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: Simeon
Preseason Rank: 44
2013 Record: 21-8
Conference: CPL Jackie Robinson – South
IHSA Class: 4A
Head Coach: LeRoy Franklin
Playoff Run: Lost in Regional Final (Lyons Township)
2013 Final Rank: Not Ranked

Returning Starters: 4
Returning Pitchers: 2

TOP PLAYERS
Darius Day, OF/LHP, 2014 (Arizona)
Jamary McKinney, RHP/C, 2015
Jalin McMillan, INF, 2015 (Illinois)
Dion Earls, 2B, 2015
Diontrell Earls, OF, 2014 (Purdue University-North Central)
Tyler Gordon, C, 2016
Raphe Gross, LHP/OF, 2015

X-FACTOR
Darius Day. The 6-foot, 190-pound Arizona recruit, who’s one of the top senior prospects in the Midwest, can impact the game in all facets. And although he didn’t pitch much last season, Day has a dominant upper-80s fastball and can throw strikes with three pitches.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH
Jalin McMillan. Already verbally committed to Illinois, the athletic junior infielder transferred to Simeon from De La Salle over the summer.

KEY PLAYERS LOST
Corey Ray, OF (Louisville)
Ronell Coleman, INF (Vanderbilt)
Marshawn Taylor, SS (Eastern Illinois)
Robert Fletcher, INF (Alcorn State)
Terrance Robertson, OF (moved to Arizona)

OUTLOOK
The Wolverines look to claim their third straight Chicago Public League championship this spring. While they should be the favorite once again, three-peating won’t be easy, as they lost a lot of high-level talent. Simeon, though, always has prospects waiting in the wings. Darius Day assumes the leader of the team and has the natural ability to carry the Wolverines - especially if he pitches this year. Simeon again will be extremely fast. Along with Day, junior switch-hitting 2B Dion Earls has difference-making speed. The transfer of Jalin McMillan also bolsters the offensive outlook. Sophomore catcher Tyler Gordon did an admirable job behind the plate as a freshman, and should only get better with time. Pitching has always been the question mark with Simeon. Junior Jamary McKinney, who features an upper-80s fastball, will be counted on to log significant innings on the mound and provide run production in the middle of the lineup.

BOTTOM LINE
Although the Wolverines won their second straight city championship, they had the ability to make a substantial run in the 4A playoffs. That didn’t happen, ultimately ending their run in the regional final. Although this year’s club isn’t as talented as last, they still have enough talent to win another title under long-time coach LeRoy Franklin.

Season Countdown

+ Preseason Team Rankings

+ Updated Illinois 2014 Player Rankings

+ June Event Schedule

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