By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

Leading up to the start of the high school season, we will count down the top 75 preseason teams every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage: 

Team: Minooka
Preseason Rank: 21
2013 Record: 23-9
Conference: Southwest Prairie
IHSA Class: 4A
Head Coach: Jeff Petrovic
Playoff Run: Lost in Regionals
2013 Final Rank: Not Ranked

Returning Starters: 5
Returning Pitchers: 3

TOP PLAYERS
Neal Tyrell, SS, 2014 (Lewis)
Mitch Vogrin, RHP/OF (Illinois State)
Tyler Desmarais, C/OF 2014
Mitch Malone, RHP, 2014
Trevor Maly, RHP, 2014
Cristian Sanchez, INF, 2015
Joe Butler, 3B/RHP, 2016
Tyler Paulsen, RHP, 2015

X-FACTOR
Mitch Vogrin. Coming off a knee surgery in the offseason, Vogrin has the type of dominant stuff to lead a pitching staff. At full strength, Vogrin is a shutdown pitcher and one of the top prospects in Illinois’ 2014 class.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH
Joe Butler, 3B/RHP, 2016

KEY PLAYER LOST
Josh Mitchell, LHP (Morehead State)

OUTLOOK
If the summer was any indication, then the Indians are in for another stellar campaign. Minooka advanced to the IHSBCA summer state Elite Eight on the strength of its pitching and rock-solid defense. The Indians return five starters from last year’s Southwest Prairie championship club, headlined by SS Neal Tyrell and Vogrin. Tyrell is the defensive glue and the offensive catalyst at the top of the lineup. RHP Trevor Maly emerged over the summer as a big-game pitcher, along with Mitch Malone. Look for sophomore Joe Butler to make a significant impact for the Indians this spring. Butler has the athleticism and tools to be a highly recruited prospect.

BOTTOM LINE
Year in and year out, Minooka is one of the state’s most consistent programs. Coach Jeff Petrovic doesn’t always have the most talent across the diamond, but his teams throw strikes, make plays and are fundamentally sound. This year should be no different. Minooka should be one of favorites to win the Southwest Prairie, along with Plainfield South, and has the talent to make a run in the Class 4A state playoffs.

Make sure you follow @PBRillinois on Twitter for complete Illinois high school baseball coverage throughout the season.

Season Countdown

+ Preseason Team Rankings

+ Updated Illinois 2015 Player Rankings

+ Updated Illinois 2014 Player Rankings

+ June Event Schedule