By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

Leading up to the start of the high school season, we will count down the top 75 preseason teams every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage:

Team: Marmion
Preseason Rank: 57
2013 Record: 13-12
Conference: Suburban Christian Conference
IHSA Class: 4A
Head Coach: Dave Rakow
Playoff Run: Lost in First Round
2013 Final Rank: Not Ranked

Returning Starters: 7
Returning Pitchers: 10

TOP PLAYERS
Name, Position, Class (College Commitment)
Alex Troop, LHP/1B, 2014 (Michigan State)
Jake Esp, RHP, 2015
Brady Roberts, C, 2014 (Concordia)
Edgar Sanchez, SS, 2015
Brian Simon, OF/P, 2014
Shane Carmody, RHP/2B, 2014
Zach Siwiec, 3B/RHP, 2014
Gunnar Stanke, RHP, 2014
Josh Meyers, INF, 2014

X-FACTOR
Alex Troop. The 6-foot-4, 195-pound athlete is a two-way impact player and will likely do both at Michigan State. On the mound, he works in the mid-to-upper 80s with feel for three pitches and an athletic arm action. As good as he’s on the mound, he’s just as much an offensive prospect, as he has a polished left-handed swing with burgeoning power potential.

OUTLOOK
Not normally a factor in the state rankings, the Cadets have the potential to be a highly dangerous club. Not only does the Aurora school have considerable pitching depth, it also features two frontline pitchers in Troop and junior RHP Jake Esp. Both are high-level, athletic pitching prospects - the type of duo that can carry a team come playoff time. Aside from their pitching, the Cadets return seven positional starters. Senior C Brady Roberts returns after hitting .478 last spring, and look for SS Edgar Sanchez to make a significant impact.

BOTTOM LINE
The Cadets have the pitching and experience to win the Suburban Christian Conference and do some damage in the postseason.

Season Countdown

+ Preseason Team Rankings

+ Updated Illinois 2014 Player Rankings

+ June Event Schedule

Make sure you follow @PBRillinois on Twitter for complete Illinois high school baseball coverage throughout the season.