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: Mundelein
Preseason Rank: On The Bubble
2019 Record: 15-14
Conference: North Suburban
IHSA Class: 4A
Head Coach: Randy Lerner
Playoff Run: Regiona Finals appearance
2019 Final Rank: NR
Returning Starters: 4
Returning Pitchers: 3 

OUTLOOK

The Mustangs will be looking to bounce back this spring from a 15-14 record at the end of last year’s campaign. If senior RHP/OF Austin Greco (Miami-OH commit) is healthy, he and RHP Jonathon Hanscom (2020; Lewis) will give the Mustangs one of the better one-two punches on the mound in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago. Greco has the ability, when healthy, to run his fastball into the low-90s with a swing-and-miss slider. Hanscom works from a low ¾ slot and throws three pitches for strikes, including a late-sinking mid-80s fastball. 

Greco, along with being one of the best arms, is one of the top bats in the squad as well. He has a knack for the barrel and surprising pop in his bat. Along with Greco, the Mustangs will have INF Andrew Shroeder (2020; uncommitted), OF Christian Diaz (2020), C Michael Rastrelli (2021), OF/RHP Wilken Benjamin (2021), and INF/RHP Jack Bikus (2021). A young, up-and-coming talent who potentially could impact the varsity squad is 1B Daniel Pacella (2022; Kentucky). From early looks, Pacella has a chance to be one of the top left-handed bats in the class. 

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

Daniel Pacella (2/16/20)

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

Find more information on the 2020 Mustangs below:

+ Full Schedule
+ Team Twitter

MORE ON THE BUBBLE