By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

Follow @PBRIllinois

The Illinois high school season kicks off on March 13, the first day for regular season games.

Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we will be rolling out team previews of high school teams all across the state and  across all classifications, eventually launching our Preseason Power 25.

We have been sending out our annual Preseason Questionnaire to coaches all across the state and as the responses flood in we will bring you a snapshot of what to expect along with top players and keys to success for that particular team.

Team: Edwardsville
Preseason Rank: 14
2016 Record: 29-8
Conference: Southwestern
IHSA Class: 4A
Head Coach: Tim Funkhouser
Playoff Run: Lost in Regional Final
2016 Final Rank: 14
Returning Starters: 4
Returning Pitchers: 5

Top Players

KEY PLAYERS LOST
Trey Riley RHP (Oklahoma State)
Collin Clayton CF (John A. Logan)
Jake Garella RHP/3B (St. Louis)
Tyler Hosto LHP (Indianapolis)
Cole Cimarolli OF (Quincy)
Tyler Stamer CIF/OF

X-FACTOR/STAT RAT
4-2, 33 IP, 33 H, 35 K’s and a 3.39 ERA: That was the 2016 year-end stat line for RHP Andrew Frank last season. The 6-foot-5, 190-pound, senior, right-hander, has a chance to be the No. 1 for the Tigers pitching staff this spring. Frank works out of a ¾ slot and gets a lot of run and sink on his fastball that sits 83-86 mph and has touched 87. If he can consistently throw strikes and harness his off-speed offerings, he has a chance to be a dominate guy this spring.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH
Junior RHP Caleb Strohmeier. Strohmeier is a 6-foot-6, 200-pound right-handed pitcher who is a main piece of the Tigers basketball program that is currently 29-1 and has a legitimate chance to win state. When he finally does step foot on the baseball field this spring he will add a highly projectable arm to the mix. Strohmeier is certainly one to keep an eye on come playoff time.

OUTLOOK
Edwardsville is coming off a 29-win season and despite losing key players to graduation, they have a strong and deep senior class ready to lead. Offensively, they are not loaded with big power guys, however they have good overall team speed and should hit plenty of doubles. Senior OF Dylan Burris hit at the top of the order last season and has true leadoff type speed. The Wabash Valley commit, broke the Edwardsville 40-yard indoor track record this winter with a 4.5 (FAT timing). Last season, the left-handed hitting Burris hit .448 before his season was cut short with a stress fracture in his femur. Kade Burns, Joel Quirin and Andrew Yancik are three seniors that have above-average speed, should contribute with the bat and have a chance to lock down three of the four infield spots. Senior's Will Messer and Daniel Reed are also expected to contribute at the plate. Messer hit .419 last season for the Tigers. A young bat to keep an eye on down the road will be freshman Drake Westcott. Westcott is a left-handed hitter with advanced pop in his bat for his age. On the mound, the Tigers should have the depth to compete in the deep Southwestern Conference.  Expect Andrew  Frank, Andrew  Yancik, Caleb Strohmeier, Tyler Lewis and Reid Henrickson all to see a lot of innings this spring.

BOTTOM LINE
The Tigers have a wealth of position players who should compete for playing time this season. On the mound, they lack a true No. 1 starter but have a number of arms expected to contribute and eat up innings. By tournament time, as the pieces are sorted out and fall into place, there is no doubt Edwardsville will be a team to beat in the Southern part of the state.

Make sure to follow @pbrillinois on Twitter for the most up-to-date coverage throughout the season.

preseason countdown