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: Glenwood
Preseason Rank: 24
2019 Record: 29-9
Conference: Central State 8
IHSA Class: 3A
Head Coach: Pat Moomey
Playoff Run: Sectional Finals appearance
2019 Final Rank: On the Bubble
Returning Starters: 3
Returning Pitchers: 5

TOP PLAYERS

NAME	STATE	SCHOOL	CLASS	POSITION	COMMITMENT
Drew Detmers	IL	Glenwood	2020	RHP	Millikin
Sergio Marchizza	IL	Glenwood	2020	RHP/DH	Lincoln Land CC
Lucas Ryan	IL	Glenwood	2020	C	Millikin
Luke Lehnen	IL	Glenwood	2020	OF	North Central College (football)
Jacob Curtis	IL	Glenwood	2020	INF	Lincoln Land CC
Ian Benner	IL	Glenwood	2020	OF/INF	Lincoln Land CC
Alex Burden	IL	Glenwood	2021	LHP	-
Nolan McMasters	IL	Glenwood	2022	INF/RHP	-
Will Plattner	IL	Glenwood	2022	1B/C	-

KEY players LOSt

NAME	STATE	SCHOOL	CLASS	POSITION	COMMITMENT
Gavin Wahlbrink	IL	Glenwood	2019	RHP	Lincoln Land CC
Adam Holm	IL	Glenwood	2019	OF	-
Nolan Rooney	IL	Glenwood	2019	INF	-

NEWCOMER TO WATCH

We just met sophomore INF/RHP Nolan McMasters for the first time this offseason at the recent Peoria I.D. event. There, the 5-foot-10, 165-pound prospect became an instant follow thanks to his performance. McMasters has a chance to be a high-level defender with range, athleticism, soft hands and a strong arm (88 mph) which should keep him on the left-side of the diamond moving forward. He also has quick twitchy hands and hits with rhythm from the right-side of the plate. To top off his performance he got on the mound and sat 84-85 mph, pairing it with two advanced off-speed offerings. It remains to be seen just what kind of role McMasters will play in his sophomore season but he has the talent to impact a varsity roster if needed. 

X-FACTOR

Senior Sergio Marchizza is set to have dual responsibilities as one of Glenwood’s go-to arms as well as a strong right-handed bat that will help churn out runs from the middle of the order. Most notably, Marchizza helps give the Titans some senior reliability at the top of its rotation. At an event last June, while still coming off a knee injury, he touched 86 mph, sitting 82-84, with a clean arm. His physical 6-foot-3, 220-pound size is also an asset inside the batter’s box and, for a lineup that might lack a little pop, Marchizza has the juice to help drive in runs for Glenwood this spring. He has an important multi-purpose role in 2020, and it’s critical to the Titans’ success.

OUTLOOK

Glenwood’s rotation has been synonymous with success for a long while now, having seen the likes of Reid Detmers (2017; Louisville), Jacob Maton (2018; Coastal Carolina), Gavin Wahlbrink (2019; Lincoln Land CC), and Evan Rightnowar (Snead State CC) thrive for the Titans in recent memory. On-mound depth remains a strength for the Titans, despite the graduations the team suffers year after year.

The 2020 staff is headlined by right-handers Drew Detmers (2020; Millikin) and Sergio Marchizza (2020; Lincoln Land CC). Both are physical mid-80s strike-throwers and Detmers returns after assuming the role of ace last spring. It’s an especially reliable one-two punch, which most teams don’t have. They’ll be aiming at battery mate Lucas Ryan (2020), another Millikin commit, an athletic and projectable left-handed hitting backstop with sound defensive actions. OF Luke Lehnen (2020), a North Central College football commit, who will also be relied on in the spring – he’s a 6.57 runner with a toned, lean build and quick, strong hands. Then there's a pair more Lincoln Land commits to note here: Ian Benner and Jacob Curtis. Both bolster the depth and stability in Glenwood.

Drew Detmers (8/6/19)

Junior LHP Alex Burden (uncommitted) is set to reinforce the rotation behind Detmers and Marchizza, with his pitchability stuff, but it’s the underclassmen who could sincerely boost Glenwood’s 2020 chances. Sophomores Nolan McMasters (uncommitted) and Will Plattner (uncommitted) are the names to know here. We touched on McMasters at length as one of the top newcomers above. Plattner swings a physical right-handed bat and could potentially occupy first base for most of the spring, in addition to relieving Ryan when he requires the rest behind the plate.

And keep an eye on Louisville commit and freshman RHP Parker Detmers, the third Detmers brother to come through the program. Detmers is already 6-foot-3, 205-pounds and may have plenty of growing still to go. Detmers has run his fastball into the mid-80’s and if Coach Moomey is looking for added depth to the staff late in the spring, Detmers may already have the stuff that could handle varsity competition. 

BOTTOM LINE

Legendary head coach Pat Moomey is a mere seven wins shy of his career 900th – he’s actually in a race for the second-ever to do it with New Trier’s Mike Napoleon, who’s four short. You can count on Moomey and his staff to get the most out of the Titans in 2020. It’s an interesting group with some young guns looming to help, as well as a mix of experience at the top of the staff.

This perennial power may be relying on more underclass depth than its accustomed to, but Glenwood should be as competitive as ever in the Springfield area, and beyond.

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

Find more information on the 2020 Titans below:

+ Full Schedule
+ Team Twitter

PBR ILLINOIS PRESEASON POWER 25