By Ryan Quigley
Illinois Scouting Director

Leading up to the start of the high school season, we will count down the Top 50 preseason teams every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage:

Team: Mundelein
Preseason Rank: 37
2014 Record: 36-3
Conference: North Suburban Conference (Lake)
IHSA Class: 4A  
Head Coach: Todd Parola
Playoff Run: Lost in Super-Sectional
2014 Final Rank: 9 
Returning Starters: 3
Returning Pitchers: 0

TOP PLAYERS
Name, Position, Class (College Commitment)
Luke Peterson, 3B, 2015
Sam Osisek, CF, 2015
Reese Dolan, RHP/OF, 2016
Wes Farmer, SS, 2015
Nick Brune, RHP/1B, 2015

X-FACTOR
Senior 3B Luke Peterson returns after leading Mundelein at the plate last season hitting at a .413 clip including 14 doubles, five triples, two homers, and a team leading 36 RBI. Peterson played some left field and third base a year ago, and according to Parola, his athleticism plays anywhere on the field.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH
Sophomore LHP Brendan Murphy has tons of upside at a lanky and athletic 6-foot-2, 180-pounds. Murphy ranked as the No. 6 Overall Prospect at January’s Underclass Invitational, where he showcased a three-pitch arsenal, highlighted by an 81-83 mph fastball and a hard, late breaking 71-74 mph curveball. Murphy is one of the top southpaws the PBR scouting staff has seen in the 2017 class, and could be poised for a breakout varsity debut.

KEY PLAYER LOST
Derek Parola, SS (Illinois State)
Ryan Holander, 1B
Michael Metz, 2B/RHP
Adam Turner, RHP
Logan Reckert, C

STAT RAT
Zero is the key number here. Most teams returning no pitching from a previous season could be in serious trouble, but Murphy and junior RHP Reese Dolan both have Division-I potential. Dolan boast a plus frame at 6-foot-4, 185-pounds, capable of pitching in the mid-to-upper 80’s with his fastball, and boasts power potential from the left side of the plate. 

OUTLOOK
Head Coach Todd Parola consistently produces winners, and although the Mustangs have been hit hard by graduation, they always impress with solid, fundamental, well coached ballplayers capable of playing winning baseball. Derek Parola and Metz were one of the top double play combinations in the state of Illinois in 2014, so expect an inexperienced up the middle. Senior MIF Wes Farmer impressed this winter with smooth fielding actions as the No. 4 overall middle infielder at the January Unsigned Senior Showcase.

BOTTOM LINE
Expect Mundelein to attempt to play the spoiler in conference play where on paper, Lake Forest looks to be an early favorite. The North Suburban Conference is always strong with Stevenson, Libertyville, and Warren returning talented teams.

Preseason Countdown

+ Top 50 Preseason Countdown Rankings

+ Updated Illinois 2015 Rankings

+ June Event Schedule