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. 

 

Earlier this week, we debuted our initial ‘Large School’ rankings, which you can find by clicking HERE. 

 

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 ‘Small School’’ rankings for the 2026 IHSA season. 

 

NO. 1, ST. JOSEPH-OGDEN

A perennial contender at the 2A level in central Illinois, the Spartans had an excellent season in 2025, finishing with a 32-3 mark. Head coach Josh Haley’s group returns an abundance of players from that group and enter this season as the top club on our ‘Small School’ list. 

 

The talent and experience held within this Spartans’ senior class is impressive and makes up a core group of names that pushed them to the success they had a season ago. It starts with a pair of All-State honorees in RHP/OF Trevor Ames (2026; Morton College) and RHP/1B Bryson Houchens (2026; Morton College). Ames punched out 34 batters and pitched to a 0.29 ERA a season ago, while also batting .437 with a pair of home runs, nine doubles, and 32 RBI. Houchens struck out 39 batters with a 2.62 ERA as a junior and had an explosive season at the plate, batting .466 with seven home runs, 23 doubles, and 43 RBI. 

 

 

Two power arms to keep an eye on for this staff are RHP Asher Pruemer (2026; Kaskaskia JC) and RHP Parker Fitch (2026; Lake Land). Pruemer is a long, lanky, athletic arm that went 8-0 last spring with 57 strikeouts and a 0.31 ERA, while Fitch fanned 51 batters and posted a 2.93 ERA. OF Logan Rosenthal (2026; Heartland CC) can really run, swiping 27 bags and hitting .322 as a junior with eight doubles and 23 RBI. C Will Haley (2026; Kankakee CC) returns behind the plate, bringing back with him a .270 batting average with nine extra-base hits, 23 RBI, and 18 stolen bases. 

 

While most of the Spartans’ production will come from their senior core, there are a few juniors that will be called upon to contribute in key spots. MIF Finn Miller (2027), OF/RHP Tyler Wright (2027), and MIF/RHP Dalton York (2027) are three names to keep an eye out for this spring. 

 

NO. 2, FATHER MCGIVNEY 

Bumping up in class, one of the state’s top 1A teams figures to stay the course and cement themselves as now a top 2A club. 

 

A big core of their team from a year ago departed to graduation, but the Griffins do bring back multiple talented names that were a part of their state run. That starts with OF Omar Avalos Jr. (2027; SIUE), a highly athletic left-handed bat that was absolutely brilliant a year ago. As a sophomore, Avalos hit .393 with a 1.265 OPS in 122 at-bats, homering eight times and driving in 39 runs with 33 stolen bases. He’ll be the engine that drives this lineup and is in the running for being one of the more productive players in the Metro East. 

 

Omar Avalos Jr. 

 

For their seniors, OF/LHP Ben Sink (2026; Illinois-Springfield) and RHP/1B Isaac Wendler (2026; Illinois-Springfield) are two high impact names that return. Sink, a left-handed hitter, slashed .344/.496/.510 with 11 extra-base hits, 37 RBI, and added a 1.50 ERA over 32 ⅔ innings on the mound last spring. Wendler is a physical right-handed bat that hit .402 with a 1.248 OPS and five home runs, driving in 44 runs while also doubling 14 times. He too is a contributor on the mound, pitching in the upper-80s with a heavy fastball that struck out 57 batters in 33 innings of work to the tune of a 1.91 ERA. 

 

Isaac Wendler

 

Look for MIF Ty Etcheson (2026; John Wood CC) and C/CIF Scott Phelps (2026; Kaskaskia JC) to continue building on the success they both saw a year ago. Etcheson’s glove and ability to play multiple spots on the infield is important, and he can jump on the mound as well, providing more versatility to this group. Phelps, a left-handed bat, took a huge step forward last spring, hitting .398 with 14 extra-base hits and 41 RBI while working as the Griffins everyday backstop. 

 

Scott Phelps

 

The Griffins will rely on several relatively fresh faces to step into consistent, everyday roles this coming spring. MIF Jack Rolves (2027) is one of our staff’s personal favorites as a wiry, athletic, and projectable right-handed bat that can flat-out pick it on the infield. RHP Aiden Willis (2027) brings a physical frame to the mound and is a mid-80s arm with spin feel that will take a jump up in innings this spring. CIF/RHP Jacoby Danco (2027), CIF Max Reznack (2027), C Grant Reed (2028), and CIF Paddy Martin (2028) are a few other names to know.

 

Jack Rolves

 

NO. 3 , TEUTOPOLIS 

Coming off a runner-up finish in the 2A state playoffs, the Wooden Shoes enter this coming spring as one of the top teams in the classification yet again. 

 

It’ll start with their seniors, particularly on the mound, where a trio of experienced arms with a track record of in-game performance return. RHP Austin Borries (2026; Lindenwood) leads the charge as a physical right-handed arm that can pitch in the mid-to-upper-80s and pound the strike zone with a pair of secondaries. LHP/OF Davin Worman (2026; Kaskaskia JC) has made a jump this winter, now pitching in the upper-80s, and pairing that with above average feel for a fading changeup. Rounding out the group is RHP Gavin Addis (2026; Parkland JC), a long, lanky right-hander with a mid-80s fastball and feel to spin a big, bendy breaking ball. 

 

Austin Borries

 

All three of those arms will also serve as impact bats for this team, especially Worman, who’s left-handed swing plays nicely at the top of this lineup. Behind the plate to catch these arms is C Jason Kreke (2026; Kaskaskia JC), an experienced, physical right-handed bat that’ll captain this pitching staff and hit right in the middle of this order. 

 

Jason Kreke

 

Teutopolis has a handful of juniors that will elevate into more expansive roles this spring as well. LHP/OF Aidan Niemerg (2027) is an athletic southpaw that can really pitch and will also be a key position player for this club. RHP Caleb Deters (2027) adds another talented arm to this group as a long-levered, athletic right-hander that threw 36 ⅓ innings for them a year ago as a sophomore. C Michael Habing (2027) swings a strong right-handed barrel and is a physical backstop that will play his way into a role as well. 

 

Aidan Niemerg

 

NO. 4, ST. ANTHONY

St. Anthony has been one of the more successful 2A teams in Illinois over the past few seasons, capturing the 2024 state championship and making a run to their sectional championship last season. A bulk of that success can be attributed to their 2025 class, which featured RHP Brock Fearday (2025; SWIC) and 1B Brady Hatton (2025; Kaskaskia JC), but this year’s Bulldog group enters the season capable of competing at a high level once again. 

 

Starting with their seniors, OF/RHP Aiden Lauritzen (2026; Illinois-Wesleyan) will look to put the finishing touches on what’s been an excellent high school career. He’s a polished, high impact left-handed hitter that’ll profile nicely in the heart of this lineup, and can also really pitch on the mound, featuring a mid-to-upper-80s fastball with strike feel for a pair of breaking balls. 

 

Aiden Lauritzen

 

Expect OF Henry Brent (2026) to once again be a productive performer towards the top of this lineup. Brent swings a short, simple, and strong left-handed barrel that’s always hit in our looks, whether it’s in the spring season or at our summer tournaments. RHP Xander Beals (2026; Wisconsin-Stout) is another senior to know with a loose, athletic arm that can pitch in the low-to-mid-80s with his fastball and feel for a changeup. 

 

Henry Brent

 

St. Anthony is also home to one of the premier juniors in the state in RHP Charley Spour (2027). Still uncommitted, Spour attended our Pro Day in February, and hit 95 with his fastball five times, while pitching at 92-94 mph. He also spins a tight, short slider in the low-80s, and is still developing a relatively new changeup to his arsenal in the mid-80s. Consistency will be key for Spour, but the arm talent is undeniably electric, and he will shut down nearly every lineup he faces if he’s near the zone often. 

 

Charley Spour 

 

Two other juniors of note are INF/RHP Alex Mayer (2027) and RHP/CIF Chase Dorris (2027). Mayer returns after serving as the Bulldogs regular shortstop a year ago and he’s also a quality, consistent strike-thrower on the mound. Dorris is another arm that fills up the strike zone, showing a fastball at 82-84 mph at our Winter Showcase, IL event a few weeks back with feel to land his breaking ball in the zone. 

 

Alex Mayer

 

NO. 5, FREEBURG

The Midgets junior class will be the driving factor for this club. C/RHP Beau Breyman (2027) is one of the area’s top ‘27 grads, returning a .343/.395/.529 triple-slash as a sophomore with eight extra-base hits. He’s arguably the top defensive catcher in the area for his class and gives Freeburg a massive advantage behind the plate, particularly in controlling the run game. INF Dane Johnson (2027) is another name to know returner for this club that will hit in the middle of this lineup and has a proven track record of performing in game. As a sophomore last spring, Johnson hit .323 in 65 at-bats and parlayed that success throughout the summer circuit, where he did nothing but hit when we saw him at ScoutConnect tournaments. 

 

Beau Breyman

 

Two junior arms of note to keep an eye on are RHP Liam Scaiefe (2027) and LHP/OF Jonathan Barlow (2027). Scaiefe, the presumed ace of this staff, is a highly physical 6-foot-4, 200-pound athlete with a loose, free-flowing ¾ arm slot that produces an upper-80s fastball and can really spin a mid-to-upper-70s slider. Barlow is a long-levered, loose, and athletic southpaw that was consistently pitching at 85-87 mph this winter with two above-average secondaries. He has a chance to be a dynamic arm for this staff if he’s in the zone consistently and will also add a left-handed bat to the Midgets’ lineup. 

 

Liam Scaiefe

 

Looking throughout the roster, Freeburg does return a handful of seniors that should play consistent roles and return from a year ago. INF Cole Miller (2026; McKendree) was a regular throughout his junior year and brings back a right-handed bat that hit in the middle of this lineup. RHP/CIF Cohen Merrill (2026) and INF Rory Brueggemann (2026) are two other seniors to know. 

 

Cole Miller

 

NO. 6, EFFINGHAM

A program that’s known for its winning ways, Effingham bumps down a classification from last spring, as the Hearts will now compete at the 2A level.

It’s a strong core of returners for head coach Curran McNeely’s squad. RHP Max Flack (2026; Lake Land) is a physical two-way contributor who’s particularly impactful on the mound, pitching in the mid-to-upper-80s with his fastball. OF Andrew Wagoner (2026; Parkland JC) returns top-of-the-lineup production from last year and is a scrappy, high energy player that will lead the charge for this offense. C Keegan Koester (2026; Greenville) and INF Wade Bushur (2026) are two other senior bats that’ll contribute to this club. 

 

Max Flack

 

The top prospect on this Hearts’ team is OF/LHP Carter Braddy (2027), an uncommitted two-way junior that’ll be a big contributor on both sides of the ball. At the plate, Braddy swings a powerful left-handed barrel that’ll profile nicely in the middle of this lineup as one of Effingham’s main run producers. He’s also a mid-to-upper-80s arm on the mound with one of the better left-handed changeups in the state’s junior class, and improved feel to spin his breaking ball this winter. 

 

Carter Braddy

 

Braddy’s impact will be felt, as will that of INF/RHP Jude Traub (2027), another top returner for this club. The strong, compact right-handed hitter served as the Hearts’ regular shortstop a spring ago, and he can also jump on the mound, pitching in the low-to-mid-80s and deepening this group even more so. 

 

Jude Traub

 

NO. 7, ROCHESTER 

Rochester is another team on this list bumping down in class, as the Rockets will participate at the 2A level this coming spring. 

 

This offense is known for its ability to slug and score runs in bunches, and that starts with CIF/RHP Ajay Runkel (2026; Illinois-Springfield). Packed with physicality inside his right-handed barrel, Runkel hit .392 last spring with nine doubles, eight home runs, and 43 RBI. He also served as Rochester’s top arm, pitching to a 2.49 ERA over 39 ⅓ innings, striking out 48 and walking just 15. 

 

Ajay Runkel

 

It’s important to note that the Rockets will be without one of their top bats from a year ago to start the season in 1B Jorey Myren (2026; Lincoln Land CC). A highly impactful left-handed bat, Myren hit .404 with six home runs in 94 at-bats last spring, walking 26 times and also struck out 25 batters over 17 ⅔ innings on the mound. Once he returns, the Rockets will add a proven, experienced piece on both sides of the ball to their club. 

 

Jorey Myren

 

Rochester had several sophomores play regularly a year ago, logging a full season of varsity at-bats under their cleats. Now juniors, this group will play a big role in what this team will look to accomplish this spring, starting with C Sam Ferris (2027). Expected to once again serve as Rochester’s everyday backstop, Ferris flat-out performs at the plate, hitting .375 in 2025 with eight doubles, four home runs, and 28 RBI. His ability to find the barrel is advanced, and Ferris is going to once again be a true middle-of-the-order impact inside this offense. 

 

Sam Ferris

 

Staying through the middle of the field, OF/RHP Frank Stefano (2027) and MIF Gibson Warren (2027) are a pair of juniors that’ll be relied upon more this coming spring. Stefano had a strong showing at our Winter Showcase, IL event, staying on the barrel through the middle of the field in BP from a simple, balanced right-handed swing. He’s also low-80s on the mound and can really spin an upper-60s breaking ball at 2700+ RPM. Warren played everyday a season ago and has a clean left-handed swing that will look to continue improving with more consistent playing time. 

 

Frank Stefano

 

Two other names of note are RHP/1B Sean Plessa (2027) and OF Reece Gade (2028). Plessa has long, lanky levers and pitches in the low-80s with his fastball while spinning a big, high-arching curveball off it. As a sophomore, he pitched to a 4.20 ERA over 31 ⅔ innings, striking out 29. Gade is a talented multi-sport, football and basketball, athlete at 6-foot-3, 185-pounds that saw playing time as a freshman last spring and is expected to slide into an everyday role. 

 

Sean Plessa

 

NO. 8, NASHVILLE

Few in the state’s 2A classification have been as consistent as the Hornets have since head coach Chad Malawy took over the program in the 2005 season. Under his leadership, Nashville has won 20+ games every year but one, and they’ve surpassed the 30+ win mark six times – an incredible feat. 

 

The Hornets have a true ace in RHP Lucas Dunn (2026; Lake Land JC), an arm that gives them a chance to win each time he toes the rubber. It’s electric arm speed with the potential to shut anyone down on any given day, pitching in the upper-80s with his fastball while ripping off a hard, sharp, and tight breaking ball off it. 

 

Lucas Dunn

 

Also returning for Nashville in their senior class are OF Tyse Reinburg (2026; Carl Sandburg JC), Maddox Ritzel (2026), and Kolby Suedmeyer (2026). CIF/RHP Kamden Emrick (2027) is a junior returner that saw regular playing time as a sophomore and can contribute on both sides of the ball. 

 

Nashville does have two talented freshmen that are likely to make an impact on the varsity club early into their high school careers. MIF/C Braylin Storey (2029) is a scrappy, highly competitive right-handed bat that puts together quality at-bats and can pick it on the infield. RHP Witten Piasecki (2029) has all sorts of upside in a 6-foot-5, 170-pound frame that has shown our staff the ability to consistently fill up the strike zone with three pitches in the past.

 

Witt Piasecki

 

NO. 9, CARTERVILLE

The Lions were a young, inexperienced, and competitive group in 2025 that relied mostly on sophomores and juniors to play at key spots. Now a year older, head coach Reid Cure returns nearly his entire team, as Carterville enters this season primed to compete for their conference title, and more. 

 

Carterville’s three main senior returners each earned all-conference honors from a season ago. A strong right-handed hitter, CIF/RHP Alex Lyell (2026) hit .411 with a .983 OPS and drove in a team-high 28 runs, while also making seven appearances on the mound. OF/LHP Aidan Swallers (2026) will set the table from the top spot in this lineup, as the scrappy left-handed hitter returns a .387 batting average and .490 OBP from a season ago while providing quality defense in center field as well. MIF Drake Capie (2026), a left-handed hitter, rounds out this group and is also coming off a strong season in which he hit .333 with a .448 OBP and swiped 18 bags. 

 

Drake Capie

 

Another regular that returns from last year’s group is MIF/OF Zachary Snow (2027), who’s a talented up-the-middle athlete that’s likely to serve as the Lions’ everyday shortstop. We recently saw CIF/RHP Aidan Gusta (2027) at our Winter Showcase, IL, event, where he swung a clean, powerful right-handed barrel and showed middle-of-the-order raw bat strength. OF Camden Wright (2027) is a left/left athlete that can run and is likely to factor into this mix as well. 

 

Zach Snow

 

The Lions also have one of southern Illinois’ most talented arms in RHP/1B Haiden Lange (2028). Still only a sophomore, Lange is polished for his age, and has the competitiveness, pitchability, and stuff to be a true ace for this team, despite his youth. Plenty physical, Lange was up to 88 this winter, pitching at 85-87 mph with his fastball, and for strikes. He’s able to consistently spin a low-70s slider in the zone and has also shown above-average feel for a changeup at 78-80 mph to our staff in the past, rounding out a three-pitch mix that pairs well. 

 

Haiden Lange

 

Another sophomore we’re particularly high on is OF Gavin Johnson (2028), who’s a long-levered, athletic left-handed hitter that ran a 6.75 60 at one of our events a few weeks ago and hit .308 in 39 at-bats as a freshman last spring. As far as current freshmen go, keep an eye out for OF/LHP Jace Smothers (2029) and MIF Brady Whorton (2029) for this club. 

 

Gavin Johnson

 

NO. 10, COLUMBIA 

Another program known for its recent success, the Eagles are always a competitive bunch that go out of their way to play a tough schedule and are led by one of the area’s best coaches in Neal O’Donnell. This year’s team is young, and relatively inexperienced, but they don’t lack talent, and look to once again be one of the top 2A teams in the area. 

 

While the Eagles don’t have many seniors on their roster, one name that is a part of it is 1B Brody Landgraf (2026; Creighton). One of the more physically advanced left-handed hitters in the area, Landgraf’s been a starter for Columbia’s varsity club since his freshman year, where he was a key piece in helping them reach the state playoffs. Now a senior, Landgraf’s experience will be leaned on heavily for this team, as will his ability to produce right in the heart of this lineup. 

 

Brody Landgraf

 

As far as their juniors go, OF Will Kleinschmidt (2027) is a polished left-handed bat that hit .400 in 55 at-bats last spring, driving in 20 runs and walking (15) more than he struck out (12). LHP/OF Eli Simmons (2027) also saw success as a sophomore, pitching to a 1.84 ERA across 19 innings on the hill. INF/RHP Collin Augustine (2027) has the potential to be a two-way contributor for this club, swinging a strong left-handed bat and also pitching in the mid-80s on the mound. 

 

How successful this team ultimately is will be determined by their sophomore class, and that starts with RHP Connor Basinski (2028). Basinski took over the reins of this staff as a freshman last spring, pitching to a 1.71 ERA and striking out 42 in a 45 inning sample. Limiting his free passes will be key, but the arm talent is undeniable, as Basinski has crept into the low-90s this winter and looks like he’ll only continue to tick upward as the years go on. 

 

Two other sophomores that are going to step into expanded roles are INF/RHP Ayden Sepich (2028) and INF/RHP Xavier Voegele (2028). Sepich threw well for Columbia in a limited sample last spring, pitching to a 2.33 ERA over 15 innings with 15 punchouts and just six walks. He’s an athletic mover down the mound with a clean arm that has a low-80s fastball and can throw both of his secondaries for strikes. Additionally, it’s a simple, loose, and direct right-handed swing with line drive feel off the barrel. Voegele’s the definition of projection with a long, lanky, and lean-levered frame that’s plenty far away from what it’s going to look like in a few years. He has arm speed on the mound and pitched at 81-83 mph with his fastball at our Winter Showcase, IL event, spinning both of his breaking balls for strikes on that day. 

 

Xavier Voegele

 

JUST MISSED…

+ Tremont: The first team outside our rankings, the Turks have a strong senior class that we expect will do the heavy lifting for this group. They have a pair of power arms in RHP Chase Rhoades (2026; John A. Logan) and RHP Andrew Dawson (2026; Valparaiso), as well as MIF Griffin Meeker (2026; Heartland CC), who can flat-out hit. 

 

Griffin Meeker

 

+ Tolono Unity: Up in Champaign, the Rockets have a strong duo on the mound in RHP Tyler Henry (2026; Danville) and RHP Tre Hoggard (2026). C Brayden Henry (2026; Danville) and C Ryan Cunningham (2027) are two other names of note, as is the potential for OF/LHP Jordan Harmon (2028) to impact the varsity club as a talented two-way sophomore. 

 

Tyler Henry

 

+ Monticello: Another pillar of success in central Illinois over the past few seasons, the Sages enter this season with a young, though talented, group. MIF/RHP Koyie Williams (2026) is a top returning senior from a year ago, but they’ll rely heavily on a junior class that’s capable of being as successful as those groups before them. MIF Cole Basak (2027) and MIF Dawson Gaitros (2027) are two names to know on the offensive end, while LHP Matthias Rudolph (2027) and RHP Zeke Young (2027) should have strong years on the mound. 

 

Matthias Rudolph

 

+ Roxana: The Shells were competitive in an always tough Cahokia Conference last spring, winning 20 games before falling in their regional championship. Their senior core is strong and is led by C/CIF Max Autery (2026; Quincy), MIF/RHP Dalton Carricker (2026; McKendree), and Conference Player of the Year RHP Mason Crump (2026; Indian Hills CC). A potential ‘X-Factor’ of sorts for this team is RHP Bradley Herrin (2027), who’s an uncommitted junior arm that we’ve heard plenty of positive things about this winter. 

 

Mason Crump

 

+ Harrisburg: Nestled in the heart of southern Illinois, Harrisburg is a program that knows a thing or two about winning, as legendary head coach Jay Thompson has more than 900 career wins under his belt. They were a relatively young group last spring, and still are this year, with names like RHP Ian Crabb (2027), C/INF Maddux Smothers (2027), 1B Burke Wilson (2027), OF Aidan Hankins (2027), and MIF Dax Randolph (2028) leading the charge. 

 

Burke Wilson

 

+ Du Quoin: Multiple pieces from last year’s Super-Sectional team are gone, but Du Quoin is a program that’s consistently been in the mix at the 2A level over the past few years. Their record may not always look great, but it’s largely a byproduct of a purposefully tough schedule that hardens them for the postseason. RHP Cy Craft (2027) and RHP/CIF Max Zimmerman (2027) give the Indians a pair of power arms at the front of their rotation. 

 

Max Zimmerman

 

+ Breese Central: Another Cahokia Conference team, the Cougars have earned the right to always be in the mix on these rankings. They’re competitive every year, won a regional last spring, and have one of the area’s more intriguing junior prospects in RHP Alex Athmer (2027). 

 

Alex Athmer

 

+ Pleasant Plains: One of the more exciting teams to watch a year ago, the Cardinals graduated a large majority of what was a senior heavy club in 2025. MIF Grady Grisham (2026; Morton College) and LHP Cale Hatcher (2026; Lincoln Land CC) do return as key upperclassmen for this team. Pleasant Plains does have a few talented youngsters of note too, like MIF Landon Maisenbacher (2028), OF/MIF Andrew Potthoff (2028), and RHP/CIF Ian Behl (2029).

 

Grady Grisham

 

+ Gibault Catholic: There are several unknowns at the 1A level this coming spring, but one thing we’re certain of is that the Hawks are going to be competitive. They’re not afraid to challenge themselves by any means, regularly matching up against the area’s top teams, regardless of class. LHP Dante Gianino (2028) will be a name to watch for this group as a mid-80s southpaw with two quality secondaries.

 

Dante Gianino