Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 18 Normal West

(Eli Hensley 6.5.19)

X-FACTOR

OF/RHP Will Kafer has done it all for the Wildcats since his sophomore year and will be asked to do much of the same once again this spring. The two-way standout was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and 1st Team All Conference in 2018. The Illinois Wesleyan followed up the 2018 campaign by earning the Big 12 Pitcher of the Year and 1st Team All Conference in 2019. Kafer was named IHSBCA 4A All State in 2019.  

Last season Kafer’s numbers were staggering: On the mound the right-hander went 10-0, striking out 57 in 67.2 innings with a 1.86 ERA. At the plate Kafer hit eight doubles, was 21-22 in stolen bases, scored 26 runs, knocked in 19 and walked 18 times. On top of all of the numbers, Kafer plays a stellar defensive center field. 

To say Kafer is going to be a big key to the success of Normal West this spring would be an understatement. 

OUTLOOK

Normal West won 30 games before eventually falling in the Sectional Championship, to eventual 4A State Champion, Edwardsville, by a score of 12-8. The 30 wins was their highest win total since the 32-4 season they put together in 2013. There is reason for excitement heading into this spring. The Wildcats return three arms Will Kafer, Evan Wallgren (Heartland CC) and Sean Shook (Heartland CC), who were a combined 15-0 last season. Last year’s team also broke the school record with a .966 fielding percentage and return six starting position players. The balance of quality, reliable arms, strong defense and a deep lineup serve as the core strength for this year’s squad.

Outside of the three arms, junior RHP/OF Nick Barlow is a 2021 to keep an eye on. He has a chance to make an impact on the mound and in the outfield. There is also talented freshman RHP/C Jesse Courtney. Courtney is a 6-foot, 185-pound, physical right-hander with a strong arm and has a chance to be a varsity call-up at some point while still an underclassman.

Positionally, Normal West will be one of the deeper more experienced teams in the Big 12.  Kafer, Wallgren and Shook will be some of the top bats as well as arms. Wallgren should slot at second base. Shook has been a starter since his sophomore year and should hit somewhere in the middle of the order. Shook is sure-handed and smooth at third base as well. Three-sport athlete, Alec McGinnis (Augustana), will handle the duties of shortstop. McGinnis was second-team All Big 12 in 2019 after hitting six doubles, two triples, scoring 28 runs and knocking in 24. McGinnis also is a savvy defender with smooth, athletic actions. Filling out the infield should be yet another senior, 1B Evan Hutson (uncommitted). Hutson is a 6-foot-3, 200-pound right-handed hitter with advanced bat strength and has been a clutch performer for the Wildcats. Hutson hit 10 doubles, four home runs, scored 27 runs, knocked in 25 and walked 21 times. 

Sean Shook (2.10.19)

Another big bat returning to this potent lineup is yet another multi-sport senior, OF/C Cole Hernandez. Hernandez spent his fall as an all-state wide receiver for the Wildcat football team. Hernandez was a mainstay in the middle of the order last spring and finished with 35 hits, 10 doubles, two triples, a home run and 31 RBI. 2021 Tanner Tompkins and 2020 Connor Stephenson (Case Western) will handle most of the catching duties throughout the spring.

On paper Normal West has the balance, experience, pitching and offense to make some noise in 2020. The only weakness, per-say, is they do not have any power arms in the back-end of the bullpen that can come into a game and get a bunch of swing-and-misses. 

BOTTOM LINE

Expectations are high for Coach Hawkins and company, as they should be. Not many teams have the depth and experience as the Wildcats. Normal West is in line for a big 2020 and will look to exact revenge on their tough Sectional Final defeat at the hands of the eventual 4A state Champion. Expect Normal West to make noise throughout the season and more importantly, come playoff time.