Preseason Bubble Teams: Rochester
March 1, 2019
The Illinois high school baseball season kicks off on March 11, opening day for regular season action under IHSA regulations. Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we’ll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2019 spring season, touching on programs spanning all state classifications, leading into a countdown through the official PBR Illinois Preseason Power 25 Rankings.
Perennially, we’ve submitted a Preseason Questionnaire to high school head coaches across the entire state. Their responses have been flooding in and we’re using the detailed insight they’ve provided in our team-by-team preseason analysis.
Our 2019 preseason coverage continues today.
Team: Rochester
Preseason Rank: On the Bubble
2018 Record: 25-7
Conference: Central State 8
IHSA Class: 3A
Head Coach: Matt Carlson
Playoff Run: Sectional Final loss to Chatham Glenwood
2018 Final Rank: NR
Returning Starters: 4
Returning Pitchers: 3
TOP PLAYERS
NAME | STATE | SCHOOL | CLASS | POSITION | COMMITMENT |
Cameron Edmonson | IL | Rochester | 2019 | LHP | Indiana State |
Drew Henrikson | IL | Rochester | 2020 | RHP | - |
PJ Jerszynski IV | IL | Rochester | 2020 | C | - |
Logan Sapp | IL | Rochester | 2020 | OF | - |
Jayden Myren | IL | Rochester | 2020 | 2B | - |
David Yoggerst | IL | Rochester | 2020 | OF | |
Griffin Neuweg | IL | Rochester | 2021 | RHP | - |
Seth Parkinson | IL | Rochester | 2022 | SS | - |
KEY LOSSES
Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Commitment |
Nic Baker | IL | Rochester | 2018 | 3B | - |
Ben Chapman | IL | Rochester | 2018 | C | Lincoln Land CC |
Casey Dowllar | IL | Rochester | 2018 | RHP | - |
Jackson Mendenhall | IL | Rochester | 2018 | 2B | - |
Jayden Reed | IL | Rochester | 2018 | SS | Lincoln Land CC |
OUTLOOK
Last spring, coach Carlson's club ran into the top 2018 arm in Illinois, RHP Jacob Maton (Coastal Carolina commit) and a veteran Glenwood team in the Sectional final. It was a disappointing end to a successful season that saw the Rockets rack up 25 wins.
Looking ahead at this season, Rochester will rely heavily on their top two returning arms; 2019 LHP Cam Edmonson and 2020 RHP Drew Henrikson. Edmonson (video below), an Indiana State commit, has a fast arm, runs his fastball into the upper-80’s, has feel for an advanced four-pitch arsenal with his curveball being a swing-and-miss offering. Henrikson, a 5-foot-11, 175-pound, athletically-built, right-handed pitcher has a low-80’s fastball with run and sink. He also relies on a sweeping slider that he is comfortable throwing in any count. Both Edmonson and Henrikson should factor into the offensive lineup in some capacity as well.
Positionally, they will be looking to replace plenty of talent, especially up the middle of the field. Junior Jayden Myren seems to be a logical answer to move from 2B to SS this spring. Myren recently impressed at the Peoria Preseason I.D. The switch-hitter has added quality strength to his frame, handles the bat from both sides of the plate and is a natural infield defender with enough arm to play shortstop if needed. Another junior who should impact the lineup in a big way this spring is OF Logan Sapp. Sapp is a physically-advanced left-handed hitter that has power in his bat. Another outfielder poised to step up this spring is David Yoggerst, a highly-athletic right-handed hitter. It is uncertain if INF Seth Parkinson will impact varsity as a freshman but he will be one to watch in the coming years.
There are some holes that coach Carlson will need to fill this spring but with two aces to ride throughout the season and playoffs, the expectations are high for the Rockets in 2019.
VIDEO SPOTLIGHT
Cameron Edmonson (6.5.18)
Make sure to follow @PBRIllinois on Twitter for the most up-to-date coverage throughout the 2019 season.
Find more information on the 2019 Rockets below:
+ Full Schedule
+ Team Website
+ GameChanger
+ Team Twitter
PRESEASON BUBBLE TEAMS
- IL Preseason Bubble Teams: Galesburg 3/04/19
- IL Preseason Bubble Teams: Glenwood 3/04/19
- IL Preseason Bubble Teams: Mundelein 3/03/19
- IL Preseason Bubble Teams: Normal West 3/03/19
- IL Preseason Bubble Teams: Lemont 3/03/19
- IL Preseason Bubble Teams: Morton 3/02/19
- IL Preseason Bubble Teams: Champaign Central 3/02/19
- IL Preseason Bubble Teams: Loyola Academy 3/02/19
- IL Preseason Bubble Teams: Aurora Christian 3/02/19
- IL Preseason Bubble Teams: Rochester 3/01/19
- IL Preseason Bubble Teams: Notre Dame 3/01/19
- IL Preseason Bubble Teams: Nazareth Academy 3/01/19