Mateo Zunica, St. Rita
Photo by John Rowland
2016 Illinois Preseason Baseball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. Plainfield North
Head coach: John Darlington
2015 record: 30-8
The Tigers lost in the second round of the Class 4A state playoffs last year to Chicago Mt. Carmel. A total of six starters return from that squad, along with a strong stable of pitchers to make Plainfield North the favorite in Illinois. Shortstop
Zach Jarosz (.366) is the top returning position player for the Tigers, while four of the starting pitchers are headed to Division I schools.
See last season's Illinois baseball computer rankings
2. Chicago Mt. Carmel
Head coach: Brian Hurry
2015 record: 36-5
Runners-up last year to Providence Catholic in Class 4A, Chicago Mt. Carmel has a strong group of infielders and two of the top underclassmen in the state in junior pitcher
Cameron Hupe and sophomore centerfielder
Alek Thomas. Hupe posted a 7-1 pitching record with a 1.16 ERA as a sophomore while Thomas hit eight home runs as a freshman.
See Illinois baseball pro photo galleries
3. St. Rita (Chicago)
Head coach: Mike Zunica
2015 record: 32-7
Ranked No. 1 in the nation at one point last year, St. Rita lost to Chicago Mt. Carmel in the first round of the Class 4A state playoffs. The Mustangs have several Division I recruits, including outfielder
Mateo Zunica (.328), outfielder
Daniel Gleaves (.387) and catcher
Calvin Greenfield (.404).
See last season's Illinois baseball playoff brackets
4. Providence Catholic (New Lenox)
Head coach: Mark Smith
2015 record: 30-12
The Celtics were the surprise team in the playoffs the past two years, as they posted double-digit loss totals during the regular season yet managed to win the Class 4A state title both years. Providence Catholic returns seven starters from last year and has five pitchers with varsity experience.
Mike Madej returns after earning third team all-state honors.
See last season's Illlinois baseball stat leaders
5. Joliet Catholic
Head coach: Jared Voss
2015 record: 28-7-1
The Hilltoppers are a perennial contender in Class 3A, although they did not advance to the state tournament last year. Nevertheless, Joliet Catholic has one of the top pitchers in the state in
Drake Fellows, who went 7-1 with a 0.61 ERA and 92 strikeouts.
