Prep Baseball Report

Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 4 De La Salle


By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

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: De La Salle
Preseason Rank: 4
2019 Record: 22-6
Conference: Chicago Catholic League - White 
IHSA Class: 3A
Head Coach: Chris Hall
Playoff Run: Lost in Super-Sectional
2019 Final Rank: 15
Returning Starters: 8
Returning Pitchers: 4

TOP PLAYERS

NAME STATE SCHOOL CLASS POSITION COMMITMENT
Matt Boehm IL De La Salle 2020 RHP Lewis University
Jeremy Figueroa IL De La Salle 2020 SS Heartland CC
Jayden Gonzalez IL De La Salle 2021 3B -
Ben Hernandez IL De La Salle 2020 RHP Illinois-Chicago
Lee Hodges III IL De La Salle 2020 1B/OF Morton JC
Christian Holmes IL De La Salle 2022 SS -
William Le Pretre IL De La Salle 2020 RHP Millikin
Michael Passarelli IL De La Salle 2020 C Illinois Wesleyan Univers
Kade Walker IL De La Salle 2021 LHP -

 

KEY LOSSES

NAME STATE SCHOOL CLASS POSITION COMMITMENT
Rocco Arcieri IL De La Salle 2019 OF -

 

NEWCOMER TO WATCH

Kade Walker, LHP/OF/1B, 2021: Choosing a newcomer for this year’s club was tough, due to the fact that virtually everyone returns after their impressive 2019 campaign. One name to look for will be junior, two-way talent Kade Walker. Walker, still uncommitted, was instrumental last spring but primarily on the mound. Expect to see the projectable, left/left athlete make an impact with the bat this spring, something that was limited last year. Walker will provide depth in the outfield or at first base when not on the mound. Walker, listed at 6-foot-2, 165-pounds, has an intriguing left-handed swing with loose hands and creates whip in the barrel. 

X-FACTOR

Ben Hernandez, RHP, 2020: Hernandez, a UIC, continues to put a stamp on the fact that he is the top arm in the state and one of the top high school draft arms in the country. Hernandez came out of the gates at this winter’s Super 60 sitting an easy 95 mph while showing off what has become one of the best changeups in the country. Hernandez also added a new pitch to his repertoire (slider/cutter), adding plenty of intrigue for pro scouts moving forward.

Hernandez gives De La Salle the best arm in the state to lean on. Anytime Hernandez takes the ball the Meteors should be the favorite. Hernandez is not just another thrower with arm strength and big velocity. He is as polished as they come, composed on the mound and relishes the big moment. He will also swing the bat for the Meteor’s and has sneaky pop in his bat. Look for Hernandez to carry the load this spring and if everything falls into place he may take them right to Joliet, which they were one win away from last spring.

Ben Hernandez (2.2.20)

OUTLOOK

The Meteors return eight starting position players and four arms from a 2019 team that made it to the 3A Supersectional, one-win away from Joliet. They enter 2020 as our pick-to-click for the 3A state title. They have the best arm in the state and plenty of talent surrounding him. Besides the aforementioned Hernandez they have varsity experience all over the diamond.

On the mound, besides Hernandez, they return the aforementioned Walker (2021) and seniors RHP’s Matt Boehm (Lewis commit) and Billy LePretre. Last spring, as a sophomore, Walker went 2-1 with a 1/50 ERA. Walker struck out 27 in 26 innings pitched. Boehm went 4-1 in 2019 with a 1.57 ERA, while striking out 38 in 42 innings pitched. LePretre, who rounds out the talented top four Meteor arms, went 5-1 with a 1.45 ERA, striking out 38 in 43 innings pitched. Having four arms with the ability to put up sub-2.00 ERA’s throughout a spring is extremely rare and will serve as a strength for this year’s club. 

Eight bats return to the lineup, including the entire infield returns. On paper the infield will be one of the strongest in the state consisting of 3B Jayden Gonzalez (2021), SS Christian Holmes (2022), 2B Jeremy Figueroa (2020; Heartland JC commit) and 1B Lee Hodges (2020; Morton JC). Gonzalez is a steady defender who as a sophomore hit .329 with four doubles, scored 24 runs and knocked in 17. Figueroa, the most experienced infielder is also arguably the most dangerous bat in the lineup. Figueroa is coming off an All-Conference junior season where he hit .372 with 15 doubles, three home runs, 29 RBIs, 23 runs and an OBP of .474. Figueroa did it with the glove as well, making only two errors and a fielding percentage of .978. Hodges chipped in with a .354 batting average and a .424 on base percentage. Then there is Holmes who started at shortstop as a freshman and is one of the top prospects in the 2022 Illinois’ class. Holmes is a smooth, athletic defender with a big offensive upside. If Holmes can have a breakout campaign with the bat this lineup could be as dangerous as any in the state. 

(Christian Holmes 2.16.20)

Three of the arms; Boehm, LePretre and Walker should also be main contributors with the bat when not on the mound. Boehm and LePretre will be mainstays in the outfield. LePretre hit .321 with 15 RBI and 22 runs last spring. Handling the bulk of the catching responsibilities should be senior, Illinois Wesleyan commit, Michael Passarelli

If there is one knock on the Meteors, they lack the depth on the bench that a few other state contenders possess. Therefore, staying healthy throughout the spring will prove crucial for this year’s squad.

BOTTOM LINE

The Meteors starting nine and top-end arms are as good as any in the state. They also feature a bonafide shutdown ace, primed for a huge senior season and is itching for a state appearance after finishing one-game short last spring. 

If the Meteors stay healthy they should be on the shortlist of favorites to make it to Joliet and ultimately hoist the 3A trophy.

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

Find more information on the 2020 Meteor's below:

Team Website
Team Twitter

PBR ILLINOIS PRESEASON POWER 25