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: Glenbrook South
Preseason Rank: 24
2013 Record: 26-7
Conference: Central Suburban South
IHSA Class: 4A
Head Coach: Steve Stanicek
Playoff Run: Regional champ; lost in sectional semifinals
2013 Final Rank: 16

Returning Starters: 4
Returning Pitchers: 4

TOP PLAYERS
Mario Tursi, SS, 2014 (SIU-Edwardsville)
Cody Carroll, OF, 2014 (Bradley)
Conor McCarthy, RHP, 2014 (Villanova)
Tommy O’Hara, 3B, 2014 (Tufts)
Fitz Stadler, RHP, 2015
Mike Lenckos, RHP/INF, 2014
George Karavidas, INF/C, 2015

X-FACTOR
Conor McCarthy. The physical 6-foot-5, 225-pounder saw limited action last season because of the abundance of pitchers. However, McCarthy has upper-80s velocity, which will be needed to replace the graduation of ace Kyle Pauly.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH
Fitz Stadler. The 6-foot-7 right-hander is one of the top-ranked prospects in Illinois’ 2015 class. Athletic and highly projectable, Stadler’s two brothers both pitch at Indiana University.

KEY PLAYER LOST
Kyle Pauly, LHP (Southern Illinois)

STAT RAT
OF Cody Carroll has game-breaking tools. The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder ran a 6.70 60 and recorded 90 mph from the outfield. He also registered 89 exit velocity at the PBR Unsigned Senior Showcase in January. Carroll, who is also a standout wide receiver in football, has since committed to Bradley.

OUTLOOK
First-year coach Steve Stanicek inherits a deep and talented club, one that won the Central Suburban South championship last season and was ranked in the top 25 for most of the season. Stanicek, however, is no baseball newcomer. He previously coached at Lockport and has a decorated professional career. The Titans feature next-level talent all over the field. SS Mario Tursi is a top-level defender up the middle and is the team leader. Left-handed hitting 3B Tommy O’Hara and Carroll provide run-producing capabilities. Losing do-it-all LHP/OF Kyle Pauly certainly hurts, as he handled all the big-game responsibilities. McCarthy should assume the No. 1 starter role, but the Titans have depth behind him. Keep an eye out for junior RHP Fitz Stadler, a 6-foot-7 prospect who has the potential to be one of the top arms in the state.

BOTTOM LINE
The Titans are poised for another stellar season and should be the favorite to defend their Central Suburban South title. They have the athletes and team defense to win 25-plus games again. But their postseason success rests in their relatively untested pitching staff.

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

Season Countdown

+ Preseason Team Rankings

+ Updated Illinois 2015 Player Rankings

+ Updated Illinois 2014 Player Rankings

+ June Event Schedule