The Illinois high school baseball season kicks off on March 16, opening day for regular season action under IHSA regulations. Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we’ll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2020 spring season, touching on programs spanning all state classifications, leading into a countdown through the official PBR Illinois Preseason Power 25 Rankings.

Perennially, we’ve submitted a Preseason Questionnaire to high school head coaches across the entire state. Their responses have been flooding in and we’re using the detailed insight they’ve provided in our team-by-team preseason analysis.

Our 2020 preseason coverage continues today.

Team: Brooks College Prep
Preseason Rank: On The Bubble
2019 Record: 16-15
Conference: Jackie Robinson South
IHSA Class: 3A
Head Coach: Anthony Beale
Playoff Run: Sectional Semifinals appearance
2019 Final Rank: NR
Returning Starters: 8
Returning Pitchers: 3

OUTLOOK

They lost a couple pieces from last season’s Regional title-winning squad, but Brooks is back in 2020 with nine reliable seniors and depth all over. The UIC-bound 1B/3B James Harris will power the offense from the middle of the order. He’s a top-70-ranked prospect in the state’s senior class for the pop he brings to the right side of the plate. Donavan Noble is a senior middle infielder, committed to South Suburban JC, who can handle the glove up the middle with wiry strength attached to his loose righty bat. RHP Jalen Anderson is committed to Chicago State and will be relied on to head the rotation and Chris Henry (Morehouse College commit) will be called on to pitch, too, when he isn’t roaming the outfield.

There are a few underclassmen to watch here, too. INF Ryan Little (2022) is a lean, upside 6-foot prospect and an above-average defender, and could battle for a role on the infield. Jaylun Camper is a sophomore spending his first spring in the program and he, too, might earn himself some innings. And then there’s freshman Jaidyn Harrell, a projectable 6-foot-1 outfielder who has demonstrated some loose actions for his age, and could hit himself into a regular varsity role this spring.

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

James Harris (6/18/19)

Make sure to follow @PBRIllinois on Twitter for the most up-to-date coverage throughout the 2020 season.

Find more information on the 2020 Eagles below:

+ Full Schedule
+ Team Twitter

MORE ON THE BUBBLE