The Illinois high school baseball season kicks off on March 17, opening day for regular season action under IHSA regulations. Over the next two weeks, leading up to opening day, we’ll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2025 spring season, touching on programs spanning all state classifications, counting down through the official Prep Baseball Illinois Preseason Power 25 Rankings.

Perennially, we’ve submitted a preseason questionnaire to high school head coaches across the entire state. Their responses have been flooding in and we’re using the detailed insight they’ve provided in our team-by-team preseason analysis.

Our 2025 preseason coverage continues today.

High School: Triad Knights
Preseason Rank: No. 20
Head Coach: Jesse Bugger
Classification: 3A
Conference: Mississippi Valley
2024 Record (Finish): 24-13 (Regional Final Loss)
Key Players Lost: Brady Coon (SIUE), Carter Vandever (Kaskaskia)

 

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ROSTER PREVIEW

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 4
No. of Returning Starting Pitchers: 5
No. of Returning Relief Pitchers: 1
Team Strengths: Depth and experience.

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X-FACTOR

He may not have had the results that he was looking for last season, but RHP Drew Winslow (2025; Oklahoma State) is in as good a position as ever to bounce back in a big way for the Knights. The two-sport standout averaged 16.1 PPG for Triad basketball this winter en route to a Super Sectionals appearance, and Coach Jesse Burger will look for more of the same dominance from him on the mound this spring. Winslow’s athleticism is evident on the mound. He’s a loose and easy mover down the mound with a whippy arm out of a true ¾ slot, creating a very uncomfortable at-bat for right handed hitters. The senior possesses a low 90s fastball that jumps out of his hand and comes with some arm-side run and a bit of sink. He has a pair of secondary offerings to go with the fastball: a low 80s slider with sharp bite and a 10-4 shape, and a mid 80s changeup featuring some arm-side dive and fade. All the signs are pointing in the right direction for the 5th ranked RHP in Illinois’ 2025 class to help bounce back and lead an already deep Triad pitching staff this spring.

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NEWCOMER TO WATCH

C/1B Keegan Seipp (2027) enters the 2025 season ranked No. 21 in the Illinois 2027 class with a strong chance to get his first look at the varsity level. The left-handed hitting sophomore possesses a large, physical frame with plenty of power potential, including a 100.4 max EV at the GBA Scout Day earlier this year. He brings an approach to the plate that looks to elevate the ball, with a simple and smooth lefty swing that comes with plenty of bat speed. Seipp has a good chance this spring to stamp his claim as one of the premier power bats among underclassmen in Illinois.

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TEAM OUTLOOK

Triad is bringing back most of their arms from last season, with the previously mentioned Winslow leading the rotation. Returning with Winslow for his senior season is RHP Sawyer Brunson (2025; uncommitted) who brings plenty of pitchability to the pitching staff. Brunson is able to fill up the zone with all three of his offerings and should be a reliable arm to go to at any point in the season for the Knights.

Another intriguing arm to look out for this season is 1B/RHP Nathan Klucker (2027). Klucker impressed for Triad last season as a freshman, throwing 40.2 innings to the tune of a 1.03 ERA. Like Brunson, the sophomore fills up the zone with a low to mid 80s fastball, and showcases both a curveball and changeup with a good feel for the zone for both pitches.

Other arms that are likely to fill innings for the Knights this season are INF/3B Nolan Keller (2026) and also OF/LHP Henry Bernreuter (2025; John A. Logan). Keller is an athletic righty looking to get his first crack at consistent innings at the varsity level and shows a lot of promise on the mound, while Bernreuter will likely again see innings out of the ‘pen for the Knights after putting up a season in which he struck out 32 batters in only 14.1 innings.

RHP Grayson Yank (2026) and RHP Brody Hasquin (2027) are two other names that could potentially fill innings for Coach Jesse Burger and this deep Triad pitching staff.

The Knights will only return a handful of starting position players from last season, but have an interesting blend of youth and experience that could make a huge impact at the plate this spring. It will be tough to replicate the production that Brady Coon (SIU-Edwardsville) and Carter Vanderver provided last season, but they have plenty of talented bats throughout their lineup.

Bernreuter returns for his senior season after a dominant campaign in 2024. There is plenty of loud contact from Bernreuter at the plate with a good feel for power to the pull-side. The senior has plenty of bat speed and a strong feel for the barrel, and the Knights are likely to look to Bernreuter to continue being a big piece in the middle of the lineup this season.

C Landon Loomis (2025; Minnesota State) and OF Gabe Deaver (2025; McKendree) are two senior lefty bats that return this spring to the lineup - while INF Nolan Keller (2026) looks to make a name for himself for the Knights. The right-handed hitter has displayed intriguing upside at the plate and is likely to contribute right away for Triad. INF Hayden Bugger (2025; Kaskasia) returns for his senior year, and can provide speed to the lineup along with a reliable bat and defense on the dirt. The previously mentioned Keegan Seipp is also primed to provide some pop to the Triad lineup as well.

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Bottom Line & Director's Notes

The Triad Knights will roll out a squad with a unique blend of experience and youth, that features plenty of upside present throughout their team. With plenty of talent and depth throughout their pitching staff, you can bet they will look to them to play a big part. It will be hard to replicate the production that Coon and Venderver brought to the team offensively, but if the offense can produce to their potential and the pitching staff continues to dominate like we know they can, the sky is the limit for the Triad Knights this season.

"Coach Bugger has a senior-laden squad with plenty of depth on the mound and one of the more complete lineups in the state. Should be one of the top teams in Southern Illinois this spring, regardless of class." Drew Locascio

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Find more information on the 2025 Triad program below:

+ Follow them on X: @TriadBaseball
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Illinois Preseason Power 25 homepage

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