Last year’s state championship run for Plainfield East was rather unconventional, as the Bengals entered the 4A playoffs with a below .500 record. They caught fire at the right time, rattling win after win en route to IHSA’s most prized accomplishment. 

RHP/INF Christian Mitchelle (2022; Central Michigan) unquestionably played an enormous role in the Bengals’ tremendous accomplishment, teaming up with LHP Brady Louck (2023; Notre Dame) to form a lethal one-two punch atop their rotation while also providing plenty of value at the plate in his own right. Mitchelle’s been equally as productive for Plainfield East in his senior campaign, helping lead them to a 19-12 record overall and five wins last week. 

Mitchelle started things off last Saturday with two hits, including a double, in an 8-1 win over Waubonsie Valley. He plated two runners and scored twice on his own, drawing a walk as well. He helped pace Plainfield East in Monday’s high-scoring affair with Plainfield South - a game the Bengals won 19-17 over their cross-town rivals. Mitchelle went a perfect 5-for-5 at the plate, launching a home run and bringing two runners home in the process. He himself scored five times, drawing another walk while also swiping a bag. 

His hot streak didn’t stop there, however, as the Central Michigan signee built off one-upped himself on Tuesday in a 10-3 win over Plainfield South. Mitchelle blasted two home runs and brought home five more runs, scoring three times on his own while drawing another free pass. Through the first three games of last week, Mitchelle was 9-for-11 with three home runs, nine RBIs, 10 runs scored, and three walks. 

Mitchelle’s two-way skills were on full display in Wednesday’s victory over Joliet West, as he drew the start on the mound and dazzled. He threw a complete game shutout on 84 pitches, 59 of which were strikes, scattering three hits and punching out four without issuing a walk. Mitchelle also picked up two hits at the plate, including a double, and scored a run as well. Though he didn’t record a hit on Thursday against Plainfield South, Mitchelle still managed to be productive in a tight-knit victory to complete the series sweep. He drew three walks and scored twice, stealing two bases as well. 

Mitchelle wrapped up his week on a high note, doubling and finishing Saturday’s non-conference game against Sandburg with three hits. The Bengals won five games over his torrid stretch, in which he went 14-for-20 with three doubles, three home runs, 10 runs scored, nine RBIs, and drew six walks - all of that to go along with a complete game shutout on the mound. 

Mitchelle is one of the state’s top senior prospects and we had the opportunity to see him earlier this season, with our scouts having this to say about his performance on the hill:

 

 

For his efforts, Mitchelle has been named the PBR Illinois Player of the Week, for the week of Monday, May 9 through Sunday, May 15. We're thankful for the POTW submissions we received from the coaches across the state. The players who garnered POTW consideration will earn a place within Friday's Diamond Notes story, so be on the lookout for that by the end of this week.

RELATED CONTENT