By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

With the majority of the top-ranked Class of 2014 prospects flying off the board, the big question in Illinois was where the state’s No. 1-ranked junior, RHP Brad Bass, would land?

Bass, a 6-foot-6, 190-pound power right-hander from Lincoln-Way Central HS, ended the mystery when he verbally committed to Notre Dame.

Bass, who is No. 4 overall in the 2014 rankings, gives Notre Dame two top 10 prospects, joining RHP Jake Godfrey (Providence Catholic HS, IL).  Bass and Godfrey, who are close friends, should comprise a dominant 1-2 punch for Notre Dame in the future.

Last summer, Bass climbed to the No. 1 spot in Illinois after he continuously showed 88-91 mph fastball. Bass capped his impressive summer at the Prep Baseball Report Midwest Future Games in August, when he again demonstrated an easy and explosive fastball that topped at 91 mph. He also threw a firm 77-78 mph curveball and 79-80 mph changeup.

As good as Bass is currently, he possesses as much upside as any prospect in the 2014 class. Athletic and strong, Bass should continue to throw harder and polish up his secondary stuff as he progresses.

OF/LHP Darius Day (Simeon HS, IL) and LHP Mike Costanzo (St. Rita HS, IL) are the two remaining uncommitted prospects in Illinois’ top 10. Notre Dame also has a 2014 commitment from St. Rita RHP/SS Jake Shepski, who’s ranked No. 19 in Illinois.  

Click Here to view Illinois’ Class of 2014 rankings