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: Harrisburg
Preseason Rank: On The Bubble
2019 Record: 30-9
Conference: Southern Illinois River-to-River
IHSA Class: 2A
Head Coach: Jay Thompson
Playoff Run: Super-sectional appearance
2019 Final Rank: On the Bubble
Returning Starters: 9
Returning Pitchers: 8 

OUTLOOK

The same team, lineup, pitching staff that hauled the Bulldogs to 30 wins and a Super-Sectional appearance, only to lose to the eventual 2A champs Teutopolis, is back. Harrisburg’s hopes are sky-high in 2020. Rarely does a team put together a 30-win season and a deep playoff run without the help of its seniors, but Harrisburg leaned on a loaded 2020 and 2021 presence last season, which has set them up exceptionally well this spring.

The Bulldogs’ best player will operate as both their go-to arm and bat: Isaac Crabb (2020; Wabash Valley JC commit). He’s a leader and a captain from behind the plate as an excellent backstop and receiver with a strong right-handed bat. When it’s his turn on the mound, Crabb is capable of pounding the strike zone with a reliable three-pitch mix, and he’s been up to 87 mph for us in the past, but we haven’t seen him throw in nearly a year.

Here, too, is INF Will Holland (2020), who’s actually headed to John A. Logan JC where he and Crabb will turn into rivals. But until then, Holland and Crabb will have two of the most important areas on defense fully covered. Will Gibbs (2020; Olney Central JC), another talented JUCO commit, will be Holland’s double play partner. Harrisburg has a new addition in OF/INF Nick Hunter, who transferred from Herrin HS. Hunter is committed to Rend Lake JC and his left-handed bat is his calling card.

Among the juniors set to help Harrisburg capitalize on this year’s big chance for a state title are RHP Noah Boon (uncommitted) and INF Javier Beal (uncommitted). Boon was up to 83 mph around this time last year, the last time we saw him throw. Beal is ranked just outside the state’s 2021 class’ top-100 for his quick, strong left-handed bat.

This Harrisburg squad is on the short-list for 2A title favorites headed into Opening Day.

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

Isaac Crabb (3/16/19)

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

Find more information on the 2020 Bulldogs below:

+ Full Schedule
+ Team Twitter

MORE ON THE BUBBLE