Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 16 Coal City
March 16, 2020
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: Coal City
Preseason Rank: 16
2019 Record: 27-5
Conference: Illinois Central 8 (Formerly Interstate 8)
IHSA Class: 2A
Head Coach: Greg Wills
Playoff Run: Lost in Regional Championship
2019 Final Rank: On The Bubble
Returning Starters: 7
Returning Pitchers: 6
TOP PLAYERS
| NAME | STATE | SCHOOL | CLASS | POSITION | COMMITMENT |
| Connor Best | IL | Coal City | 2020 | RHP | Heartland CC |
| Jack Bunton | IL | Coal City | 2020 | SS | - |
| Payton Hutchings | IL | Coal City | 2020 | LHP | Illinois |
| Cam Lander | IL | Coal City | 2020 | RHP/1B | - |
| Riley Ponio | IL | Coal City | 2021 | 2B | - |
| Austin Pullara | IL | Coal City | 2020 | 3B | - |
| Tyson Spencer | IL | Coal City | 2020 | RHP/OF | - |
| Abram Wills | IL | Coal City | 2022 | RHP/OF | - |
KEY PLAYERS LOST
| NAME | STATE | SCHOOL | CLASS | POSITION | COMMITMENT |
| Keegan Gagliardo | IL | Coal City | 2019 | LHP | Lincoln Trail JC |
| Mickey McDowell | IL | Coal City | 2019 | 2B | Illinois Valley JC |
NEWCOMER TO WATCH
Abram Wills, RHP/OF, 2022: Wills was able to get his feet wet on varsity as a freshman but most of his action came as an outfielder. This year look for an expanded role out of the talented, two-way prospect, especially on the mound. With the graduation of LHP/OF Keegan Gagliardo, the Coalers are going to be looking for quality innings to replace him and Wills has the ability to be that guy.
At this winter’s Underclass Invitational, Wills continued to prove why he is the No. 22 ranked prospect in the state. The strong-bodied, 5-foot-10, 195-pound, right-hander repeated his full wind up, cross-fire delivery and sat mostly 87-88 mph, touching 89 with an advanced three-pitch arsenal. Wills has the ability to be an ace on a number of squads but will not have that pressure this season thanks to the quality senior arms on the roster.
Abram Wills (2.16.20)
X-FACTOR
Payton Hutchings, LHP/OF, 2020: There is arguably no player in the state more valuable to their teams success than Hutchings. The Illinois commit is a three-sport standout for the Coalers and does everything on the baseball diamond. He will once again be counted on as the ace of the staff, one of their top hitters and outfielder when he is not on the mound. This role is familiar to Hutchings as he has been in this role since his freshman season. In fact, as a freshman Hutchings set school records in innings pitched (66) and strikeouts (123). He finished the season 8-3 with a 1.48 ERA. At the plate he hit .317 with 10 doubles. Last season, his junior year, Hutching earned First Team All-State honors after going 9-1 on the mound, striking out 87 in 48.2 innings pitched with a 0.58 ERA. Hutchings also hit .389 with 10 doubles, 35 runs scored and an OBP of .512. The accolades and records go on and on for Hutchings. In his sophomore season Hutchings earned the PBR Player of the Week, twirling a 21-out perfect game where he struck out every single batter he faced. He also holds the IHSA record for most consecutive strikeouts with 22. If history holds true, Hutchings is in for another memorable season in his final one for the Coalers.
Payton Hutchings (3.16.19)
OUTLOOK
Coal City returns a plethora of talent from a team that won 27 games in 2019. They are on the short list of favorites to win the 2A state title. Hutchings, mentioned above, will be a key to their success as he will serve as the lockdown ace as well as one of the top bats in the lineup. With Hutchings on the mound, Coal City can match up with any team in the state. Besides Hutchings they have multiple arms they can turn too. RHP’s Connor Best (2020; Heartland CC), RHP/SS Jack Bunton (2020), Austin Pullara (2020), Tyson Spencer (2020), Cam Lander (2020) and Abram Wills (2022). Best runs his fastball up to 87 mph with a 12/6 curveball. Bunton is athletic, competitive and attacks hitters with a fastball that we have seen up to 84 mph. Wills may be the most talented of the group with an advanced repertoire for his age and fastball up to 89 mph. Needless to say, on paper, they have the depth to handle a busy regular season and the gauntlet of a postseason run.
Connor Best (8.6.19)
Almost all of the arms mentioned above will play key roles as position players for the Coalers, when not on the mound. Hutchings, a left-handed hitter and above-average runner will lead the way offensively. When he is not on the mound he should man center field. Bunton returns at shortstop and should be a key offensive force in the lineup. Pullara should see time at third base and provides some thump in the middle of the order. Best and Wills should fill outfield spots when not on the mound. Senior Cade Mueller will be tasked with the catching duties and handling all of the quality arms.
BOTTOM LINE
Coal City is experienced, deep on the mound, have a true ace, return seven position players, all from a team that won 27 games. Everything seems to be in line for them to be a force to be reckoned with once again in 2020. The only question mark they have on paper is how potent will the offense be? Luckily for them they do not have to be an offensive juggernaut to win a lot of games and make a run in the postseason. The offense also has another year of experience under their belt against a strong schedule in 2019.
The Coalers should be dangerous all season long and are hands down one of the favorites to win the 2A title. Keep an eye on Coal City, as well as Payton Hutchings, who will be closing out his storied four-year varsity career.
Make sure to follow @PBRIllinois on Twitter for the most up-to-date coverage throughout the 2020 season.
Find more information on the 2020 Coalers Below:
+ Full Schedule
+ Team Website
PBR ILLINOIS PRESEASON POWER 25
- IL Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 1 Edwardsville 3/31/20
- IL Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 2 St. Charles North 3/30/20
- IL Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 3 St. Rita 3/27/20
- IL Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 4 De La Salle 3/26/20
- IL Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 5 Warren 3/25/20
- IL Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 6 Providence Catholic 3/24/20
- IL Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 7 Mount Carmel 3/23/20
- IL Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 8 Normal University 3/23/20
- IL Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 9 Brother Rice 3/20/20
- IL Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 10 Huntley 3/20/20
- IL Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 12 St. Laurence 3/19/20
- IL Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 11 Montini Catholic 3/19/20
- IL Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 13 Lincoln-Way East 3/18/20
- IL Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 14 Crystal Lake South 3/18/20
- IL Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 15 Joliet Catholic 3/17/20
- WI Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 16 Coal City 3/16/20
- IL Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 17 Libertyville 3/12/20
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- IL Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 21 Prairie Ridge 3/11/20
- IL Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 18 Normal West 3/11/20
- IL Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 19 Marist 3/11/20
- IL Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 22 Neuqua Valley 3/10/20
- IL Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 23 Oak Park-River Forest 3/10/20
- IL Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 25 Minooka 3/10/20
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