The 2012 Louisville Slugger pre-season All-American baseball players from Illinois.
First Team All-Americans:
RHP Kyle Funkhouser from Oak Forest HS in Illinois. Kyle went 12-0 last season with a .083 ERA with 140 strikeouts in 82 innings. Kyle throws in the low 90's, signed with Louisville and is projected to go high in the 2012 MLB draft.
RHP Matthew James from Normal West HS in Normal Illinois. James went 9-1 with a .062 ERA, 7 complete games, 107 strikeouts and 8 walks in 67 1/3 innings last year.
RHP Jon Kupfert from Peoria Notre Dame HS in Peoria Illinois. Jon was 13-0 with 1.18 ERA, 5 complete games and 63 strikeouts in 77 innings.
Catcher Jason Goldstein from Highland Park HS in Illinois. Jason hit .388 with 11 doubles, 3 homers and 26 rbi's last year. Jason has signed with Illinois.
Honorable Mention All-Americans:
LHP Brett Lilek, Marion Catholic HS in Chicago Heights Illinois. Brett has been clocked in the low 90's and signed with Arizona State.
Catcher Zack Soria, St. Rita of Cascia in Chicago Illinois. Zack hit .476 with 18 doubles, 4 homers and 40 rbi's in 2011.
Left handed pitcher Talor Eikenberry has been named as one of the top 50 prospects in NAIA baseball for the 2012 preseason by Perfect Game USA in their 2012 NAIA preview.
Eikenberry is currently at Union College in Kentucky and transferred from Iowa Western Community College. Taylor is from Rock Falls Illinois.
Eikenberry originally committed to Baylor out of High School but wound up having Tommy John surgery and wound up at Iowa Western Community College. After his sophomore year at Western, Taylor committed to NC State but wound up at Union College, an NAIA school in Kentucky.
Below are the Illinois Junior College baseball teams ranked in the first NJCAA preseason poll for 2012.
Division I:
#16 Wabash Valley College
Division II:
#5 Heartland Community College
#8 Parkland College
#16 Kankakee Community College
Division III:
#7 Joliet Junior College
The Illinois baseball players that have been named to the D3Baseball.com 2012 Preseason All-American Team.
First Team All-Americans:
Catcher Mike Nodzenski from Grinnel College hit .465 with 12 home runs, 11 doubles and 47 rbi's in 2011. Mike is from Naperville North HS and lives in Naperville Illinois.
DH/Outfielder Cam Stevens from Concordia University Chicago hit .453 with 4 homers, 19 doubles and 45 rbi's last season. Stevens attended East Leyden HS and lives in Rosemont Illinois.
3B/Pitcher Trey Martin from Wheaton College went 4-5 with a 2.93 ERA on the mound and at the plate Trey hit .362 with 8 homers, 3 triples, 11 doubles and had 36 rbi's in 2011. Trey went to Wheaton North HS and lives in Wheaton Illinois.
Second Team All-Americans:
Outfielder Josh Davidson from Aurora University hit .429 last season with the Spartans. Josh is from Cypress California.
Honorable Mention:
Catcher Nick Skala, Concordia University Chicago
1B Kevin Callahan, Illinois Wesleyan
Outfielder Justin Zeller, Wheaton College
Grand Valley State University baseball welcomes top newcomers from Illinois for the 2012 season.
Grand Valley State posted a 52-5 record in 2011 and finished seventh in the Division II World Series.
Listed as their top newcomers for 2012 are:
RHP Anthony Campanella, Anthony transferred from Elgin Community College and lives in Carol Stream Illinois. Campanella redshirted in 2010.
Outfielder Chris Ripple, transfer from Oakton Community College, Chris lives in Morton Grove Illinois.
Anthony and Chris will join Kyle Zegarac, Lansing Ilinois, Kyle Schepel, South Holland Illinois, Dan Lodolce, Melrose Park Illinois, and Patrick Kelly, Brookfield Illinois as Grand Valley State baseball players from Illinois.
The Joliet Slammers have aquired outfielder Zach Mandelblatt from the McAllen Thunder of the North American Baseball League for a player to be named later. Mandelblatt hit .298 with 14 homers and 46 rbi's last season with the Thunder.
The Slammers also signed catcher Ryan Ferguson, who attened Temple University. Ferguson holds the record at Temple for hitting safely in 26 games. Ryan hit .316 with 10 homers his senior year at Temple.
The Slammers are an Independent professional baseball team who plays at Siver Cross Field in Joliet Illinois. The Slammers are part of the Frontier League.
The top baseball players from Illinois to watch this year in the Southeastern Conference.
RHP Ian Gardeck, transfer from Angelina College and is from Lake in the Hills Illinois. Ian was the 8th round pick by the Chicago White Sox in the 2011 MLB Draft.
RHP/Relief Pitcher Brett Huber, Ole Miss, Brett attended Althoff Catholic HS and lives in Belleville Illinois. Huber went 2-1 with a 3.60 ERA and 4 saves last season.
Here is the list of the top baseball players to watch from Illinois for 2012 in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Projected Relief Pitcher of the Year:
Kenny Long, Illinois State, Kenny is from Dundee Crown HS and lives in Fox River Grove Illinois. Long set the ISU record with 15 career saves, went 4-1 with a .092 ERA last season.
Projected Player of the Year:
1B Chris Serritella, Southern Illinois Carbondale, Chris attended Loyola Academy and lives in Glenview Illinois. Chris redshirted in 2011 but was drafted anyway by the Royals in the 31st round.
Top Players to Watch:
OF Kevin Hall, Wichita State, Kevin is from Glenwood HS and lives in Springfield Illinois. Kevin hit .254 with 3 homers, 13 doubles and stole 24 bases last season.
SS Alex Staehely, Creighton, Alex attended Benet Academy and lives in Sugar Grove Illinois. Staehley hit .285 with 3 homers, 23 doubles and 36 rbi's in 2011.
2B Kevin Tokarski, Illinois State, Kevin went to Downers Grove North HS and lives in Downers Grove Illinois. Tokarski hit .282 with 3 homers, 30 rbi's and stole 25 bases last season.
Catcher Matt Mirabal, Illinois State, Matt is from Mount Carmel HS and lives in Chicago Illinois. Mirabal hit .247 with 6 doubles and 25 rbi's last season.
Pitcher Chris Razo, Illinois State, Razo is a transfer from Heartland and lives in Chillicothe Ilinois. Chris was the pitcher of the year at Heartland.
Pitcher Otto Roberts, Illinois State, Otto is a transfer from Southwestern Illinois and lives in Belleville Illinois.
Outfielder Jordan Siversten, Southern Illinois, Jordan is from Carmel Catholic and lives in Richmond Illinois. Siversten hit .297 with 9 homers, 16 doubles and 48 rbi's in 2011.
Outfielder Nick Johnson, Southern Illinois, Nick attended O'Fallon HS and lives in O'Fallon Illinois. Johnson hit .271 with 4 homers, 8 doubles and 38 rbi's last season.
LHP Cody Forsythe, Southern Illinois, Cody is from Calvert City KY.
LHP Nathan Dorris, Southern Illinois, Nathan is a transfer from Rend Lake CC and lives in Marion Illinois.
RHP Dakota Bacus, Indiana State, Dakota is a transfer from Southeastern CC, attended Moline HS and lives in Moline Illinois.
RHP Sam Johns, Evansville, Sam attended Civic Memorial HS and lives in Bethalto Illinois. Sam was injured in 2011.
SS Jason Leblebijian, Bradley, Jason is from Prospect HS and lives in Arlington Hts. Illinois. Jason Hit .315 with 14 doubles last season.
2B Rob Elliott, Bradley, Rob attended Nequa Valley HS and lives in Naperville Illinois. Elliott hit .276 with 4 homers, 21 rbi's and stole 28 bags last year.
LHP Joe Bircher, Bradley, Joe is from Omaha NE.
RHP John Nasshan, Bradley, John is from Niles West HS and lives in Niles Illinois. Nasshan went 3-8 with a 4.55 ERA last season.
The top baseball players from Illinois and projected finish of Illinois teams in the Summit League for 2012. The list is based on how the conference coaches voted in their preseason polls.
Western Illinois is projected to finish 2nd behind Oral Roberts.
Top Players from Illinois:
LHP/DH Rich Mascheri, Western Illinois, Rich is a transfer from College of Lake County, attended Wauconda HS and lives in Wauconda Illinois. Mascheri redshirted in 2011 but hit .385 last summer and was a West Coast League All-Star.
Catcher Manny Reyes, Western Illinois, Manny is from Santa Monica California.
Shortstop Austin Cowen, Western Illinois, Austin is from Gillette Wyoming.
Outfielder Matt Igara, Western Illinois, Matt is a transfer from Heartland, attended Jacobs HS and lives in Algonquin Illinois. Igara hit .317 with 4 homers and 19 doubles last season.
First baseman Tom Lilja, Western Illinois, Tom is from Lincoln-Way East HS and lives in Mokena Illinois. Lilja hit .281 with 11 homers 8 doubles and 43 rbi's in 2011.
The top baseball players to watch from Illinois in the Ohio Valley Conference for the 2012 season.
SS Kenton Parmley, Southeast Missouri State, went to Goreville HS and lives in Goreville Illinois. - Parmley hit .308 with 5 homers, 17 doubles and 30 rbi's last season.
3B Zach Hawkins, Southern Illinois Edwardsville, Zach attended Pinckneyville HS and lives in Pinckneyville Illinois. Hawkins hit .345 with 3 homers, 12 doubles and 44 rbi's in 2011.
OF Devin Caldwell, Southern Illinois Edwardsville, Devin went to Civic Memorial HS and lives in Cottage Hills Illinois. Caldwell hit .314 with 6 homers, 16 doubles and 53 rbi's last season.
RHP Travis Felax, Southern Illinois Edwardsville, Travis attended Triad HS and lives in Troy Illinois. Travis went 5-2 with a 2.62 ERA in 2011.
The 2012 top baseball players to watch in the Mid American Conference from Illinois or on Illinois teams. The list is based on how the conference coaches voted in the pre-season polls.
Relief Pitcher Dietrich Enis, Central Michigan, LHP Dietrich is from Lincoln Way East HS and lives in Frankfort Illinois.
RHP Jon Weaver, Central Michigan, Jon is from East Leyden HS and lives in Franklin Park Illinois.
Outfielder Bryce Redeker, Miami Ohio, Bryce is a transfer from Kankakee Community College, went to Bishop McNamara HS and lives in Watseka Illinois.
1B Jeff Zimmerman, Northern Illinois, Jeff is from Andrew HS and lives in Tinley Park Illinois.
SS Alex Jones, Northern Illinois, Alex is from Kansas City Kansas.
Outfielder Jamison Wells, Northern Illinois, Jamison is from Combined Locks WI.
3B Troy White, Northern Illinois, Troy went to Whitney Young HS and lives in Chicago Illinois.
RHP Tony Manville, Northern Illinois, Tony is a transfer from Iowa, went to Mount Carmel HS and lives in New Lenox Illinois.
Relief Pitcher Kyle Glancy, Northern Illinois, Kyle attended Oak Park River Forest HS and lives in Oak Park Illinois.
LHP Casey Webber, Western Michigan, Casey is from Providence Catholic HS and lives in Tinley Park Illinois.
3B Ryan McMillin, Western Michigan, Ryan attended Lyons Township HS and lives in LaGrange Illinois.
The 2012 Illinois baseball players to watch this year in the Horizon League. The list is based on how the conference coaches voted in their pre-season polls in the Horizon League.
LHP Tyler Deetjen, Valparaiso, Tyler is from St. Charles East HS and lives in St. Charles Illinois.
3B Patrick Guinane, Butler, Patrick is from Glenbrook South HS and lives in Glenview, Illinois.
OF Mike Hoscheit, Butler, Mike is from St. Charles East HS and lives in St. Charles Illinois.
The Midwest Collegiate League has another new team for the 2012 summer season, Joliet. The Midwest Collegiate League announced the club will be owned by Eloot Sports and Entertainment, same organization that owns the Will County CrackerJacks, which is Jamie Toole. Toole was the GM for the now defunct Joliet JackHammers.
The Joliet club will announce their name this month and have reported the signing of three players so far. Joliet will play their games at Joliet Junior College.
Judson University in Elgin Illinois features two NAIA players to watch in 2012.
Senior outfielder Matt McHenry who hit .299 with 6 home runs, 17 doubles and 41 rbi's in 2011. Matt is from Blue Spring CO.
Junior RHP/DH T.J. Swank hit .331 with 6 homers, 9 doubles, and 39 rbi's and on the mound T.J. went 3-1 with a 2.48 ERA and 6 saves in 15 appearances last season. Swank is from Crystal Lake Illinois and transferred from Coastal Carolina.
The top Illinois junior college baseball players to watch in 2012 who were recommended by junior college and four year university coaches across the nation.
LHP Derek Thompson, John A. Logan, Derek is from Teutopolis Illinois
LHP Aaron Hauge, Heartland, Aaron is from Homewood Illinois
LHP Bo Weir, Parkland, Bo is from Kokomo IN
LHP Troy Mannebach, Oakton, Troy is from Appleton WI
RHP Jeremy Stawychny, Heartland, Jeremy is from Franklin Park Illinois
RHP Bill McFarland, Southwestern Illinois, Bill is from Edwardsville Illinois
RHP David Toth, Danville Area, David is from Danville Illinois
RHP Joe Ucho, Prairie State, Joe is from Chicago Illinois
RHP Karl Brecht, Lewis & Clark, Karl is from Michigan
RHP Trevor Vermillion, Joliet, Trevor is from Joliet
1B Dan Eliopulos, Joliet, Dan is from Tinley Park Illinois
1B Jeff Limbaugh, Parkland, Jeff is from Crown Point IN
1B Mike Falloni, Heartland, Mike is from Edwardsville IL
2B Marshal Vallandingham, Southwestern Illinois, Marshal is from Mascoutah
2B Luis Bruno, Southeastern Illinois, Luis is from Puerto Rico
2B Ryan Black, Danville Area, Ryan is from Indiana
3B Cody Daily, Southwestern Illinois, Cody is from Granite City Illinois
3B Joe Czarnecki, Prairie State, Joe is from Oak Forest Illinois
SS Tyler Palmer, Oakton, Tyler is from Georgia
SS Westley Minton, Parkland, Westley is from Ohio
SS Chase Matheson, McHenry,
OF Logan Leverett, Southeastern Illinois, Logan is from Harrisburg Illinois
OF Neil DeCook, Kankakee, Neil is from Kankakee Illinois
OF Brian Doll, Southwestern Illinois Brian is from Greenville
OF Joe Dunn, Lewis & Clark, Joe is from Alton Illinois
OF Tanner Hahn, Danville Area, Tanner is from Indiana
DH Dylan Johnson, Heartland, Dylan is from Bloomington Illinois
1B/C Blake Baker, Kankakee, Blake is from Streator Illinois
Here are the division II baseball Midwest Region players to watch in 2012 who are from Illinois. The list is selected by the ABCA All-American Baseball Committee chaired by Rudy Garbalosa of Lynn University.
Pre-Season All-Americans:
Outfielder Andrew Brauer, Lewis University, Andrew transferred from the College of Dupage, went to Montini HS and lives in Bolingbrook Illinois.
Outfielder Mike Bolling, Lewis University, Mike attended Guerin Prep HS and lives in Chicago Illinois.
RHP Brian Thompson, Quincy University, Brian went to Monmouth-Roseville HS and lives in Monmouth Illinois.
Players to Watch:
RHP Pat Lahey, Lewis University, Pat attended Downers Grove South HS and lives in Downers Grove Illinois.
Outfielder Mitchell Broughton, Quincy University, Mitchell went to Centralia HS and lives in Centralia Illinois.
RHP Eric Meyerchick, Saint Joseph's College, Eric went to TF South HS and lives in Lansing Illinois.
Newcomers to Watch:
Shortstop Mike Barajas, Lewis University, Mike is from Nazareth HS and lives in Chicago Illinois.
The Pre-Season Big Ten Baseball projected order of finish along with top players to watch in 2012. The list was determined by the coaches from the Big Ten.
Projected Order of finish:
Purdue
Michigan State
Minnesota
Illinois
Nebraska
Ohio St.
Michigan
Penn St.
Indiana
Iowa
Northwestern
Projected Pitcher of the Year:
RHP - Tony Bucciferro - Michigan State, Tony is from Minooka HS and lives in Joliet Illinois.
Other Top Players to Watch from Illinois:
3B Brandon Hohl, Illinois, Brandon is from Lincoln Way East and lives in Mokena.
OF Willie Argo, Illinois, Willie is from Davenport Iowa.
RHP Kevin Johnson, Illinois, Kevin is from Mount Carmel HS and lives in Midlothian Illinois.
Relief Pitcher Matt Milroy, Illinois, Matt is from Marmion Academy and lives in Batavia Illinois.
LHP Jarred Hippen, Iowa, Jarred is from Rock Falls HS and lives in Rock Falls Illinois.
RHP Nick Brown, Iowa, Nick is from Wheaton Warrenville HS and lives in Warrenville Illinois.
2B Mike McQuillan, Iowa, Mike is from Brother Rice HS and lives in Evergreen Park IL.
RHP/2B Zach Morton, Northwestern, Zach is from Evanston HS and lives in Evanston Illinois.
RHP Luke Farrell, Northwestern, Luke is from Weslake OH.
DH/P Paul Snieder, Northwestern, Paul is from Hawaii.
SS Trevor Stevens, Northwestern, Trevor is from Glenbrook South HS and lives in Glenview Illinois.
Elmhurst College will host a winter baseball prospect camp for high school players in grades 9-12 on January 29, 2012 for pitchers and catchers and on February 12, 2012 for position players.
Both sessions will run from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm and the cost is $75 per session or $100 if you register for both sessions.
For more information please click on the link below.
Elmhurst Winter Baseball Prospect Camp
NCAA Division III top baseball players to watch from Illinois D3 teams in 2012 as selected by Division III coaches across the U.S.
Left Handed Pitchers:
Kevin Crowley from Illinois Benedictine - Kevin went 4-0 with a 3.49 ERA in 2011.
Nick Mehn, Illinois Wesleyan - Nick was 7-2 with a 3.56 ERA in nine starts last season.
Nick Soldano and Steve Kuligowski from North Park, Nick was 5-1 with a 3.91 ERA and Steve went 7-3 with a 3.38 ERA in 2011.
Right Handed Pitchers:
Drey Gay, Aurora - Drew went 7-3 with a 2.84 ERA in 79 1/3 innings last season.
Joe Sweeney, Illinois Wesleyan - Joe was 6-5 with 3.33 ERA in 78 1/3 innings in 2011.
Catchers:
AJ Nathan, Illinois Wesleyan - Nathan hit .321 with 2 homers, 10 doubles and 67 rbi's last season.
Tom Higgins, Illinois Benedictine - Tom hit .317 with 7 doubles and 50 rbi's in 2011.
First Baseman:
Brett Van Asdlen, Aurora - Brett hit 6 homers while batting .292 with 46 rbi's last season.
Kevin Callahan, Illinois Wesleyan - Kevin hit .398 with 15 home runs, 11 doubles and 51 rbi's in 2011.
Tim Gindville, Illinois Benedictine - Tim hit .290 with 5 doubles and 24 rbi's last year.
Second Baseman:
Brian Evans, Elmhurst College - Brian hit .319 with 7 doubles in 2011.
Third Baseman:
Ryan Javech, North Park - Ryan only played in 4 games in 2011 and hit .118.
Jon Erickson, Illinois Wesleyan - Jon hit .368 with 11 doubles and 24 rbi's in 2011.
Tim Mackey, Aurora - Tim hit .357 with 7 doubles, 2 triples and 27 rbi's last season.
Shortstops:
Zach Hofer, Elmhurst - Zach hit .372 with 4 homers, 14 doubles and 34 rbi's in 2011.
Outfielders:
Josh Davidson, Aurora - Josh hit .429 with 3 homers, 2 triples and 35 rbi's last season.
Justin Zeller, Wheaton College - Justin hit .355 with 9 homers, 11 doubles, 3 triples and 36 rbi's in 2011.
Kevin Hendricks, Illinois Benedictine - Kevin hit .386 with 3 homers, 11 doubles and 44 rbi's last season.
Mike Foley, Aurora - Foley hit .362 with 4 homers, 6 triples and 14 doubles in 2011.
Ryan Adams, Aurora - Ryan hit .369 with 3 homers, 9 doubles and 36 rbi's last season.
Designated Hitters and Multi-Position Players:
Austin Driggers, Wheaton College - Austin hit .353 with 2 homers, 11 doubles and 43 rbi's in 2011.
Bobby Czarnowski, Illinois Wesleyan - Bobby hit .315 with 5 homers, 6 doubles and 29 rbi's last season.
Brad Medina, North Park - Brad hit .329 with 8 homers, 4 doubles and 24 rbi's in 2011.
Trey Martin, Wheaton College - Trey hit .362 with 8 homers, 11 doubles and 36 rbi's at the plate and went 4-5 with a 2.93 ERA in 73 2/3 innings last season.
Southern Illinois Saluki's firstbaseman Chris Serritella was noted by Collegiate Baseball as one of the quality pro prospects that have a chance to be drafted in the first two rounds of the 2012 Major League Baseball Free Agent Draft.
Serritella, who is a redshirt junior, was drafted in 2011 despite missing the entire 2011 season with an injury. Chris was and All-MVC first team member in 2010 and was the MVP of the Prospect League last summer.
