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: Marian Catholic
Preseason Rank: On The Bubble
2019 Record: 17-18
Conference: East Suburban Catholic
IHSA Class: 3A
Head Coach: Tony DeCarlo
2019 Final Rank: NR
Returning Starters: 5
Returning Pitchers: 2

OUTLOOK

The Spartans will enter this upcoming season with a talented, yet mildly inexperienced group. Coach DeCarlo’s squad will be without key contributors Pierce Jones (MLB Draft, 26th Round, Padres), C Angelo Cantelo (Lewis) and Michael Bohlen (Northern Kentucky), though talent still remains inside this starting lineup. Alec Gonzalez (2020; Tennessee commit) is a top-25 player in the state whose responsibilities lie at both shortstop and on the mound. He’s an advanced defender, equipped with all of the necessary actions to star there in his senior spring, and he’s also a highly competitive right-hander who should fall into some sort of regular starting role on the bump.

Fellow seniors 3B/RHP Dominick Angellotti (2020; Univ. of Chicago) and OF Adam Huekels (2020; Niagara commit) are important everyday pieces here, too. Angellotti, specifically, should be able to operate as one of the Spartans’ top run-producers, as well as take on some on-mound role.

It’s likely that Marian Catholic’s season is tied to the success of its budding junior class. OF Eddie King (Louisville) is one of the best prospects, and athletes, in his class. The same goes for Michigan recruit Tyler Fullman, whose fastball was up to 89 mph the last time we saw him live in May 2019. He’s earned a spot onto PBR’s national board and he should be ready to take the No. 1 role on this staff as soon as Opening Day. Donovan McIntyre (2021; uncommitted) is a toolsy  left/left outfielder eager to get some playing time in his first taste of varsity action as well.

A sub-.500 finish a season ago wasn’t what Marian Catholic had in mind a year ago, and they have the personnel to exceed expectations in 2020.

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

Tyler Fullman (5/10/19)

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

Find more information on the 2020 Spartans below:

+ Full Schedule
+ Team Website
+ Team Twitter

MORE ON THE BUBBLE