2024 Prep Baseball Illinois First Team All-State
June 19, 2024
By: Illinois Staff
Just a yesterday, the Prep Baseball Illinois team released its First-Team All-State honors for the 2024 IHSA season. Today, we’re announcing the recipients of our Second-Team All-State honors. Given the amount of talent residing in the state, the Second-Team roster is stacked with selections representing all corners of Illinois.
Keep an eye out tomorrow when we release our Third-Team All-State.
But for now, and without further ado, here is the roster for the 2024 Prep Baseball Illinois’ Second-Team All-State.
PITCHERS
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Ryan Sloan RHP / York, IL / 2024
| RHP |
46 |
2-3 |
19 |
90 |
5 |
0.30 |
0.117 |
Prep Baseball Illinois' Player of the Year, Ryan Sloan, had quite an impressive year for York, pitching 46 innings and only allowing two earned runs the whole season, leaving the No. 1 right-handed pitcher in the country with a staggering 0.30 ERA. Sloan was practically unhittable with 90 strikeouts, scattering 19 hits with a 0.117 opponent batting average. The Wake Forest commit also showed command of his explosive arsenal, surrendering only five walks on the season. Sloan may not make it to Winston-Salem as the projected first-rounder has impressed scouts all over the nation with his arsenal, pitchability, and makeup, all of which helped lead York baseball to consecutive 4A State Finals. Sloan's fastball has been up to 98 this spring, hovering in the 95-97 range, grouped with a mid-80s slider with late 10/4 bite and an upper-80s changeup with late dive.
|
 |
| RHP |
43 |
6-0 |
18 |
85 |
15 |
4 |
0.64 |
The No. 1 ranked player in Illinois' 2025 class has slowly proven himself to be one of the best left-handed pitchers in the nation. Appenzeller went a perfect 6-0 for Glenwood, pitching a total of 43 innings with 85 strikeouts and a 0.64 ERA. The South Carolina commit only allowed 18 hits on the year, acting as the ace of a Glenwood baseball squad who were 3A Regional Champs. Appenzeller has a bright future ahead of him as he continues to build a resume that leaves him as one of the more intriguing arms in the 2025 MLB Draft. This spring, Appenzeller has showcased a fluid, ultra-easy operation with an 88-91 mph fastball and mid-to-upper 70’s breaking ball that is more devastating everytime we see him. It has advanced feel all extremely late and sharp horizontal action. He also possesses a low-80s fading changeup that he does not need to go to very often. A name to know for the 2025 MLB Draft.
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 |
Ethan Eberle LHP / Normal Community, IL / 2024
| LHP |
49.2 |
7-1 |
24 |
104 |
12 |
13 |
12 |
0.99 |
0.73 |
Louisville commit Ethan Eberle has had quite an impressive high school career, now holding Normal Community's career strike record at 265. Eberle was an All-State selection last year but has been more dominant this year, going 7-1 with 104 strikeouts and a 0.99 ERA over 49.2 innings, earning the Pitcher of the Year award for his respective region. The Normal Community ace had two complete games on the year, both in the postseason, with one against Moline and the other against Bradley-Bourbonnais. Eberle is ranked as the No. 1 left-handed pitcher in Illinois' 2024, and for good reason. Eberle has a lively fastball with all kinds of horizontal movement that sits comfortably in the upper-80's but its his big sweeping breaking ball that is the separator and leads to a lot of his chases and strikeouts out of the zone. One of the more dynamic arms in the state.
|
 |
| RHP |
77 |
11-1 |
46 |
103 |
26 |
23 |
10 |
0.91 |
0.94 |
Loeger was a workhouse this season for Conant, sporting an 11-1 record over 77 innings pitched, which was towards the highest number of innings pitched across 4A baseball this spring when looking at our POTY submissions from coaches. In those 77 innings, he struck out 103 to go along with a 0.91 ERA. Loeger is one of the more intriguing prospects in the state as he is also a high-level swimmer and reports say he will attempt to play both sports at Dartmouth. Loeger features a 6-foot-3, 207-pound, wide-shouldered frame and one can easily dream of the upside on the mound if he were to solely focus on baseball. With that being said, he features dynamic stuff on the mound with a starter profile, feel to spin two different breaking balls which rounds out an advanced four-pitch arsenal.
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CATCHER
 |
| CF |
.409 |
12 |
2 |
8 |
30 |
47 |
9 |
.453 |
.757 |
19 |
Parpet was one of the key leaders and reasons for Conants success this spring, resulting in a runner-up finish in the 4A State Final. In 37 games, the Heartland CC commit hit .409 BA with 47 runs scored and 31 walks which led to a .543 on base percentage. Acting as a major offensive catalyst at the top of the order, Parpet delviered eight home runs and 30 RBI's as well. He also impacted the game on the bases stealing 19-of-20 bases. In our in-game looks this spring, Parpet plays with a high-motor, is an advanced defender and clear leader on the field. He ended the season with a 0.996 fielding percentage and can stick behind the plate long term or is athletic enough to move around the diamond.
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FIRST BASEMAN
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AJ Putty 1B / Huntley, IL / 2025
| 1B |
.419 |
13 |
11 |
29 |
35 |
.504 |
.812 |
The Illinois commit is one of the top right-handed power bats in the state and he proved it once again this spring launching double digit home runs for a Red Raider club that finished 29-8-1, finishing inside our Power 25 Final Rankings. Putty slashed .419/.504/.812 on the year, including 11 home runs, 13 doubles, and 35 runs scored. Depsite hitting for a lot of power, Putty walked (22) more than he struck out (17) and was the biggest threat in the Huntley order throughout the season.
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MIDDLE INFIELD
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Jackson Smith SS / Providence Catholic , IL / 2024
| MIF |
.419 |
12 |
4 |
6 |
48 |
51 |
.568 |
.720 |
19 |
The Bradley commit and Providence Catholic shortstop was pivotal to the Celtics’ 4A State championship title by leading in numerous offensive categories and providing multiple clutch offensive performances. He won the Chicago Catholic League’s Lawless Award for the best senior player and earned his way into our First-Team All-State by hitting .416 BA with 52 hits, 48 RBIs, 12 doubles, 6 home runs, and 19 stolen bases on the season. The left-handed hitter was a key piece of the state championship squad coming up big in multiple playoff games, including a two-RBI game in a 3-2 Super-Sectional win over Mt. Carmel. Smith will make his way to Bradley in the Fall after capping off a three-year career with a final season as a 4A State champion, Lawless Award winner, First-Team All-State selection, and as one of Illinois’ top middle infield prospects.
|
 |
Dayton Murphy SS / Crystal Lake South , IL / 2024
| MIF |
.440 |
11 |
2 |
3 |
42 |
42 |
.568 |
.728 |
40 |
The numbers from the Michigan State recruit and No. 4 ranked 2024 SS in the state speak for themselves. Murphy is a protoypical table-setter who causes havoc with his bat but also on the bases as well. Murphy stole 40/46 bases this spring, helping propel him to a first-team selection. Along with his defensive prowess up the middle, Murphy slashed .440/.572/.630, scoring 46 runs, walking 28 times and only striking out six times on the season. The Future Games alum impacted the game this spring on all sides of the ball and helped lead the Gators to a 21-14 record.
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THIRD BASEMAN
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Nathan O'Donnell 3B / Providence Catholic, IL / 2025
| 3B |
.430 |
11 |
1 |
11 |
55 |
43 |
.568 |
.833 |
1.337 |
O’Donnell is another star who led the 4A State Champions, Providence Catholic, to their well-deserved title. The infielder had a big junior campaign, racking up honors such as Chicago Catholic League Blue First-Team and the Chicago Catholic League Blue Player of the Season. He slashed .430/.504/.803 with 55 RBIs, 11 home runs, and 11 doubles on the season. O’Donnell then contributed 2 RBIs in the 4A State championship game to help lead the Celtcis to their first state title since 2016. The former Future Games participant is one of the top uncommitted bats in the Illinois' 2025 class after recently decommitting from Creighton due to the coaching change.
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OUTFIELDERS
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Jaden Fauske C / Nazareth Academy , IL / 2025
| OF |
.546 |
15 |
3 |
3 |
43 |
45 |
9 |
.612 |
.824 |
18 |
Fauske appears for a second consecutive year on our First Team All-State list after yet another impressive junior season. Currently hitting at a pace to break Nazareth’s school batting average record, he tallied 59 hits in 108 plate appearances, slashing a remarkable .546/.612/.824, including 38 singles, 15 doubles, 3 triples, and 3 home runs. Showing impressive plate discipline and a keen eye for the strike zone, he racked up 23 walks over only 9 strikeouts. Though he DH’d most of the season, Fauske played a major role en route to Nazareth’s undefeated regular season and final 37-1 record. Fauske is currently ranked No. 20 overall nationally and No. 2 in the Illinois 2025 class. Look for him to be one of the top high school draft prospects in the Midwest next spring.
|
 |
| OF |
.462 |
9 |
2 |
13 |
54 |
34 |
12 |
.547 |
.962 |
Yearsley put together a strong senior year for Yorkville, showing some of the best home run power in the state. He seemingly was a threat to leave the yard at any time, ending the season with 13 home runs and 54 RBI's. Yearsley slashed .462/.547/.962 in 104 plate appearances with nine doubles, two triples, scored 34 runs and walked 19 times to 12 strikeouts. The John A. Logan JC commit will be a name to follow at the next level and beyond.
|
 |
Nate George OF / Minooka , IL / 2024
| OF |
.404 |
13 |
4 |
9 |
40 |
41 |
12 |
.488 |
.844 |
22 |
George, one of the top prospects in the Illinois' 2024 class and a name to follow in this summer's MLB draft, and beyond, helped lead Minooka to a 24-11 season, spending much of the season within the Power 25. One of the top athletes in the country, George swiped 22-of-26 bases and scored 41 runs on the year. The right-handed hitter slashed .404/.488/.844 in 109 at-bats, with 13 doubles, four triples, nine home runs and drove in 40. He also drew 17 walks to 12 strikeouts.
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UTILITY
 |
| SS |
.407 |
15 |
3 |
7 |
33 |
44 |
.489 |
.763 |
10 |
| RHP |
48 |
7-1 |
37 |
66 |
4 |
0.58 |
1.14 |
Zilis had a breakout junior campaign for Minooka and continues to ascend as a two-way prospect in the 2025 class. At the plate, the left-handed hitter slashed .407/.489/.763 in 118 at-bats, with 7 home runs, 15 doubles, and 33 RBI’s and 3 triples; scoring 43 runs and drawing 19 walks. On the mound, he led the way for the Minooka rotation going 7-1, striking out 66, walking only 18, and allowing four earned runs. He ended season with a 0.58 ERA in 48 IP.
|
 |
David Cox SS / Nazareth Academy, IL / 2024
| 3B |
.432 |
16 |
7 |
49 |
34 |
.507 |
.793 |
The UIC commit has put together quite the career for Nazareth Academy, which ended with a Senior campaign that nearly led to a perfect undefeated season. An All-Conference Player in 2023, the Nazareth two-way would get All-Conference honors again in 2024, also winning the ESCC Player of the Year Award. At the plate, he hit .432 BA and 1.300 OPS with eight home runs, 16 doubles and 49 RBIs. On the mound, the 6-foot right-handed pitcher went 6-0 with a 0.96 ERA. He struck out 52 to 14 walks. 0.962 ERA with 52 strikeouts. One of the top two-way prospects in the state, ends his high school career with two state titles in baseball.
|
 |
Conor Essenburg 1B / Lincoln-Way West, IL / 2025
| OF |
.388 |
12 |
2 |
4 |
29 |
31 |
38 |
.554 |
.673 |
| LHP |
52 |
10-2 |
20 |
101 |
11 |
1.48 |
1.12 |
Essenburg was one of the top two-way threats in the state this season and helped lead Lincoln-Way West to a 30-5 record. The Warriors quickly ascended into the Top-10 in the state and remained there for the entirety of the season. Essenburg was the clear ace of the staff and a presence in the middle of the order throughout the season. From the mound, the Kansas State commit finished the season 10-2 with a 101 strikeouts in 52 innings pitched. The southpaw broke the school’s record for single-season wins and single-season strikeouts while sporting a 1.48 ERA. Offensively, he slashed .388/.554/.673 with 14 extra-base hits, 4 home runs, and 29 RBIs. Essenburg will look to build off his record-breaking year in his 2025 senior spring.
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+ CLICK HERE to view this year's Player of the Year story.
+ CLICK HERE to view all the episode's of the IHSA Podcast.
+ CLICK HERE to view our Final Power 25 Update of the 2024 season.
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