Baseball: Scouting the 2026 Cook County season
MID-SUBURBAN LEAGUE EAST
BUFFALO GROVE
Coach: Bill Montemayor (7th season)
Last year's record: 11-22, 6-10 (5th, MSL East)
Top returning players: Alex Shimanski, C/P/3B, SR, (Carthage College); Jordan Dudek, OF, SR; Rocco Perricone, SS/P, SR, (Wisconsin-Stout); Cole Diaz, OF/1B, SR; Andrew Lee, 2B/OF/P, SR; Andrew Carrison, P/1B/OF, JR; Joseph Hanson, 3B/P, JR; Owen Erickson, P/3B/1B, JR.
Key newcomers: Carter Mainville, OF/P, SR; Justin Smart, 3B/DH, SR; Harrison Metropoulos, P, SR; Tyler Campbell, OF/P, SR; Connor Fitzsimmons, OF/P, SR; Colin Suchomski, C/P, JR; Jackson Schlacter, INF/P, JR; Charlie Vates, OF/1B/P, JR; Shai Argentar, C/P/UT, JR; Nathan Raef, CF/1B/P, SO; Nolan Diederich, OF/P, SO; Matthew Sander, P, SR.
Worth noting: Weather permitting, the Bison will open their new field in the opening week of the season. Then a trip to South Carolina to play at the Cal Ripken Experience. Buffalo Grove returns 7 starters and will lean heavily on Shimanski and Perricone on the mound. “We are eager to put last season behind us,” Montemayor said. “We need to cut down our strikeouts and improve our average with runners in scoring position.”
ELK GROVE
Coach: Brian Wiest (1st year)
Last year's record: 10-23, 7-9 (3rd, MSL East)
Top returning players: Isaac Santowski, P/SS, SR; Michael Montag, P/ 3B, SR; Nate Dean P/OF, SR; Connor Jasinek, OF, SR; Rick Sheley, OF, SR; Robbie Bibian, OF, SR; Ryan O’Malley, P/1B, SR; Denis Rangel, MI,JR; Cooper Casterton, CF; JR; Colin Keane, C/2B/OF, JR; Alex Marin, OF, JR; Damien Braude, P/OF/ SO.
Key newcomers: Kayne Tagliavia, C/3B, SR; Nicholas Chi, P/INF, Sr.
Worth noting: Wiest takes over the reins at Elk Grove as the Grenadiers could make a move with 13 starters returning. Elk Grove will be led by Casterton, who hit over .400 last year as a sophomore and was All-Area. The Grens will also lean hard on Santowski, Montag, Dean, O’Malley and Braude to give them solid innings. “We have to master the basics and raise the standard,” Wiest said. “Our expectation is to be one of the top two teams in the new conference.”
HOFFMAN ESTATES
Coach: Andrew Wulbecker (5th season)
Last year's record: 9-25, 3-10 (6th, MSL West)
Top returning players: Niko Belesiotis, 2B, JR; Joaquin Carrasquillo, 3B, SO; Derek Conjardi, P/OF, SR (Edgewood); Tyler Dillon, P/OF, SR; Simon Horwath, C, JR; Vinny Luzwick, INF, Sr; Colin Schoewe, P/OF, SR; Luis Tobella, SS, SR; Alex Wisely, OF, SR; Dirk LaRocca, UT, JR.
Key newcomers: Nolan Nguyen, Chucho Villegas, INF/P, JR; Nathan Litz, INF, JR; William Parra, UT, SO; James Montalbano, C, JR.
Worth noting: The Hawks will be looking to turn things around thanks to 7 of 9 starters back from last season. They also have a senior-led bullpen with Dillon, Conjardi, and Schoewe as the top three. The program is also on a growth spurt with Hoffman featuring four levels for the first time in 10 years. “We have a lot of varsity experience with many of the starters,” Wulbecker said. “So very excited to see how that will play a role into the new conference alignment. Pitching depth is a little stronger than years past. We need to get the bats rolling early in the season to give us confidence going into the conference season.”
ROLLING MEADOWS
Coach: Niko Klebosits (1st year)
Last year's record: 22-14, 6-10 MSL East
Top returning players: Joe Brigham, OF/P, SR; Luke Schneider, OF/P, SO; Aiden Gallucci, P, JR; Josh Rappa, OF, SR; Tony Romanacce, 1B, SR; Will Fiore, SS/3B, SR; Tyler Stankiewicz, SS/3B/P; SR; Brock Ryan, P, SR; CJ King Jr, DH/1B, SR: Ben Kusumpa, OF/C/P, SO.
Key newcomers: Quinn Hextall, MI, FR; Anthony Nuccio, C, SO; Jack O'Callaghan, C, JR; Will Ciccone, OF, JR; Dylan Piccioni, P, JR; Jack Hoeper, P, FR.
Worth noting: Klebosits replaces Matt Rice and inherits a team that returns 7 starters. The Mustangs need to replace their top three hurlers, but are hopeful that Brigham, Gallucci, Stankiewicz, Ryan and Kusumpa can step into that role. “Our starting pitching rotation is new,” Klebosits said. “We have a close group that get along well with one another and show a tremendous amount of pride in their work. They are selfless and truly compete for the person next to them. I believe we have a group that will grow as the season goes on. A group that will be at our best in May and June.”
SCHAUMBURG
Coach: Kevin Garvey (2nd year)
Last year's record: 10-25, 4-12 (5th, MSL West)
Top returning players: Hayden Adamowicz, P/OF/1B, JR; Josiah Ahn, OF, SR; Nathan Barnitz, OF, SR. (UW-Whitewater); Lukas Cabay, INF/P, SR; Kile Gough, OF, SR; Jack Baker, OF, SR; Shawn Kim, INF, SR; Adam Paulson, P, SR; Tyler Spejcher, C, SR; Jayden Sayani-Williams, C, JR; Anthony Trybus, INF, SO.
Key newcomers: Josh Matker, 1B, JR; Jacob Meiners, 3B, Jr.
Worth noting: Adamowicz, who has started since his freshman year, should be even more dominant on the bump this season. And the Saxons will need that dominance being a bit light on experienced pitching. Barnitz, Ahn and Gough will make up a solid outfield. “We’re really looking forward to the upcoming season,” Garvey said. “We have a great group of guys who have put in a lot of hard work during the off-season, and I’m excited to see that work pay off. We also have a strong core of returning players from last year who are ready to compete and take the next step. Their experience, combined with the commitment we’ve seen throughout the program, has us optimistic about what this group can accomplish.”
WHEELING
Coach: Jason Wieder (13th season)
Last year's record: 10-22, 4-12 (5th )
Top returning players: Reid Gerjerts, SS, JR; Zach Neukirch, 1B/P; SR; Tyler Zangara, C, SR; Dylan Baloun, P/3B, SR; Evan Fischer, 2B, SR; Collin Fitzgerald, RF, SR; Jose Rivera, 3B, SO; Owen Zalewsk, LF, SO; Micheal Mats, UR, SR, (St. Clair CC); Jack Murphy, UT, SR; Luke Papaioannou, P, JR; Ryan Warner, UT, JR; Evan Watanuki, UT, JR..
Key newcomers: Christian Martinez, UT, JR; Oliver Mejia, UT, JR; Jake Morgan, UT, JR; Gael Ocampo, UT, JR; Massimo Pollina, UT, JR, Gavin Salefski, P, FR.
Worth noting: Wheeling baseball has never won more than 17 games. And with 8 returning starters and loads of pitching, the Wildcats feel they can eclipse that number. Gerjerts, who was All-Area last season as a sophomore, returns, along with Neukirch and Zangara, who were also all-conference. Three-year starters Fisher, Baloun and Fitzgerald will give them punch along with sophomores Rivera and Zaleweski. Wheeling also has depth with 19 players on its roster. “During my tenure, this is the most complete Wheeling baseball team I’ve been privileged to coach,” Wieder said. “We have talent, experience, and great people on this team. We are excited to compete and go on this journey together.”
MID-SUBURBAN LEAGUE WEST
BARRINGTON
Coach: Paul Belo
Last year's record: 25-10, 9-5 (3rd, MSL West)
Top returning players: Alec Stewart, P, (Carroll); Beau Li, P/3B, (Carrollton College); Tommy Abbatemarco, OF, SR, (Millikin University); Dylan Ignacek, P, SR, (Southeastern CC); Will Renshaw, P, SR, (Southeastern CC).; Trevor Naughten, P, Sr; Jackson Roberts, SS, JR; Jack Postma, P, SO; Kayden Schumaker, P, SO; Zach Ostergarrd, 2B, Sr; Will Steffens, 1B, SO. Joey Tomczak, OF, SR.
Key newcomers: Juniors Max Wrzeszcz, SS, JR; Bowie Heinz 2B/3B, SR; Ryan Costello, C, SR.; John Radosch, P, Sr. Maddux Sperling, C, Jr; Andrew Whitney, C, SO; Koa Franzak, P, JR; Declain Trainor, P, Sr. Brandon Fryer, MI, SR; Austin Sparr, MI, SR; Trevor Hopp, MI, JR.
Worth noting: After 12 successful seasons, Barrington opted to go in a different direction and replace Pat Wire at head coach. The Broncos brought in hall of fame and former Palatine coach Paul Belo to lead the program. Barrington is loaded with pitching with Renshaw, Stewart, Naughten, Ignacek and sophomores Postma and Shumaker. Roberts will be sidelined for a few more weeks after injuring his hand in his last basketball game. “Our pitching depth can lead to a deep run,” Belo said. “We need to work on developing an offensive identity. Player versatility and team speed will be the key to spring success for the Broncos in 2026.”
CONANT
Coach: Derek Fivelson (13th season)
Last year's record: 13-21-1, 6-10 (4th, MSL West)
Top returning players: Arjun Patel, CF, SR, (Harper); Jacob Szpiganowicz, C, SR, (Milwaukee Area Technical College); Alex Martinez, 1B/P, SR, (Oakton); Colton Thomas, OF, SR, (Jefferson CC); Christian Bartnicki, OF, SR; Max Tutt, SS/OF, SR; Andrew Lipka, 2B, SR; Will Peterhansen, P, SR; Ryan Dempsey, P, SR; Mason Hopkins, P, SR; Om Patel, P, SR; Alex Denna, C, SR.
Key newcomers: Cesar Cabrera, C, JR; Jack Dempsey, INF, SR; Joe Garza, P/1B, JR; Bryce Hirschfeld, P, JR; Andrew Miller, SS, JR; Lucas Olson, P/OF, JR; Ari Patel, P, SR; Jacob Selmeczy, INF, SR; Ayaan Shah, INF, JR.
Worth noting: Szpiganowicz, Patel, and Martinez are the final remnants of the Cougars’ state runner-up squad two years ago. Their leadership and play will be crucial to Conant’s success this season. The Cougars will be looking for a dominant starter. But with at least 9 pitchers on their roster, Conant should have depth on the mound. “I’m always excited to work with great kids and teammates and look forward to competing with the teams on our schedule,” Fivelson said. “We will need to strike out less and play excellent defense as I don’t expect any of our pitchers to be high strikeout guys.”
FREMD
Coach: Chris Piggott (24th season)
Last year's record: 27-5-1, 13-1 (1st, MSL West)
Top returning players: Luke Philipp, 2B, SR; Cole Seidel, OF, SR; Declan Gallicho, OF/P, SR, (Harper); Chase Nelson, MIF, SR, (Harper); Stathi Regopoulos, 1B, SR; Charlie Kalitowski, C, SR; Will Graba, P/3B, SR, (Harper); Alex Schaele, 3B, SR; Robby Seifert, P, JR; Myles Minier, P, JR.
Key newcomers: Santino Iacullo, 1B, JR; Graham Stauber, C, JR; Will Clark, MIF, SO; Jacob Sanchez, MIF, JR; Braeden Majury, 3B, JR; Jake Barnett, P, SR; Jackson Zilinsky, P, SR; MJ Castelloni, OF, SO; Kenji Shintaku, P/OF, JR; Akshay Vemula, P, JR; Jackson Gallagher, 3B/DH/P, SO; Jason Lach, P/1B, JR; Devan Patel, MIF/OF, JR; Dylan Patel, P, JR; Emerson Cardoza, OF, JR; Logan Statz, P, JR; Kalin Vettickal, OF, JR; Vince Costa, OF, JR; Joe Mueller, OF, JR; Luca Bruni, OF, SO.
Worth noting: The Vikings are coming off a terrific season with their MSL West title. Fremd returns two position players and four pitchers to aid them in defending that title. Graba, who was 9-1 on the mound last year with a 2.24 ERA will again be the workhorse on the mound. Minier, Gallicho and Seifert will also be key factors. Nelson and Graba will lead the way offensively as Frend will need to find other ingredients to score runs. “Our strength will be our pitching,” Piggott said. “Although we lost a lot of guys from a successful season a year ago, there are many guys returning that played a big part in our success. It’s now their turn to take the reins and leave their mark.”
HERSEY
Coach: Wally Brownley (9th year)
Last year's record: 27-9-1, 12-4, (1st, MSL East, MSL Champions)
Top returning players: Drew Thomas, C/INF, SR; Wyatt Groberski, C/INF/OF, SR, (St. Ambrose); Mikey Sokan, C/INF, SR, (Oakton); Trent Eckl, OF, SR, (Carthage); Ryan Dugan, DH/OF, SR; Damian Marcus, OF, SR; Tucker Hemminger, P, SR; Tim Laskiewicz, P, SR; Sean Kim, P, SR.
Key newcomers: Zach Karlis, OF, SR; Ben Treutel, INF/C/P, SR; Nathan Streff, P, SR; Spiro Zarafonitis INF/P, JR; J.D. Farkas, P/OF, SO; Jack Mau, INF, SO.
Worth noting: The Huskies are coming off their most successful season in years winning both the MSL East and then the MSL title. But graduation hit Hersey hard with the Huskies losing their top hurlers and a key portion of their offense. Hersey will lean heavily on Thomas and Sokan, who were both honorable mention All-Area last year, along with Groberski and Eckl. “We are hopeful for a fun and exciting season,” Brownley said. “We will have a lot of competition to fill seven spots in the lineup and, basically, our entire pitching staff. We have a great group of guys that are up to the challenge.”
PALATINE
Coach: Brent Carroll (2nd year)
Last year's record: 27-10, 9-4 (2nd, MSL West)
Top returning players: Jett Greiwe, OF/RHP, SR. (Kishwaukee Community College); Ben Ratajczak, C, Sr; Brandon Ziebell, P, INF, Sr. (Concordia-Wisconsin)
Key newcomers: Owen Hong, P, INF, JR; Nick Salata, P/1B, JR; Maddux Heilman, MIF, JR; Anthony Kurey, OF, JR; Ryan Christopher, OF, SR; Michael Ham, 3B, SR., (Dubuque)
Worth noting: Palatine is coming off a school-record 27-win season. But the Pirates have graduated 7 of 9 starters for that team and all but one pitcher, so there is a lot of work to do. Greiwe, who hit .302, and Ratajczak, who batted .317, are the two position players back. Ziebell, who tossed 53 innings last year with a 2.11 ERA, will give Palatine solid innings again this season. “We are looking to compete and give ourselves a chance to win late in the game,” Carroll said. “We have quality young men that will represent the program well. The team has proven talent to help guide a group of hungry newcomers eager to make their mark. While there are new faces stepping into key roles, the program’s culture and commitment to competing remain constant.”
PROSPECT
Coach: Chris Hoffman (1st at Prospect, 7th overall)
Last year's record: 22-12-1, 10-6 (2nd, MSL East)
Top returning players: Aiden Nelson, OF, SR, (Harper); Logan Nordentoft, INF, SR, (Wabash College); John Bazula., C, SR; Matt Jackson, OF/P, SR; Evan Mantas,1B/P, SR; Matt Donnelly, OF, JR.
Key newcomers: Ryan Sheehan, UT/P, SR; Peyton Mulligan, C/1B; SR; Joe Peters, C/3B, SR; Aidan Janowiak, P, SR; Ben Galbreath, OF/P, SR; Ewan Kirsch, P, JR; Matt Castaneda, P, JR; Michael Foley. INF/P, JR.
Worth noting: It was the end of an era at Prospect. After 28 seasons at the helm, Ross Giusti retired. Hoffman, who spent six seasons at Lakes, takes over. The Knights lost a ton to graduation, but will lean heavily on Bazula, Nelson, Nordentoft and Jackson. “This week of tryouts and practice has been great to get to know and work with our guys,” Hoffman said. “We will be a senior-led team with having some juniors getting opportunities to step up in key spots.”
EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC
St. Viator
Coach: Terry Beyna (4th year)
Last year's record: 20-18, 7-5
Top returning players: Brandon Thomsen, C, SR, (Purdue); Jonny Tschanz, SS/P, SR; Jacob Oberwise, 1B/P, SR; Tommy Beyna, OF, SR; Alec Harer, OF/INF, JR; Hunter Mills, P, JR; Frank Clary, P, SR; Tanner Beyna, INF/P; JR; Charlie Staker, C/1B/DH, SR; Jack Corlis, INF/P, SR.
Key newcomers: Kiernan Smith, P, JR; Adrian Ochoa, INF, JR; Gianluca Pelligrino, INF, JR; Hunter Lockefeer, OF/C, SO; Marcus Lawrence, P, SO.
Worth noting: The Lions will not only be dangerous in the ESCC, but in Class 3A as well. They return 6 starters on offense in Thomsen, who is ranked one of the top catchers in the state, Tschanz, Oberwise, Tommy Beyna, Harrer and Tanner Beyna. Add in Mills and Clary on the mound along with a plethora of depth and talent and Viator looks quite formidable. “Our team features a strong mix of experienced returning players and talented young newcomers,” Terry Beyna said. “Offensively, we look to put the ball in play, steal bases, while relying on solid pitching and sound defense to limit opposing teams.”
CENTRAL SUBURBAN NORTH
MAINE EAST
Coach: Ron Clark
Last year's record: 3-24. 0-15 (6th )
Top returning players: Andrew Merza, P/SS, SR, (Triton College); Giovanni Rizza, 3B/P, SR; Edgar Berge, 1B/OF/P, SR; Jackson Slamowitz, C, SR; Keon Lapez, 1B/OF/P, JR; Rafiel Windham, OF/DH, SR.
Key newcomers: Nayl Mansuri, OF, SR; David Deeiel, 2B, SO; Dominic Fotecha, OF, JR; Carter Sieghart, 1B/OF/P, FR; Sargon Rodgers, OF/P, SO; Emil Rafidi, OF, SR; Isaac Teves, OF, SR.
Worth noting: This will be a much-improved Maine East squad with 6 returning players, 5 of which are seniors. Injuries took a toll on the Demons last season. But a healthy squad, with solid pitching, looks to be more than competitive this season. “This team is a very capable team,” Clark said. “It is very important that we get off to a good start in order to build our confidence coming off of a tough year. We can improve on our mental game, and we are making a deliberate effort on becoming a process-oriented team that plays the game with focus and purpose one pitch at a time.”
MAINE WEST
Coach: Mike Randazzo (11th season)
Last year's record: 10-23, 4-10 (4th )
Top returning players: Ryan Duffy, P, JR; Ryan Cooper, C, SO; Isael Villalobos, 2B, JR; Eddie Perez, SS, SO; Jake Argetsinger, CF, SO; Landon Sebo, RF, SR.
Key newcomers: David Mitchell, 1B/P, JR; Collin Castelli, 2B, JR; David Sampson, LF, JR.
Worth noting: The Warriors will be young with just two seniors on their roster. Maine West returns five starters and will be looking to grow up quickly with their competitive schedule. “We are looking to build experience for future years,” Randazzo said. “We are a young team that got a taste of varsity last year. We have a couple top-end pitchers. We need to play better defense and find offensive surprises.”
CENTRAL SUBURBAN SOUTH
MAINE SOUTH
Coach: Brian Lorenz (10th season)
Last year's record: 23-17 (2nd, CSL South, sectional champs)
Top returning players: Evan Adamczewski, OF/1B, JR, (Northern Illinois); Nate Cera, INF/OF, SR; (Wisconsin-Parkside); Jack Croon, C, SR; (Concordia-Chicago); Jack Gianikos, P, SR, (John A Logan); Connor Griffin, P, SR, (Rollins College); Russell Hengels, P, JR; Sam Higgins, P, SR, (Wisconsin Parkside); Gavin Krischke, OF, JR; Nick Massucci, OF, SR; David Grot, P/INF, SR; Michael Forte, P/INF; SR; Arjun Sreenivasan, INF, SR; Luka Stojakovic, C, SR, (Creighton); Alex Vale, SS, JR;
Key newcomers: Alex Aridas, P, JR; Niko Baranchik, UT, JR; Joaquin Fabregas, UT, JR; Jack Fisher, INF, JR; Charlie Kolz, P, JR; Henery Murphy, P, SO; Jordan Rossa, UT, JR; Sean Sladky, OF, JR , OF
Worth noting: The Hawks have great expectations with 12 returning pitchers/position players from a team that lost to eventual state champion Libertyville in the 4A supersectional. Maine South has seven players that have committed to play in college. “We expect to be among the best teams in the area and will be tested before playoff time with our nonconference schedule,” Lorenz said. “Ideally, we are going to take some lumps early in the season and the expectation is that we are playing our best baseball at the end of the year come playoff time. We are focused this year in doing whatever we can to make a deep playoff run.”
WEST SUBURBAN GOLD
LEYDEN
Coach: Ruairi O'Connor (8th season)
Last year's record: 16-17, 12-6 (3rd )
Top returning players: Elias Carrillo, P/IF, SR; Samuel Calderon, 2B/SS, SR; Jacob Ganir, 1B/P, SR; Luis Zapata, C, S: Julian Martinez, 3B/OF/P, SR; Angel Gutierrez, OF/2B/P, SR; Joey O’Neill, P/OF, SR; Nicky Cozzi, INF, SR; Nick Hantosh, DH/1B, SR; Eli Hernandez, INF, SR; Anthony Correa, OF, SR; Vince Cozzi, 2B, SR; Chris Matz, P, SR; Caleb Salgado, C/P/OF, SR; Jack Martin, OF/P, SR; Jimmy Kafka, DH, SR.
Key newcomers: Juan Vega, OF/P, SO; Carter Ott, OF/2B, SR; Chris Stephens, INF, SR; Caleb Salgado, C/P/OF, SR; Jack Martin, OF/P, SR.
Worth noting: With 6 starters returning, including three who are four-year starters, this could be a very dangerous Leyden team. The Eagles are senior-dominated and have many players who are multi-sport athletes. Calderon, Ganir and Zapata are all four-year starters while Carrillo was the second-ranked pitcher in the conference last season as a junior. “We have several four-year starters and a number of players who have been part of the varsity program for multiple seasons, which gives us maturity and leadership throughout the roster,” O’Connor said. “If we pitch and defend consistently, we believe we can be a very competitive team.”