2018 PBR Third Team All-State

June 21, 2018
By Illinois Scouting Staff

Today’s rollout of the 2018 PBR Third Team All-State concludes our coverage of the 2018 high school season. Following the completion of the season we updated the High School Power 25. We also named St. Laurence's Matt McCormick the Illinois Player of the Year, updated the final Illinois 2018 rankings and selected three all-state teams.

Let’s take a look at the 2018 PBR Third Team All-State roster:

PITCHERS

Antoine Kelly LHP / Maine East, IL / 2018

Record	IP	H	K	BB	ERA	WHIP
3-2	42.1	14	98	19	0.66	0.78

Central Arizona JC commit and MLB Draft, San Diego Padres, 13th round. Highly-projectable left-hander who climbed his fastball up to 95 mph in his last start of the spring.

James Kulak LHP / Neuqua Valley, IL / 2018

Record	IP	H	K	BB	ERA
6-1	42.1	13	73	23	0.83

Purdue commit. Was the top arm for the Wildcats the last three seasons. One of the most polished pitchers in the 2018 class.

Noah Pierce LHP / Tuscola, IL / 2018

Record	IP	H	K	BB	ERA
12-2	63.2	38	102	25	0.89

Kaskaskia JC commit. Was the workhorse this spring for a Tuscola team that finished in third place in Class 2A.

CATCHERS

Zach Aehlert C / Lake Park, IL / 2018

Ave	2B	3B	HR	RBI	R
.443	12	3	11	46	35

Belmont Abbey commit. Hit in the middle of the order and hit double-digit home runs spring for the Class 4A third place finisher.

Garrett Fritz C / Okaw Valley, IL / 2018

Ave	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	R	SB	OBP
.517	45	12	1	14	57	61	12	.654

Rend Lake JC commit. Put up astounding offensive numbers for 1A Okaw Valley who lost a one run game in the Super-Sectional.

FIRST BASEMAN

Anthony Herron Jr. 1B / Mount Carmel, IL / 2018

Ave	2B	3B	HR	RBI	R	BB	OBP
.370	10	3	7	41	42	24	.469

Missouri State commit. Was one of the main run producers in arguably the best offensive lineup in the state.

MIDDLE INFIELDERS

Jacob Plastiak SS / Andrew, IL / 2018

Ave	2B	3B	HR	RBI	R	OBP	OPS
.430	6	5	5	25	39	.487	1.21

Wichita State commit and MLB Draft, San Diego Padres, 28th round. Physically advanced switch-hitter turned himself into one of the top offensive threats in the state.

Gavin Doyle SS / Plainfield North, IL / 2018

Ave	2B	3B	HR	RBI	R	BB	OBP
.387	10	5	7	41	28	21	.485

Western Michigan commit. Captained the infield and hit in the middle of the order for Plainfield North, winners of the Class 4A State Title.

THIRD BASEMAN

Sam Jones SS / Brother Rice, IL / 2018

Ave	2B	3B	HR	RBI	R	BB	OBP
.374	16	1	2	33	36	21	.511

Indiana commit. One of the top offensive threats for the Crusaders this spring and played a high-level third base.

OUTFIELDERS

Chase VanDerGinst OF / Rock Island Alleman, IL / 2019

Ave	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	R	BB	OBP	SLG	SB
.441	41	15	5	3	37	49	46	.631	.806	22

Did it all for an Alleman squad that went 30-6 on the season. Had an OBP of .631 and stole 22 bases and hit for power.

Cameron Kissel OF / Plainfield North, IL / 2019

Ave	2B	HR	RBI	R	BB	OBP	OPS
.415	12	6	29	30	11	.466	1.14

Extremely toolsy two-way prospect was one of the top offensive threats in the 4A state champions lineup. Also, has been up to 93 mph on the mound.

Nathan Walker OF / Carrollton, IL / 2019

Ave	2B	3B	HR	RBI	R	SB
.519	17	7	3	53	48	12

Uncommitted junior hit over .500 on the season and set a school record with 53 RBI's. Was named PBR Player of the Week for his efforts in the month of April.

UTILITY

Payton Hutchings LHP / OF / Coal City, IL / 2020

Record	IP	H	K	ERA	WHIP	POS	AVE	2B	3B	HR	R	BB	OBP
8-2	65	34	128	1.40	0.78	OF	.347	12	3	1	38	19	.448

Illinois commit. Hutchings, only a sophomore, is one of the more dynamic talents in the state. The multi-sport standout put up impressive numbers on the mound (including a 21 strikeout perfect game early in the season) and at the plate.

Tyler Stuart RHP / 1B / Herscher, IL / 2018

Record	IP	H	K	BB	ERA	POS	AVE	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	R
10-1	66.1	41	117	20	1.16	1B	.466	55	7	1	6	37	33

Southern Mississippi commit. The extra-large, 6-foot-8 imposing figure excelled at the plate and on the mound this spring for class 2A state finalist Herscher. Stuart struck out 117 in 66 plus innings thanks to his upper-80’s fastball and tight breaking ball.

Justin Rios OF / LHP / St. Laurence, IL / 2018

Ave	2B	3B	HR	RBI	OBP	OPS	SLG	POS	Record	IP	BB	ERA
.421	12	3	4	36	.534	1.22	.684	LHP	6-1	41	15	2.39

North Central College commit. Rios was a true two-way standout this spring for Chicago Catholic League - Blue champions St. Laurence. Rios took the ball in the toughest games for the Vikings and proved to be a tough out at the plate.