Program: Parkland College
Head Coach: Zack Pych, Third year
NJCAA Region/Division: Region XXIV, DII
Last Year’s Record: 33-19

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @Cobra_Baseball
Schedule link
Roster link                                                                                                                                                                           

Parkland College has historically been a team to watch in the Midwest, and this upcoming season promises more of the same. Since arriving before the 2024 season, Coach Pych has done an exceptional job of strengthening the squad, leading the Cobras to a MWAC Co-Championship in his very first season. This season, Parkland returns a strong core of key players both at the plate and on the mound, while a group of newcomers and transfers looks ready to make an immediate impact. The team will look to build on a strong 33-19 record, aiming to return to the World Series for the first time since 2018.

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PITCHING

There is a lot to like about this Cobra pitching staff, which returns 172.2 innings on the mound. The rotation will feature key returning pitchers, while a group of promising newcomers look ready to provide valuable depth. Highlighting the list of key returners to the mound are two starters from last year’s rotation: sophomore LHP Cody DelFavero and sophomore RHP Tyler Tylka. DelFavero, a recent Eastern Illinois commit, was a key part of last year’s starting rotation and also showed promise at the plate as an outfielder. He pitched 50 innings last season, recording a 5-3 record with a 5.76 ERA and 55 strikeouts. On the mound, the left-hander features an effective three-pitch arsenal that he can rely on in any count. His fastball sits in the mid-to-upper 80s and features arm-side run. He complements it with a sweeping slider that has impressive depth and a fading changeup that moves away from the fastball, keeping hitters off balance. Tylka, a recent Florida Atlantic signee, was another key contributor to the Cobra’s starting rotation last year. The right-hander tossed 48.1 innings last season, posting a 4-4 record with a 4.66 ERA and 53 strikeouts to earn First Team All-Conference honors. On the mound, he possesses a lively upper-80s fastball that’s reached up to 90 mph, a sharp curveball that he shows a strong feel for spin on, and a low-80s changeup that mirrors his arm speed. The Cobras will also return four relief pitchers from last season in sophomore LHP Logan Gale, sophomore LHP Sam Foulke, sophomore RHP Alec Bergman, and sophomore RHP Cade Starrick, who will all look to take on expanded roles in the spring. Gale is an intriguing left-hander who presents an efficient three-pitch arsenal with notable pitchability. His mid-80s fastball features arm-side run, and he complements it with a slider/changeup offspeed combination that has shown swing-and-miss potential. Foulke is a crafty southpaw who has shown the ability to consistently fill the zone with a three-pitch mix. He features a mid-80s fastball with arm-side run, an effective changeup that has proven to be his out pitch, and a slider capable of generating swing-and-miss. Bergman, a recent Miami (OH) commit, looks poised for continued success after a strong season as one of the Cobras’ primary relievers. The right-hander kept hitters off balance all season, tossing 26 innings with a 2.42 ERA and 21 strikeouts. The physical 6-foot-3, 225-pound right-hander displays an upper-80s to low-90s fastball with life and run out of the hand. He also employs a tight slider and a low-80s changeup that shows some fade. Starrick is a projectable right-handed pitcher that showed some promise despite limited experience last season. The right-hander appears poised to step into the closer role for the Cobras, possessing an upper-80s fastball that pairs well with a sweeping slider capable of giving hitters trouble.

While the Cobras were able to retain a decent amount of key innings from last year, they will also have a solid group of new additions to the roster that look like they can contribute early on the mound. The first of the key newcomers to the Cobra pitching staff come in the form of: Saint Louis transfer sophomore RHP Amaan Khan and gap year freshman RHP Michael Umbright who was originally committed to Illinois State. Khan is a physical 6-foot-5, 215-pound right-hander who possesses electric stuff on the mound, projecting as the team’s go-to closer. He employs a lively low-90s fastball that has reportedly reached 95 mph, along with an upper-80s to low-90s sinker that tails well off of it. He also mixes in a mid-80s slider with notable sweep and a fading mid-80s changeup that shows depth. Umbright is a name that has been familiar to our staff since his emergence as a sophomore in high school. Despite a setback that required surgery in 2024, there is still plenty to dream on with the physical 6-foot-5, 223-pound right-hander, who will look to work his way back into the low-90s. The Cobra pitching staff has also added two intriguing freshmen who can expect some time on the bump with the additions of RHP Brodie Farrell and RHP Joseph Fry. Farrell comes off an outstanding senior season at DeKalb, where he earned DVC Co-Pitcher of the Year honors. On the mound, he shows notable potential with an upper-80s fastball and a sharp 12/6 curveball. Fry is a durable 6-foot-1, 195-pound that offers some upside as he continues to fill out. He features an upper-80s fastball that has been up to as high as 91 mph, paired with a sharp, two-plane breaking curveball, and a low-80s changeup.

OFFENSE

While the Cobras boast a wealth of talent on the mound, the impact of both experienced returners and intriguing newcomers ensures the offense will be just as potent. They return multiple players from last year’s lineup that will look to provide a continued impact this spring. Sophomores MIF Alex Schimmel and INF Jayden Patel are expected to provide a significant boost from the infield as key pieces in the lineup. Schimmel showcases a hitterish feel at the plate with advanced plate discipline. The left-handed hitter consistently found the barrel for the Cobras last season, posting a .351/.477/.500 slash line across 114 at-bats with 11 extra-base hits and 25 walks. He has the potential to develop into a true middle-of-the-order bat and is a name to watch this season. Patel pairs natural defensive actions up the middle with strong bat-to-ball skills at the plate. The left-handed hitter is fresh off an impressive freshman season where he slashed .355/.504/.484 with nine doubles and a home run across 93 at-bats. He also showed a clean glove defensively, paired with a strong arm across the diamond. The Cobras also return sophomores OF Nick Guidici, C/INF Matthew Carrano, C Lincoln Cardwell and OF/LHP Cody DelFavero, all of whom are expected to take on larger roles within the lineup. Guidici is an intriguing left-handed bat with intent to lift the ball to all fields. He will look to build on a promising freshman season where he slashed .386/.432/.524 across 63 at-bats with three home runs. Carrano earned some valuable experience last season splitting time behind the plate and in the infield, and will look to take on an expanded role this year. The right-hander features strong hands with some whole field power. He also possesses quality actions behind the plate, showing the ability to handle some of the staff’s premier arms. Cardwell showcases steady defensive actions and a strong arm behind the plate along with some gap-to-gap power at the plate. Despite spending most of his time as one of the team’s top arms, DelFavero still showed some upside on offense in limited plate appearances last season. The left-hander put up a .333 average across 27 at-bats with a double and a home run, and will continue to fulfill his role as a valuable two-way contributor for the Cobras.

While the Cobras return several key pieces from last year’s lineup, this season’s squad also features a number of newcomers who are expected to contribute right away. Leading the group are three transfer sophomores: OF Ethan Borggren from Northwestern, C Eloy Suarez from Central Alabama CC, and MIF Cael Karczewski from Palm Beach State College. Borggren is a well-proportioned 6-foot-1, 185-pound athlete who shows notable tools both at the plate and in the field. Combining quality bat-to-ball skills with a strong arm from the outfield, the Lane Tech standout appears to be a valuable addition to the Cobra lineup. Suarez had a strong freshman season at Central Alabama CC, slashing .316/.509/.380 across 79 at-bats, with five doubles and 24 walks. He will be a key addition to the lineup as he has shown the ability to consistently produce quality at-bats. Karczewski is an athletic 5-foot-11, 175-pound middle infielder with plenty of upside as he continues to add strength to his frame. He possesses a good feel for the barrel at the plate, paired with a steady glove and a strong arm in the infield. Several key freshmen will also join this group, with many expected to provide an early impact to the lineup. Providing all-around depth to the roster is freshman UTIL Blake Jenner, who played a key role in Providence Catholic’s 2024 4A State Championship run. Jenner was a strong performer for the Celtics, demonstrating the ability to fill in wherever needed while also providing an offensive boost. He will look to step into a similar role for Parkland as he continues to mature his game.The Cobras bolstered their infield depth with the additions of freshmen 1B Cal Hanson, MIF Nik Nelson, and CIF Sam Mitre. Hanson displays a physical 6-foot-3, 195-pound frame with additional room to fill out, and he brings a powerful left-handed bat to the offense. Nelson displays athletic actions up the middle and the ability to work the ball gap-to-gap at the plate. Mitre played an integral role as a middle-of-the-order bat for Marquette Academy during their 1A state title run last year, and it will be interesting to see how he continues to develop as he gains experience. Also adding depth from the outfield OF Ryan Dabe and OF Edgar Santos. Dabe has been a prospect our staff has kept close tabs on since his emergence at the 2021 Junior Future Games, and he features notable hitting and fielding tools that should make him an immediate contributor to the lineup. Santos displays a ton of athleticism across his game with a 6.71-second 60-yard dash and natural actions in the outfield. He also displays a mature presence at the plate, paired with a strong feel for the strike zone. 

COMMITMENTS

LHP/OF	Cody DeFavero	SO	Eastern Illinois
RHP	Tyler Tylka	SO	Florida Atlantic
RHP	Alec Bergman	SO	Miami (OH)

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