record: 32-6
Conference: Mid-Illini
IHSA Class: 3A
Head Coach: Eric Stone
Playoff Run: Lost in Supersectional (St. Francis)
2013 Final Rank: 22

Returning Starters: 5
Returning Pitchers: 2

TOP PLAYERS
Trent Johnson, RHP/1B, 2015 (Arizona)
Ethan Skender, OF/INF, 2015 (Kansas State)
Geremy Guerrero, LHP, 2016
Brady Fairfield, MIF, 2015
Brendan Nachtrieb, OF, 2014
Braden Mann, RHP, 2015

X-FACTOR
Trent Johnson. The 6-foot-4, 230-pounder is a true two-way impact player. He earned first-team All-State honors for his offensive prowess (.462 BA, 10 HR, 9 doubles, 43 RBI), but he is primarily known as a pitcher (9-1 record, 1.50 ERA, 97 Ks, 15 BB, 70 IP).

KEY PLAYERS LOST
Spencer Gaa, 3B (Bradley)
Alec Skender, SS (Owens CC)

STAT RAT
LHP Geremy Guerrero posted a 9-1 record with a 1.90 ERA and 49 Ks with 22 walks in 55.1 innings as a freshman last spring.

OUTLOOK
Metamora is in position to make a serious run to the Class 3A state championship. Then again, the Redbirds were one of the favorites to advance to Joliet last year before they got upended by St. Francis in the supersectional. With five starters back, including one of the most dominant two-way players in the state, Trent Johnson, coach Eric Stone’s club is primed for a stellar campaign. Metamora is still junior dominated. Johnson and OF/MIF Ethan Skender comprise a dangerous 1-2 punch in the middle of the lineup. Skender tore it up in the summer and is now committed to Kansas State. Speedy junior MIF Brady Fairfield also returns, and will need to replace Alec Skender, who was incredibly productive last spring. Between Johnson and Guerrero, the two combined for 18 of the team’s 32 wins last year.

BOTTOM LINE
The Redbirds shared the Mid-Illini championship last year with Limestone. Not only are they the clear favorites this year, they are a clear-cut favorite to advance to the Class 3A state semifinals. The only question surrounding Metamora is pitching depth. If it gets a quality innings from someone other than Johnson and Guerrero, then it should be a very exciting year for Metamora.

Make sure you follow @PBRillinois on Twitter for complete Illinois high school baseball coverage throughout the season.

Season Countdown

+ Preseason Team Rankings

+ Updated Illinois 2016 Player Rankings

+ Updated Illinois 2015 Player Rankings

+ Updated Illinois 2014 Player Rankings

+ June Event Schedule