Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 20 Lockport

NEWCOMER TO WATCH

It remains to be seen how much varsity time, if any, sophomore C/1B Victor Izquierdo will see this spring but he is one of the top prospects coming through the program. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound, physical, well-proportioned right-handed hitter has the ability to be an offensive force in the Porter lineup in years to come. At this winter's Underclass Invitational took one of the more impressive rounds of BP, swinging with intent and routinely barreling balls with authority. Defensively, he has athletic feet, potentially best suited for first base but he has made impressive strides behind the plate since our last look. 

Victor Izquierdo (2.16.20)

X-FACTOR

Looking at the 2020 season, the biggest question is can they put an ENTIRE SEASON together? The Porters were a tail of two stories in 2019. They were one of the hottest teams in the state out of the gate, with a blistering 18-2 start to the season, at one point ranked as high as No. 3 in the state. Lockport had impressive wins over Alton, Oswego East, Lemont, Glenbrook South, Lyons Township, Providence Catholic, Plainfield Central, Lincoln-Way West, Lincoln-Way Central and Andrew.

Unfortunately, things did not last as they ended the year 22-15, a 4-13 finish to the season. Can the Porters play consistent, good baseball the entire season and get hot at the right time? That is the biggest storyline to keep an eye on with the 2020 Lockport squad.

OUTLOOK

Lockport proved they could play with anyone in the state last season, they just showed it for half the season. They return four arms from last season as well as a core group of seniors who saw time as juniors. The staff should be considered one of the strengths of this year’s club. Senior’s, RHP Jacob Kampf (Heartland CC), RHP Nolan Vlcek (uncommitted), RHP Vince Sartori (Concordia-Chicago) and LHP Bryon Mane (Concordia, MI) will be counted on to lead the way. Kampf should be one of the top arms in the rotation. The athletic right-hander has a clean, easy delivery and runs his fastball up to 89 mph with a sharp breaking ball. Vlcek is another strong-armed right-hander who should be able to lock down a spot in the rotation. Vlcek has a strong 6-foot-2, 195-pound frame and can run his fastball up to 88 mph with angle. Sartori is a pitchability right-hander who impressed in a start at last year’s Kickoff Classic. Mane knows how to pitch and gives coach Satunas flexibility, as Mane can be used out of the bullpen or as a starter. 

Jacob Kampf (4.22.19)

Some other candidates who can help add depth on the mound will be INF/RHP Matt Santarelli (2021), RHP/OF Michael Hughes (2021) and RHP/UTIL CJ Byrdak (2022). Byrdak, only a sophomore, has a clean, athletic arm and the stuff to potentially impact the varsity squad sooner rather than later.

When looking at the position players, junior SS Ryan Moerman, leads the way. Moerman, an Illinois commit, has been the starting shortstop since his freshman year. Moerman plays a smooth, confident, steady shortstop and will be relied on as the sparkplug of the offense as well. Moerman took huge strides with the bat last spring and the sky's the limit in his junior campaign. The main contributors next to Moerman should be CIF Kampf, UTIL Mike Pawyza (2020; McHenry County JC), 1B/C Nick Schindler (2020; Kankakee JC) and C Joe Fiorillo (2021). A host of juniors competing for jobs are MIF Matt Santarelli, C/UTIL Connor Christian, OF/RHP Michael Hughes and MIF/OF Riley Pfeiffer. 

The future is also bright in Lockport as they have a talented crop of 2022s waiting in the wings. Some names to know in the 2022 class are the aforementioned Izquierdo, Byrdak, UTIL Matt Merk, INF Arnoldo Velazquez, RHP/OF Lucas Pajeau, RHP/UTIL Mark Tor, among others. 

BOTTOM LINE

Despite some new names and faces the 2020 version of the Porters looks just as strong as the 2019 club that started the year 18-2. Their strength should lie on the mound but they have no shortage of impact position players coming through the ranks. A start like last year is highly unlikely as there are a number of roles and positions still to be ironed out. All-in-all, that may be for the best, as all that matters is playing your best baseball at the end of the season. 

Expect Lockport to bounce back from a sub-par second-half last season, compete for a Southwest Suburban title and be a tough-out come playoff time.