Prep Baseball Report

Power 25: 2020 Teams To Watch


Illinois Scouting Staff

The Illinois high school season has been put on hold but that has not stopped us from rolling out team previews of high school teams all across the state and across all classifications, eventually launching our Preseason Power 25.

Today we take a look at a number of other teams who were on the shortlist of making the Top-25 and should be teams to watch this spring. Below we take a quick look at each team and mention some key players returning and a few reasons why we expect them to have a successful season.

TEAMS TO WATCH:

+ Barrington - Class 4A
2019 Record (30-8)
Barrington returns their top two arms; LHP RJ Nowicki (Northern Illinois) and RHP Nathan Holler (Kennesaw State) from a team that went 30-8 last season. 

+ Champaign Central - Class 3A
2019 Record (27-10)
The Maroons return seven position players and five pitchers from last year’s 27-win team and could easily make a case to be in the Preseason Power 25. Some key names to keep an eye on are RHP/OF Isaiah Jackson (John A. Logan JC), OF Connor Milton (Illinois), OF Sam Chapman, C Max Herr (Parkland JC) UTIL Caleb Pyrz and RHP/INF Joel Sarver (Northwest Florida State JC). 

+ Columbia - Class 2A
2019 Record (24-9)
Five returning position players return, led by Nic and Sam Horner as well as OF Sam Bonaldi, all three hit .349 or higher last spring. The staff led by LHP Cole Froess (Culver-Stockton), RHP Austin McCann and RHP Jackson Holmes (2021; St. Louis) should be deep but somewhat inexperienced.

+ Glenbrook North - Class 4A
2019 Record (18-16)
All eight position players return including their DH as well as every arm  from last season. 2021 LHP Eric Orloff headlines the staff along with 2021 RHP Zach Crane, 2020 RHP/OF Tyler Chron, 2020 3B/RHP Liam Rude, 2020 RHP Nathan Gordon and 2020 LHP Jackson MacRae. The top position player on the squad could arguably be 2021 SS Jack Fitzharris

+ Glenbrook South - Class 4A
2019 Record (23-13)
South will have talented seniors to rely on in OF Luke Smith (Northern Kentucky), LHP Joseph Shapiro (Western Michigan) and SS Zachary Malis (Wash U). Hitting somewhere in the middle of the order and playing 1B should be junior LHH George Korompilas (Bradley).

+ Grant Community - Class 4A
2019 Record (25-7):
Grant returns a number of seniors who are committed to play in college. Leading the way is dynamic outfielder Daniel Laughery (Illinois State) and CIF/RHP Mikal Ashley (Johnson County CC). Some other to keep an eye on will be INF Valentin Cerna (Lake County CC), INF Anthony Figueroa (Rock Valley JC), C Jesse James (Elmhurst), C Jimmy Taylor and 1B Aaron Vertuno (Oakton CC). This senior-laden squad should be one to keep an eye on this spring.

+ Kaneland - Class 3A
2019 Record (27-10)
Another team that could have had a gripe about missing out on the Preseason Power 25 was the Knights. They have a solid mix of seniors with experience and young talent coming through the ranks. On the mound they will have some big arms with 2020 RHP Mason Kottmeyer (uncommitted), 2021 Tyler Conklin as well as quality depth in LHP Alijah Acevedo, Tommy Shaw and Bryce Stair. Shaw should lead the way offensively with Conklin, 2020 Mike Rogers and 2021 C Sebastian Cabeza in the mix as well. Keep an eye on this dangerous 3A squad. 

+ Lincoln-Way Central - Class 4A
2019 Record (23-10)
Central is a young team looking to build off an impressive 23-win 2019. On the mound two Division I commits will lead the way in RHP Zachary Ward (2020; Navy) and LHP Ryan Kraft (2021; Indiana). 2021s INF/RHP Matt Maloney, SS Michael Maloney and 3B Turner Doran all return after seeing time as sophomores.

+ Lincoln-Way West - Class 4A
2019 Record (23-10)
Three left-handed arms highlight this squad; 202s Ben Gerl (Northern Kentucky), Jake Paymaster (Triton JC) and 2021 Keagan Bobbitt. Senior four-year starter Michael Kennedy (Marshall) and junior 3B T.J. Slazyk headline the crop of position players.

+ Loyola Academy - Class 4A
2019 Record (14-19)
The Ramblers have plenty of returning talent that can help turn around last year’s sub-.500 season. On the mound should be a strength for the club with quality right-handed arms Thomas Schafer (2020; Villanova), Michael Ellingsen (2020; UW-LaCrosse), Blake Oesterblad (2020; Walters State JC), DJ Morand (2021) and Daniel Reischl (2021). All five have live arms and can run their fastballs into the mid-to-upper 80’s. Offensively, a trio of seniors INF Ryan Nevins (North Central), C Colin Summerhill (Ohio) and 1B Andrew Smart (Oakton CC) should spearhead the lineup.

+ Maine South - Class 4A
2019 Record (19-14)
South returns six position players and three arms from last year’s 19-win club. Leading the way is an under-the-radar junior SS Timmy O’Brien who was four hits shy of breaking the schools’ single season hits record, as a sophomore last spring. Alongside O’Brien is Zander Buchan (2022; South Carolina), one of the top catchers in the state, regardless of class. Seniors LHP Sam Corbett (North Central), RHP Michael Yager and junior Nick Walczak should get the bulk of the work on the mound. 

+ Metea Valley - Class 4A
2019 Record (23-9)
The Mustangs were one of the hottest teams to start the season last year but faltered down the stretch. They still return some impactful talent in 2020 RHP Patrick Straub (Ohio) and physical power-hitting CIF Cade Sullivan (Western Michigan).

+ Niles Notre Dame - Class 3A
2019 Record (16-10)
Despite only winning 16 games last year and an early exit in regionals, the Dons have a lot of seniors with talent and experience to lean on in 2020. Headlining the arms is Matthew Salomonson (Northern Illinois) and RHP Nick Gianikos (Heartland CC). Both run their fastballs into the upper-80’s consistently. Offensively they will be led by seniors C/INF Bryan Broecker (Michigan State), C Matthew Murphy (Heartland CC), OF Jack Owens (Concordia WI), Salomonson and junior OF Nicky Giamarusti (Pittsburgh). Keep an eye on the Dons in 2020.

+ O’Fallon - Class 4A
2019 Record (25-9)
The Panthers won 25 games last season, a year that was supposed to be a rebuilding year. So the sky seems to be the limit for them in 2020. INF Cody Bauer (2020), INF/RHP Logan Lowery (2020) and OF/P Drew Tebbe (2021) are three returning position players who should lead the way offensively this spring. On the mound they have projectable RHP Kaden Joggerst (2021; Missouri State) and 2022 Cory Quintal to lean on. Both are talented arms just beginning to scratch the surface of their potential. 

+ Pleasant Plains - Class 2A
2019 Record (26-12)
Coach Greer’s club returns five position players, three arms and looks to be a contender once again in Class 2A. Their top three prospects to keep and eye on this spring are C Corgan Greer (2020), SS Joel Niermann (2020) and 2021 LHP Mason Williams.

+ Rockford Boylan - Class 3A
2019 Record (25-14-1)
Seven position players and six arms return from a team that won 25 games last spring and made a Sectional Final. C Daniel Contreras (2021) is a physical catcher who should hit somewhere in the middle of the order. On the mound they are loaded with experience with 2020 RHPs Jacob Sciame, RHP Justin Kerestes (Northwood) and 2021s RHP Jacob Butcher, RHP Zach Hollister and RHP Nick Fehrle.

+ Tuscola - Class 2A
2019 Record (30-3)
Another favorite in 2A should be the Warriors from Tuscola who are coming off consecutive 30-win seasons. Spearheading the squad is talented RHP Logan Tabeling (2020; Wright State). Tabeling, now a senior, has experience pitching at state, a live upper-80’s arm and one of the best breaking balls in the class. Another arm with plenty of experience is 2020 RHP Lucas Kresin (Illinois-Springfield). 

+ Wheaton North - Class 4A
2019 Record (23-10)
The Falcons should be one of the favorites in the Dukane conference this spring. Pitching is still a question mark but the offense should be plenty dangerous with seniors SS/RHP Andy Nelson (Iowa), C/RHP Tyler Woltman (Illinois State), OF/RHP Carson Roberts (Mesa CC) and 3B/RHP Zach Lorentsen all in the mix. Nelson is one of the best athletes in the class and has power in his right-handed bat. Keep an eye on the Falcons in 2020.

CLICK HERE for a look at the Preseason Power 25. 

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