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: Morgan Park
Preseason Rank: 73
Conference: Chicago Public League Jackie Robinson - South
IHSA Class:  4A
Head Coach: Ernie Radcliffe
2013 Final Rank: Not Ranked

Returning Starters: 6
Returning Pitchers: 3

TOP PLAYERS
Name, Position, Class (College Commitment)
James Davison, OF, 2014 (Howard JC)
Lavar Reed, SS, 2014 (Hill College)
Elijah, McKinnis, RHP/3B, 2014
Christian Bullock, 1B/LHP, 2016 (Michigan)
Christian Lipscomb, LHP/OF, 2014
Jamal Martin, 1B, 2014 (Alcorn State)
Josh Shaw, 3B/OF/RHP, 2016
Devon Jones, OF, 2014
Dantrell Lucas, INF, 2016

X-FACTOR
James Davison. The 5-foot-7 left-handed hitter is a dynamo on the field, and arguably the best leadoff man in the state. Last year he swiped 37 bases, batted .522 and scored 50 runs. He wreaks havoc on the bases and plays a top-level centerfield.

KEY PLAYER LOST
Rahman Williams, SS, 2014. A switch-hitting Michigan recruit who transferred to a Florida high school last summer to play his senior year.

OUTLOOK
Morgan Park made a run to the Chicago Public League championship game last year, only to get throttled by Simeon, 20-9, to squelch the school’s quest for its first city title. The Mustangs have an abundance of athleticism up and down the lineup, headlined by James Davison and SS Lavar Reed. Sophomore 1B/OF Christian Bullock, who’s committed to Michigan, has emerged as a top-level left-handed bat. 3B/OF/P Josh Shaw is also a highly-ranked 2016 prospect in Illinois. Pitching is definitely not the team’s strength, but coach Ernie Radcliffe welcomes back a solid core of senior arms in LHP/OF Christian Lipscomb and RHP/3B Elijah McKinnis, who’s also a middle-of-the-lineup hitter.

BOTTOM LINE
The Mustangs have the athleticism and defense to play with most teams. If there’s a year for Morgan Park to win its first city championship, this is it. Pitching will ultimately decide the Mustangs’ fate.

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

CLICK HERE To See the Preseason Team Rankings