Zane Caves, a senior at Minooka High School, has been crowned the 2026 Herald-News Baseball Player of the Year, a testament to a season that blended dominance on the mound with unwavering leadership.
A season defined by resilience
He logged 76 strikeouts, posted a 2.56 ERA and a 1.4 WHIP over 63 innings, numbers that helped the team capture a supersectional berth for the first time in twelve years. The performance earned him Southwest Prairie Conference Pitcher of the Year and Minooka’s Male Athlete of the Year honors.
Caves’ achievement is all the more remarkable because he battled an ankle injury that sidelined him from football and basketball, yet he still delivered on the diamond, showcasing a work ethic that inspired teammates and coaches alike.
Looking ahead
He will continue his baseball career at Michigan State, reuniting with former teammate CJ Deckinga. Caves praised the support of his teammates and coaches, highlighting players such as Logan Mackin, Cooper Hill and Tyler Ebel as the foundation of the program’s continued success.