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: Bloomington
Preseason Rank: 56
2013 Record:  28-10
Conference: Big 12
IHSA Class:   3A
Head Coach: Steve Clapp
Playoff Run: Lost in Supersectional (Mt. Vernon)
2013 Final Rank: Not Ranked

Returning Starters: 4
Returning Pitchers: 4

TOP PLAYERS
Deion Thompson, INF, 2015
Charlie Cerny, RHP/3B, 2015
Tyler Workman, 2015
Trey Packard, 2014
Aidan Cossio, RHP/3B, 2016

X-FACTOR
Charlie Cerny. The 6-foot-4, 195-pound athlete is a two-way performer who is coming off an all-conference season as a sophomore. At the Preseason All-State Showcase, Cerny was up to 88 mph, sitting 86-87, with solid secondary stuff. Offensively, he features some pop from the left side at the plate.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH
Aidan Cossio, RHP/3B, 2016.  Strong-bodied 5-foot-11, 195-pounder showed well at the Underclass Invitational, touching 82 on the mound.

KEY PLAYERS LOST
Kent Franz, RHP
Jayden Thompson, SS/RHP

OUTLOOK
The Purple Raiders return four starters and four pitchers from last year’s team that advanced to the 3A supersectionals. Although coach Steve Clapp lost some key contributors, especially on the mound, Bloomington should again be a threat in 3A behind the strength of its junior class, highlighted by Thompson and Cerny, who are both Division I prospects. Pitching depth is the big question for the Purple Raiders.

BOTTOM LINE
The Purple Raiders should be in the mix for the Big 12 title, but they will need to have some untested arms to step up in order to have a repeat season of 28 wins and strong postseason run.

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.