Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 7 Mundelein

KEY PLAYERS LOST

+ Daniel Pacella (2022; Illinois State)
+ Drew Wellington (2022; Eastern Illinois)
+ Tommy Stricklin (2022; College of Lake County JC)
+ Caden Morton (2022; Milwaukee School of Engineering)

NEWCOMER TO WATCH

+ RHP/INF Caden Earing (Mundelein 2025) is a young, talented sophomore to know, making his way through the Mustang program. Earing popped on our radar as an upside freshman showing an athletic arm and pitching in the low-80s at a showcase in the winter of 2022. He earned an invite to the Preseason All-State this winter and showed a big uptick in velocity, topping at 89 mph on the mound while also showing two-way upside. Here is what we had on Earing from the event:

“[Earing], who also swung an athletic right-handed bat, was one of the more interesting prospects of the day on the mound. Earing produces easy velo out of a ¾ slot, sitting 88-89 mph with the fastball and ability to pound the zone. He shows ability to spin the breaking ball with intent at 75-67 mph, and when on plane could be a wipe out pitch down the road.”

As only a sophomore, it is unclear what kind of role Earing will play early on in the season, regardless, he has a chance to be a high-follow prospect in the state and is a name to keep tabs on.

X-FACTOR

+ RHP Ryan Geraghty (2023; Wichita State) returns to anchor this strong pitching staff once again in 2023. Now a senior, Geraghty is coming off a First Team All-State selection in 2022 where he helped lead the Mustangs to a second-place finish in 4A. 

“Wichita State commit. One of the top pitching prospects in the Midwest; has been up to 94 mph on the mound with a true swing-and-miss slider. Anchored a Mundelein team on the mound that spent the entire season towards the top of our Power 25 rankings and eventually finished as the 4A runner-ups. Earned all North Suburban Conference honors and finished with the third-highest strikeouts in Mundelein program history, having tossed 36 less innings than the two players ahead of him. Posted a 9-1 record over 64 ⅔ innings, striking out 118 batters with a 1.19 ERA and 0.66 WHIP. Tossed a no-hitter in the regional semifinal with 15 strikeouts and finished the year with three complete games, including a shutout over Barrington in the sectional semifinal.”

Ryan Geraghty (8/10/22)

Plain and simple, Geraghty has a chance to beat anyone in the state when he is on the mound and he returns as a true ace of this club. If his IHSA dominance continues, they will be a threat to take down anyone, especially in a one-and-done playoff setting.

OUTLOOK

The Mustangs are coming off a highly successful season in 2022 where they went 29-6 and made a run at the 4A state championship, eventually losing a thrilling championship game 4-3. 

Pitching should be leaned on as the strength of this team as they head into 2023 returning their top two arms from last year's squad in Ryan Geraghty and Bennett Musser (2023; Valparaiso). Geraghty runs his fastball into the mid-90s with one of the top breaking balls in the class.  

Musser is another arm with all kinds of varsity experience and has the stuff to match up against any team in the state. Musser twirled a complete game shutout in last years 4A State-Semi’s finishing with a final line: 7 IP, H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K.

Below is a report we had on him from the spring:

“...6-foot-1, 175-pound right-handed pitcher, got the start for the Mustangs in a rivalry matchup. Works the strike zone with a four pitch mix, which resulted in a 10 strikeout outing in five innings of work. Mainly out of the stretch with some effort, shoulders stay level, works directionally to the plate with an athletic finish. From a long, clean arm action, high ¾ slot, throws both a four seam and two seam fastball, around the zone command, holding 86-88 mph throughout the game. Curveball with sharp slurve-like action resulting in swing and misses when thrown down in the zone, held 75-76 mph. Changeup with arm-side run with late sink at times, held 78-80 mph.”

Bennett Musser (4/11/22)

Other arms that will be in the mix to start for the Mustangs are Zach Johnson (2023) who saw quality innings last spring, starting 5 games, throwing 25.2 innings which was good for a 1.63 ERA. Also, RHP/INF Kenny Nanos (2024) emerged this winter as an uncommitted junior to follow, running his fastball up to 87.5 mph in a bullpen setting and showing potential two-way promise. Here is what we had on Nanos on the mound at the event:

"... On the mound he worked with a loose, quick arm, four-pitch repertoire and fastball that sat 86-87 mph with T18.2” induced vertical break.”

Some other players that should help round out this quality staff are Cody Yakimisky (2024), who logged 10.1 innings on the mound last year, Griffin Troha (2024), and the aforementioned Earing.

Offensively, the Mustangs need to replace some key pieces, especially 1B/OF Daniel Pacella, who is already impacting Illinois State’s lineup as a true freshman. One name that will look to help fill the void is SS Michael Farina (2023; Southeastern commit) after hitting .408 with a .508 OBP, 11 doubles, 1 home run, 42 runs,  13 stolen bases and he walked more than he struck out. On top of his offense Farina plays a smooth, steady shortstop and has a competitive edge to his game. Farina also showed well at our inaugural Illinois State Games, and you can read the report below:

“[Farina] has steadily been on the rise in 2022 and showed well on both sides of the ball throughout the event. On day one, he made a high-level sliding play up the middle, which he followed up with a back-hand play in the hole - following up each play with a strong/athletic throw. Offensively, the right-handed hitter caught three barrels on day one, with two line-drives to left-field and on to right-field. Farina was one of the top uncommitted 2023 infielders over the course of the two-day event.”

Unsigned senior, OF/INF Christian Seminaro (2023), returns and should be a big piece to the offense again after hitting .348 with a .920 OPS and playing in 31 games. Seminaro hit three doubles, three home runs, scored 20 runs and stole four bases. Here is a report we had on Seminaro from our Fall’s Unsigned Senior Showcase. 

“[Seminaro] has above-average tools across the board and was on the barrel with hard contact consistently throughout his round, averaging a 90.8 mph exit velocity (92.5 max). Seminaro also registered a 67 percent hard-hit rate at the plate, and on defense his strength showed on his throws home, measured at a high of 88 mph. He has a quick arm and he plays light on his feet. Overall, Seminaro is an upside, athletic prospect to know, especially as an uncommitted senior.”

Rounding off the returning starters are a pair of UW-Oshkosh commits in 1B/RHP Chris Callas, and C Daniel Connelly who combined for 16 extra base hits and 29 RBI’s in 188 at-bats between the two of them. Callas had a two-way role last year and Connelly will be the key piece behind the plate, helping guide the pitching staff. 

Other players that will be in the mix for the Mustangs on offense are Michael Carlson, Griffin Troha, and Lucas Ganan. Some underclassmen names to know down the road are Sean Sanderson (2025), Joey Kafka (2025), Nick Szalony (2025), and the aforementioned Earing.

BOTTOM LINE

The Mustangs return one of the top pitching staffs in the state, with their top two arms having the ability to match up against any team in the state. The offense should look a little different this year without the physical presence of Pacella and Stricklin but there are plenty of pieces that should create enough offense for the arms that will be toeing the rubber. 

Given the pitching talent and amount of depth around the field there is no reason why this Mustang club shouldnt have their sights set on making their way to Joliet once again, and no matter what, they should be a dangerous club come mid-to-late May. 

Make sure to follow @PBRIllinois on Twitter for the most up-to-date coverage throughout the 2022 season.

Find more information on the 2023 Mustangs below:

+ Team Website
+ Team Schedule
+ Team Twitter

PRESEASON POWER 25 COUNTDOWN