With the start of the Illinois’ high school baseball season less than 10 days away, it’s time for our staff to release our preseason rankings. At ScoutConnect, we break our IHSA rankings into two different categories, grouping the 3A and 4A into a ‘Large’ school bucket, while doing the same for the 1A and 2A programs as ‘Small’ schools. 

 

It’s important to note that these rankings do not cover the entire state. Our coverage map extends from Peoria on down, and only teams that fall underneath the Peoria line on the state map will be included within our rankings all season long. It’s also important to note that these are just initial rankings, and they will fluctuate throughout as the season rolls on and gameplay starts. 

 

With that being said, continue reading below to learn more about our initial ‘Large School’ rankings for the 2026 IHSA season. 

 

NO. 1, NORMAL COMMUNITY

Fresh off a trip to 4A state and a third place finish, the Ironmen’s 2026 roster is packed with a multitude of integral pieces from last year’s club and enter our preseason rankings as the top team inside our coverage area. Their senior class, in particular, rivals that of anyone in the state, starting on the mound with a pair of power arms in RHP Gavin Swartz (2026; Indiana) and RHP Josh Jones (2026; Indiana State). Both are low-90s arms with premium stuff that can quiet an opposing lineup each time they’re on the mound. Swartz, in particular, was nothing short of dynamic as a junior, punching out 96 batters over 70 ⅓ innings en route to a 2.09 ERA. 

 

Josh Jones

 

MIF Gavin Michaels (2026; Cincinnati) is a double-plus runner that can really pick it on the infield and hit .376 and stole 26 bags as a table-setter from the top of the lineup. C/1B Max Heineman (2026; Illinois-Chicago) was this team’s top offensive performer from a year ago and returns, hitting .471 with a 1.223 OPS that included 18 extra-base hits and 40 RBI. Right behind him is C/1B Drew Stevens (2026; Valparaiso), who also hit four home runs and slashed .387/.504/.624 as an everyday regular. 

 

Gavin Michaels 

 

It doesn’t end there for the Ironmen. RHP Landyn Corbin (2026; Augustana) was excellent in 2025, as the now senior right-hander punched out 56 in a 39 ⅔ inning workload with a 0.71 ERA. OF Carter Harris (2026; Olivet-Nazarene), INF Andrew Naour (2026), and RHP Beckett Weber (2026) are three more members of this senior class that deepen this group even more so. 

 

Turning to their younger levels, keep close tabs on C/CIF Lucas Beaty (2027). The physical right-handed hitter was the only sophomore to see regular offensive playing time on varsity last spring and has a chance to make an impact for this lineup in 2026. INF/OF Owen Knox (2027) and RHP Oliver Vercruysse (2027) are two other juniors of note. 

 

NO. 2, EDWARDSVILLE

It’s a new era of Edwardsville Tigers’ baseball, with their historic 2025 class graduated and a relatively fresh group of faces set to take the field this coming spring. There are a handful of key returners, however, and Edwardsville kicks off this season as one of the top teams on our board, as has become the norm. 

 

Looking at their seniors, INF/RHP Hunter Baugh (2026; Lindenwood), RHP Tony Eberlin (2026; TCU), and RHP Chase Milburn (2026; Heartland CC) are three names that have been impacts on varsity from the very beginning. Baugh is a true two-way talent that should hit right in the middle of this order, play somewhere up the middle defensively, and allowed one earned run (0.15 ERA) in 45 ⅓ innings on the mound last spring. Eberlin’s a power-armed senior right-hander with a fastball that can creep into the low-90s and improved feel for a sharper low-80s slider this winter. As for Milburn, the return of the former All-State selection looms large, and him toeing the rubber later on in the spring will bring an enormous boost to this Tigers’ team. 

 

Hunter Baugh 

 

OF/1B Jack Kirgan (2026), OF Ethan Thomas (2026; Northern State), INF Zane Maxwell (2026), RHP Jax Andreas (2026; SWIC), RHP Andrew McKey (2026), and INF/RHP Mace Karnes (2026) are a handful of other seniors of note for this team. 

 

Dipping into their junior group, RHP Miller Dunnill (2027) is a talented, upside arm that should see innings for the Tigers this spring. C Sutton Leas (2027) showed well at our recent Winter Showcase, IL event, while names like INF/RHP Rhys Gierich (2027) and C/INF Nolan Vojak (2027) have shown well for us in the past. One ‘X-Factor’ type of sorts is INF/RHP Ty Hunt (2027), a transfer from Champaign Centennial who can be a positive for this club on both sides of the ball. 

 

Ty Hunt

 

Expect the Tigers to roll out a handful of youngsters this coming spring season. The most talented, and highest end prospect of the bunch, is INF/RHP Nick Chiarodo (2028), who spent his entire freshman spring on Edwardsville’s varsity club. He’s blossomed into a true two-way impact that can play multiple positions on the infield, hit in the middle of this order, and pitch in the mid-to-upper-80s with strike feel for three secondaries. RHP/OF Tyson Wampler (2028) is a lean, lanky, strike thrower with a low-to-mid-80s fastball and feel to consistently land a low-70s breaking ball for strikes. INF Brennan Hampton (2028) and OF Andrew McCutchen (2029) are two other underclassmen with the potential to play a role for Edwardsville this coming spring. 

 

Nick Chiarodo

 

NO. 3, O’FALLON 

The Panthers made their deepest playoff run in some time last spring, taking down rival Edwardsville in their sectional semi-final game, a hurdle they failed to jump over in years past. A strong core of that group returns for an encore in 2026 with a club capable of pushing itself deep into IHSA postseason play. 

 

Starting with their senior class, O’Fallon has a rock solid core that played a huge role in their success last spring. MIF Carson Bauer (2026; Drury), INF Cole Becker (2026; Central Alabama CC), OF/INF Brayden Robertson (2026; Illinois-Springfield), OF/LHP Anthony Perez (Central Alabama CC), OF/RHP Sam McCollum (2026; Drury), and C Asher Cantu (2026) are all everyday offensive regulars that return from a year ago. Perez and McCollum are also names to watch on the mound, as is Robertson, who we’ve seen pitch in the mid-80s with above-average feel to spin his breaking ball in the past. 

 

Carson Bauer 

 

Two senior arms of note are RHP Dylan Jantz (2026; Kaskaskia) and LHP Owen Stoffel (2026). Both missed all of their junior years, but are back and ready to contribute in a big way for this club. Jantz is a highly physical, power-armed right-hander with a fastball that can creep into the upper-80s and he spins a big, bendy curveball off it. Stoffel’s arm works out of a unique release, pitching in the mid-to-upper-80s with nearly seven feet of extension and spinning a bigger, sweepier slider off it. 

 

Dylan Jantz

 

As far as their junior group goes, the Panthers have a few talented names that can step right in and contribute. INF/RHP Liam Decker (2027) is a name we’re particularly excited about and has done nothing but impress when we’ve seen him this winter. Wiry with all sorts of projection and athleticism, Decker’s fastball can run up into the upper-80s and he also swings a clean, loose, and repeatable right-handed barrel that’ll play nicely into this lineup. C/OF Luka Freidenberg (2027) is a physical right-handed hitter that’s a 6.8 runner and can factor into this mix offensively, while two uncommitted arms that should see time out of the ‘pen are RHP Landon Dippel (2027) and RHP Jonathon Caudle (2027). 

 

Liam Decker

 

The Panthers also have a few underclassmen that are going to heavily factor into this mix. RHP Will Vanderheyden (2028) was nothing short of excellent as a freshman and took a jump up in stuff this winter, now sitting at 86-88 mph with his fastball while throwing three secondaries for strikes. OF/LHP Trey Hrasky (2028) can really, really run and has a chance to be an everyday starter in the outfield, while LHP Lavin Tull (2028) has a loose, athletic arm with a fastball that plays in the low-80s. 

 

Will Vanderheyden

 

NO. 4, TRIAD 

Triad made the deepest playoff run of any team in the Metro East last spring, finishing the year with a third place finish at the IHSA 3A state playoffs. A bulk of the Knights core from last season departed when their 2025 class graduated, but Triad’s built itself into a perennial contender, and they’re once again one of the top teams on our board. 

 

Back for the Knights is RHP/INF Nolan Keller (2026; Kaskaskia JC). The ace of last year’s club, Keller pitched to a 1.05 ERA over 60 innings of work, striking out 49 while walking only 10. His fastball plays in the mid-80s and he can throw both of his secondaries, SL/CH mix, for strikes on command. OF/INF Braxton Yates (2026; Lewis & Clark) and INF/OF Carter Gaskill (2026; Illinois-Springfield) are two regulars that return from last year’s offense. On the mound, LHP Pearce Goodfield (2026; SWIC) and RHP Grayson Yank (2026) are a pair of senior arms that bring experience to this staff. 

 

Nolan Keller

 

The depth and talent in Triad’s junior class is a driving factor behind why we’re so high on this group. That group starts with 1B Keegan Seipp (2027; Xavier), who’s one of the top all-around offensive threats in the area, regardless of class. The highly physical left-handed hitter slashed .359/.427/.609 with six home runs and 44 RBI in his first spring with Triad and should once again be a massive performer in the heart of this lineup. INF Kannon Seipp (2027; Jefferson JC) hit .328 in 64 at-bats in 2025 and is ready to slot into an everyday role this coming spring. RHP/CIF Brody Hasquin (2027) and RHP/INF Nathan Klucker (2027) have been getting it done on the mound for Triad since their freshman seasons and bring reliable, experienced depth to this pitching staff. OF Auggie Bugger (2027) is a polished left-handed hitter that has always shown well in our looks, while C Kade Rocca (2027) swings a power-packed, physical right-handed barrel and should see plenty of time behind the plate. INF Maddux Hunt (2027) is a sure-handed, reliable defender that can play just about anywhere on the infield. 

 

Keegan Seipp

 

As far as underclassmen go, RHP Matt Morris (2028) is a name that’s expected to jump into a much more expansive role this coming spring. Morris saw time on varsity as a freshman, pitching to a 0.41 ERA over 17 innings of work in three starts, and he’s a low-to-mid-80s strike thrower that has the potential to be a staple for this pitching staff. OF Nolan Miller (2028) has done nothing but hit, and for power, when we’ve seen him, and is a long, lanky, mutli-sport athlete capable of factoring into this mix. One other name to know is INF/RHP Kody Anderson (2029), who’s one of the more talented freshmen in the Metro East. 

 

Matt Morris

 

NO. 5, DUNLAP 

Dunlap finished last spring with a 28-8 record, ending their season with a sectional semi-final loss to Morris. One of the top teams in central Illinois for the past few years now, the Eagles enter this spring with a talented roster that finds itself near the top in our rankings. 

 

On the mound, RHP Landon Gray (2026; Luther College) figures to be one of this team’s top arms yet again. As a junior, Gray pitched to a 0.38 ERA over 37 innings of work, striking out 42 and walking 14. Staying with their seniors, MIF Simon Malcolm brings back a .365 batting average and should be one of this team’s top offensive performers yet again. OF/QB1 Truman Tyra (2026) is a highly athletic, multi-sport athlete that could bring some juice out of the ‘pen for the Eagles. 

 

The Eagles’ junior class has a chance to be the difference maker for this club. INF/RHP Eli Michanicou (2027) stands out for his physicality and ability to play a role on both sides of the ball for this team. We recently saw him at an event this winter, where he took a loud round of BP, and pitched at 86-87 mph on the mound with his fastball. RHP Brett Alkire (2027) and RHP Carter Lippens (2027) are a pair of upper-80s to low-90s arms that add some more high octane stuff to this pitching staff. INF Jake Weeks (2027), the younger brother of former Dunlap star Davis Weeks (2025; Michigan State), has a strong, clean left-handed swing that should fit nicely into this offense. CIF Isaac Babbs (2027) and C/CIF Gavin Gibbs (2027) are a pair of physical right-handed hitting juniors that should also factor into this lineup. 

 

Eli Michanicou

 

Dunlap’s most talented player may be MIF Ryder Rynette (2028), a polished left-handed bat who hit .333 as a freshman and has a chance to be one of the Peoria area’s top performers this spring. He’ll jump into an even more prominent role offensively and is likely to be the Eagles’ everyday starter at shortstop. CIF/RHP Dean Marchand (2028), 1B Braxton Hightower (2028), and INF/RHP Joel Nava (2028) are three other sophomores of note. 

 

Dean Marchand

 

NO. 6, SACRED-HEART GRIFFIN

The reigning 2A state champs are jumping up in class this spring and are, once again, among the top teams in their respective grouping. They’ll be without Andy Antonacci (2025; Heartland CC), who was a huge contributor to their championship run, but do return a majority of the pieces that helped them bring home last year’s 2A crown. 

 

This senior class will lead the charge once again for the Cyclones. Not only are they experienced, they’re talented, and they’re particularly strong defensively through the middle of the field. INF/C Carson Butler (2026; Heartland CC), OF Ty Springer (2026; Lincoln Land CC), OF/RHP Drew Ward (2026; Illinois-Wesleyan), RHP Will Pennell (2026; Lincoln Land CC), LHP Will Coady (2026), and CIF Seth Monk (2026) are all high contributors from last year’s group who are back. 

 

Carson Butler

 

MIF Austin Rutter (2027) and C Mikey Groesch (2027) are two juniors that were successful in everyday roles last spring for the Cyclones who return. INF Ethan Cour (2027), 1B Dylan Clow (2027), and RHP/OF Chase Beckham (2027) are three other juniors that should jump in as regular contributors. As far as their underclassmen go, names like INF Levi Daly (2028) and RHP/OF Graham Trello (2028) are worth noting. 

 

Austin Rutter

 

NO. 7, WATERLOO

It’ll be the first time in quite a while that the Waterloo program is under new leadership, as Garrett Schlecht enters year one at the helm of the Bulldogs’ baseball team. He inherits a group that figures to be one of the toughest outs in the Mississippi Valley Conference and, in our eyes, is one of the top 3A teams inside our coverage area. 

 

Stability at the top of a pitching staff is always important, and Waterloo has that with RHP Conrad Lindhorst (2026; Lincoln Land CC). In nine starts last spring, Lindhorst threw three complete games and pitched to a 2.68 ERA over 47 innings of work, striking out 42 and walking only 14. LHP Alex Harper (2026; St. Charles CC) is another senior arm of note, while INF Drake Luedeman (2026) and OF Caleb Papenberg (2026) are two returners from last year’s offense. 

 

Conrad Lindhorst

 

The Bulldogs’ junior and sophomore classes are where this particular team is going to make its money. C/RHP Trey Conrod (2027) returns after an all-conference sophomore season in which he hit .356 with a .930 OPS. He’s one of the top juniors in the Metro East and has also recently taken a stride up on the mound, pitching in the upper-80s with his fastball while spinning a sharp, tight upper-70s slider. OF/RHP Cannon Richard (2027) can also run his fastball into the mid-to-upper-80s and is a strong, athletic right-handed bat that’s going to factor in as an everyday contributor for this club. CIF Tanner Chamberlain (2027) and INF Austin Martin (2027) are two other right-handed bats in this junior class that can be impacts as the spring rolls on. 

 

Trey Conrod

 

As for their sophomores, two names of note are RHP/OF Avner Christian (2028) and LHP/1B Chase Zimmerman (2028). Christian took a jump up in stuff this winter, now pitching at 83-85, and bumping up to 86-87 mph with his fastball, while throwing his breaking ball in the zone more consistently, too. Zimmerman pitched to a 0.69 ERA in 20 ⅓ innings as a freshman last spring and is a low-80s strike-thrower with strike feel for a big, bendy upper-60s curveball. He should also factor into this offensive mix plenty as a physical left-handed bat that’s impressed our staff at the plate in previous looks. 

 

Avner Christian

 

NO. 8, EAST PEORIA 

Coming off a 27-9 season, East Peoria brings back a highly talented senior class that’s capable of carrying this roster to greater heights in 2026. That starts with RHP/INF RJ Duncheon (2026; Illinois State), a dynamic two-way talent that’s going to give the Raiders a chance to win each game he’s on the mound. At the ScoutConnect Pro Day in February, Duncheon pitched in the low-90s on the mound with above-average feel to both his secondaries, including a diving changeup that’s certain to give hitters fits throughout the spring. He’s also plenty capable of contributing at the plate and is coming off an excellent season at the plate in which he hit above .450 and totaled 15+ extra-base hits. 

 

RJ Duncheon

 

Sticking with their seniors, INF Jackson Ahrens (2026; Kirkwood) and CIF Auggie Lohnes (2026; Illinois Central JC) are two returners that are going to be major impacts for this club. Ahrens can really pick it at shortstop and he impressed our staff this past summer with his efforts at the plate. Lohnes is a highly physical, middle-of-the-order right-handed bat that’ll form an excellent power-packed duo with the aforementioned Duncheon. INF/RHP Jordan Marsh (2026) and OF Roman Moody (2026) are two other seniors to keep an eye on this coming spring. 

 

Jackson Ahrens

 

NO. 9, GLENWOOD 

Few in the state have been as consistent as Glenwood on a year-to-year basis. You can almost guarantee that the Titans are going to win 20+ games each spring and will be a tough out when postseason play rolls around. To the surprise of none, that statement still bears true for this coming spring. 

 

Taking over the reins of this pitching staff is RHP/OF Dylan Huff (2026; Toledo), an upper-80s to low-90s arm that also rips off a true swing-and-miss breaking ball. Huff was also one of the Titans’ top offensive threats last spring, launching six home runs and finishing the year with a .353 batting average. 

 

Dylan Huff

 

OF/RHP Grady Mueller (2026), a North Central College football commit, hit .457 in 92 at-bats in 2025 with seven extra-base hits and 22 RBI. Captaining the ship behind the plate is C/QB1 Colten Knoedler (2026; Lincoln Land CC), a highly physical right-handed bat that turned the corner offensively in 2025, hitting .384 as an everyday regular. INF Michael Lucas (2026; Lincoln Land CC), INF Daulton Nunes (2026; Lewis & Clark CC), RHP Tristan Schwindt (2026), OF Quinten Hale (2027), and C Tucker Murphy (2027) are a few other upperclassmen worth highlighting for this club. 

 

Colten Knoedler

 

NO. 10, MORTON 

The Potters are another team under new leadership, as head coach Ryan Lindley enters his first year at the helm of one of the more successful programs in central Illinois. 

 

This Morton group offers a blend of proven contributors and talented, inexperienced prospects. With their seniors, LHP Matt Sander (2026; Milliken) and RHP/INF Collin Burns (2026; McHenry CC) are two senior arms that are expected to anchor this staff this coming spring. CIF/RHP Cameron Crawford (2026; Jefferson College) can also be a contributor on the mound, but is more known for his efforts at the plate, as a physical, middle-of-the-order right-handed bat that should provide plenty of thump for this team. RHP/INF Camden Taylor (2026; Dubuque) is also a returner on the mound, while SS Owen Adams (2026) is back after earning second team all-conference honors a year ago. 

 

Collin Burns

 

How productive the Potters junior class is may ultimately be the determining factor as to how successful this particular group will be. C Hudson Lovell (2027) swings a highly physical right-handed barrel and is back as their everyday catcher while also serving as a true middle-of-the-order threat. MIF Jude Parnham (2027) has done nothing but show well when we’ve seen him and adds another strong right-handed bat into this lineup. UTL Logan Martin (2027) is another junior that’s likely going to play a big role for this team. 

 

Jude Parnham

 

Two junior arms that will be relied upon often are LHP Carson Mitchell (2027) and RHP Anderson Boss (2027). Mitchell is an athletic southpaw with a short, quick arm stroke that can spin a tight breaking ball for strikes and pitches in the low-to-mid-80s. Boss was one of the biggest winners from our Winter Showcase, IL event, toeing the rubber with a highly physical frame and all sorts of athleticism. On that day, his fastball played at 86-87, touching 88 mph, and he consistently threw a short, tight slider for strikes. 

 

Anderson Boss

 

NO. 11, BELLEVILLE WEST

Always competitive under head coach Todd Baltz, the Maroons return a great deal from a team that played just about everyone in the Metro East tough all year long. They have one of the top defensive catchers in the state, regardless of class, in C Braden Fournie (2026; Lindenwood), who made a big jump offensively last season and slashed .337/.457/.523. LHP Chase Boente (2026) earned All-Conference honors after posting a 1.42 ERA in 44 ⅓ innings last spring, and OF/MIF Bryce Schaltenbrand (2026; Kaskaskia) is a name that did nothing but hit when we saw him throughout our summer circuit, and INF Adam Bilzing (2026) saw success at the varsity level last spring. 

 

Braden Fournie

 

For their juniors, Belleville West brings back 1B AJ Fultz (2027), a strong, polished right-handed bat that hit .359 in a 39 at-bat sample size last spring. OF Parker Wells (2027) figures to be an impact in his first full season of varsity action and was a big winner from our Winter Showcase, IL, a few weeks ago. MIF Max Fezel (2027) saw time on varsity last spring as a sophomore and OF/RHP Caiden Capell (2027) is a multi-sport athlete that will see time for this team in the spring. RHP Jack Harris (2027) and LHP Lucas Womack (2027) are a pair of talented junior arms that are likely to take on a heavier workload between the two of them this spring. 

 

Parker Wells

 

The Maroons also have one of the area’s more talented sophomores in OF Wyatt Robinson (2028). A physical left-handed bat that performed in-game plenty when we saw him at our events last year, Robinson’s pure power potential makes him an intriguing option for this offense from the jump. How often, and quickly, he finds himself in the lineup is unknown, but his emergence adds another talented piece to this club. 

 

Wyatt Robinson

 

NO. 12, CHAMPAIGN CENTRAL 

Winning has been a consistent formula for the Maroons under head coach John Staab. The 23-year coaching veteran enters the 2026 season with 506 career wins under his belt and leads a program that has won more than 20+ games in every season dating back to 2014. Last year, the Maroons went 26-13-1 and made a trip to their respective 3A Super-Sectional before falling to Triad. 

 

Returning on the mound for Champaign Central is one of the more intriguing MLB Draft arms of this year’s cycle in RHP Tre Cole (2026; Wright State). A physical, highly athletic right-hander, Cole has been up to 95 mph this winter and has some of the more powerful, potentially dynamic stuff in the state. Consistency will be the key, but Cole checks every box from a frontline arm standpoint and will give this team a chance to win each time he’s on the rubber.

 

Catching Cole this spring will be junior backstop John Timmons (2027), a long-levered, lean, wiry athlete that will captain this pitching staff from behind the dish. Two highly talented sophomores that are certainly going to be impacts are OF/RHP Ryan Pipkins (2028) and INF/RHP Nic Bralts (2028). Pipkins has easy juice from the left side and can really hit, profiling nicely at the top of this lineup while also bringing a mid-80s arm to the mound. Bralts is a longer, more wiry right-handed hitter with a fluid, projectable right-handed swing and can also pitch in the mid-80s on the mound. 

 

NO. 13, MAHOMET-SEYMOUR

Another central Illinois program that’s seen plenty of success over the past few years is Mahomet-Seymour. Since the 2022 season, the Bulldogs have won 109 games and lost just 33 under the leadership of head coach Nic DiFilippo. 

 

Returning for Mahomet-Seymour on the mound are two key seniors in RHP Max Young (2026; SWIC) and RHP Austin Wike (2026; Spoon River JC). Young, an all-conference honoree last season as a junior, can run his fastball into the upper-80s with a loose, fast arm that can also really spin a sharp mid-70s slider. Wike pitches in the mid-80s with feel for an upper-70s changeup and can also spin a pair of breaking balls. 

 

Max Young

 

C/INF Paxson O’Malley (2027) and INF Logan Wade (2027) are two right-handed hitting juniors that should play a prominent role for this offense. INF/RHP Bradley Jones (2028) is a highly talented sophomore that’s likely to impact this club on both sides of the ball. INF/RHP Camden Beedy (2028) and 1B Wil Selk (2028) are two other underclassmen capable of producing for the Bulldogs this spring. 

 

NO. 14, MT. ZION 

It’s a new era of baseball for the Braves, as head coach Luke Highly steps into his first season as the leader of a program that’s been plenty competitive over the past couple of years. The Braves will have big shoes to fill with the departure of their 2025 class, especially OF/LHP Sam Driscoll (2025; Lindenwood), but this is a young, talented team that’s capable of making some noise in the Apollo Conference. 

 

Mt. Zion’s junior class is going to play a huge part in what this team wants to accomplish this coming season, and it starts with RHP/OF Connor Fox (2027). He’ll step into the role of staff ace and is a mid-to-upper-80s arm with advanced feel for two quality secondaries; a sweeping mid-70s slider and hard-running changeup in the upper-70s. Fox will also be one of this team’s top offensive threats and his ability to produce all-around will be pivotal for this club to succeed. 

 

Connor Fox

 

Three other juniors that showed well for us this winter are 3B Evan Howley (2027), OF Kellen Bollhorst (2027), and RHP Landon Workman (2027). Howley’s physicality is hard to miss, and he was all over the barrel at the SBA Scout Day with authority, punishing baseballs on repeat to the pull-side from a short right-handed swing. He’ll slot right back into the middle of this lineup like he did a year ago and has the ability to be a true middle-of-the-order masher for the Braves. Bollhorst is a highly athletic right-handed bat that can really run and cleaned up his swing this winter, serving as a potential top-of-the-order bat for this group. Workman’s long and lanky frame brings plenty of projection to the mound, producing a mid-80s fastball with two strong secondaries (SL/CH) that make for an all-around effective pitch mix when he’s in the zone. Four other upperclassmen of note are INF/RHP Peyton Delgado (2027), INF/RHP Keegan Durbin (2027), OF/RHP Brock Foster (2026), and 1B/RHP Jaxson Nickell (2026; Milliken). 

 

Evan Howley

 

One sophomore that has the potential to make an impact for the Braves is MIF Davis Venters (2028). Still wiry with long levers and projection, Venters has gotten more physical this winter, and he’s only going to continue trending upward in that regard. His hands work loose at the plate and help keep a level barrel path through the zone that helps him spray line drives to all fields consistently from the right side. Expect him to play at either up-the-middle spot as well defensively, or on the corner, where he can provide quality defensive value with the glove. 

 

Davis Venters

 

NO. 15, MASCOUTAH 

One of the top 3A teams in southern Illinois on a year-to-year basis, the Indians have proven themselves to be a winner under head coach Don Eddy. It’ll be a relatively new group this coming year, with several key pieces from each of their last two seasons gone due to graduation. Still, Mascoutah doesn’t rebuild, they reload, and the Indians will enter 2026 with their eyes on continued success, something they haven’t lacked in recent memory. 

 

Looking at their seniors, INF/RHP Nolan Lebert (2026; Olivet Nazarene) is a name that jumps off the page right away. The first team All-Conference honoree hit .355 last spring with a .995 OPS and led the charge from the top of Mascoutah’s offense all season long. He’s also going to be one of their top arms, returning a 3.14 ERA over 42 ⅓ innings with 35 punchouts and only eight walks. C/OF Carson Moll (2026; Rend Lake) and OF/1B Nathan Walker (2026; SWIC) are two other returning seniors of note. Moll, a second team all-conference selection a year ago, hit .303 with seven doubles and 29 RBI. The left-handed hitting Walker brings back a .311 batting average and .932 OPS, including 10 extra-base hits and 15 RBI. 

 

Nolan Lebert

 

One huge factor behind Mascoutah’s success this spring will be RHP/INF Darren Klein (2027), who’s one of the top juniors in the Metro East. Klein’s ability to impact the baseball on both sides is noteworthy, as he hit .368 in 76 at-bats last spring and reached base at a .510 clip while also pitching to a 3.53 ERA in 41 ⅔ innings of work. INF Gabe James (2027) and C/CIF CJ Epps (2027) are two other juniors to know for this club. 

 

Darren Klein

 

Expect freshmen RHP Brandon Klein (2029) to integrate himself as a big piece for this club. The long, lanky, athletic right-hander is quickly cementing his status as one of the top freshmen in the area. Klein blends pure pitchability and competitiveness with a low-80s fastball and two quality secondaries, and he’s expected to see the mound plenty in his first season of high school ball.