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: Teutopolis
Preseason Rank: 26
2013 Record: 30-4
IHSA Class: 2A
Head Coach: Justin Fleener
Playoff Run: Third-place Finish in 2A
2013 Final Rank: 20

Returning Starters: 4
Returning Pitchers: 4

TOP PLAYERS
Bobby Wenthe, OF/LHP, 2014 (Eastern Illinois)
Darren Probst, RHP/1B, 2014
Cody Will, SS, 2014
Alex Goldstein, C, 2014
Louis Niemerg, 3B/RHP, 2015
Reed Hardiek, INF, 2014

X-FACTOR
Bobby Wenthe. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound two-way talent is a difference-maker all over the diamond. Offensively, the left-handed hitter batted .427 with 11 doubles, 6 homers and 32 RBI. On the mound, he posted a 4-0 record with a 0.78 ERA. Despite pitching in the mid-to-upper 80s, Wenthe didn’t see much action on the mound last season because of the Wooden Shoes’ pitching depth.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH
Louis Niemerg. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound junior should be a two-way standout this season. He features a mid-80s fastball and pop at the plate.

KEY PLAYERS LOST
Kyle Pruemer, RHP (Southern Illinois)
Jared Waldhoff, RHP/OF (Kaskaskia JC)

STAT RAT
Catcher Alex Goldstein batted .425 with 9 doubles and 16 RBI as a junior last season.

OUTLOOK
Few teams in the state has been as consistent as the Wooden Shoes. Over the last five years, they’ve averaged 30.8 wins a season, which includes consecutive state championships in 2010 and 2011. Last year they were heavily favored to win the Class 2A state championship again, but got shocked by Lisle in the state semifinals, and settled for a third-place trophy. The school consistently pumps out high-level talent, and this year is no different. Although losing their top two arms - Jared Waldhoff and Kyle Pruemer - certainly hurts, coach Justin Fleener always has an abundance of talent waiting in the wings. Teutopolis teams are always physical and well-discipline. Wenthe, a three-year starter, powers the club this year. Defensively, with the return of SS Cody Will, 2B Reed Hardiek and C Alex Goldstein, the Wooden Shoes are again strong up the middle. Look for junior Louis Niemerg to make an impact this year.

BOTTOM LINE
Teutopolis is the prohibitive favorite to win the 2A state championship this season.

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