Prep Baseball Report

Two top 10 2015's make Division 1 commits



By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director – Wisconsin/Illinois

The Class of 2015 in Wisconsin has always been touted as a strong class compared to recent years and after Wisconsin put on an impressive showing at the PBR Midwest Future Games, going unbeaten at 1-0-2, eight 2015’s in the state have made Division 1 verbal commitments.

Yesterday two more added their names to the list as two of Oak Creek HS’s standout juniors made verbal commitments, Mitchel Makarewicz and Doran Turchin.

RHP Mitchel Makarewicz, currently ranked No. 8 in the state committed to Xavier and said,

"This was probably the hardest decision I've had to make to this point in my life. I wanted to go to a school that not only offered competitive baseball and great coaches, but also a great education. In the end I decided Xavier was the right choice for me."

Makarewicz was stellar at the Future Games working two scoreless innings and most recently at the Milwuakee Preseason I.D. where he sat 85-87 mph. Makarewicz is attractive because of his long limbed frame that has room to fill and his live arm. His delivery adds deception and he works downhill well turning him into a groundball machine in games.

Joining Makarewicz later in the day with his verbal commitment was No. 3 ranked prospect, OF Doran Turchin who committed to Illinois.

Tuchin said,

“When I took my visit it just felt like home. I liked the academic side or the school, then the facilities we're perfect. Also Coach Snider was an amazing coach and someone who I feel I can do big things with."

Also an Oak Creek Knight, Turchin is as physical as it gets at his age. At 6-foot-1, 190-pounds Turchin has the physical tools teams dream of. Most recently at the Milwaukee Preseason I.D. his armed played at 94 mph from the outfield, he ran a 4.09 down the line and posted a 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Oh and if that isn’t enough he’s been up to 88 mph on the mound. Outside of his physical tools, Turchin plays the game harder and faster than most. His grinder style of play did not go unnoticed at the Future Games when he fouled a ball off his foot, clearly in pain, ripped a two-run single and then later stole third. Regardless of Turchin’s physical skills he will definitely bring a high intensity style of play to the Illini.

Turchin and Makarewicz have been teammates for a long time and it only makes sense for both to make their verbal commitments on the same day. As varsity starters at Oak Creek and travel teammates with Hitters Baseball, their journey as teammates might end after high school but there’s no doubt their path’s will cross again in this small world of baseball.

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