Crestwood, Ill. – April 15, 2020 – The Crestwood Panthers began the process of disclosing their roster for the 2020 season by announcing 22 players on Wednesday. The club will continue to announce additions to the roster in the weeks leading up to the season.

Riley Beck, 3B/MIF, Purdue University Northwest / Cedar Rapids, Iowa. / Xavier HS

Beck serves as both a third baseman and middle infielder for the PNW Pride, exhibiting excellent defensive versatility. As a freshman, Beck appeared in one game, recording an at-bat and defensive assist, but was primed for a substantial uptick in playing time before the cancellation of the 2020 collegiate baseball season. At Xavier High School, Beck played baseball, ice hockey, and football, the latter of which included a state championship in 2017. 

Cameron Bufford, MIF, Grambling State University / South Holland, Ill. / Marian Catholic HS

Bufford is currently a red-shirt freshman at Grambling State University. His high school career included two consecutive ESCC All-Conference selections and two IHSA Regional Semifinals appearances. Bufford adds considerable depth to the Panthers’ middle infield, along with an imposing presence in the middle of the order.

DeShawnte Carraway, C/3B/2B, Harper College / Hazel Crest, Ill. / Thornton HS

Carraway’s freshman campaign at Harper College showcased his potential to be a five-tool threat in the heart of the Panthers’ lineup. He hit .286, recorded 14 RBIs, posted eight extra-base hits, and managed to steal four bases, all while playing both catcher and third base. Carraway stands to make an immediate impact for Crestwood both in the field and at the plate. 

Max Engstrom, LHP, Indiana Wesleyan University / Hickory Hills, Ill. / St. Laurence HS

As a freshman LHP with the Wildcats, Engstrom burst onto the scene, pitching 17 1/3 innings as a member of the team’s starting rotation. That durability and experience make him a starting pitching candidate for the Panthers in 2020. In high school, Engstrom was listed as a “High Follow” by Perfect Game, and helped to lead St. Laurence to the 2019 IHSA Class 3A State Baseball Championship. 

Kent Evans, RHP/UTIL, Rockford University / Crete, Ill. / Crete-Monee HS

In a brief stint with the Panthers last season, Evans pitched to a 2.84 ERA over 6 1/3 innings out of the bullpen. This year, he is primed for a premier role in the starting rotation. During the shortened 2020 collegiate season, Evans continued right where he left off, posting a 2.13 ERA over 12 2/3 innings, adding 17 strikeouts against only four walks. 

Tim Fauth, 1B/DH, North Park University / Elk Grove Village, Ill. / Conant HS

Fauth is set to return for his second season with the Panthers. Last year, the Conant High School product hit .284 while adding 12 RBIs as the team’s primary starting first baseman. In his last full collegiate season at Harper College, Fauth slashed an impressive .333/.442/.423, while starting in 28 of the Hawks’ 31 games. He is currently a first baseman at North Park University, and appeared in three games during the shortened 2020 season. 

D’Vante Glenn, OF/2B, Coe College / Chicago, Ill. / St. Rita HS

2020 will mark Glenn’s second consecutive season with the Panthers. Last year, Glenn posted a .180 batting average, but ended on a 7 for 19 run (.368) at the plate. Primarily a middle infielder, Glenn also stands to receive opportunities in the outfield come this season. Glenn was part of a  Coe College team that went 37-8 in 2019.

Ray Hilbrich, OF, Purdue University Northwest / Schererville, Ind. / Lake Central HS

Hilbrich looks to pick up right where he left off from last season come 2020. As the Panthers regular lead-off hitter and starting right fielder, Hilbrich slashed a team-high .426/.481/.596 en route to an All-MCL Team selection. During the shortened 2020 collegiate season, Hilbrich hit .378 with the PNW Pride while posting a .964 fielding percentage in the outfield. 

Frank Klemm, OF/LHP, College of DuPage / Darien, Ill. / Hinsdale Central HS

A unique two-way talent, Klemm is currently a redshirt freshman at College of DuPage. During his time at Hinsdale Central, he starred as a reliable bullpen piece for the Red Devils while manning the outfield. Klemm will add much-needed depth both on the mound and in the field for Crestwood.

Julian Ledezma, LHP, North Park University / Steger, Ill. / Marian Catholic HS

Ledezma made two appearances during the shortened 2020 collegiate season, pitching to a 6.00 ERA over three innings. During his time at Marian Catholic, Ledezma helped lead the Spartans to two consecutive IHSA Regional Semifinal appearances. He is expected to serve as both a starting pitcher and relief option for the Panthers this season. 

Giovanni Lopez, OF, College of DuPage / Saint John, Ind. / Lake Central HS

Lopez earned starting outfield opportunities with the Chaparrals during the shortened 2020 season, hitting .500 (8 for 16) to go along with four RBIs and one home run. Additionally, with a 60-yard dash time of 6.81, Lopez looks to provide the Panthers with a welcomed spark on the basepaths. 

Ryan McGrath, RHP, South Suburban College / Oak Lawn, Ill. / St. Laurence HS

McGrath is returning for his second season with the organization. In 21 innings pitched last season, he posted 16 strikeouts and an 8.57 ERA. After beginning the year as a late-game relief option, McGrath became a key member of the starting rotation, and looks to carry that momentum into the 2020 season. Formerly of St. Laurence High School, McGrath was apart of the Vikings team that played in the 2019 IHSA Class 3A State Baseball Championship. 

Scott Richards, C, Moraine Valley CC / Orland Park, Ill. / Sandburg HS

Richards is ready to provide the Panthers with considerable catching depth in 2020. At Moraine Valley this past season, he slashed an outstanding .500/.600/.625, recording at least one hit in every game he played. Richards is a graduate of Sandburg High School, where he helped lead the Eagles to the IHSA Baseball Final Four in 2018. 

Ryan Rinearson, C/1B/3B, South Suburban College / Homewood, Ill. / Mount Carmel HS

Defensive versatility and an ability to get on base define Rinearson’s stint at Mount Carmel High School. During his senior season in 2019, he hit .278 through 12 games, recorded an exceptional .409 on-base percentage, and helped lead the Caravan to an IHSA Regional Championship. Rinearson is currently a catcher and first baseman with South Suburban College in South Holland. 

Jake Rybarski, MIF/3B, Belmont Abbey College / Spring Grove, Ill. / Richmond Burton HS

After playing two seasons at Hannibal-LaGrange University, Rybarski recently committed to Belmont Abbey College, an NCAA D-II program in Belmont, N.C. With Richmond Burton High School, Rybarski hit .492 at the varsity level, while posting an OPS of 1.020. On the mound, he cruised to a 2.72 ERA in 51 innings pitched. 

Colton Rydlewski, OF, Albion College / Schererville, Ind. / Lake Central HS

Rydlewski is slated to return for his second season with the Panthers. He recorded 11 RBIs in 17 games for Crestwood back in 2018, and also posted a .969 fielding percentage. During his second year at Albion College, Rydlewski appeared in three games, and helped the Britons attain a 22-20 record. 

Jaime Sandoval, MIF, Concordia University Chicago / Oak Lawn, Ill. / Morton West HS

Sandoval brings some much-needed depth to the Panthers’ middle infield in 2020. He appeared in two games for Concordia this past season. At Morton West High School, Sandoval slashed .268/.404/.330 in parts of three years at the varsity level, while adding a 2.65 ERA in 31 2/3 career innings pitched.

Alex Simon, C/INF/RHP, Augustana College / Hinsdale, Ill. / Hinsdale Central HS

Simon is currently an incoming freshman at Augustana College after spending his high school baseball career at Hinsdale Central. With a fastball that tops out in the mid-80s, and a catching background to boot, Simon stands to fill two important roles for this Panthers team during the upcoming season. 

Andrew Tenison, 3B/1B/RHP, Moraine Valley CC / Orland Park, Ill. / Sandburg HS

Another rare two-way talent, Tenison did not allow an earned run over 3 1/3 innings with the Cyclones, while adding two home runs in five games at the plate during the shortened 2020 season. He played his freshman season at Lewis University, recording a .230 batting average in 30 games, and seven strikeouts in 11 1/3 innings on the mound. Tenison attended Sandburg High School, and was apart of the team that made it to the IHSA Baseball Final Four in 2018. 

Oscar Trevino, LHP, St. Xavier University / Lowell, Ind. / Lowell HS

Trevino is of a unique breed, boasting a loaded five-pitch repertoire that includes a knuckleball, while throwing from a left-handed, three-quarters arm slot. Although he has not appeared in any games for the Cougars yet, he did pitch 32 2/3 innings through two years at the varsity level in high school, recording 28 strikeouts in the process. Trevino looks to provide quality starting pitching help for Crestwood in 2020. 

Brandon Tyler, RHP, Grambling State University / Calumet City, Ill. / Hammond HS

As a freshman at Grambling State, Tyler registered 3 1/3 innings pitched throughout the shortened 2020 season. In high school, Tyler was ranked as the 52nd best player in the state of Indiana by Perfect Game. His fastball currently tops out in the upper-80s and complements a repertoire that includes a changeup and curveball. Tyler is set to serve as a valuable part of the starting rotation for the Panthers. 

Matthew Uba, MIF, Concordia University Chicago / Darien, Ill. / Hinsdale South HS

Uba brings a proven offensive track record and stellar defensive resume to the Panthers this season. In eight games with the Elgin Bulldogs of the Chicago Suburban Baseball League, he slashed .320/.485/.320, while driving in five runs last summer. This past season at Concordia, Uba continued his torrid pace, hitting .320 to go along with a splendid .640 slugging percentage. He is expected to play a major role in the heart of Crestwood’s lineup.