Lincoln-Way West’s Cole Crafton is not playing the “what if” game.
The two-sport standout is sidelined for his senior season in baseball after suffering an ACL tear playing football in the fall.
So far, he has had the best and worst seat in the house this spring — on the bench, watching his teammates — while the Warriors opened the season with a 21-0 record.
“Of course, this is the year we go undefeated as of right now,” he said with a smile.
The Louisville recruit was ranked as the fourth-best player in Illinois during the preseason according to Prep Baseball Report.
Crafton also was called a “high ceiling” MLB draft prospect by national analyst Adam Salorio after Crafton’s explosive summer season at various tournaments and showcases.
But while playing quarterback, Crafton was injured during Lincoln-Way West’s 28-14 loss to Belleville East in a Sept. 8 regular-season game at Illinois Wesleyan in Bloomington.
“I planted my foot to make a cut, and right away, I heard that pop,” Crafton said. “I knew it was going to be an ACL tear.”
Lincoln-Way West quarterback Cole Crafton (2) attempts a pass against Stagg during a SouthWest Suburban Red game in Palos Hills on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)
Here is the “what if” scenario.
What if Crafton didn’t play football and didn’t get injured? He could have been a major force in a powerhouse lineup for the Warriors in baseball. In June, he could have been waiting to hear his name called in the MLB draft.
The kicker? He wasn’t even planning to play football last fall.
“I knew with the draft coming up, I had a good chance of getting drafted,” Crafton said. “But then at the last second, I was like, ‘This is my senior year and I gotta play.’ I thought I was going to regret it if I didn’t.”
Lincoln-Way West’s Cole Crafton scores a run as Lockport catcher Matt Merk catches the ball during the Class 4A Lockport Sectional championship game on Saturday, June 4, 2022. (Jon Cunningham / Daily Southtown)
While his decision didn’t turn out the way he thought it would, Crafton doesn’t regret his decision to play football. And he’s planning on turning a negative into a positive for his baseball career.
“At first, it was like, ‘It is what it is and now I have to get back into the weight room and get stronger,’” he said of the injury. “I knew I was going to come back. And I’m going to come back and be 100% better than I was.”
Kansas State-bound teammate Conor Essenburg misses having Crafton in the lineup.
“When I heard about it, I’m not going to lie, I was pretty mad,” Essenburg said of Crafton’s injury. “I was hitting with him, and he kept telling me, ‘I’m not going to play football. I’m not going to play football.’
“Then he plays football and gets hurt. There’s nothing you can do about it now. It already happened. It’s in the past. I definitely miss him playing. He was one of my favorite teammates growing up.”
Lincoln-Way West’s Cole Crafton (11) gets greeted by his teammates after scoring a run against the host Porters during the Class 4A Lockport Sectional championship game on Saturday, June 4, 2022. (Jon Cunningham / Daily Southtown)
Lincoln-Way West coach Jake Zajc also misses having Crafton in the lineup but appreciates his dedication to the team even though he’s not playing.
“He’s been at our games and practice and wanted to go on our Georgia trip to be with the team,” Zajc said of Crafton. “He helps out with stats, and he’s always helping guys who are frustrated because he’s been through it.
“He’s had ups and downs and he’s learned from it. He’s trying to pass it down to some of those guys.”
Crafton, who committed to Louisville in 2020 before even playing in his first high school game, is on a recovery plan that he figures will allow him to be play fall ball for the Cardinals.
He has been in contact with their coaches and said they have been supportive.
“They told me it was all good and not to worry about it,” Crafton said, “They told me, ‘Get stronger and we’ll see you on campus.’”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
