By Ryan Quigley
Illinois Scouting Director

Leading up to the start of the high school season, we will count down the Top 50 preseason teams every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage:

Team: Prospect
Preseason Rank: 33
2014 Record: 19-14
Conference: MSL East
IHSA Class: 4A
Head Coach: Ross Giusti
Playoff Run: Lost in Regionals
2014 Final Rank: NR
Returning Starters: 7
Returning Pitchers: 6

TOP PLAYERS
Name, Position, Class (College Commitment)
Pat Donohue, INF, 2015 (Valparaiso)
Lucas Karz, 1B, 2015 (Presbyterian)
Mike Piotrowski, OF, 2015 (Dominican)
Justin Placko, RHP, 2015 (Wisc. Parkside)
Dan Devereux, RHP, 2015
Trey Compton, OF, 2015 (Elmhurst)
Jake Cavaini, SS
Pasquale Atteo, P

X-FACTOR
Left-handed hitting SS/2B Pat Donohue returns after being named Honorable Mention All-Area by the Daily Herald in 2014. 

NEWCOMER TO WATCH
6-foot-4 junior RHP Pasquale Atteo has Division-I potential on the mound. He’s also was a versatile forward this winter for the Knights’ hoops squad.

KEY PLAYER LOST
Mike Smith, RHP

STAT RAT
Senior RHP Dan Devereux returns to lead the staff after garnering All-Area Honors as a junior, going 5-1 on the mound with 1 save, 36 strikeouts, and a sparkling 1.04 ERA.

OUTLOOK
Prospect looks to build off a strong summer finish after losing 3-2 in the IHSBCA Summer Semi-finals to eventual summer state champion Joliet Catholic. With seven returning starters and six returning arms, the Knights should be a favorite to win the MSL East.

BOTTOM LINE
Returning an experienced bunch with a taste of playoff success in the summer time, look for the Knights to compete with last year’s conference champion Elk Grove for the MSL East and carry that success over into the IHSA State Playoffs.

Preseason Countdown

+ Top 50 Preseason Countdown Rankings

+ Updated Illinois 2015 Rankings

+ June Event Schedule