When the Joliet Catholic Academy baseball team opened the season last week against rival Joliet Township, a scout from the Boston Red Sox snuggled himself up in a seat next to the first base dugout a half hour before the first pitch at Silver Cross Field.
The gentleman wasn't there catch pneumonia even though a brisk wind blew straight in his face and the temperature plummeted to the middle-30s after the sun set. Rather, he was there to catch another glimpse of JCA prospect John Ruettiger, a left-handed pitcher and center fielder.
Ruettiger already has signed a national letter of intent with Arizona State. He could forgo a college playing career with the Sun Devils if he is selected high enough in the June amateur draft. He has the size and speed scouts look for, not to mention a strong arm and powerful bat.
He is also one of eight returning starters on a JCA squad coach Jared Voss pictures erasing some worn chalk marks off a sullied blackboard. The Hilltoppers were 17-19 a year ago and 10-8 in the East Suburban Catholic Conference, good for fifth place.
"Two years ago when I was filling out returning starters, there were only two guys, Steve Kazak and Johnny Ruettiger, and they were only juniors," Voss said. "So, it was pretty exciting when I got to fill things out this year, and I had a list of eight or nine or 10 guys. In the past, over the last 10 years, any time we've had a little bit of experience, it's worked out for us real well in the spring."
Ruettiger earned all-conference and all-area honors after hitting .445 with eight doubles and three triples as junior. He also won three games and saved two others in 46.2 innings on the mound. He struck out 41 and had a 3.44 ERA.
Kazak, a senior left-hander, signed with the University of St. Francis after logging more than 82 innings in two years as a regular in the JCA rotation.
A.J. Plese, Nick Ratajczak, Mike Nelson, Nate Minarich, Joe Cernugel and Brian Budzinski also return to the starting lineup. Ratajczak, a junior second baseman, is coming off a sparkling sophomore year. He hit .392 with six doubles and 20 RBIs. Nelson takes over catching duties after hitting .377 as the DH.
"He's a happy kid," Voss said. "He loves the game. He loves to have fun when he plays. He keeps things positive. He definitely brings a lot of energy."
Budzinski gained experience -- and confidence -- as his time increased at first base. He hit .395.
"I think overall we'll be pretty well balanced," Voss said. "We should be able to pitch well, hit well, field well, run well -- I can't pick one thing that might be stronger than the other right now. But I feel like with the guys we've got coming back we should be pretty well balanced."
Ruettiger pitched four-plus innings in a 4-3 eight-inning loss to JT. He allowed three runs on three hits in a performance that played out like a double-edge sword. At times, he was overpowering. At times, he was wildly effective.
In his first three innings, Ruettiger struck out two, walked two and hit two others. He trailed 2-1 when he exited.
"The one thing with Johnny -- all the tools they look for in a baseball player, he does all five extremely well," Voss said. "As far as the draft goes, there has been interest, obviously. But the guys are going to be out all spring to get a good evaluation on him.
"He's an extremely confident player. He's in a great situation. He's got all the leverage on his side because, in a worst-case scenario, he's going to Arizona State, which is the No. 1 team in the country right now. You can't beat that."
Behind Ruettiger and Kazak, Voss will turn to a cast of thousands for pitching depth. The cast includes Plese, Anthony Narducci, Kevin Hulbert, Steve Fehrenbacher, Steve Cservynak, Brock Liston and Vinnie Hughes.
Plese won four games as a sophomore. In 38 innings, he struck out 36. He is a 6-3, 240-pound right-hander who brings the heat.
Hulbert (third base), Cservynak (left field), Tim Bennett (left field), Mike Foley (third base) and Dave Cladis (shortstop) likely will emerge as the top every-day position newcomers. Bennett had two hits and two RBIs against JT. Included was a two-out two-run double in the top of the sixth that tied the game 3-3.
Ratajczak, Cernugel and Minarich also figure to contend for postseason awards.
"The one thing about Nate (Minarich) -- with him in the middle of the lineup, he brings awesome leadership," Voss said. "He's a go-getter."
Voss isn't looking for anyone to reinvent the wheel -- just for everyone to rededicate their efforts.
"I think coming out and playing confident is key," he said. "In my opinion, a lot of the pieces to the puzzle already are in place. It's just these guys coming out and having fun and enjoying the season. We're coming off a season where we were below .500. And these guys are ready to go. They remember that. It leaves a sour taste in your mouth."
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