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On the Bubble: Plainfield Central

March 9, 2020
By Diego Solares
Illinois Staff

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: Plainfield Central
Preseason Rank: On The Bubble
2019 Record: 29-10
Conference: Southwest Prairie
IHSA Class: 4A
Head Coach: John Rosner
Playoff Run: Super-sectionals appearance
2019 Final Rank: No. 10
Returning Starters: 6
Returning Pitchers: 3

OUTLOOK

The Wildcats were just one win away from making it to the 4A State finals last season and a handful of starters from that team are returning this season with hopes to complete what they started.

Leading the offensive attack for the Wildcats is senior outfielder Jake Donahue (2020; Central Michigan commit). He’s one of the top outfield prospects in the state, ranking at No. 62 overall in Illinois’ 2020 class as a whole. Donahue has a knack for consistently barreling up the baseball, is fleet-footed and will be a force at the top of this team’s lineup in 2020. Donahue, a three-year varsity starter, should be primed for his best year yet.

Several other key players round out this Plainfield Central offense. Eastern Illinois commit Brandon Micetich (2020) is also a top-100 prospect in the state’s 2020 class, and he’ll bat within the heart of this team’s order. Like Donahue, Micetich will shoulder a heavy dose of the Wildcats’ offensive production. Toss in C Josh Cunniff (2021; uncommitted) into that mix too, as he’s currently penciled in as this team’s starting catcher. 

On the pitching side, two senior St. Francis commits, Ryan Daly and Sam Pileggi, will headline the top of this rotation. Both of them are experienced arms who will be given the ball in key moments, all while having roles inside the daily lineup, too. Daly, especially, figures to slot right into the middle of this order as one of their top run producers. Senior Alex Schoenly got some quality innings last season and figures to see a similar workload this spring. Nathan Sommerfeld (2021; uncommitted) and Tanner Wagnon (2022; uncommitted) each should get their first true taste of varsity action on the bump this season as well. 

The Wildcats snuck up on us and opponents last spring and despite losing their ace RHP Zach Rana (Indianapolis) to graduation, they will be watched closely this spring. Overall, the Wildcats will heavily lean on this senior class for most of their production this season, especially on the offensive side. The depth of the staff remains one of the biggest questions but they have names capable of stepping up and filling the void. The Wildcats should once again be one of the teams to beat in the Southwest Prairie.

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

Jake Donahue (12/4/19)

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

Find more information on the 2020 Wildcats below:

+ Full Schedule
+ Team Twitter

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