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Recruiting Roundup: Who's Heading Where?

January 8, 2016

By Matt Huck          
Area Scout

Every Friday National Scouting Supervisor Nathan Rode provides a roundup of insider recruiting information and commitments throughout the PBR coverage area: The Buzz. CLICK HERE to take a look at this week’s National Buzz. With that in mind, let’s take an in depth look at the Illinois prospects who have committed to colleges, with detailed scouting information.

Johnny Sanchez, RHP, Rockford Lutheran, 2016
McHenry County College

Johnny Sanchez8/5/15 - Strong lower-half 5-foot-10, 195-pound right-handed hitting infielder and pitcher. On the mound the right-handed pitcher featured some arm strength. Registered the highest velocity of the event, 86 mph. Fastball had late life, sitting 84-85 mph and touched 86. Deliberate delivery with some rhythm. Short-arm action, over-the-top slot and some effort. Curveball thrown for strikes, 11/5 action, 70-71 mph. Change-up featured inconsistent action ranging 73-77 mph. One flashed arm-side-run and slight sink. Interesting arm that is currently uncommitted in the 2016 class. Offensively, strength through contact, evidenced by one of the better exit velocities of the event, 90 mph. Flashed a quick bat at times with a level bat path through the zone. Balanced, tall setup, no load and short stride. Gap-to-gap type hitter. Defensively, arm strength across the infield, carry and a true flight on his throws. Short-arm action, high ¾ slot, with some accuracy. Clocked at 82 mph across the infield.

Blaine Lewallen, RHP, Prairie Central, 2016
Millikin

Blaine Lewallen10.11.15 - 6-foot, 165-pound left-handed pitcher, gangly frame. Delivery has some effort, open landing, low front side, upright finish, finishes third base side. ¾ arm slot, firm arm action. Fastball has slight running action, 77-80 mph, touched 81 mph. 12/6 curveball, off axis, fastball arm speed, threw for strikes, 69-71 mph. Showed feel for changeup, controlled the zone, 70-73 mph.



Craig Austin, OF, Decatur Lutheran, 2016
Millikin

Craig Austin8/5/15 - Shorter build, strong 5-foot-8, 160-pound left-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, barreled a few pitches to the pull side in batting practice. Simple swing, with not a lot of moving parts. Starts from a balanced, closed stance. Loads hands pre-pitch, short stride and average bat speed. Front-foot hitter who likes to pull. Registered an exit velocity of 77 mph. Defensively, short-arm action, high ¾ arm slot, with accuracy, 73 mph from the outfield. Also, ran a 7.53 60 yard dash.


Liam McKeough, RHP, Loyola Academy, 2016
Denison

Liam McKeough8.7.15 - 6-foot-2, 185-pound two-way player, solid frame. Defensively showed arm strength from the outfield, 87 mph from a crow hop, loose over the top arm action, showed carry. Feet played through the baseball at times, 7.71 runner in the 60, projects to a corner outfield spot. Offensively hits from the right side, tall setup, short stride. Path has slight uphill plane, lifts the baseball, 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. On the mound fastball flashed occasional cut action, 77-79 mph, topped at 82 mph. Curveball has 12/6 action, 67 mph. flashed a changeup at 74 mph.

Jake Ryder, SS, Hinsdale Central, 2016
Denison

Jake Ryder6.11.15 - 5-foot-11, 175-pound, athletic build, right-handed hitter. Hits from an open stance, short stride, above average balance. Average bat speed, short bat path with extension, gap-to-gap approach, 87 mph exit velocity. Defensively showed above-average hands, fluid footwork, ability to play through the ball. Short, loose arm action, ¾ a lot, 81 mph across the infield. Ran a 7.47 60-time. Ryder would have ranked as one of the top middle infielders at the Underclass Trials, but he’s a 2016, so we’ll rank him with the Prospect I.D. event next week. He was unable to attend any event besides the Underclass due to his summer schedule.

Chris Hoffmann, C, Home School, 2016
Rockford University

Chris Hoffmann10.19.14 - 5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed hitting catcher/third baseman hits from a balanced open setup, hands start high, load smoothly, dives at plate with lower half, long swing, with pre pitch waggle and movement produced 80 mph exit velocity. Defensively, pop times ranged from 2.25-2.40 seconds, 69 mph from the crouch from short over-the-top arm slot, one-hop throws to second with accuracy. Impressed more defensively at third base, threw 77 mph across the diamond with accuracy, flashed soft hands, clean exchanges, played through the baseball athletically. Ran a 7.78 60.

Ryan Gorman, IF, Brother Rice, 2016
Loras College

 

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