Preseason Bubble Teams: Morton

March 2, 2019
By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The Illinois high school baseball season kicks off on March 11, 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 2019 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 2019 preseason coverage continues today.

Team: Morton
Preseason Rank: On The Bubble
2018 Record: 30-6
Conference: Mid-Illini
IHSA Class: 3A
Head Coach: Jesse Crawford
Playoff Run: 3A State Champions
2018 Final Rank: 6
Returning Starters: 4
Returning Pitchers: 2

KEY LOSSES

NAME	STATE	SCHOOL	CLASS	POSITION	COMMITMENT
Isaiah Davis	IL	Morton	2018	RHP	Eureka College
Connor Kelly	IL	Morton	2018	RHP	Heartland CC
Haegan Kelly	IL	Morton	2018	RHP	Heartland CC
Vincent Massaglia	IL	Morton	2018	RHP	Illinois Central JC
Logan Peterson	IL	Morton	2018	RHP	Illinois Central JC

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

NAME	STATE	SCHOOL	CLASS	POSITION	COMMITMENT
Nick Guerra	IL	Morton	2019	SS	Maryville University
Riggs Wilkinson	IL	Morton	2019	OF	-
Ashton Holcomb	IL	Morton	2019	SS	Lincoln Land CC
Bryce Brown	IL	Morton	2020	3B	-
Abe Collins	IL	Morton	2020	OF	-
Isaiah Gudeman	IL	Morton	2020	C	Bradley
Andrew Osing	IL	Morton	2020	LHP	-
Parker Kuhn	IL	Morton	2021	SS	-

OUTLOOK

Morton and head coach Jesse Crawford are coming off an impressive 2018 campaign that saw them win 30 games and the Class 3A State Championship. Heading into this spring, the Potters will be looking to replace nine seniors who graduated, including four of their top five arms. Luckily for them, they bring back a solid mix from last year, including a strong junior class who will be expected to step in and compete right away.

When looking at the Potters on paper, senior two-way talent SS/RHP Nick Guerra and junior catcher Isaiah Gudeman should lead the way. 6-foot-3, 205-pound, Guerra, a Maryville commit, is one of the best left-handed hitters in the area and will be the ace of the staff as well. Last season Guerra went 6-1 with a save and a 1.54 ERA. Gudeman, a Bradley commit, led a veteran pitching staff last season to a 1.98 team ERA. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound, strong catcher, hit over .300 last spring and should hit in the middle of the order this spring. Gudeman has power potential in his bat and is an advanced defender.

Looking at the rest of the lineup, coach Crawford will need infielders Ashton Holcomb and Bryce Brown to have big years. 2021 infielder Parker Kuhn could also see some time on varsity this spring. On the mound, junior LHP Andrew Osing is expected to see quality innings this as well.

With all the talent the Potters lost due to graduation it would be hard to think they could repeat as state champions but coach Crawford will expect nothing less. Look for the Potters to be a tough out come late May and playoff time.

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

Isaiah Gudeman (8.9.18)

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