The Daily Chronicle unveiled its 2026 Baseball All‑Area Team, a showcase of the region’s most dominant high school talent. Senior standout Cole Latimer from Sycamore was selected as Player of the Year, capping a season that saw him dominate both at the plate and in the field.
First‑Team Standouts
The first team features a who's‑who of local stars. Junior catcher Gavin Cheney of DeKalb never missed an inning, batting .344 and reaching base at a .469 clip. Junior first baseman Noah Neece from Sycamore posted a .311 average with a .430 on‑base percentage, driving in 18 runs and scoring 25 times. Senior second baseman and pitcher Jack Peterson of Genoa‑Kingston set a school record for hits in a season and led the team in several offensive categories. Sophomore shortstop and pitcher Kanon Baxley of Kaneland hit .417 with a .481 OBP and a 1.203 OPS while posting a 2.41 ERA on the mound. Senior outfielder Aidan Cooper from Hiawatha hit .380 with 15 RBIs and 29 runs scored, while senior designated hitter Aidan Whildin of Kaneland posted a team‑high OPS of 1.115. Junior outfielder and pitcher Caden Smith of DeKalb hit .344 with 15 RBIs and a 2.59 ERA. Senior outfielder Brady Alstott of Kaneland hit .327 with 20 RBIs and 26 runs scored and logged the most defensive innings in centerfield. Sophomore outfielder Ryker Rissman of Sycamore led the team with a .371 average and a .508 OBP. Senior pitcher Hunter Kriese of DeKalb finished 5‑1 with a 1.86 ERA, striking out 76 batters. Junior pitcher and designated hitter Jackson MacDonald of Sycamore blasted a team‑leading five home runs and went 6‑0 with a 1.25 ERA. Finally, senior pitcher and shortstop Breydon Martin of DeKalb finished 4‑2 with a 4.05 ERA and hit .278 with a .430 OBP.
Second‑Team and Honorable Mentions
The All‑Area second team includes Colten Sargent, Cody Cravata, Hayden Foster, Skyler Janeski, Lane Davidson, Blake Ides, Evan Johnson, Bentley Payne, Ben Anderson and Will Smrz, each of whom made notable contributions to their squads. Honorable‑mention recipients such as Colton McDowell, Jack Frey, Zach Dyer, Mason Weber, Carter Guymon and Jacob Orin also demonstrated promise and will be watched closely in the coming seasons. The selections were compiled with input from coaches, statisticians and the Elgin Community College baseball program, which helped verify eligibility and compile the comprehensive lists.
The recognition underscores the depth of talent across the region and sets a high bar for the next crop of players. With schools ranging from DeKalb to Genoa, from Hiawatha to Maple Park, the 2026 All‑Area team reflects a vibrant baseball landscape that promises continued excitement in the years ahead.