Prep Baseball Report

Illinois Recruiting Notebook



By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

Lots of recruiting news across Illinois, headlined by another top 2015 prospect and several ranked 2014 players. A look at who’s going where:

+ 3B/RHP/OF Brenden Spillane, who’s one of the top 2015 prospects in Illinois’ 2015 class, has verbally committed to Illinois. The physical 6-foot-3, 2005-pound multi-positional talent from Wheeling HS has big power potential from the right side and possesses a strong arm wherever he is on the field. Spillane is currently ranked No. 18 in Illinois’ loaded 2015 class and No. 90 overall.

+ Few 2014 prospects have enjoyed a more meteoric rise over than the last few months than RHP Liam Carter from Highland Park HS. The 6-foot-7, 170-pound Carter culminated his ascension on Monday by committing to Missouri. Carter was one of the top prospects at the Illinois Unsigned Senior Games in early August, when he commanded three pitches for strikes, including an 87-88 mph fastball. Carter, who was featured in last week’s Illinois Insider, is currently ranked No. 36 in Illinois’ 2014 class and No. 167 overall.

+ Luke Johnson, a 5-foot-11, 165-pound MIF from Lake Forest HS, has committed to Bucknell. Johnson showed extremely well at the Illinois Top Prospect Showcase in June, when he was clocked at 82 mph from shortstop, ran a 7.24 60 and showed a clean, line-drive swing at the plate. Johnson is currently ranked No. 134 in Illinois’ 2014 class.

+ Wes Degener, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound infielder from Gibault HS, has committed to Lindenwood University. The left-handed hitting Degener helped lead the Waterloo school to the Class 1A state championship as a junior by hitting .479 with 9 doubles, 4 triples, 25 RBI and 35 runs. Degener is currently ranked No. 100 in Illinois’ 2014 class.

+ Jon Kramer, a 6-foot, 160-pound LHP from Beardstown HS, has committed to Illinois Central College. As a junior, Kramer posted a 6-2 record with a 1.15 ERA and 61 Ks in 42.2 innings.

+ Aiden McMahan, a 5-foot-10, 175-pound C/INF from Shawnee HS, has committed to Rend Lake College. The left-handed hitting McMahan helped guide Shawnee to a Final Four appearance in Class 1A as a junior. McMahan is currently ranked No. 192 in Illinois’ 2014 class.

Send all Illinois recruiting information to [email protected]

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