Steve Reaven’s top 10 baseball teams and 25 players to watch in Lake County for the 2023 season

1. Mundelein (29-6): The Mustangs have several key players back after finishing second in Class 4A last season, starting with Wichita State recruit Ryan Geraghty (9-1, 1.19 ERA, 110 strikeouts). Valparaiso recruit Bennett Musser (5-1, 1.79 ERA) would be the No. 1 starter on virtually any other area team. Shortstop Michael Farina (.406) ignites the offense from the leadoff spot, while catcher Dan Connelly and first baseman Chris Callas, who are both headed to Wisconsin-Oshkosh, will man the middle of the order.

2. Stevenson (26-11): The Patriots have six third-year varsity players. Leading the way is pitcher/infielder Joe Richardson (.389), an Eastern Illinois recruit. Chris Iannuzzi is another top starting pitcher, while JR Nelson (Ohio) and Colin Schmitke comprise a top-notch middle infield. Michael Belbot (Illinois-Chicago) will have a featured bullpen role and hit in the middle of the order. Matthew Bressler returns to full strength after a separated shoulder curtailed his 2022 season.

3. Libertyville (27-10): The Wildcats have a good combination of veterans and young talent. Michael Scarpelli (Wooster), Justin Benes and Graham Goodman will figure prominently in the pitching plans, with Josh Holst poised to break through. Outfielder Theo Schmidt provides pop in the middle of the lineup, and catcher Quinn Schambow and leadoff hitter Cole Lockwood could take significant steps forward after making their varsity debuts last year.

4. Grayslake Central (30-8): The Rams, who have won 30 games and conference and regional titles the past two years, have a large group of returnees for potential three-peats. The trio of Will Schufreider (9-1, 0.85 ERA), Chris Rogers (Lindenwood) and Colin Kornit combined to pitch more than 200 innings. Rogers is one of four returning hitters who batted at least .350, along with outfielders Jack Gerbasi and Adam Fitzgerald and second baseman Ralph DeLeon.

5. Warren (21-14): The Blue Devils should hit the ground running with 17 seniors, many of whom have extensive varsity experience. The group is headlined by Arizona State recruit Adam Behrens, who will play first base when he’s not pitching. Thomas Beardman (Wisconsin-Eau Claire) is a second high-level pitching option and also plays left field. The lineup also includes shortstop Adam Schilz (.379, 22 RBIs) and center fielder Charlie Badgley (.311, 31 runs).

6. Carmel (17-13): Butler recruit Adam Galdoni will try to carry through a strong pitching performance from late last season while also hitting in the middle of the Corsairs’ order. The entire staff is in good hands with Rhett Wolf, who enters his third season as the starting catcher. The middle infield is also a strength with shortstop James Schott, who batted .347 last year, and second baseman Juan Ledezma.

7. Vernon Hills (18-15): The Cougars look to build on a 2022 season that included their first-ever Central Suburban North title and first regional championship since 2015. The two-way play of center fielder Dylan Sherwin (.378) will stand out, and Carroll recruit Dylan Eckrote (3.00 ERA) is the top starter. Also being counted on are shortstop Will Schart (Carroll) and outfielder Jack Pristas.

8. Highland Park (17-14): Starting pitching is a strength for the Giants, headlined by 2022 Central Suburban North pitcher of the year Luke Weber (Illinois). Michael Pasquesi and Danny Greenberg also should flourish in their second varsity seasons. David Finfer is a slick-fielding shortstop, and outfielders Dylan Lew and Jake Berliant, who both hit in the .300 range, will bat in the middle of the order.

9. Lake Zurich (12-13-1): The top-heavy North Suburban Conference could affect the Bears’ record, but they have enough talent to compete with anyone. That starts with Valparaiso recruit Lucas Foley (2.06 ERA) and shortstop Jonathan Fleaka (Illinois-Chicago). Will Crawford looks to ultimately slot behind Foley in the rotation, and third baseman Ryan Kondrad could emerge in his second season as a starter.

10. Grayslake North (14-17-1): New coach Eric Lopez inherits a team that finished third in the Northern Lake County Conference and could return as many as seven starters. Shortstop Jacob Donohue and outfielder Ethan Feldman highlight the Knights’ lineup as top-three hitters, while returning catcher Mitchell Hughes has the enviable task of handling a staff with at least four future college pitchers. Among them are starters Wyatt Dziekan, Casey Staver (Carthage) and Kaiden Herman (Concordia) and closer Jack Kerpan (Rock Valley).

Charlie Badgley, Warren, senior, outfielder; Adam Behrens, Warren, senior, pitcher/first baseman; Michael Farina, Mundelein, senior, shortstop; Ethan Feldman, Grayslake North, junior, outfielder; Jonathan Fleaka, Lake Zurich, junior, shortstop; Lucas Foley, Lake Zurich, senior, pitcher/outfielder; Adam Galdoni, Carmel, senior, pitcher/first baseman; Ryan Geraghty, Mundelein, senior, pitcher; Jack Gerbasi, Grayslake Central, senior, outfielder; Josh Holst, Libertyville, sophomore, pitcher/first baseman; Spencer Kennamann, Lakes, junior, pitcher/first baseman; Bennett Musser, Mundelein, senior, pitcher; JR Nelson, Stevenson, senior, shortstop; Joe Richardson, Stevenson, senior, pitcher/first baseman; Chris Rogers, Grayslake Central, senior, pitcher; Gianni Royer, Lake Forest, senior, outfielder; Quinn Schambow, Libertyville, sophomore, catcher; Will Schufreider, Grayslake Central, senior, pitcher; TJ Schuyler, Antioch, senior, catcher; Dylan Sherwin, Vernon Hills, senior, outfielder; Anthony Solis, Waukegan, senior, pitcher; Henry Stried, Zion Benton, senior, pitcher; Jake Swanson, Grant, senior, pitcher/outfielder; Zach Threde, Wauconda, senior, pitcher/third baseman; Luke Weber, Highland Park, junior, pitcher.

Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.