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: Morton
Preseason Rank: On The Bubble
2019 Record: 27-9
Conference: Mid-Illini
IHSA Class: 3A
Head Coach: Jesse Crawford
2019 Final Rank: On The Bubble
Returning Starters: 4
Returning Pitchers: 4

OUTLOOK

The Potters won the 3A state championship just two seasons ago, and even though they didn’t hit repeat last season, they still won 27 games and look ready to roll in 2020. They’re returning four position players who combined for 130 hits, 40 extra-base hits, and 100 RBIs last season. 

Pacing that offense are two ranked prospects: Isaiah Gudeman (2020; Bradley commit) and Bryce Brown (2020; Heartland CC). Gudeman is a top-50 prospect in the state’s senior class and he brings strength and power from the right-handed box. Brown stands at 6-foot-4, 200 pounds and, like Gudeman, is another force in the box for this Potters’ lineup. Both of these two bats should be Morton’s top run producers. 

Joining Gudeman and Brown on offense: Abe Collins (2020; Carl Sandburg JC) and Parker Kuhn (2021; uncommitted). Collins is another ranked senior in this squad. He’s a toolsy left-handed-hitting outfielder who should slot in somewhere into the Potters’ everyday outfield alignment. Kuhn is the lone junior coming back from this quartet and it looks like he’ll be their go-to option at shortstop this season. 

On the mound, the Potters are led by LHP Drew Kruzick (2020; Lincoln Land CC) and an assortment of other arms. When he’s not pitching, Kruzick will also see time in center field for the Potters. 

While they’ll mostly rely on experience provided by their older players, sophomore Beau Durbin (2022; uncommitted) is a middle infielder who could potentially see some action for Morton this spring. The Potters aren’t as deep as their 2018, 2019 versions, so they’ll heavily rely on their senior experience to guide their less-experienced through the season. Luckily for them, however, their talented 2020 class is capable of leading them to a conference title – and maybe even more.

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

Bryce Brown (2/20/19)

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

Find more information on the 2020 Potters below:

+ Full Schedule
+ Team Twitter

MORE ON THE BUBBLE