TOP 10 TEAMS
1. Jacobs: Senior pitcher Nathan Chapman (Eastern Illinois) and junior shortstop Anthony Edge (Bradley) lead 11 returnees for Golden Eagles. They also added more power in junior transfer Christian Graves from Marengo. Coach Jamie Murray said it’s the deepest pitching staff he’s had in 10 seasons.
2. Yorkville: New coach Tom Cerven takes over deep, talented roster led by senior shortstop Owen Ross. Foxes bring back entire pitching rotation led by Michael Hilker. Senior catcher Lorenzo Rios transferred from Joliet Catholic. Nate Harris is one of top-ranked sophomores in Illinois.
3. St. Charles East: Saints boast one of top area pitching duos in left-hander Gavin Sitarz (Michigan State) and righty Nathan Hayes (North Dakota State for football). Third baseman Jake Zitella (Illinois) is one of the top junior position players in state.
4. Oswego East: After being derailed by injuries last spring, Noah Schultz (Vanderbilt) and Ashton Izzi (Wichita State) return to form best one-two pitching punch in Illinois. Schultz is the top-ranked senior in the state according to Prep Baseball Report, with Izzi slotted ninth.
5. St. Charles North: North Stars have to replace Nick DeMarco, the Gatorade Illinois Player of the Year, but senior catcher Jayden Lobliner (Kansas State) returns for fourth varsity season. Senior Ryan Caccia is a returning all-conference outfielder. North Stars also added transfers Anthony Estrada and Will Vaske from Marmion.
6. Waubonsie Valley: Logan Gregorio (Benedictine) is a returning all-conference catcher for Warriors. Pitching staff figures to be led by pair of juniors in MJ Liyeos and Jarron Thompson. Thompson, who’s committed to Missouri, is one of the top-ranked junior pitchers in state.
7. Oswego: Junior Tyler Stack (Xavier), one of top junior catchers in state, returns to lead Panthers, who look to compete for title in loaded Southwest Prairie Conference. Joel Johnson and Jordan Logan are committed to Waubonsee Community College, while Camden Pick is going to Tiffin.
8. West Aurora: Matthew Tarr (Kent State) returns to lead Blackhawks on mound, and when he’s not pitching, behind plate. Junior shortstop Ryan Niedzwiedz, who rocketed up prospect lists in Illinois since last season, anchors infield defense.
9. Hampshire: Whip-Purs are young, but junior all-conference catcher Austin Leonard returns to lead way. Matthew Karbowski is back to pace pitching staff. Coach Frank Simoncelli said to keep an eye on junior Colin Miller, who has been clocked at over 90 mph on mound.
10. Harvest Christian: Juniors Jacob Janisko and Jared Rodriguez return to lead pitching staff. Senior outfielder Tommy Abbatacola started as a freshman when Lions reached state finals. Sophomores Gavin Duran and Eloy Suarez also return. Harvest, which drops back down to Class 1A, added three key transfers.
THE 25 PLAYERS TO WATCH
Mason Accidentale, Plano, senior, infielder/pitcher; Jackson Bessette, South Elgin, senior, catcher; Nathan Chapman, Jacobs, senior, pitcher; Anthony Edge, Jacobs, junior, shortstop; Joe Fiorenza, Jacobs, senior, outfielder; Christian Graves, Jacobs, junior, infielder; Tyler Haines, Burlington Central, senior, pitcher; Nate Harris, Yorkville, sophomore, infielder; Nathan Hayes, St. Charles East, senior, pitcher; Ashton Izzi, Oswego East, senior, pitcher; Kyler Kennen, Jacobs, junior, pitcher; LeBaron Lee Jr., Yorkville, junior, pitcher/infielder; Jayden Lobliner, St. Charles North, senior, catcher; Joe Martin, Newark, junior, pitcher; Ryan Niedzwiedz, West Aurora, junior, shortstop; Nolan Perry, Genoa-Kingston, junior, pitcher; Michael Person, Burlington Central, sophomore, pitcher; Owen Ross, Yorkville, senior, shortstop; Noah Schultz, Oswego East, senior, pitcher; Gavin Sitarz, St. Charles East, senior, pitcher; Tyler Stack, Oswego, junior, catcher; Matthew Tarr, West Aurora, senior, pitcher/catcher; Jarron Thompson, Waubonsie Valley, junior, pitcher; Jack Zebig, Marmion, senior, shortstop/pitcher; Jake Zitella, St. Charles East, junior, third baseman.
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
