Stevenson begins the season in the top spot, followed by Libertyville and Grayslake Central.
TOP 10 TEAMS
1. Stevenson (30-10)
The Patriots will rely on a deep pitching staff after winning a Class 4A sectional title last season. Leading the way are senior Nicholas Rayyan (Benedictine), who had a 2.62 ERA, and 6-foot-7 junior Brady Rosenkranz (Missouri). Others who project to see extensive time on the mound are senior Ben Fawcett (Mount St. Mary’s) and sophomore Frank Costabile. The lineup may need some time to take shape, but senior outfielder Brandon Schultz (EIU), who hit .385 with 23 stolen bases, will be the catalyst at the top. Costabile, who hit .327, and senior infielder Brayden Fell (Simpson) also will contribute.
2. Libertyville (21-14)
A trio of talented juniors will have prominent roles for the Wildcats, led by one of the state’s top catchers, Quinn Schambow (Oklahoma State), who hit .436 with 34 RBIs. Junior Joshua Holst (Air Force), who went 4-0 with a 3.89 ERA, will be a top starter and play first base when not he’s not pitching, while junior leadoff man Cole Lockwood (Valparaiso) begins his second full season at shortstop. Two other key pitchers are junior Anthony Fry, who went 4-1 with just six walks in 32 1/3 innings, and senior Sam Calsin. Among the newcomers expected to contribute is Lockwood’s brother Chase, a sophomore third baseman who starts the season batting in the No. 2 hole.
3. Grayslake Central (33-8)
The Rams lost 17 players to graduation after finishing second in Class 3A last season, but coach Troy Whalen expects depth will be a strength with a talented but untested senior class that has waited for its turn and multiple juniors who won more than 22 games as freshmen and sophomores. Among the few returnees are senior center fielder Jordon Dumas, who hit .320 with 21 runs scored, and junior first baseman Cal Hanson, who started every playoff game after a late-season call-up.
4. Mundelein (21-10)
Keeping opposing lineups in check shouldn’t be a problem for the Mustangs with junior Caden Earing (Illinois), who had a 1.22 ERA, and senior Kenny Nanos (Valparaiso), who went 5-0 with a 3.22 ERA. The pitching staff also includes junior Sean Sanderson, who had a 1.84 ERA in his second varsity season, and junior Joey Kafka. Senior third baseman Griffin Troha, who hit .293, and senior first baseman Alex Koontz, who hit .393, will figure prominently in the middle of the order.
5. Lake Forest (21-16)
New coach Mike Nilles, a 2003 Mundelein graduate, takes over a program that has plenty of talent. Spearheading the lineup is senior outfielder Luca Royer (NIU), who hit .300 with 31 RBIs. Sophomore pitcher Callum Morrison, who went 4-1 with a 2.75 ERA, looks to build off his impressive varsity debut. He’ll be joined in the rotation by 6-7 junior Hudson Scroggins. Senior first baseman Collin Sinclair is poised for a breakout season after playing in just three games last year due to injury.
6. Deerfield (17-17)
Junior Mac Jones, who had a 3.28 ERA, will be even more comfortable this season as the top pitcher for the Warriors, who will also rely on senior Ike Schlesinger (Wisconsin-Whitewater). Each has the luxury of pitching to junior catcher Daniel Willner, who threw out 23 of 52 would-be base stealers. Senior first baseman Tyler Bernstein, who hit .344, and sophomore shortstop Easton Newman, who hit .340, will lead the lineup.
7. Lake Zurich (13-13)
The Bears shouldn’t have much trouble scoring runs. Four regulars who hit over .300 return this season: senior shortstop Jonathan Fleaka (UIC), who hit .352; senior third baseman Ryan Kondrad (Parkland), who hit .370; junior catcher AJ Foley, who hit .383; and senior catcher/first baseman Riley O’Donnell, who hit .354. Senior Will Crawford steps into the top spot in the rotation. Keep an eye on junior pitcher Cole Kenyon.
8. Antioch (21-14-1)
The Sequoits have three starting pitchers back to build around with seniors Jack Olson (NIU) and Dylan Feldkamp (Heartland) and junior Nathan Yeager. Olson and Yeager are also two of the team’s best hitters. Expect more from junior catcher Mason Willis, junior outfielder Jackson Mozina and sophomore infielder Zach Rubin, all of whom got varsity experience last season.
9. Grant (17-17)
The Bulldogs have a strong cast of returning players. Senior leadoff hitter Braden Otahal and junior Kyle Stigler, who had a 1.88 ERA, are the top two pitchers. They’ll take turns throwing to the catching tandem of seniors Cole Bush (Baldwin Wallace) and Connor Mirocha (Carthage), who are also run producers in the lineup. Junior shortstop Ryne Dzierzynski will pitch out of the bullpen.
10. Highland Park (14-17)
Pitching will be a strong suit for the Giants with seniors Luke Weber (Illinois), who had a 1.13 ERA, and Michael Pasquesi (Webster). Defense up the middle is solid as senior shortstop David Finfer, who hit .338, and junior second baseman Charlie Cohen return and promising sophomore Shamar Wilson takes over in center field.
25 PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Colin Christensen, Wauconda, senior, outfielder
- Medkao Curry, Carmel, senior, outfielder
- Jordon Dumas, Grayslake Central, senior, outfielder
- Ryne Dzierzynski, Grant, junior, shortstop
- Caden Earing, Mundelein, junior, pitcher
- Ethan Feldman, Grayslake North, senior, outfielder
- David Finfer, Highland Park, senior, shortstop
- Jonathan Fleaka, Lake Zurich, senior, shortstop
- Joshua Holst, Libertyville, junior, pitcher/first baseman
- Jaden Jackson, Lakes, senior, shortstop
- Mac Jones, Deerfield, junior, pitcher
- Owen Klosinski, Lakes, junior, pitcher
- Ryan Kondrad, Lake Zurich, senior, third baseman
- Callum Morrison, Lake Forest, sophomore, pitcher
- Kenny Nanos, Mundelein, senior, pitcher
- Danny Newman, Wauconda, senior, pitcher
- Easton Newman, Deerfield, sophomore, shortstop
- Jack Olson, Antioch, senior, pitcher
- Braden Otahal, Grant, senior, pitcher/outfielder
- Brady Rosenkranz, Stevenson, junior, pitcher
- Luca Royer, Lake Forest, senior, outfielder
- Quinn Schambow, Libertyville, junior, catcher
- Brandon Schultz, Stevenson, senior, outfielder
- Rafael “Junior” Villalobos, Zion-Benton, senior, shortstop
- Luke Weber, Highland Park, senior, pitcher
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.
