Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 21 New Trier
March 5, 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: New Trier
Preseason Rank: 21
2018 Record: 22-10
Conference: Central Suburban South
IHSA Class: 4A
Head Coach: Mike Napoleon
Playoff Run: Regional Final
2018 Final Rank: On The Bubble
Returning Starters: 5
Returning Pitchers: 4
TOP PLAYERS
NAME | STATE | SCHOOL | CLASS | POSITION | COMMITMENT |
Joe Fox | IL | New Trier | 2019 | RHP | - |
Andrew Kost | IL | New Trier | 2019 | RHP | - |
Henry Pelinski | IL | New Trier | 2019 | OF | Emory University |
Preston Anderson | IL | New Trier | 2019 | RHP/1B | |
Patrick Jodloman | IL | New Trier | 2019 | 3B | - |
Duke Olges | IL | New Trier | 2019 | 1B/DH | Northwestern (Football) |
Pete Burnside | IL | New Trier | 2019 | RHP | - |
Donald Stricklin | IL | New Trier | 2019 | C | - |
Eddie Harvey | IL | New Trier | 2020 | OF | - |
Drew Robinson | IL | New Trier | 2020 | OF | - |
Magnus Sivertson | IL | New Trier | 2020 | RHP | - |
Jack Liepert | IL | New Trier | 2020 | LHP | |
Alex Calarco | IL | New Trier | 2021 | C | Northwestern |
KEY LOSSES
NAME | STATE | SCHOOL | CLASS | POSITION | COMMITMENT |
Spencer Beacom | IL | New Trier | 2018 | RHP | University of Chicago |
Joe Bullard | IL | New Trier | 2018 | LHP | - |
Payton Burch | IL | New Trier | 2018 | SS | Denison University |
Anthony Calarco | IL | New Trier | 2018 | OF | Northwestern |
Drew Gorski | IL | New Trier | 2018 | RHP | - |
Cam Redding | IL | New Trier | 2018 | C | St. Louis |
Nathan Shapiro | IL | New Trier | 2018 | 3B | Case Western |
X-FACTOR
Sophomore C/INF Alex Calarco, a Northwestern commit, started on varsity as a freshman last spring, an extremely rare feat at New Trier HS. He was able to do so thanks to an advanced skill set that makes him one of the top players in the Illinois’ 2021 class. This spring, Calarco, a switch-hitter, will need to step up offensively with the departures of middle-of-the-order bats Cam Redding (St. Louis commit) and Anthony Calarco (Northwestern commit). On top of the expanded offensive role Calarco will take, he will also be asked to step in and play shortstop a couple days a week. A lot will be riding on the shoulders of a sophomore but Calarco should have the talent and makeup to handle it.
Alex Calarco (2.18.18)
OUTLOOK
The Trevians won 22 games last season and lost in the Regional Championship, which some could classify as a “down” season for the perennial power located in the North Shore of Chicago. Expectations are always high for head coach Mike Napoleon and 2019 will be no different. Five returning senior pitchers Andrew Kost, Pete Burnside, Joe Fox, Patrick Jodloman and Patrick Anderson will give New Trier plenty to be excited about and will be leaned on as the strength of the club. Right-handers Kost and Burnside have ace potential and both finished with ERA’s under 2.00 last spring. Kost who sported a 1.38 ERA struck out 48 in 40 innings pitched and only walked 11. Jodloman, a right-handed pitcher, is the wild card in the group. Jodloman did not give up an earned run in 2018 but only threw 12 innings due to injury. If he is full go this spring, the Trevians will be as deep as anyone on the mound.
Juniors LHP Jack Liepert and RHP Magnus Sivertson are two other arms the Trevians have at their disposal if needed but with the depth of senior arms, innings will be hard to come by.
Depth positionally and the defense are the biggest question marks when looking at the 2019 roster. 2021 Alex Calarco, a Northwestern commit and catcher by trait, will be asked to play some shortstop at times this spring. Calarco should also be a presence in the middle of their lineup despite only being a sophomore. Filling the void behind the plate, for when Calarco is at shortstop, should be senior Donald Stricklin. Stricklin is an above-average receiver that will be tasked with handling a number of different arms. Another key to the Trevian offensive success will be junior CF Eddie Harvey. Harvey is a strong, toolsy right-handed hitter who will be looking to break out this spring. Emory commit, RF Henry Pelinski should be slated as the leadoff hitter and catalyst for the offense. Jodloman is a three-year varsity player and when not helping on the mound should be settled in at the hot corner. Alongside Calarco, 1B/DH Duke Olges (6-foot-5, 245-pounds) and 1B/DH Preston Anderson (6-foot-3, 200-pounds) should add an intriguing physical presence in the middle of the lineup. Anderson hit .345 last spring.
BOTTOM LINE
Thanks to one of the deeper pitching staffs and a few front-end arms, New Trier looks ready to compete for a state title, something they have captured twice in the past. If Calarco can fill the big hole at shortstop and others can help to fill out the lineup it would not be a surprise to see the Trevians make yet another push to Joliet in early June.
Make sure to follow @PBRIllinois on Twitter for the most up-to-date coverage throughout the 2019 season.