Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 19 Sacred Heart-Griffin
April 7, 2021
The Illinois high school baseball season kicks off on April 12, opening day for regular season action under IHSA regulations. Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we’ll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2021 spring season, touching on programs spanning all state classifications, leading into a countdown through the official PBR Illinois Preseason Power 25 Rankings.
Perennially, we’ve submitted a Preseason Questionnaire to high school head coaches across the entire state. Their responses have been flooding in and we’re using the detailed insight they’ve provided in our team-by-team preseason analysis.
Our 2021 preseason coverage continues today.
Team: Sacred Heart-Griffin
Preseason Rank: No. 19
2019 Record: 21-11
Conference: Central State 8
IHSA Class: 2A
Head Coach: Nick Naumovich
TOP PLAYERS
| NAME | POS | CLASS | COMMITMENT |
| Sam Antonacci | INF | 2021 | Heartland CC |
| Louis Bartletti | OF/1B | 2021 | Quincy |
| Jayden Davis | RHP/1B | 2021 | Illinois College |
| Paul Gilmore | OF | 2021 | |
| Nolan Healey | OF | 2021 | |
| Brannan Kraft | RHP | 2021 | Lincoln Land CC |
| Isaiah Thompson | OF/LHP | 2021 | Indiana State |
| Mitch Dye | RHP | 2022 | |
| Jack Davis | RHP | 2022 | |
| Teddy Hobson | LHP | 2022 | |
| Ramon Jimerson Jr. | OF | 2022 | Oklahoma |
STAT RAT
10. Head Coach Nick Naumovich returns 10 players with varsity experience to the 2021 roster. Arguably no other club across the state will have that many players with varsity experience this spring. A young team that won 21 games in 2019 is now experienced and ready to make a statement in Class 2A in 2021.
UNDERCLASSMAN/PLAYER TO WATCH
With 10 returners with experience there is no clear underclassman to watch this spring. However, junior OF Ramon Jimerson Jr., who started in the outfield as a freshman is poised for a big junior season. Jimerson, an Oklahoma commit, is known for his offensive ability and should anchor the middle of the order around a number of other talented bats.
Ramon Jimerson Jr. (3/20/21)
X-FACTOR
When looking at one player who could impact this squad in a number of ways, left/left, OF/LHP Isaiah Thompson, stands out. The senior Indiana State commit, ranked No. 22 in Illinois, is one of the top outfield prospects in the state and also possesses ace-type stuff on the mound. Thompson has a quick arm, pitches in the low-to-mid 80's and features one of the better breaking balls in the class, that plays as a true out-pitch. When not on the mound Thompson is a dynamic center-field defender, causes havoc on the bases and should hit towards the top of the order.OUTLOOK
On the offensive side of things, the Cyclones should be particularly dangerous. The aforementioned Thompson and Jimerson are impactful bats that can hit for average and the occasional power. Senior infielder Sam Antonacci, arguably one of the top bat-to-ball left-handed hitters in the state, will be an anchor in the lineup as well. Antonacci, a Heartland CC commit, has advanced feel for the barrel, in unfazed by velocity and sprays hard contact to all parts of the field. He also has the ability to handle shortstop as well. Four other seniors who will help fill out the lineups are OF/1B Louis Bartletti, a Quincy commit, 1B Jayden Davis, OF Paul Gilmore and OF Nolan Healey. Gilmore is a well above-average runner who can put pressure on the defense and covers plenty of ground in the outfield. When Gilmore, Thompson and Jimerson are in the outfield at the same time, it gives them one of the top defensive outfields in the state.
Sam Antonacci (7/7/20)
BOTTOM LINE
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