Prep Baseball Report

Updated Illinois Class of 2017 Rankings: Revelations and Risers



By Ryan Quigley
Illinois Scouting Director

The Prep Baseball Report Illinois scouting staff recently released our updated Illinois Class of 2017 player rankings, extended to 100 prospects. Yesterday we took a look at the shuffling that occurred within the Top 10, and today we’ll focus on prospects new to the rankings and those who rose: “Revelations and Risers”. We’ve scouted extensively this winter, both at our own events, private workouts, and travel program college camps. The following rankings update reflects that work and will also be our final update before the start of the 2015 spring high school season.

Revelations

The highest ranked player making his debut is Waterloo RHP/SS Erik Kaiser. The 6-foot-4, 185-pound right-hander has flashed upper 80’s fastball velocity from a loose, quick, high ¾ arm slot, reportedly touching as high as 91 mph and is receiving significant recruiting interest from several SEC schools.

Making his rankings debut at No. 15 is New Trier left-handed hitting catcher Max Rosenthal. Rosenthal is a physical specimen at 6-foot-3, 215-pounds, showing a short, strong swing and powerful right arm behind the plate (82 mph from the crouch; 1.92 low pop time).

Marian Catholic RHP Mark Diluia makes his initial rankings debut at No. 17. Diluia has a projectable frame at 6-foot-2, 175-pounds, and impressed this winter with an 83-84 mph fastball, topping out at 85 mph from a short, clean, high ¾ arm slot.

Fenwick RHP Michael Stupinski makes his debut at No. 21, thanks to improved velocity this winter at the Romeoville Preseason ID Showcase. The 6-foot-3, 178-pounder sat 83-85 mph, touching 86 mph.

Chicago Christian’s Zach Frieling debuts at No. 25 after being named the Top Middle Infield Prospect at January’s Underclass Invitational thanks to his impressive middle infield actions and all-around play.

Brother Rice RHP/3B Jack Guzek impressed as well this winter, ranking No. 27 in Illinois, thanks to a lanky, projectable, 6-foot-3, 160-pound frame and an 81-83 mph fastball from a short, quick, high ¾ arm slot.

Plainfield South RHP Konnor Ash was named the No. 4 overall pitching prospect at the Underclass Invitational and debuts at No. 28. Ash possesses an 84-86 mph fastball from a quick, loose, high ¾ arm slot. He also has good feel for a 71-73 mph slider and a 78 mph power changeup.

Edwardsville RHP/OF Mark Smith is a 6-foot-3, 185-pound OF/RHP who debuts at No. 29. Smith also starred on the hardwood as averaging 13 points per game this winter for the Tigers, and has legitimate two-way potential in baseball.

St. Laurence LHP/OF Jimmy Burnette makes his debut rounding out our Top 30. Burnette stands out for his all-around game, showcasing three-pitch feel with a 78-80 mph fastball and a plus changeup for his age in the 75-76 mph range. He also runs a 7.17 60, and impresses with a fluid, left-handed swing.

With the extension of the rankings from 50 prospects to 100, there are an additional 50-plus prospects making their rankings debut.

Risers

We noted several risers within the Top 10 in yesterday’s Top Ten Shakeup article.

One of the biggest risers outside the Top 10 was Mundelein LHP Brendan Murphy, named the No. 2 overall pitching prospect at the Underclass Invitational in January. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound lanky and projectable LHP sat 81-83 mph from a loose, easy, high ¾ arm slot, while also flashing advanced secondary offerings.

Naperville Central LHP Ryan Eiermann experienced a velocity bumps since the fall, impressing with an 84-85 mph fastball (up from 80-82 in the fall) from a tough, ¾ arm angle. Eiermann’s arm angle also is naturally conducive to a hard 72-74 mph slider.

Manteno catcher Connor McCormick impressed with his advanced catch-and-throw skills at the Underclass Invitational, and rises from No. 49 to No. 37. McCormick reeled off pop times from 2.03-2.04, produced 86 mph exit velocity, and impresses with his high energy play all-around the diamond (also impressed defensively at third base).

Click Here to View the Complete Illinois Class of 2017 Rankings – Extended to 100 Prospects

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