By Sean Duncan
 Executive 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: McHenry
Preseason Rank: 49
2014 Record: 21-14
Conference: Fox Valley
IHSA Class: 4A 
Head Coach: Brian Rockweiler
Playoff Run: Lost in first round
2014 Final Rank: Not Ranked 

Returning Starters: 7
Returning Pitchers: 6

TOP PLAYERS
Name, Position, Class (College Commitment)
Mike Borst, OF/1B/RHP, 2015 (Minot State)
Bobby Miller, RHP/INF, 2017 (Louisville)
Jack Glosson, OF, 2015
Dylan Weston, 1B/RHP, 2015 (Aurora)
Marcus Reiser, RHP, 2015
Nick Lahrman, OF/RHP, 2016
Ryan Grannemann, C, 2015

X-FACTOR
Bobby Miller. The 6-foot-5, 190-pound sophomore is a two-way standout who is already committed to Louisville. At the PBR Underclass Invitational in January, Miller topped at 90 mph, sitting in the upper-80s, with a sharp slider. No doubt his future is on the mound, but Miller can really swing it from the left side as well, and should be a significant run-producer this season. As a freshman, Miller posted a 3-3 record with a 2.40 ERA; he also drove in 10 runs at the plate.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH
Mike Lasiewicz. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound sophomore has shown a low-80s fastball, Rockweiler said, and has the potential to add depth on the mound.

KEY PLAYER LOST
Cody Freund, C/RHP (Chicago State)

STAT RAT
Mike Borst batted .380 with 11 doubles, two homers and 30 RBI as a junior last spring.

OUTLOOK
The Warriors opened last season with a bang, rising into the Top 25 state rankings briefly. But they petered out in the end, finishing in third place in the Fox Valley, Valley Division, and ultimately losing in the first round of the playoffs. With seven starters and six pitchers returning from last year’s squad, the Warriors have the talent to sustain their success throughout the campaign. McHenry returns the bulk of its lineup, including leadoff man Jack Glosson (.327 BA, 9 doubles, 14 RBI), Dylan Weston (.312 BA, 9 doubles, 22 RBI) and Borst. Even though he’s only a sophomore, Bobby Miller has the talent and the raw stuff to dominate on the mound. RHP Marcus Reiser (3-3, 2.71 ERA) is coming off an injury, and the Warriors also return RHP/INF Mike Aiardo (2-1) into the fold. Frontline pitching and overall team speed are points of concern heading into the season, though.

BOTTOM LINE
McHenry should compete for the Fox Valley Conference championship this season, though it won’t be easy. If Miller establishes himself as a frontline ace this spring, and Reiser returns to full strength, then the Warriors could make some noise in the postseason.

Preseason Countdown

+ Top 50 Preseason Countdown Rankings

+ Updated Illinois 2015 Rankings