Top High School Baseball Players Recognized in Naperville Area

7 days ago 0

In the recent selection of top high school baseball players in the Naperville area, five players each from Class 4A state semifinalist teams Naperville Central and Naperville North, along with four athletes from both Benet and Waubonsie Valley, have been highlighted.

First Team Honors

Andrew Barkley from Neuqua Valley, a senior outfielder, achieved a batting average of .348 with eight doubles, two triples, one home run, 21 RBIs, and 31 runs scored. He maintained a perfect fielding percentage over 68 chances and was recognized as all-conference.

Gio Calandriello of Benet, a senior pitcher, made a strong comeback from Tommy John surgery, achieving a 5-2 record with a 2.71 ERA, earning one save and striking out 45 batters in 41 1/3 innings. He earned all-conference honors and has committed to Loras College.

Naperville North’s sophomore Lawton Close, a pitcher and third baseman, finished with a 3-2 record, one save, a 2.56 ERA, and 46 strikeouts in 46 innings. Offensively, he delivered a .309 average with 11 doubles, three home runs, 22 RBIs, 21 runs scored, and five stolen bases. He was named conference pitcher of the year.

Scott Gillen, a junior second baseman from Waubonsie Valley, accumulated a .353 batting average, with 11 doubles, 22 RBIs, 38 runs scored, and 22 stolen bases, earning him all-conference recognition.

Junior outfielder Tyler Gluting from Metea Valley hit .432 with 14 doubles, eight home runs, 25 RBIs, 35 runs scored, and eight stolen bases. He was named all-conference and Class 4A all-state and committed to Oklahoma.

The article features an image of Metea Valley’s Tyler Gluting rounding third base after a home run during a Class 4A Plainfield North Regional quarterfinal in Naperville, taken on May 25, 2026.

More Honorees

Naperville Central’s senior shortstop Cooper Page posted a .314 average with nine doubles, one home run, 18 RBIs, and 36 runs scored, receiving all-conference honors.

Senior outfielder Michael Page from Naperville Central batted .385 with 14 doubles, four triples, three home runs, 26 RBIs, 28 runs scored, and eight stolen bases. He was recognized as all-conference and is committed to North Central College.

Quinn Rooney, a junior first baseman from Benet, achieved a .385 batting average, with five doubles, five triples, four home runs, 31 RBIs, and eight stolen bases. He earned all-conference honors and committed to Notre Dame.

Naperville North’s senior Max Steele excelled as a pitcher-outfielder with a 4-3 record and 47 strikeouts in 37 2/3 innings. He also batted .375 with 12 doubles, two triples, one home run, 25 RBIs, and 29 runs scored, earning all-conference recognition and committed to Benedictine.

An image accompanies the article showing Waubonsie Valley catcher Shane Torres returning to home plate during a nonconference game against Batavia in Aurora on April 9, 2026.

Waubonsie Valley’s junior catcher Shane Torres batted .471, collecting 11 doubles, two triples, two home runs, 35 RBIs, and 29 walks. He was named conference player of the year and has committed to Oakland.

Naperville Central’s Grant Umbright, a senior, served as a pitcher and third baseman, finishing with a 9-1 record, a 2.03 ERA, 71 strikeouts in 48 1/3 innings, and a .324 average with four home runs, four triples, 30 RBIs, 36 runs scored, and five stolen bases, receiving all-conference honors and committing to John A. Logan.