3A Watchlist: Teams to know
March 20, 2025
With the IHSA Season beginning this week, we're starting our rollout of teams to watch in each class. We've already rolled out our complete Preseason Power 25, which can be found by clicking here.
Throughout the spring our scouts will be out to games all across the state providing game coverage and scout analysis found within our weekly Scout Blog. Be sure to keep an eye out each morning for the Daily Roundup, where we highlight scores and highlights from games the day prior.
Other content to follow each week will be our Player of the Week stories posted every Tuesday, followed by our Diamond Notes posted every Wednesday.
Keep an eye out the rest of the week for the 2A and 1A teams to watch, but for the time being, read below to hear about teams to watch in class 3A.
Note: This is based on coaches' submissions to our Preseason Coaches Questionnaire.
Bloomington Purple Raiders
Head Coach: Steve Clapp
Classification: 3A
Conference: BIG 12
2024 Record (Finish): 17-17 (Lost Regional Championship 4-3 Mahomet Seymour)
Key Players Lost: Trey Thompson (Millikin University), Zach Spidel (Wartburg)
Team Strengths: Pitching depth and experience.
Crystal Lake South Gators
Head Coach: Brian Bogda
Classification: 3A
Conference: Fox Valley
2024 Record (Finish): 21-14 (Lost in Sectional Semi-Finals)
Key Players Lost: Dayton Murphy (Michigan State), James Carlson (Youngstown State)
Team Strengths: Experienced, depth throughout lineup, returning over 200 innings on the mound and ability to score and play solid defense.
| NAME | STATE | CLASS | POS | COMMITMENT |
| Christian Alther | IL | 2025 | 2B | Arizona Christian |
| Carson Trevellini | IL | 2027 | INF/RHP | - |
| Yandel Ramirez | IL | 2025 | 3B/RHP | McHenry County |
| Xander Shevchenko | IL | 2025 | OF | Elmhurst |
| Liam Sullivan | IL | 2025 | OF | Loras |
| Anthony Amici | IL | 2026 | C | - |
| Mark Pachla | IL | 2025 | RHP | - |
| Jack Melhuish | IL | 2025 | RHP | - |
| Devin DeLoach | IL | 2026 | LHP | - |
| Nick Stowasser | IL | 2027 | OF/RHP | - |
| Trevor Walker | IL | 2026 | OF | - |
| Michael Silvius | IL | 2027 | UTIL | - |
| Jackson Lee | IL | 2027 | C | - |
| Jack Kos | IL | 2026 | 1B | - |
Deerfield Warriors
Head Coach: Mark Januszewski
Classification: 3A
Conference: Central Suburban League South Division
2024 Record (Finish): 13-24 (Lost to Crystal Lake Central in Sectional Final)
Key Players Lost: Tyler Bernstein, Ike Schlesinger
Team Strengths: Experienced pitching staff and sound defense.
Dunlap Eagles
Head Coach: Eric Stone
Classification: 3A
Conference: Mid-Illini
2024 Record (Finish): 28-7 (Sectional Semi-Final (lost to JCA 3-1))
Key Players Lost: Jack Piper (Carroll University), Gabe Munoz
Team Strengths: Offensive Production (top 6 return offensively), Mound Depth.
| NAME | STATE | CLASS | POS | COMMITMENT |
| Davis Weeks | IL | 2025 | SS/RHP | Michigan State |
| Owen Shissler | IL | 2025 | LHP/OF | Illinois Wesleyan |
| Jackson Newton | IL | 2025 | OF/1B | Marion Military Institute |
| Christian Ferrari | IL | 2025 | 1B/LHP | College of Lake County |
| Jaxson Tresenriter | IL | 2025 | RHP/OF | - |
| Landon Gray | IL | 2026 | OF/RHP | - |
| Simon Malcolm | IL | 2026 | INF/RHP | - |
| Eli Michanicou | IL | 2027 | INF/RHP | - |
| Gavin Gibbs | IL | 2027 | C/OF | - |
| Isaac Babbs | IL | 2027 | RHP | - |
| Ryder Rennette | IL | 2028 | INF/RHP | - |
Galesburg Silver Streaks
Head Coach: Jeremy Pickrel
Classification: 3A
Conference: Western Big 6
2024 Record (Finish): 21-15 (Lost Regional Semi-final)
Key Players Lost: Damien Snell (Carl Sandburg), Colton Allen (Carl Sandburg), Landon Sloan (Illinois College)
Team Strengths: Returning varsity experience offensively and on the mound, improved offense and defense.
Grayslake Central Rams
Head Coach: Troy Whalen
Classification: 3A
Conference: Northern Lake County
2024 Record (Finish): 24-11 (Lost in Regional Final to CL Central 5-3)
Key Players Lost: Jadon Dumas, Jacob Redker (College of Lake County), Sammy Pirie (Carthage)
Team Strengths: Defense up the middle, pitching depth and team speed.
| NAME | STATE | CLASS | POS | COMMITMENT |
| Cal Hanson | IL | 2025 | 1B/LHP | Parkland |
| Colton Ohm | IL | 2025 | OF/LHP | College of Lake County |
| Ian McGowan | IL | 2025 | 3B | College of Lake County |
| Carson Woods | IL | 2026 | MIF | - |
| Luke Eckenstahler | IL | 2026 | RHP | - |
| Beckham Stone | IL | 2026 | 1B | - |
| Jack Velez | IL | 2026 | UTIL | - |
| Soren Hansen | IL | 2026 | C | - |
| Charlie Surowiec | IL | 2027 | MIF | - |
Hinsdale South Hornets
Head Coach: Sean Beesley
Classification: 3A
Conference: West Suburban Gold
2024 Record (Finish): 10-22 (Lost to Marian Catholic)
Key Players Lost: Nathaniel Fundator, Alex Mazur, Andrew Miller.
Team Strengths: Starting Pitching and speed.
Morton Potters
Head Coach: Jesse Crawford
Classification: 3A
Conference: Mid Illini
2024 Record (Finish): 24-10 (Lost in Regional Championship)
Key Players Lost: Tanner Spangler (Heartland CC), Tyler Pippin (Heartland CC), Nolan Reiman (Millikin), Noah Suttles (Spoon River CC)
Team Strengths: Experienced young core, returning many offensive starters and pitchers. Solid starting pitching and hitting depth. Defense should be sound with team speed. Winning culture.
| NAME | STATE | CLASS | POS | COMMITMENT |
| Ryan Schaffnit | IL | 2025 | RHP | Bradley |
| Brandon Sieben | IL | 2025 | OF | - |
| Andrew Brooks | IL | 2025 | OF | - |
| Miles Leman | IL | 2025 | RHP | - |
| Cal Boeker | IL | 2025 | OF | - |
| Collin Burns | IL | 2026 | UTIL | - |
| Owen Adams | IL | 2026 | SS/RHP | - |
| Cam Crawford | IL | 2026 | RHP/1B | - |
| Andy Ballard | IL | 2026 | OF | - |
| Matt Sander | IL | 2026 | LHP | - |
| Bek Powers | IL | 2026 | UTIL | - |
| Camden Taylor | IL | 2026 | RHP/INF | - |
| Hudson Lovell | IL | 2026 | C/RHP | - |
Mt. Vernon Rams
Head Coach: Pierce Borah
Classification: 3A
Conference: South Seven
2024 Record (Finish): 14-21 (Lost Regional Semi-Final)
Key Players Lost: Matthew McKinney
Team Strengths: Pitching and athleticism.
| NAME | STATE | CLASS | POS | COMMITMENT |
| Alex Kiefer | IL | 2025 | C | Kaskaskia |
| Keaton Plummer | IL | 2025 | RHP/OF | - |
| Diedrich Smith | IL | 2025 | UTIL/RHP | - |
| Cale Maurer | IL | 2026 | RHP/1B | - |
| Ty Pierce | IL | 2026 | OF/RHP | - |
| Trevor McClure | IL | 2027 | SS/RHP | - |
| Ryker Perigo | IL | 2027 | MIF/RHP | - |
Mt. Zion Braves
Head Coach: JD Arnold
Classification: 3A
Conference: Apollo
2024 Record (Finish): 14-14 (Lost in Regional Championship)
Team Strengths: Pitching, defense, and baserunning.
Prairie Ridge Wolves
Head Coach: Glen Pecoraro
Classification: 3A
Conference: Fox Valley Conference
2024 Record (Finish): 18-16 (Lost 1-0 to Deerfield in Regional Semi-final)
Key Players Lost: Vic Flores (Judson)
Team Strengths: Pitching, defense, and experience.
| NAME | STATE | CLASS | POS | COMMITMENT |
| Riley Golden | IL | 2025 | LHP/OF | Wisconsin-Milwaukee |
| Karson Stiefer | IL | 2025 | LHP/1B | Wisconsin-Parkside |
| Connor Pollasky | IL | 2025 | C/1B | Loras |
| Danny Savas | IL | 2025 | RHP/3B | Milikin |
| Brennan Coyle | IL | 2025 | 2B | Elgin CC |
| Sean Sherwood | IL | 2025 | RHP/OF | Elgin CC |
| Owen Haurum | IL | 2025 | RHP/1B | Elgin CC |
| Chris Fike | IL | 2025 | 2B/3B | William Penn |
Rochester Rockets
Head Coach: Matt Carlson
Classification: 3A
Conference: Central State 8
2024 Record (Finish): 20-14 (Lost first round)
Key Players Lost: Parker Lyons (Westminster), Tyson Binion, Jack Swaney (Northern Illinois), Parker Gillespie
Team Strengths: Deep pitching staff.
| NAME | STATE | CLASS | POS | COMMITMENT |
| Eli Carlson | IL | 2025 | SS/RHP | Spoon River |
| Breck Calvert | IL | 2025 | RHP | - |
| Ajay Runkel | IL | 2026 | CIF/RHP | - |
| Jorey Myren | IL | 2026 | CIF | - |
| Sam Ferris | IL | 2027 | C | - |
| Sean Plessa | IL | 2027 | RHP | - |
| Ben Stalets | IL | 2027 | RHP | - |
| Frankie Stefano | IL | 2027 | OF/RHP | - |
St. Francis Wheaton Spartans
Head Coach: Tom Ciombor
Classification: 3A
Conference: Chicago Catholic
2024 Record (Finish): 21-13 (Lost in Regional Championship to Benet 7-6)
Key Players Lost: Andrew Mueller (Loras), Dylan Ston (Carthage), Logan Swaney (Oakland City), Trey Kiesler
Team Strengths: Deep line-up, solid infield defense, and returning top two starting pitchers.
| NAME | STATE | CLASS | POS | COMMITMENT |
| Colt Armbrust | IL | 2025 | RHP/INF | - |
| Joey Gainer | IL | 2025 | C | Missouri Southern |
| Ian Bagaconza | IL | 2025 | INF | - |
| Nolan Galla | IL | 2025 | INF | - |
| Zack Maduzia | IL | 2025 | INF | St. Xavier |
| James McGrath | IL | 2027 | OF | - |
| Chase Grigonis | IL | 2028 | INF/RHP | - |
| Brayden Hobein | IL | 2026 | RHP/INF | - |
| Peter Solloway | IL | 2026 | RHP | - |
St. Patrick Shamrocks
Head Coach: Chris Haas
Classification: 3A
Conference: East Suburban Catholic Conference
2024 Record (Finish): 13-23 (Lost Sectional Championship 2-1 DePaul Prep)
Key Players Lost: Anthony Holloway (Illinois College), Kyle Boma (College of DuPage), Justin Hernandez-Garcia
Team Strengths: Pitching Depth.
| NAME | STATE | CLASS | POS | COMMITMENT |
| Jason Gumiela | IL | 2025 | LHP | Winona State |
| Elias Alvarado | IL | 2025 | 3B/RHP | - |
| Christian Camarena | IL | 2025 | 2B/RHP | - |
| Patrick Levar | IL | 2025 | OF | - |
| Paddy Roth | IL | 2026 | RHP | Michigan State |
| Tim Flanagan | IL | 2026 | RHP/C | - |
| Thomas Tomaszek | IL | 2026 | MIF | - |
| Jalen Gonzalez | IL | 2026 | 3B | - |
| Aiden David | IL | 2026 | OF/LHP | - |
Sycamore Spartans
Head Coach: Jason Cavanaugh
Classification: 3A
Conference: Interstate 8
2024 Record (Finish): 25-8 (Lost to Morris 4-2 in Geneseo Super-sectional)
Key Players Lost: Kyle Hartmann (Northern Illinois), Colin Severson (Cornell), Matthew Rosado (Southwestern Illinois JC), Will Klumpp
Team Strengths: Starting pitching, strength, and depth.
Limestone Rockets
Head Coach: Tyler Christiansen
Classification: 3A
Conference: Mid-Illini
2024 Record (Finish): 18-17 (Lost in Regional Semi-final)
Key Players Lost: Caleb Bieneman (Illinois Central)
Team Strengths: Experience, 8 guys have played varsity since either their sophomore or freshman year.
Freeport Pretzels
Head Coach: Shaun Dascher
Classification: 3A
Conference: Northern Illinois Conference
2024 Record (Finish): 23-12 (Loss in Regional vs Dixon 7-9 (Extras))
Key Players Lost: Ryan Coon (Augustana), Zach Arnold (Clarke)
Team Strengths: Returning 7 offensive starters, bringing back over 100 varsity innings on the mound, senior experience and leadership.
| NAME | STATE | CLASS | POS | COMMITMENT |
| Payton Woker | IL | 2025 | INF | Highland CC |
| Zac Matz | IL | 2025 | 1B/RHP | Sauk Valley CC |
| Russell Butitta | IL | 2025 | INF/RHP | Kishwaukee CC |
| Noah Summers | IL | 2025 | UTIL/RHP | Milwaukee School of Engineering |
| Ben Summers | IL | 2026 | UTIL/RHP | - |
| Cooper Hathaway | IL | 2025 | C/RHP | - |
| Cameron Verner | IL | 2025 | OF/RHP | - |
Washington Community Panthers
Head Coach: Kyle Wisher
Classification: 3A
Conference: Mid-Illini
2024 Record (Finish): 24-8 (Lost to Morris in the Sectional)
Key Players Lost: Braden Vanderheydt (Maryville), Garrett Cox (Parkland)
Team Strengths: Senior leadership, returning experienced starting pitchers, and ability to score runs.
| NAME | STATE | CLASS | POS | COMMITMENT |
| Gavin Lawrence | IL | 2025 | RHP/SS | - |
| Micha McCoy | IL | 2025 | 3B/RHP | - |
| Carter Prina | IL | 2025 | RHP/1B | - |
| Tyler Humphrey | IL | 2025 | C/DH | - |
De La Salle Meteors
Head Coach: Glenn Kubek
Classification: 3A
Conference: Chicago Catholic League - White
2024 Record (Finish): 23-15 (Lost in Super Sectional to Lemont)
Key Players Lost: Kenny Perez (Western Illinois), Dasaan Lee (Morton), Joey Barboza (Davenport), Angelo Chavarria (Joliet JC)
Team Strengths: Returning experienced pitchers, speed and fielding.
| NAME | STATE | CLASS | POS | COMMITMENT |
| Kaleb Navarro | IL | 2025 | RHP/C | Saint Xavier |
| Francisco Rodriguez | IL | 2025 | RHP/UTIL | Morton |
| Danny Kappel | IL | 2025 | OF | - |
| Quinn Bell | IL | 2025 | RHP | - |
| Daniel Rocha | IL | 2025 | INF | - |
| Oisin Curry | IL | 2026 | INF/RHP | - |
| Damian Gomez | IL | 2027 | INF | - |
| Beckett Hulten | IL | 2027 | RHP/INF | - |
| Mateo Acevedo | IL | 2027 | RHP/INF | - |
| Jenaro Negron | IL | 2027 | OF | - |
| Niko Ruiz | IL | 2027 | LHP/1B | - |
| Xavier Castro | IL | 2028 | C/INF | - |
DePaul College Prep Rams
Head Coach: Sam Colon
Classification: 3A
Conference: Chicago Catholic League
2024 Record (Finish): 16-21 (Elite 8)
Key Players Lost: Luke Oblen (Appalachian State), Kevin O'Connor (Bellarmine), James MacMillan (Wooster)
Team Strengths: Speed and experience.
St. Rita Mustangs
Head Coach: John Nee
Classification: 3A
Conference: Chicago Catholic League - Blue
2024 Record (Finish): 25-13 (Lost in Sectional Final to Lemont 1-0)
Key Players Lost: Jamison Jones (Oklahoma State), Jackson Stanek (Southwestern Illinois JC), Baker Shelhamer (Maryville), Lou Sisto (South Suburban), Chris McGrath (Rock Valley)
Team Strengths: Defense.