The Illinois high school baseball season kicks off on March 16, 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 2026 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 2026 preseason coverage continues today.

High School: Libertyville Wildcats
Preseason Rank: No. 3
Head Coach: Matt Thompson
Classification: 4A
Conference: North Suburban
2025 Record (Finish): 36-4 (IHSA 4A State Champions)
Key Players Lost: Quinn Schambow (Oklahoma State), Josh Holst (Air Force), Cole Lockwood (Valparaiso), Mason Strader, Steve Strelow

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ROSTER PREVIEW

Returning Positional Starters: 5
Returning Starting Pitchers: 2
Returning Relief Pitchers: 1
Team Strengths: Pitching, Defense, Hitting

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DATA CENTER

TEAM RANKS:

This data is sourced from the 2026 Illinois winter showcase circuit and the 2025 Illinois State Games, compiled by Prep Baseball. We took the top-three metrics recorded by players from each high school in the following categories. Here is how Libertyville's top-three performers averaged across each category:

• Avg. Exit Velocity: 96.33 mph (No. 7 in the state)
• Max Exit Velocity: 104.67 mph (No. 5 in the state)
• Max FB Velocity: 89.33 mph (T-No. 15 in the state)
• Top 60-Yard: 6.83s (No. 19 in the state)

INDIVIDUAL DATA STAND-OUTS:

• Aksel McKnight (2027) - 3B/RHP - 6-2.1 , 225 lbs
  
  • max EV: 105.0 mph (T-No. 22 in IL, T-No. 12 in 2027 class)
  • avg EV: 98.5 mph (No. 11 in IL, No. 6 in 2027 class)
• Brady Buenik (2027) - RHP/3B - 6-3 , 205 lbs
  
  • max fastball: 95.0 mph (T-No. 2 in IL, T-No. 2 in 2027 class)
  • SL spin: 2344 rpm (82nd pctile. in IL, No. 21 in 2027 class)
• Chase Lockwood (2026) - RHP/3B - 6-1 , 177 lbs
  
  • IVB (rise): 16.3 in (80th pctile. in IL, 81st pctile. in 2026 class)
  • CB spin: 2624 rpm (No. 9 in IL, No. 5 in 2026 class)
  • SL spin: 2349 rpm (83rd pctile. in IL, 71st pctile. in 2026 class)
• Logan Lutes (2027) - OF/RHP - 6-1.5 , 183 lbs
  
  • rot. accel.: 23.0g (96th pctile. in IL, T-No. 18 in 2027 class)
  • 60-yd. dash: 6.93s (82nd pctile. in IL, 78th pctile. in 2027 class)
  • 10-yd. split: 1.62s (92nd pctile. in IL, 87th pctile. in 2027 class)
• Madden Cotts (2027) - SS/OF - 5-9.6 , 169 lbs
  
  • avg EV: 95.2 mph (95th pctile. in IL, 93rd pctile. in 2027 class)
  • 60-yd. dash: 6.88s (85th pctile. in IL, 82nd pctile. in 2027 class)
  • 10-yd. split: 1.62s (92nd pctile. in IL, 87th pctile. in 2027 class)
  • vert. jump: 25.7 in (83rd pctile. in IL, 78th pctile. in 2027 class)
• Matthew Hara (2027) - 3B/C - 5-10.3 , 175 lbs
  
  • bat speed: 73.0 mph (84th pctile. in IL, 83rd pctile. in 2027 class)
  • rot. accel.: 17.0g (81st pctile. in IL, 80th pctile. in 2027 class)
• Nico Harper (2026) - LHP/OF - 5-9.4 , 165 lbs
  
  • FB spin: 2269 rpm (91st pctile. in IL, No. 20 in 2026 class)
  • SL spin: 2391 rpm (87th pctile. in IL, T-No. 24 in 2026 class)
• Reed Sooley (2026) - RHP/RHP - 5-9 , 145 lbs
  
  • CB spin: 2448 rpm (93rd pctile. in IL, No. 13 in 2026 class)
• Ryan Wilberding (2027) - C/OF - 6-0 , 217 lbs
  
  • max EV: 106.0 mph (T-No. 18 in IL, T-No. 9 in 2027 class)
  • avg EV: 95.0 mph (94th pctile. in IL, 92nd pctile. in 2027 class)
  • bat speed: 74.7 mph (92nd pctile. in IL, T-No. 22 in 2027 class)
  • 10-yd. split: 1.64s (87th pctile. in IL, 83rd pctile. in 2027 class)
  • vert. jump: 28.4 in (95th pctile. in IL, T-No. 25 in 2027 class)
• Weston Wyzukovicz (2028) - C/OF - 5-9 , 182 lbs
  
  • max EV: 103.0 mph (95th pctile. in IL, T-No. 8 in 2028 class)
  • avg EV: 95.3 mph (95th pctile. in IL, No. 4 in 2028 class)
  • bat speed: 79.0 mph (T-No. 11 in IL, No. 1 in 2028 class)
  • rot. accel.: 17.0g (81st pctile. in IL, 84th pctile. in 2028 class)
  • 60-yd. dash: 6.67s (97th pctile. in IL, T-No. 6 in 2028 class)
  • 10-yd. split: 1.62s (92nd pctile. in IL, T-No. 11 in 2028 class)
  • vert. jump: 25.4 in (81st pctile. in IL, 86th pctile. in 2028 class)

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X-FACTOR

RHP Brady Buenik (2027; Tennessee commit) is one of the more electric arms in the entire country, and he will be looked upon this spring to help lead the reigning 4A state champs on the mound. He returns 28.1 innings on the mound with a 5-0 record, 1.24 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 34 strikeouts to 11 walks, and a .150 opponent’s batting average, and he will likely be seeing an increase in the workload this coming spring. The stuff is clearly there for Buenik, equipped with a fastball that can reach into the mid-90s with a wipeout slider/splitter combination, but it would be no surprise at all if the fastball was reaching higher than that this spring. Losing their ace from a season ago will surely change the dynamic of the rotation a bit, but if Buenik can step in and help eat a bulk of those innings, he could end up being one of the most dominant arms in the state this spring.

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NEWCOMERS TO WATCH

INF Madden Cotts (2027; Bradley commit) will be a talented new option for the Wildcats this spring, and he’s currently the No. 39 ranked player in the state. He’s an athletic left-handed hitter that profiles at the top of the lineup with a loose, whippy swing and quality control of the barrel, also boasting some sneaky power with a 98 mph exit velocity in-event this past winter. He can run at an above-average clip with a 6.88 in the 60, helping to add versatility both on the bases and on the infield - and he’s an advanced defender that will help bolster that side of the ball for the Wildcats. Look for Cotts to make an immediate impact for the Wildcats as a versatile athlete, giving coach Thompson yet another high-level player at his disposal. 

𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗹𝗹-𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗨𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀: 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 ⭐

MIF Madden Cotts (Libertyville, 2027; Bradley commit)

◾5-10 | 168 lbs
◾98 mph peak EV; 95 mph avg.
◾T374' max distance
◾6.88 runner@MaddenCotts | #ILPAS

👤 https://t.co/J1Qsbg9cuY pic.twitter.com/1x3CKKYnmO

— Prep Baseball Illinois (@PrepBaseballIL) March 6, 2026

Another name to watch for the Wildcats that should see a bulk of time is C/OF Weston Wyzukovicz (2028). One of the best pure hitters in the young 2028 class, the right-handed bat is well beyond his years from an approach and feel to hit standpoint. The swing/miss is minimal with quality awareness of the zone, and he will bring some power along with him in his compact, simple swing (T103 mph EV). He’s another versatile athlete, looking to be a quality catcher behind the dish with the athleticism to shift to the outfield (6.67 60-time). Currently the No. 19 ranked player in the state, we are excited for the varsity debut of Wyzukovicz and think he could make an immediate impact for the Wildcats. 

𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗹𝗹-𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀: 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 ⭐

C Weston Wyzukovicz (Libertyville, 2028) impressed with one of the more polished rounds of BP on the day.

◾102.7 mph peak EV; 95 mph avg.
◾T374' max distance
◾1.94 pop-time; T78 mph
◾6.67… pic.twitter.com/M2f206V7Dt

— Prep Baseball Illinois (@PrepBaseballIL) March 6, 2026

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TEAM OUTLOOK

The reigning 4A state champions return to defend their title with a mix of championship experience and promising young talent. "We are excited to have experienced players from the state run back and hungry for another title," said head coach Matt Thompson, the 2025 IHSBCA Coach of the Year recipient. "We are also thrilled to have some really strong juniors that look to step up and have big years." 

The Wildcats will lean heavily on RHP/CIF Chase Lockwood (2026; Illinois State), who returns as a cornerstone piece after posting a 10-0 record and 0.82 ERA as a key contributor to the championship run. Lockwood's showcase metrics are also impressive, featuring a curveball spin rate ranked No. 5 in his class with a mid/upper-80s fastball - and he's also an athletic left-handed hitter that returns 90 at-bats from a season ago.

Behind the plate, C Ryan Wilberding (2027; Marshall) brings elite power with a 106 mph max exit velocity, ranking in the top-20 statewide. Wilberding earned over 100 plate appearances as a sophomore on a loaded 2025 Wildcats roster, hitting three homers with eight doubles (.995 OPS), and he will also provide elite defense from behind the dish.

The junior class features significant upside in CIF Aksel McKnight (2027), who showcases elite power with a 105 mph max exit velocity, and he'll be a dangerous new bat in their lineup for pitchers to navigate. 

CIF Matthew Hara (2027) is another dangerouss newcomer who provides versatility and strong contact ability along with a powerful right-handed swing. 

The aforementioned Cotts provides speed and athleticism that should fit right in on varsity - while CIF Carson Holmes (2026), INF Bode Rohrbach (2026), OF Jack Cenar (2026) and INF Trevor Wallace (2026; Ripon College commit) will help add depth to the offense and on the defensive side. 

On the mound, Buenik emerges as a key arm with his 95 mph fastball, which is one of the firmest fastballs in the state regardless of class. He also threw 28.1 innings as a sophomore last year and allowed just 15 hits.

LHP/OF Nico Harper (2026; Olivet Nazarene commit) was up to 87 mph around this time last year with a feel to spin a breaking ball. RHP Reed Sooley (2026) can also spin and should be a useful depth arm on staff too.

The aforementioned Lockwood will help boslter a loaded pitching rotation, along with LHP Ian Maddux (2026), a projectable, clean-moving southpaw with a low-80s fastball. 

Look for Cotts, McKnight, RHP Theo Kellogg (2026; Indiana Wesleyan commit), RHP Jack Brdecka (2026) and RHP Braden Tolzien (2026; Heartland) to help eat innings as well for the Wildcats. 

Thompson's program built its 2025 championship on a foundation of pitching, defense, and hitting, with the team tying the school record for wins at 36 en route to their state title. Individual records fell throughout the historic season, including Josh Holst's single-season wins record (13) and career strikeouts (268); 2025 Prep Baseball Player of the Year, Quinn Schambow, set the single-season doubles (18) and career triples (12) at the program; while Cole Lockwood also set the single-season steals (38) and career marks (77). 

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BOTTOM LINE

The Wildcats are loaded once again, with some key returners along with an extremely talented crop of new faces. They will be able to do everything at a high level with depth on both sides of the ball, and if the newcomers step up the way we think they will - the Wildcats could very well find themselves back in Joliet at the end of the spring. 

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Find more information on the 2026 Libertyville program below:

+ Follow them on social media: @baseballLville
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Illinois Preseason Power 25 homepage

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