Providence takes top spot, but Brother Rice, Joliet Catholic, Lincoln-Way East and St. Laurence form formidable opposition.
Top 10 Teams
1. Providence (30-7-1)
Celtics feature loaded lineup led by junior catcher Enzo Infelise (Oklahoma), who hit .525 as a sophomore and was all-state and Catholic League Blue’s player of the year. Senior second baseman Jackson Smith (Bradley) hit .511 and forms a dynamic middle-infield duo with junior shortstop Nolan Galla (Xavier). Junior pitcher Nate O’Donnell (Creighton) is the ace who also provides a solid bat.
2. Brother Rice (26-16)
Crusaders lost some stars from 2023 Class 4A state runner-up, but cupboard is far from bare. Junior infielders Gavin Triezenberg (Arizona), Aidan Nohava (Eastern Michigan) and Jackson Natanek (Illinois State) are ready to step up, while outfielder Chris Daugherty (Lewis) and pitcher Casey Giemzik (Heartland) are senior leaders.
3. Joliet Catholic (26-8-1)
After winning back-to-back Class 2A state championships, Hilltoppers bump up to 3A and look for a three-peat. They will be paced by senior infielder Jake Troyner (Illinois-Chicago), who hit .433 in 2023, and junior catcher Zach Pomatto. Seniors Aidan Hayse (Tennessee) and Jake Gimbel (Heartland) anchor pitching staff.
4. Lincoln-Way East (31-9)
John McCarthy, who previously coached at Homewood-Flossmoor and Brother Rice, takes over and inherits one of the state’s top prospects in senior infielder Tyler Bell (Kentucky), who hit .446 with nine home runs in earning all-state honors a year ago. Junior Jack Bauer (Virginia) and senior Justyn Hart (Missouri), a transfer from Marian Catholic, lead pitching staff.
5. St. Laurence (30-9)
Senior Kannen Mosher and junior Joe Olson (Louisville) lead talented pitching rotation. The offense has some reloading to do, but senior infielder Jameson Martin (Minnesota), senior outfielder Ryan Seddon (Evansville) and sophomore infielder Daniel Coyle are strong building blocks.
6. Lincoln-Way Central (23-10)
Knights are experienced with two four-year starters and three three-year starters in lineup. Senior catcher Collin Mowry (Louisville) is among the state’s top prospects. Senior utility man Landon Mensik and his brother Luke, a junior infielder/pitcher, are both Xavier recruits. Junior Liam Arsich (Toledo) is a two-way threat.
7. St. Rita (27-12)
Mustangs have loaded senior class powered by catcher Sir Jamison Jones (Oklahoma State), who hit .396 with 45 RBIs in 2023. Designated hitter Jackson Stanek and first baseman Baker Shelhamer are other top bats, while Chris McGrath and Louie Sisto combined for 13 wins last season on the mound.
8. Lincoln-Way West (28-9)
Junior infielder/pitcher Conor Essenburg (Kansas State) is one of state’s top two-way players, hitting seven homers and earning five wins on the mound to earn all-state honors as a sophomore. Senior Colin McCarty (Lakeland) and junior Lucas Acevedo (Illinois-Chicago) add to deep pitching staff.
9. Mount Carmel (20-14)
Caravan are young but talented, with pair of sophomore stars in outfielder/pitcher TJ McQuillan (Louisville) and infielder Joey Ireland (Illinois). Also watch out for junior outfielder Kolin Adams and sophomore pitchers Ian Tosi and Jake Matise.
10. Evergreen Park (24-12)
Mustangs have new coach in former assistant Andrew Massey, but there are several familiar faces for defending South Suburban Red champs. Senior infielder Jack Hughes (Concordia Wisconsin), senior pitcher Grady Elwood and senior catcher Tyler Kummer lead charge.
Brother Rice’s Gavin Triezenberg (16) steps on second base for an out against Mount Carmel during the Class 4A Whitney Young Regional championship game in Chicago on Saturday, May 27, 2023. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
The 25 Players to Watch
- Jack Bauer, Lincoln-Way East, junior, pitcher.
- Tyler Bell, Lincoln-Way East, senior, infielder.
- Sean Cody, Richards, junior, infielder/pitcher.
- Grady Elwood, Evergreen Park, senior, pitcher.
- Conor Essenburg, Lincoln-Way West, junior, infielder/pitcher.
- Aidan Flinn, Marist, junior, pitcher.
- Aidan Hayse, Joliet Catholic, senior, pitcher.
- Demir Heidelberg, Homewood-Flossmoor, junior, infielder/outfielder.
- Jack Hughes, Evergreen Park, senior, infielder.
- Enzo Infelise, Providence, junior, catcher.
- Sir Jamison Jones, St. Rita, senior, catcher.
- Cannon Madej, Lemont, sophomore, pitcher.
- Jameson Martin, St. Laurence, senior, infielder.
- TJ McQuillan, Mount Carmel, sophomore, outfielder/pitcher.
- Landon Mensik, Lincoln-Way Central, senior, utility.
- Collin Mowry, Lincoln-Way Central, senior, catcher.
- Jackson Natanek, Brother Rice, junior, infielder/pitcher.
- Joe Olson, St. Laurence, junior, pitcher.
- Kenny Perez, De La Salle, senior, infielder.
- Nicholas Segreti, Oak Forest, senior, utility.
- Jackson Smith, Providence, senior, infielder.
- Gavin Triezenberg, Brother Rice, junior, infielder.
- Jake Troyner, Joliet Catholic, senior, infielder.
- Jackson Ugo, Andrew, senior, pitcher.
- Matt Wnukowski, Tinley Park, senior, pitcher/outfielder.
