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: Oak Park-River Forest
Preseason Rank: 5
2013 Record: 29-10
Conference: West Suburban Silver
IHSA Class: 4A
Head Coach: Chris Ledbetter
Playoff Run: Lost in Sectional Final (Maine South)
2013 Final Rank: 14

Returning Starters: 5
Returning Pitchers: 5

TOP PLAYERS
Sam Cottingham-Beard, RHP, 2014 (Western Illinois)
Alex Rice, OF/RHP, 2014 (Black Hawk College)
Keith Rogalla, RHP/1B, 2014 (Creighton)
Patrick Rumoro, C, 2015
Ryan Chancellor, RHP, 2014
Jeremy Gaines, OF, 2016
Ryan Fish, OF/RHP, 2015
Jonathon Ernest, OF, 2014
Jack Mueller, RHP, 2014
Ian Luttrell, LHP/OF, 2014
Chris Atwood, LHP, 2015

X-FACTOR
Alex Rice. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound Rice is more known for his offensive prowess. As a sophomore, he was hitting in the middle of the lineup when the Huskies won the Class 4A state championship. Once again, Rice will be counted on at the plate. But he also has emerged as an intriguing pitching prospect. In October at a Prep Baseball Report event, Rice sat 86-88 with his fastball. With Rice in the mix this spring, he adds yet another strong arm in the Huskies’ deep rotation.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH
Jeremy Gaines, OF/2B, 2016. The 5-foot-9, 155-pound sophomore is one of the top athletes in Illinois’ deep 2016 class. At the PBR Underclass Invitational, he ran a 6.70 60. Coach Chris Ledbetter said Gaines made a big impact in the summer, especially on the bases. Gaines is a versatile prospect who can play both the outfield and second base adeptly.

KEY PLAYERS LOST
Nick Kowalczuk, 1B (Illinois State)
Henry Cappel, RHP (Swarthmore)

OUTLOOK
Oak Park is the strong favorite to repeat as West Suburban Silver champions and make another run at the Class 4A state championship. The Huskies won the big trophy in 2012, and this year’s team is significantly stronger, on paper, that is. The team’s strength rests in its pitching. Ledbetter has more quality arms than innings to go around this year. He also has front-of-the-rotation depth, too. RHP Sam Cottingham-Beard emerged last spring as the team’s big-game pitcher, and the hard-throwing Western Illinois recruit will again assume ace responsibilities. RHP Keith Rogalla, a Creighton recruit, has potentially dominating stuff, flashing a big swing-and-miss slider at times with consistent upper-80s velocity. Rice also can pitch in the upper 80s, and senior RHP Ryan Chancellor emerged in the summer as another pitcher who can shut down opponents cold. Junior catcher Patrick Rumoro returns behind the plate and he is a top-level defensive backstop. The Huskies have a healthy blend of talent throughout the senior, junior and sophomore classes, and the team has a lot of quality depth. The one question mark is experience in the middle infield.   

BOTTOM LINE
Oak Park is one of those programs that you can pretty much pencil in 25-plus wins and a deep postseason push every year. Ledbetter always has his teams prepared and peaking at the right time. With their pitching depth, athleticism and all-around talent, the Huskies are legitimate state-title contender.

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

Season Countdown

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+ Updated Illinois 2016 Player Rankings

+ Updated Illinois 2015 Player Rankings

+ Updated Illinois 2014 Player Rankings

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