As the baseball season begins, we take a look at the schools playing in the Public League this spring.
*Note: All coaches were contacted multiple times, the schools below are the ones who responded. If your school isn’t listed, have your coach reach out to Michael Wojtychiw at mmwojtychiw@cps.edu. This post will be updated if more schools respond.
School: Amundsen
Record Last Year: 19-8
Starters Returning:
- Padraig (Paddy) O’Shea, RHP/3B, Senior
- James Stewart, OF, Senior
- Danny Ahern, RHP/SS, Junior
- Henry Holper, RHP/2B, Junior
- Kael O’Conor, C, Junior
- Pierce Bakker, OF, Sophomore
Season Outlook: Our goal is to try and stick in the Jackie Robinson North conference this year after our promotion in the offseason. It would be huge for our program to be able to stay up at this level and build from there.
School: Disney II
Last year’s record: 13-7 overall (13-1 in conference)
Starters returning:
Junior Pitcher/SS Ryan RJ Correa – last year’s North Conference Pitcher of the Year and the best baseball I have ever coached in 15 years. Also an All-Cinference player last year. He will be playing College Baseball after he graduates and is on the Cubs RBI team.
Junior C Brian Johnson – All Conference Player last year
Senior LF Miguel Luna – All Conference Player last year
Senior P/SS Nick Zuluaga – All Conference Player last year
Senior CF Alan Sanchez
Senior RF/1B Owen Burns Mack
Senior 2B Marcos Gonzalez
Junior 3B Derrek Gomez
Returning non-starters:
OF John Simmons
Newcomers:
Senior Utility Carlos Ortega
Senior Utility Adam Tichout
Many JV players could be called up when needed, we have a large JV team. There are 2 rising stars for the JV team as freshmen, Marcus Grier and Anthony Santos that could be future CPS All-Stars.
Coach’s Season Outlook:
We look to be very competitive in our new conference and win several games, hoping to place somewhere in the middle of the conference, but could finish very high if we play well. If we do not make the regular CPS playoffs, our goal this season is to win the CPS Consolation Playoff Championship – something we lost to Juarez High School 4 years ago.
School: Farragut
Last year’s record: 14-9
Social media handles: FarragutBaseba1 (Twitter)
Big/Key games: Senn, Juarez, Little Village
Coach’s Season Outlook:
The Admiral baseball team is looking to build on last year’s 14-9 record. With nine seniors graduating, Eric Moreno and Christian Salgado will step up as captains of a young team. The freshman class is the most promising that we’ve seen in years. Ben DeMateo, Amir Smith, and Robert Trejo bring years of experience and a high level of talent to our varsity team. Damian Dominguez leads by example and dedication. Luis Campos is returning, after being named to the All-Conference team last season. Lane Tech transfer Bella DeMateo and Juarez transfer Jovany Bahena Perez bring experience and a strong work ethic to the program. Sophomores Julian Andrade, Joshua Jimenez, Luis Mendoza, and senior Emanuel Galvan, will all be battling for spots in the starting lineup.
School: Intrinsic
Last year’s record: 10-3 overall (8-0 conference)
Starters returning (name, position, year, stats and honors):
Christian Roman, P/SS, Sr, All Conference North Central
Edgar Lozano, P/3B, Sr, All Conference North Central, Player of the year North Central Conference
Isaiah Deoyos, 1B, Sr, All Conference North Central
Rafael Montoya, P/CF, Jr, All Conference North Central
Joel Diaz, 2B/CF, Soph
Key newcomers (name, position, year):
Damian Agudo, 3B, Fresh
Adrian Benitez, 2B, Soph
Anthony Gonzalez, 2B, Sr
Coach’s Season Outlook:
The Intrinsic Mustangs continue to rise in the CPL baseball league as they are coming off a perfect 8-0 North Central conference record in the 2022 season. An experienced team with seven returning starters, the Mustangs look to compete in the North Conference for 2023.
School: Jones College Prep
Last Year’s Record: 18-10, 7-6 in the Jackie Robinson South
Social media handle: @JonesPrepBsbl (Twitter)
College commit: Ray Sansonetti, SS/Pitcher (committed to Illinois Wesleyan University)
Starters returning:
Ray Sansonetti, SS /RHP, sr, .350 avg, 29 RBI
Brennen Jones, OF/RHP, jr, .359 average
Henry Im, LHP, sr, 3-1, 2.33 ERA
Jason Bernstein, RHP, sr, 3-1 2.80 ERA
Keenan Houlihan, OF/RHP, sr, 0.87 ERA
Non-starters returning:
Jacob Schneider, 1B/RHP, sr
Reid Peterson, OF, sr
Dean Goldman, RHP, sr
Newcomers:
Ellis Alexander, C, sophomore
Renzo Sansonetti, INF/ RHP, freshman
Logan Fernandez, OF, freshman
Cal Van Cleaf, Util/RHP, sr
Big/Key Games: All games are big in JR South
Coach’s Season Outlook: We have excellent pitching depth, a decent defense and very talented younger players. If we can hit a bit we will be a very good team.
School: Kelvyn Park
Last year’s record: 5-11
Starters returning (name, position, year and honors):
Austin Torres, C, JR
Elijah Lopez, 3B, JR, All Conference
Terrell Gardner, C/RF, SR
Matthew Celis, CF, SR
McKaylee Melendez, 2B, SR
Key non-starters returning (name, position, year):
Hector Manuel, RF Soph
Joseph Torres, SS, JR
Key newcomers (name, position, year):
Ghazi Barker, P, SR
Tyshawn Johnson, P, FR
Jasiel Arroyo, OF, Soph
Big/Key games: MLA and North Grand
Season outlook: The Panthers are a young team who are coming off a 5-win season which is the highest since the 2016 season. The combination of some key starters returning and newcomers will make the Panthers a team to watch. If the young players are able to step in and contribute right away, the Panthers have the chance to eclipse last year’s win total.
School: Lane Tech
Last year’s record: 24-12 (City Champions)
Social media handles: @LTBaseball (Twitter); lanetechbaseball_ (Instagram)
College commits: Josh Katz- Penn University (2023), Jacob Maza- Webster University (2023), Henry Murray- Boston College (2025)
Starters returning (name, position, year and honors):
Josh Katz- P/Utl, 2023, All-Conference, All-City, Pitcher of the Year
Zach Shashoua- C, 2023, Summer State Tournament MVP, 3 year starter
Jacob Maza- P, 2023, Webster Commit
Louie Derechin- 3B, 2023, All-Conference
Jack Tzur- 1B, 2023, All-Conference
Lucino Sotelo- P, 2023
Key newcomers (name, position, year):
Ethan Borrgren- Utl, 2024, JV Team MVP
Henry Murray- OF, 2025, Boston College Commit
Tyler Trapp- MIF, 2025
Amaan Khan- P, 2024, JV Cy Young, World Baseball Classic Team Pakistan Player
Big/Key games: New Trier, Nazareth, Mt. Carmel, St. Rita, Mundelein, Homewood Flossmoor, Von Stueben, WY, Taft
Coach’s Season Outlook:
We are ranked #19 in the pre-season PBR rankings. Coming off winning the City Championship and the IHSBCA Summer State Tournament (1st CPL school ever), we have a lot of key players returning along with some impact newcomers. We have high expectations and expect to compete for City and State this spring.
School: Mather
Last year’s record: 5-11
Social media handles: @mather.baseball (IG)
Starters returning (name, position, year, stats and honors):
Xavier Loper: P/C/Util, SR, All-Conference
Alexis Cartagena: P/INF, SR, All-Conference
Tristen Molina: P/1B, SR
Matthew Boyle: UTIL, SR
Jaylen Orr: OF/C, JR
J’Anthony Skerrett: P/INF, JR
David Goytia: P/UTIL, SO
Jeriel Mejias: P/C/INF, SO
Key non-starters returning (name, position, year):
Jacob Scott: OF, JR
Elijah Gracia: P/UTIL, SO
Jake McDonough: P/Util, SO
Key newcomers (name, position, year):
Josh Harper: P/INF, SR
Cristian Lopez: UTIL, JR
Lucas Lambert: UTIL, FR
Roy Beard: UTIL, FR
Enyerson Serrano: UTIL, FR
Big/Key games:
March 15 (opening day) vs Francis Parker
All conference games
Season outlook:
Coach Alan Jankowski is beginning his second year as the head coach of the Mather Rangers. Last season, the biggest challenge Mather faced was the weather. Insane rainfall during the spring cancelled many games. The Rangers struggled but had a young rebuilding squad. There were no seniors on last year’s team so the entire roster is returning for the 2023 season. Couple this with some talented young freshman, improved underclassmen, and great senior leadership and the Rangers are looking poised for a winning season. This season, Mather is also co-oping with Roosevelt High School, which does not have a baseball team. A few of Roosevelt’s students make a welcome addition to the squad.
School: Ogden International
Last year’s record: 20-7
Social media handle: @OgdenOwlBiesbol (Twitter)
College commits (if any): Efrian Ribot (Rust College), Roberto Maldonado (Olive-Harvey College)
Starters returning:
Seniors:
Manny Castillo P, Util
Efrian Ribot P, Util
Roberto Maldonado C
Sebi Munoz C
Joaquin Garza P
Juniors:
Vincenzo Mazzone C, P
Payton Hall 1B, P
Carlos Garcia 2B, P
Nathan Espada SS, P
Sammy Castillo P, OF
Malachi Gonzalez OF, P
Big/Key games:
Whitney Young
Von Steuben
Lane Tech
Mt. Carmel
Simeon
Morgan Park
Thornwood
Coach’s Season Outlook:
This is Ogden’s first season in one of the two top conferences, Jackie Robinson North. Ogden is also the smallest school in either of the top conferences by almost 1,000 students. The Owls are looking to avenge a 2-1 regional championship loss that ended the 2022 campaign.
School: Payton
Returning Starters:
Olin Hemingway, Sr., P/CF
Maxwell McNamara, Sr. P/OF
Anthony Dorn, Jr., C
Derek Patton, Soph., P/INF
Key Non- Starters Returning:
Lekh Murth, Sr., P/1B
Jaiden Lulla, Sr., P/OF
Finn Buda, Sr., C/INF
Grant Gugino, Soph., OF/2B
Key Newcomers:
Ian Sheridan, Sr., P/INF
Brendan Hariland, Jr., INF
Finn Ryan, Soph., C/OF
Nathan Volkens, P/INF
Augie Ruf, Soph., INF
Anthony Arena, Soph., P/C
Nicholas Linares, Fr., P/INF
Caleb Salgado, Fr., SS
Coach’s Season Outlook:
Payton returns four solid pitchers from the 2022 team. The team is very well balanced with young and experienced players that should grow and improve throughout the season. Payton is coming off a very strong 2022 season and hopes to continue the success into the upcoming 2023 season.
School: Senn
Last year’s record: 14-8 (13-1 in Conference)
Social media handle: @sennbaseball (Twitter)
Starters returning (name, position, year):
Elijah Libretti – SS/P – Junior
Mateo Milan – 2B/P – Senior
John Shanley – CF/P – Sophomore
Key non-starters returning (name, position, year):
Yahseph Delacruz – DH – Senior
Key newcomers (name, position, year):
Jones Sweetman – UT – Freshman
Max Nevinger – 3B/P – Junior
Coach’s Season Outlook:
We hope to be competitive in our conference, we lost conference last year by a coin flip, looking for some redemption.
Team: Simeon
Key Returners:
Trey Butler (2024, Louisville Commit); 3A 1st Team All State, 1st team All Public League CF/P, led the state in stolen bases for the second consecutive year. Batted .430
Tyler Patterson (2023) Shortstop; 1st Team All Public League, batted .330. 5 HR
Kenny Jackson P/OF/ INF (2023); 6 W as pitcher
Tori Chaney (2024, Mississippi Valley Commit), MIF
Chris Boykin (2024) Catcher, .315 BA, 6 HR
Key non-starter returning:
Derrick Owens (2024)
Key Newcomers:
Roger Miner (2023)
Xavier Miner (2024)
Other Key Players:
P/INF Corwin Laurence (2023)
Ben Johnson (2025)
Coach’s Season Outlook:
This season we have alot of young experience and expect to compete with anyone in the area. These guys feel like they have something to prove after coming up short in the CPS semi final. It should be an exciting year!
School: Solorio
Last year’s record: 18-6
Social media handle: @SolorioBaseball (twitter)
College commits:
Christian Martinez: Judson University
Jaylon Harvey: Olive-Harvey College
Andrew Alarcon: Roosevelt University
Starters returning (name, position, year, stats and honors):
Angelo Amador: P/SS,SR (2022 American South Player of the Year, 2022 All-City Pitcher)
Alejandro Amador: OF/P, SO
David Bischoff: INF, SR
Jaylon Harvey: CF, SR
Antonio Licea: P/3B/1B, SO
Christian Martinez: C/1B/OF, SR
Angel Tapia: C/INF, SR
Key newcomers (name, position, year):
Andrew Alarcon: P/INF, SR
Juan Barrientos: P/INF, FR
Coach’s Season Outlook:
We are making our return to the Jackie Robinson South Conference and are led by a group of 6 senior starters. In total, we have 7 returning starters from last year’s team. We look forward to being very competitive this season.
School: Urban Prep
Starters Returning: Entire team
Key Players Returning: Londel Overton, Conference Pitcher of the Year
Big/Key games: All games are big games this season as I believe last year was a good year to get the feeling of baseball back. Since the pandemic, some kids lost the love for the game because it was not being played much. That hunger to compete, learn, and position themselves for the next level; I believe is everyone’s goal. I believe this season will bring a lot more competition and athletic players to the diamond.
Coach’s Season Outlook:
We expect to be amongst the top competitive teams in the conference this year and years to come. We still only have 3 seniors in the program and our youth will be the backbone of rebuilding our program.
School: Von Steuben
Last year’s record: 21-12 (11-3 Jackie Robinson North Champs)
Social media handles: @vspanthers (Twitter); @vspanthersbaseball (Instagram); Von Steuben Panthers Baseball (Facebook)
College commits: Eduardo Letamendi (Illinois State), Ethan Serrano (Triton)
Starters returning (name, position, year and honors):
Eddie Letamendi, Sr SS (All Conf, All CIty),
Ethan Serrano, Sr P/OF (All Conf, All City),
Owen Rivera, SR P/INF (All Conf),
Alex Karson, Jr P/OF
Key non-starters returning (name, year):
Lazo Samaras – Sr
Alex Konstantopoulos – Sr
Key newcomers (name, year):
Axel Rivera – So
Luke Johnston – So
George Allen – So
Christian Kobabyashi – So
Coach’s Season Outlook:
Our Conference Championship team underwent a lot of change this offseason. We graduated a lot of talented players. Our challenge will be mixing experienced veterans with inexperienced youth at key positions. We look to remain competitive in the highly competitive Jackie Robinson North and peak come playoff time.
School: Wells
Last year’s record: 0-14
Starters returning:
Ben Bajner
Jaylin Robison
Edwin Avalos
Mateo Grimaldi
Key newcomers:
Deon Levy
Kelmin Mims
Roberto Rodriguez
Coach’s Season Outlook:
Last year was rough, but this year baseball is a sport that has garnered some more interest from the student body. The coaching staff at Wells is excited to develop the young talent and add fuel to the flames of their growing passion for the game of baseball. After going winless last year, there’s nowhere to go but up for the Raiders who are optimistic about their chances of playing quality baseball this spring.
School: Whitney Young
Last year’s record: 18-15
College commits: Joshua Schmidt, Sr., P – Macalester College
Ahsaan Henson, Sr. P – Morehouse College
Starters returning (name, year, position, stats and honors if available):
Joshua Schmidt Sr. P, 47 IP, 61K, 2.79 ERA
Christian Alvarez, Sr,. OF
Jimmy Anastasi, Jr., OF
Cole Hockman, Jr, 1B
Luke Yolich, So., SS, .407 BA, All Conference
Key non-starters returning (name, position, year, stats if available):
Taki Chronopolous, Soph., C
Tristan Merrill, Soph., Outfield
Will Carter, Soph., P/1B
Key newcomers (name, position, year):
Kingsley Evans, Fr., 2B
Ryan Pinkert, Fr., C
Marcus Garton, Fr., P/1B
