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Illinois Mailbag: Top Questions of the Week

February 2, 2014

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director - Illinois/Wisconsin

The Mailbag is a feature which allows readers to ask our scouting directors any questions they wish about high school baseball in their state. Whether it's about possible state title contenders, top prospects, recruiting, etc. your questions will get put into our "Mailbag" via the ask.fm app and our scouts will answer your questions through Twitter (@PBRIllinois) and Facebook.

This week's top questions feature more team outlooks for the spring.

To submit a question about Illinois high school baseball to the PBR scouting staff simply follow the link HERE. Also if you have a burning question about the national landscape of high school baseball or draft specific questions you can send them to National Supervisor Nathan Rode HERE.

Top Questions of the Week

Who is the best defensive catcher in the state of Illinois? Not asking about hitting strictly defense.

From what I've seen, probably Mitch Trees from Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin.

Prediction on DVC conference championship this season?

The DVC should be up for grabs this season. I don't have all the preseason questionnaires back yet, but Naperville Central should be solid.

Any possible 2015 pitchers that could be drafted out of high school?

Yes, there should be several pitchers who should garner plenty of pro attention in a year.

Top schools to win 4A state championship this year?

We will roll out our preseason Top 50 rankings closer to the season in later February.

Who are a few dark horses for PBR Player of the Year this year?

Any Player of the Year predictions would be a waste of time - and would likely make me look bad. Because you never know who is going to emerge as Player of the Year material. For example, never in a million years could anyone have predicted Zack Weigel from Oak Park winning POY in 2012.

What do you expect out of St. Laurence this year? Any new guys going to make an impact after loss of Zack Lewis?

Aside from the graduation of Lewis, I believe St. Laurence returns all its starters and has a lot of pitching depth. The Vikings should be in for another stellar season, I would think.

Football and basketball have their state games televised, any chance baseball will have state games televised sometime soon also?

I haven't heard any buzz on that. I think the IHSA may have some proprietary streaming rights. Pretty sure you can watch it online.

How will the Harrisburg Bulldogs fare without a Roper on the roster? Will they win there conference?

Losing the PBR Player of the Year, a true two-way, four-year standout, is a tough blow for any team. In the case of Harrisburg, I know the Bulldogs played a lot of young players last year and have several starters coming back, so they should probably be fine in their conference. Coach Jay Thompson always has his team and players prepared. But losing a shut-down ace and their main run-producer is hard.

Thoughts on the Western Big Six conference this year?

Western Big 6 should be very competitive again this year. I would think Moline would be the favorite heading into the season, though Galesburg and Alleman should be right there vying for the top spot.

What do you think of Geneva's chances of a conference title this season?

Geneva looks like it has an extremely talented core of young players, and should be very dangerous in the Upstate Eight. Pitching depth will be the key, as it is for every team.

Whats the most exciting high school baseball tournament this season?

The Steven M. Bajenski Memorial Tournament always has a loaded field of teams. The tournament has become the preeminent Illinois high school tournament during the season.

Thoughts on players from Metea Valley HS? Conner Lovely, Jack Szott, or Jason Behnke?

Metea Valley looks like they have a talented nucleus of young players come up the ranks. The newer school should begin to make some waves this season.

Who were the top-5 all around best players at the Underclass Invitational Showcase on Sunday January 19 at the Max?

We will begin rolling out prospect reports next week from the Underclass Invitational. There were so many good players there that it will be extremely difficult to make a top 5 list. However, see for yourself. All the videos from the event were posted today. Here's the link to the roster >> http://www.prepbaseballreport.com/past-showcases/IL/IL-1-19-14-underclass-invite

What is a tougher division: Upstate Eight or Dupage Valley?

The two conferences are very comparable, and usually it shifts year to year. For the last few years I'd probably say that, top to bottom, the Upstate Eight has been tougher overall leage.

What are your thoughts on Lockport this spring?

Lockport graduated an impressive senior class from their supersectional team, but judging by some of the junior and sophomore arms we've seen coming up the ranks, the Porters should be very competitive once again.

Any big time junior pitchers that you guys are paying attention to?

Yes, there are a lot of them, actually. Too many to mention here. A link to some of the top 2015 rankings > http://www.prepbaseballreport.com/rankings/IL/Illinois-Class-of-2015-8637259041-4185692037

Are there anymore senior showcases this year?

No, we have an open event in February 17, but we do not have any more Unsigned Senior events. Last one was in January. http://www.prepbaseballreport.com/illinois-store/prospect-id-showcase-2-17-14.html

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