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: Jacobs
Preseason Rank: 40
2013 Record: 25-12
Conference: Fox Valley - Valley Division
IHSA Class: 4A
Head Coach: Jamie Murray
Playoff Run: Lost in Supersectionals (St. Charles East)
2013 Final Rank: Not Ranked

Returning Starters: 4
Returning Pitchers: 2

TOP PLAYERS
Ryan Sargent, OF/RHP, 2015  (Ohio University)
Reilly Peltier, RHP, 2014 (McHenry County CC)
Brenden Heiss, RHP, 2016
Ben Murray, INF, 2014
Grant Kale, INF, 2014
Matt Kozlak, SS, 2015

X-FACTOR
Brenden Heiss. The 6-foot-1 right-hander is one of the top 2016 prospects in the Midwest after he lit it up at the PBR Underclass Invitational Showcase in January, sitting 90-91 mph, touching 92. He features explosive, dominant stuff. If Heiss can harness it and throw strikes, the Golden Eagles could have an ace.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH
Brenden Heiss, RHP, 2016
Mike Addante, SS, 2017

KEY PLAYERS LOST
Nick Ledinsky, RHP (Ellsworth CC)
Connor Conzelman, OF (Valparaiso)

STAT RAT
The junior class has only lost seven games in high school at the lower levels.

OUTLOOK
The Golden Eagles came a game away from advancing to the Class 4A state semifinals last season - a mild surprise to some. Nevertheless, coach Jamie Murray has some holes to fill this season, but if his extremely talented underclassmen play up to their abilities, then Jacobs could be very dangerous. Murray has an abundance of promising prospects in the 2015, 2016 and 2017 classes, so the future is certainly bright. Ryan Sargent, who’s ranked No. 28 in Illinois’ 2015 class, can be a two-way standout. Offensively, Sargent was a standout at the Midwest Future Games last August. Look for Kale (.330 BA) to anchor the offense, along with Sargent and Murray. Peltier, a wide-shouldered 6-foot-4 right-hander, will need to provide significant innings in the tough Fox Valley Conference, Valley Division. While Jacobs isn’t the favorite to win the Valley Division - Huntley and Cary-Grove should vie for the top - Jacobs has the talent to make some noise in conference and beyond.

BOTTOM LINE
The Golden Eagles will soar as high as their untested and talented underclassmen will take them.

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

Season Countdown

+ Preseason Team Rankings

+ Updated Illinois 2014 Player Rankings

+ June Event Schedule