Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 14 Lockport Township

KEY PLAYERS LOST

+ 1B Victor Izquierdo (2022; Navy)
+ C Griffin Brown (2022; Black Hawk JC)
+ OF Lucas Pajeau (2022; Illinois Springfield)
+ RHP David Zaragoza (2022; South Suburban JC)
+ RHP CJ Byrdak (2022; Iowa Central JC)

NEWCOMER TO WATCH

+ INF/RHP Logan Nagle (2025). Given the current depth of the club, Nagle may not be called on for varsity this season but he is a name to know coming through the Porter ranks, regardless. Nagle has a 6-foot-1, 200-pound, durable build and an impactful right-handed bat that should slot somewhere in the middle of this lineup over the next few years. Its a loose, strong, balanced swing that registered well above-average marks this past fall at the Class of 2025 Showcase. Here is what we had to say from the event:

"[Nagle] repeated hard gap-to-gap contact throughout BP, back spinning balls off the barrel to the pull-side while willingly elevating balls to the opposite field, too. A physical 6-foot-1, 200-pound prospect, Nagle averaged an event-high 272 ft. per batted ball event, peaking at 339 ft, too. Nagle’s 86.6 mph average exit velocity also finished towards the event lead, and his hardest hit ball came off his barrel at 92 mph. He’s a strong right-handed bat with a feel to hit in the state’s current sophomore class to follow. 

(Logan Nagle, 10/6/22)

X-FACTOR

+ Returning from last year's squad was 3B Anthony Martinez (2023; South Suburban commit). The South Suburban JC commit had a big junior season, earning 2022 PBR Illinois Third Team All-State Honors as well as a PBR Illinois Player of the Week award finishing a week in early May 6-for-7 with two home runs, a double, 10 RBIs, and four runs scored - while also punching out four across two scoreless innings on the mound. Martinez returns as a top producer at the plate and on the mound for this Porters squad. He should have a steady presence in the middle of their lineup and will be looking to repeat the success he saw from the 2022 season where he recorded a .382 batting average with a .636 slugging %, and five home runs, 10 doubles, 33 RBIs, 38 runs scored, while also twirling 12.1 innings in relief with 22 strikeouts and a 2.27 ERA. Martinez impact on both sides of the ball will go a long way for a successful Porter season.

OUTLOOK

The Porters enjoyed a successful 2022 season under new head coach Scott Malinowski, winning 34 games and reaching the sectionals before falling to a tough Lincoln-Way West squad. Losing impact pieces on both sides of the ball due to graduation will impact this year’s club but there are plenty of seniors looking to fill the void.  

Offensively the Porters will return a core group of players with varsity experience starting off with Martinez who we touched on as this teams ‘X-Factor’ who will be leaned on to be a main run producer in the middle of the lineup. Other key players that will be featured in this lineup include Joey Manzo (2023; North Central commit), Niko Mastoras (2023; Saint Xavier commit) and Jake Schindler (2023; McHenry County JC commit). 

Manzo, a multi-sport standout, who recently committed to play football and baseball at North Central, returns as an everyday starter in center field and is a potential top of the order bat for the Porters this season. In 116 at-bats in 2022 he had a slash line of .302/.424/.422 with almost as many walks (19) as strikeouts (20). Manzo take consistent tough at-bats, sets the tone for the club and is an above-average defensive center fielder.

From April 1, 2022: "5-foot-10, 160-pound, left/left outfielder with sneaky strength in frame. Led off and played center field. Prototypical lead-off hitter. Wide, balanced setup, slight pre-pitch rhythm, quiet overall look. Simple, repeatable, compact swing, controls the barrel and stays short and quick to the ball. Minimal swing and miss, consistent quality at-bats, understands the strike zone, line-drive contact with the ability to backspin the baseball to all fields. Finished the day 2-for-2 with a double, a walk, two RBIs and two runs scored. Was 4.58 down the line on a line-drive double into the right-center field gap. Also stole three bases. Defensively, looks natural in center field with easy actions and clean routes. Follow left/left outfielder in the 2023 class."

Mastoras, another multi-sport athlete, enjoyed a successful season last year and will look to repeat his success in 2023. In 71 at-bats he hit .380/.495/.465 with more than double the amount of walks (16) as strikeouts (7). Mastoras, who should occupy shortstop, plays with a high-motor and has advanced defensive actions.

From April 1, 2022: "Right-handed hitting middle-infielder. 6-foot, 180-pound frame with a strong lower half. Played second base and had a big offensive day out of the nine-hole. Finished 3-for-3 with a double, three runs scored, an RBI and stolen base. Hit a ground ball to left field in his first at-bat and turned it into a hustle double. Thought two out of the box, zero hesitation and was 4.42 on the turn. Plays with a high-motor. Wide setup at the plate, strong, quick hands, stays through the zone a long time. Smooth, athletic defender at second base, soft hands and clean release. Arm plays easy and from multiple angles, comfortably throwing from a low ¾ slot. Follow 2023 middle infielder who has plenty of arm for the left-side of the diamond.

(Niko Mastoras, 2/21/22)

Schindler, the starting catcher from last season, has a strong arm behind the plate and will look to step up this season as a potential power threat in the lineup as he hit three home runs and four doubles last spring to go with a .326 OBP.

Some other position players that will look for fill some of the holes left by Izquierdo, Brown and Pajeau are Caden Miller (2023; Alvin CC), Anthony Ferrara (2023; Benedictine U), Anthony Francone (2023; Saint Xavier), Giovani Zaragoza (2023), Dylan Nagle (2024), Jake Moerman (2023), Ryan Groberski (2024), Cal Korosa (2024). Of those names, Miller should give them plenty of defensive versatility while Moerman and Nagle had offensive success in limited opportunities last spring. Moerman hit .421 with four doubles, one triple and and eight RBIs in 19 at-bats and nine games played. Nagle, who should see plenty of time on the mound, hit .286 with a home run and double in seven at-bats. 

Also some underclassmen to keep an eye out for, most likely not this year, but down the road are, Logan Nagle (2025; mentioned above as a potential newcomer to watch), Luke Andretich (2025), Noah Pajeau (2025), and Colton Benaitis (2026).

On the mound, the Porters will call on plenty of depth to get them through this season. Of all the arms, senior RHP Michael Graefen (Southeastern CC commit) arguably features the most dynamic stuff on the staff and has a chance to step into an ace-type role after notching two playoff wins last spring. Another arm that should take on a more considerable role this spring is LHP Trey Ringelsten (2023). Ringelsten flashed swing-and-miss stuff last spring, striking out 18 in 12.1 IP while scattering nine hits and registering a 2.83 ERA. 

Another arm that could be one of the biggest X-factors to the staff is RHP Dylan Nagle (2024). Nagle, mentioned above for his bat, is one of the lone underclassmen who saw time on the loaded varsity squad last spring. Nagle’s biggest upside is arguably on the mound where he features a mid-80s fastball and above-average breaking ball. Nagle went 3-0 last spring while striking out 14 in 15.1 IP, scattering 13 hits. If he continues to ascend, the top of this staff should give them a chance to win every time out.

RHP Dylan Nagle (@PorterBaseball, 2024) pounding the zone with a heavy dose is fastballs, 83-86 mph. Flashed 11/5 breaker at 70-71 mph.#ILSummerChamps pic.twitter.com/B21kNU4olb

— PBR Illinois (@PBRIllinois) June 24, 2022

Some other arms that will fill innings are the aforementioned senior’s Martinez and Schindler.

There are also a number of other names on the roster that are primary pitches who will help add even more depth to this pitching staff.

BOTTOM LINE

The Porters are coming off one of their best seasons in recent memory, going 34-4 under new head coach, Scott Malinowski. They are typically one of the deeper teams in the state and there seem to be plenty of pieces ready to step up and replace some key losses from last year's squad.

With that said, it could take them some time to find all the right pieces but come playoff time, they should be as dangerous as anyone in Class 4A. Keep your eye on the Porters as we get closer to the middle of May and beyond.

Make sure to follow @PBRIllinois on Twitter for the most up-to-date coverage throughout the 2023 season.

Find more information on the 2023 Porters below:

+ Team Schedule
+ Team Twitter

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