Prep Baseball Report

Illinois MLB Draft: Day 3 Recap



By Matt Huck
Area Scout

The 2017 MLB Draft is now complete. We have broken down Day 1 and Day 2 with notes and info on all the players with Illinois ties taken. Today we continue with Day 3 coverage.

Will Kincanon, RHP, Indiana State (Riverside Brookfield), 2014
11th round, 327th overall, Chicago White Sox

Report from HS: 6.13.13 - Strong build, excellent physical frame, 6-foot-3, 185-pound right handed pitcher. Delivery shows effort, tall and fall approach, shows rhythm, open landing, athletic first base finish. Arm works from a high ¾ slot, advanced arm speed, long and loose arm action. Fastball has advanced arm side run, showed the ability to command the zone, 86-88 mph. Breaking ball had depth, flashed 12/6 action, 73-76 mph, showed above average feel. Change up showed plus action, thrown with near fastball arm speed, excellent arm side action, showed command, 76-77 mph. Kincanon shows swing and miss stuff in the strike zone. Offensively hits from the left side, slightly tall and open stance, short stride approach. Pull side hitter, line drive approach, slight lift. 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. 

Matt Brill, RHP, Appalachian State (Moline), 2013
12th round, 352nd overall, Arizona Diamondbacks

Report from HS: 5/18/13 - The athletically built 6-foot-2, 185-pound Brill has been one of the spring’s bigger buzz guys among pro scouts. Signed at Appalachian State, Brill is receiving a lot of interest on the mound thanks his 88-91 mph fastball and a potentially big-time curveball. Brill didn’t pitch in doubleheader against St. Viator on Saturday, but it’s easy to see his athletic gifts. He hit a grand slam to right-center field and runs well.

Keith Rogalla, RHP, Creighton (Oak Park-River Forest), 2014
12th round, 355th overall, Los Angeles Angels

Report from HS: 4/10/14 - Pitched two innings in which he yielded 5 hits with 2 K, 1 BB, 4 Runs scored 3 Earned. Rogalla sat 86-89 mph and touched a 91 mph once.  The 6-foot-3 right-hander didn’t use his 78-81 mph slider much but it has the makings to be a solid strikeout pitch.

Ben Hecht, RHP, Wichita State (St. Anthony), 2013
12th round, 375th overall, Chicago Cubs

Donivan Williams, 3B, Richards, 2017
14th round, 424th overall, St. Louis Cardinals

Report: 4.28.17 - Illinois State commit. Currently ranked No. 8 in the Illinois’ 2017 class and No. 128 overall. 6-foot, 193-pound, athletically built, present strength, defined lower half, high waisted, infielder. Right-handed hitter, hits in the three-hole and finished the day 3-for-4, with a homerun and double coming in his first two at-bats. He also drove in two and scored two runs. In his first at-bat, he drove a two-strike breaking ball into the right-center gap for a double. In his second at-bat, he took a first pitch curveball and this time left the yard to right-center field. Williams, starts from a slightly open, balanced setup, long stride getting back to even, gets off his backside and hits against a stiff front leg. Simple overall approach, doesn’t try to do to much, lets the ball travel, short stroke, quick hands, creates easy bat speed and stays balanced throughout. Stays through the baseball and has the ability to drive the ball to all fields. Defensively, one of the top infielders in the 2017 class. Natural third baseman but plays shortstop for Richards. Athletic, smooth actions, confident overall defender. Trusts his hands, can range to either side, plays under control, maintaining body control. Throws from any arm angle, above-average arm strength for the left-side of the infield. Follow 2017 draft prospect.

Ryan Noda, OF, Cincinnati (Grant), 2014
15th round, 459th overall, Toronto Blue Jays

Ryan Nutof, RHP, Michigan (South Elgin), 2014
16th round, 467th overall, Cincinnati Reds 

Report from HS: 4/17/14 - Ranked No. 16 in Illinois and No. 68 overall. Michigan recruit. Sturdy 6-foot-2, 190-pound frame, athletic feet and arm. Works from high-3/4 slot, shorter arm action, repeats athletic delivery consistently. Impressive performance on several levels: 1.) Showed ability to throw consistent strikes with three pitches (fastball, curveball, changeup). 2.) Held consistent 88-90 velocity, with several 91s early on, for seven innings. 3.) Curveball showed makings of being an excellent pitch. 4.) Results: 3 hits, 0 earned runs, 12 Ks, 3 BB (two in seventh). Nutof came out of the gates hot. He struck out six in the first two innings. In the first, he sat 90-91; in the second, 89-90. Still worked at 88-90 in the fifth. Curveball showed more late bite and consistency than what we’ve seen in the past. Pitch ranged between 74-76 mph with 11/5 break. Also showed feel for 81-82 changeup, though didn’t need it much. Defense didn’t help him much, committing five errors behind him, but showed composure and mature presence on mound.

Jake Scudder, C, Kansas State (Rock Island), 2013
16th round, 493rd overall, Washington Nationals

Report from HS: The 6-foot, 185-pound left-handed hitting catcher displayed a solid arm with some carry, throwing a top pop time of 2.27. At the plate, Scudder showed well with a short, balanced swing and an economical swing path. Jacob also showed some bat speed which whipped through the zone, hitting line drives consistently.

Zack Soria, C, Florida Interantional (St. Rita), 2012
18th round, 530th overall, Atlanta Braves

Report from HS: As a junior, Soria earned Prep Baseball Report third-team All-State honors as a shortstop because, well, he was really good there and, more importantly, he was the Mustangs’ best option there. But no doubt his best position is behind the plate. Soria proved over the summer – and part of the spring - that he is an elite catcher, one who possesses tremendously athletic feet and a strong, accurate arm. No matter where Soria plays, his bat is always a factor. Soria enjoyed an incredible junior campaign in which he batted .476 with 18 doubles, 4 home runs, 1 triple, 50 hits and drove in 40 runs. A gritty, hard-nosed player, Soria also tallied 51 runs, walked 31 times and finished with a .591 on-base percentage and a .781 slugging percentage to lead the Mustangs’ offense.

Dylan Rosa, OF, Kent State (Providence Catholic), 2014
18th round, 545th overall, Detroit Tigers

Mike Danielak, RHP, Dartmouth (Hersey), 2013
19th round, 561st overall, Oakland Athletics

Korry Howell, SS, Kirkwood JC, (Homewood-Flossmoor), 2016
19th round, 570th overall, Kansas City Royals
Report from HS: 10.11.15 - Athletic and projectable frame 6-foot-1, 175-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder. Committed to Kirkwood Community College following the event. Flashed an impressive combination of tools running a 6.89 60 and registering a 90 mph exit velocity. Offensively, fluid rhythm, loose hands, quick bat and simple swing. Made a lot of hard contact during batting practice. Level path through the hitting zone. Defensively, smooth actions, good body control and a loose, whippy arm. Soft hands, quick exchange and fluid footwork. Clocked at 81 mph across the diamond.

Brady Schanuel, RHP, Parkland JC (Belleville East), 2015
20th round, 593rd overall, Philadelphia Phillies

Report from HS: 1.11.15 - Prototypical pitchers frame, long legs, long and thin, broad shouldered, can carry plenty of additional strength, excellent physical projectability, 6-foot-3, 185-pound right-handed pitcher. Delivery has some tall and fall tendencies, toe lift to balance position, lacks load over rubber, can get more out of lower half, open toe landing. Arm action is long and loose, slight wrist wrap, high ¾ slot, quick arm. Fastball showed slight running action, comes out of hand easily, sat 87-89 mph. Curveball had gradual 12/6 action, 70-72 mph. Changeup is mostly straight, showed feel of the zone, solid control, 77-80 mph. 

David Cronin, 2B, UIC (Sandburg), 2013
20th round, 597th overall, Chicago White Sox

Report from HS: 2/20/12 Cronin is a 5-foot-8, 150-pound middle infielder who showed well defensively. He played through the ball  with athletic feet, moving with fluidity and rhythm.  Cronin was clocked at 77 mph from across the diamond.  At the plate, Cronin has a fundamentally sound left-handed swing; he starts slightly open and maintains excellent balance throughout.  Cronin consistently squared up the baseball as he sprayed line drives to the opposite field.

Ryan Lidge, C, Notre Dame (Barrington), 2013
20th round, 602nd overall, New York Yankees

Report from HS: 4/30/13 - Notre Dame recruit, ranked No. 7 in Illinois’ 2013 class; 41 overall. One of the few 2013 prospects in Illinois who is receiving legitimate draft interest. And rightfully so. Durable, athletic 6-foot-2, 195-pound frame, switch-hitting catcher. Strong, accurate arm behind the plate, consistent 1.89-1.97 pop times at the Super 60; threw a 2.04 in-game putout against Hoffman Estates. Runner was out by two feet. Has 7 home runs on season already. On Tuesday in game, hit from left side only. Quiet, advanced approach, lower hand position, minimal excess movement, aggressive lower half. Patient overall approach. Tallied three RBI in game with two-run single down first-base line and sacrifice fly to left field. Also walked. Has similar hitting approach from right side. High-level prospect.

Jake Counsins, RHP, Pennsylvania (Wheaton Academy), 2013
20th round, 613th overall, Washington Nationals

Report from HS: 6/14/12 Cousins is a projectable 6-foot-4, 170-pound right-handed pitcher who showed life on his fastball down in the zone that topped at 86 mph. Cousins’ quick arm and projectable frame gives him a chance to throw harder in the coming years. Cousins also threw two off-speed pitches: a 66-67 mph curveball with 11/5 shape, and a 77 mph changeup.

Bryan Pall, RHP, Michigan (Sandburg), 2014
25th round, 753rd overall, Seattle Mariners

Report from HS: 4/2/14 - Ranked No. 11 in Illinois’ 2014 class, No. 45 overall. Michigan recruit. I believe the 6-foot-2, 205-pounder has dirtiest repertoire in Illinois. Indeed, he is not the most projectable, nor is his delivery the cleanest or easiest, but his four-pitch arsenal is, in my opinion, second to none. With that said, his first start of the season didn’t completely reflect what we’ve seen in the summer and fall, and Lyons’ hitters had very solid approaches against him, which was lay off his plus-plus slider and attack  the fastball. About his slider: he throws it exceedingly hard at 82-84 mph (we’ve seen it up to 86 in the fall). When he threw it harder, it was more lateral on Wednesday; but when he subtracted a few ticks on it, it had that samurai-like slice to it. His fastball primarily sat in the 87-89 range in the early innings, touching 90 once. In the third he was still pitching at 88 from windup and stretch. Because he opens his front side so early, he gets natural run on his fastball. Occasionally, he created wicked hard-boring arm-side sink, but not with regularity. He also throws a mid-to-upper-70s curveball; when thrown at the 74-76 range it had more 12/6 shape. Pall wrinkled in a change from time to time in the 81-83 range. He struck out five with no walks and yielded six hits in four innings, though his defense did him no favors (three errors, botched double play).

Nick Vichio, RHP, Missouri Baptist (Glenbard East), 2013
27th round, 818th overall, Baltimore Orioles

Adam Reuss, RHP UW-Milwaukee (Warren), 2013
29th round, 861st overall, Oakland Athletics

David Gerber, RHP, Creighton (Neuqua Valley), 2013
29th round, 873rd overall, Seattle Mariners

Cody Bohanek, SS, UIC (Marist), 2013
30th round, 901st overall, Houston Astros

Report from HS: 6/14/12 Bohanek is an athletic and physical 6-foot-1, 190-pound middle infielder. He displayed soft hands, athletic feet in the field as he played through the baseball well, especially on the move. Offensively, Bohanek exhibited a solid lower half and good balance through contact. Bohanek used his strength to generate solid whip through the zone as he sprayed line drives to all fields.

Danny Mayer, OF, Pacific (Downers Grove South), 2013
31st round, 923rd overall, Philadelphia Phillies

Report from HS: Enjoyed a standout performance at the Under Armour Midwest Future Games, when he displayed impressive arm strength on the mound and power at the plate. Was the only one to hit a home run with wood in games. ... The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Mayer is another top-level pitching prospect to come out of the school. Mayer uses his height and length well, staying tall on his backside and works downhill. His fastball topped at an event-best 86 mph, sitting at 84. He also showed impressive feel for his changeup and curveball, demonstrating command with all three pitches. Mayer�s arm action and looseness leads us to believe he will continue to throw harder in the future. As a position player, he showed legitimate power potential at the plate while demonstrating a plus arm from the outfield (85 mph). Right-hander showed mid-80s fastball and solid feel on the mound over the fall.

Reid Detmers, LHP, Chatham-Glenwood, 2017
32nd round, 950th overall, Atlanta Braves

Report: 3.16.17 - Louisville commit. Currently ranked No. 41 in the PBR Overall Ranks. First start of the year for Detmers in front of over 20 MLB scouts on a frigid night. Detmers works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate. Good tempo and balance throughout. Advanced pitchability with feel for three pitches. Fastball worked 89-91 mph early in the outing, settled in at 87-89 mph. Curveball his is best secondary offering, worked 73-75 mph with 12-6 shape and sharp breaking action. Changeup has swing and miss potential with fading action at 80-81 mph. Showed dominating stuff striking out 11 in four innings of work. Stock continues to trend upwards this spring.

Joe Donovan, C, Westmont, 2017
33rd round, 1,005th overall, Chicago Cubs

Report: 5.3.16 - Michigan recruit. Ranked No. 10 in Illinois and No. 82 overall. 5-foot-11, 170-pound catcher with a solid lower half. Right-handed hitter, simple, balanced setup with a low hand set. Flashed bat speed, loose hands, barrel control and bat has length through the zone; gap-to-gap hitter. Drove a double down the right-field line; 4.45 on the turn. Earlier in the game ran a 4.25 down-the-line on a groundout to shortstop. Defensively, behind the plate, vocal, plays with a bounce in his step and has flexibility. Quiet, soft hands, sticks and presents the away and the low pitch extremely well. Comes out of the crouch, quick, smooth and athletic; minimal effort on throws, true ball, on the bag and downhill tilt with carry. Pop times ranged between 1.95-2.01 in between innings.

Henry Marchese, OF, Stevenson, 2017
34th round, 1,008th overall, San Diego Padres

Report: 4.12.17 - Iowa football commit. Grades out well on the pro scale. Should be receiving a lot of interest from pro scouts following his performance against Brendan Murphy. 6-foot-4, 190-pound left-handed hitting outfielder, plus athleticism. At the plate hits from a crouched, slightly open setup. Upright bat, short level swing path with fast hands. Showed the ability to consistently barrel up velocity. Went 3-4 in game, middle of the field approach. 4.29 on the turn on a triple off an 89 mph fastball. Broke up the no hitter with an infield single, 4.08 down the line. 

Ro Coleman, OF, Vanderbilt (Simeon), 2013
34th round, 1,025th overall, Detroit Tigers

Report: 5/17/13 - Vanderbilt commit. No. 25 in the Illinois’s class of 2013, No. 120 overall. Undersized quick twitch athlete, 5-foot-6, 150-pounds. Advanced runner, 4.05 runner home to first on bunt. Switch hitter, shows a high level of barrel awareness, above average bat speed. Shows plate awareness, high level leadoff type hitter. Defensively shows soft hands and an above average arm across the diamond. Coleman brings a big game in a small package. He shows a great approach at the top of the lineup, and soft hands defensively with quick twitch actions.

Drew Fischer, RHP, Amherst (New Trier), 2014
35th round, 1,048th overall, Pittsburgh Pirates

Report: 7.25.12 Fischer is a lanky, long-legged 6-foot-2, 165-pound right handed pitcher who showcased a sneaky fastball with run that topped at 81 mph.  He displayed a smooth rhythm on the mound with a quick arm.  Fischer’s secondary pitches include a 63-66 mph curveball and a 70-71mph changeup with deception and feel.

Joe Marciano, LHP, SIU (Clemente), 2013
36th round, 1,086th overall, San Francisco Giants

Report from HS: 5/17/13 - John A. Logan commit. No. 31 in Illinois’ Class of 2013, No. 143 overall. Improved build since we last saw him, strong lower half, 6-foot-4, 230-pound left-handed pitcher. Delivery works downhill, sturdy frame keeps delivery intact for entire game. Arm works from a high ¾ arm slot. Fastball showed a heavy feel, worked down in the zone, 84-86 mph, touching 87 mph. Curveball showed advanced depth with excellent bite, 69-72 mph, showed advanced control. Pitched six strong innings, seven strikeouts, three runs.

Christian Taugner, RHP, Brown (Lake Park), 2013
37th round, 1,104th overall, Milwaukee Brewers

Report: 5/14/13 - Brown commit. Athletic build, above average frame, 6-foot-2, 180-pound right handed pitcher, has projection, young class of 2013 graduate. Pitches from a full windup, delivery has athleticism and direction, gains momentum towards his target, repeats it well, shows good stamina, delivery stayed intact for seven innings. Athletic off the mound, fields position well and efficiently. Arm action is loose and athletic, consistently works from a high ¾ slot. Advanced fastball, showed good finish, late action through the zone, showed mostly arm side run, sat at 87-88 mph for seven innings, touched 89-90 mph through the first two innings, with command. Well above average curveball, has consistent control, showed command, showed the ability to throw for strikes as well as a swing and miss pitch. Curveball worked on 11/5 plane, slurve action, late break, 72-76 mph for strikes, threw it harder at 77-81 when ahead in two strike counts. Taugner is a highly athletic right handed pitcher who has undoubtedly flown under the radar. The fact that he is a young senior (recently turned 18) and has arm strength with command and projection could make him a high follow at the next level. 7 IP, 11 K, 4 H, 2 BB, 0 R. On the season Taugner is 8-1 with 94 strikeouts in 57 innings pitched and a 0.61 ERA.

Dylan Horvitz, C, New Trier, 2017
38th round, 1,137th overall, Chicago White Sox

Report: 6.16.16 - 6-foot-1, 190-pound, right-handed hitting catcher. Behind the plate, quick exchange, fluid footwork, agile blocker. Flashed a short, accurate arm from a high ¾ arm slot; 76 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged from 1.97-2.07. Offensively, balanced setup, leg kick timing trigger. Long, uphill path with an opposite field approach; exit velocity clocked at 86 mph. 7.52 runner in the 60.

Antonio Saldana, LHP, Joliet Catholic, 2017
38th round, 1,146th overall, San Francisco Giants

Report: 5.8.17 - Iowa Western commit. Extra-large body, durable and flashes athleticism, 6-foot-7, 230-pound left-handed pitcher. Delivery occasionally works across body, front side got opened early in game, but made adjustment nicely to settle in. Arm slot varied between ¾ and low ¾ tends to work low ¾ on slider and ¾ on fastball. Fastball sat 87-88 all game, touched 91 mph in the first, showed hard run to arm side which is where most misses were, occasionally showed ability to control his glove side of the plate. Slider ranged 76-79 mph, worked from a low ¾ slot, 10/4 sweeping action, occasionally slings it, ability to get swing and miss. Sparingly flashed more of a curveball at 73-75 mph, higher slot with purpose to get over for strikes. Worked 5.2IP, 2R, 4H, 5K, 2BB, retired 13 in order at one point.

Bobby Miller, RHP, McHenry, 2017
38th round, 1,148th round, Baltimore Orioles

Report: 4.11.17 - Louisville commit. Currently ranked No. 4 in Illinois and No. 50 overall.  6-foot-5, 190-pound right-handed pitcher, durable, strong, athletic build. Threw a complete game with 10 strikeouts, allowed one run and got the win. Long arm action, length on the backside and comes out of ¾ slot. Repeats delivery, rhythm, coiled some at balance point with some effort throughout. Fastball sat 90-92 mph early on in the outing and held the velocity for much of the outing; was still 89-91 mph in the fifth and 88-89 mph in the seventh. Fastball gets arm-side action, occasional boaring action in on right-handed hitters. Straightens out to his glove side. Steadily mixed in a curveball throughout his start; sweeping, slurve action, varied sharpness, went to it with two strikes but comfortable throwing it in any count, 72-77 mph. Only saw one changeup at 84 mph. High-level 2017 arm.

Mark DiLuia, RHP, Marian Catholic, 2017
38th round, 1,154th overall, Texas Rangers

Report: 3.24.17 - Maryland commit. Currently ranked No. 12 in the Illinois Class of 2017. 6-foot-3, 190-pound right-handed pitcher with a thin, athletic frame. Repeats delivery well with good tempo and balance. High ¾ arm angle with a loose arm action and easy effort. Fastball ranged from 84-88 mph in the outing. Fastball has running action, works it in on RHH’s. Changeup has running action at 81 mph, uses it effectively against left-handed hitters. Slider was 78-79 mph with sharp, late breaking action.

Angelo Smith, LHP, Richards, 2017
40th round, 1,197th overall, Chicago White Sox

Report: 2/14/16 - Michigan commit. 5-foot-10, 165-pound left-handed pitcher, slightly undersized with quick twitch arm. Athletic delivery, slightly coiled at the top of balance position, squared landing. Easy arm, projectable, loose and quick, ¾ slot. Fastball has running action, showed late life, control of the zone, 85-87 mph. Curveball has 1/7 shape, slight slurve action, flashed sharp action, 68-69 mph. Changeup thrown with fastball arm speed, firm 76-78 mph, has feel and kept down.

Liam Jenkins, RHP, Wabash Valley CC (Lincoln-Way North), 2015
40th round, 1,206th overall, San Francisco Giants

Report from HS: 4.1.15 - Arizona State recruit; ranked No. 5 in Illinois’ 2015 class, No. 58 overall. Hulking 6-foot-8, 235-pound frame, high-interest draft prospect. Fastball sat 91-93 mph in first inning, reaching as high as 94 mph multiple times. Held velocity well in middle innings, 90-92 mph, was 88-90 in fifth. Fastball has arm side run when down in the zone, late life on strikeouts up in the zone. Threw mostly fastballs first time through the order, started working in curveball in the third inning, two consecutive 73 mph breaking balls froze hitters for strikeouts. Curveball had 11/5 shape, 72-75 mph range. Did not throw a changeup in game, but looked to have solid feel in bullpen and between innings. Jenkins is beginning to put it together, impressing most with the fact he threw 53 of 79 pitches for strikes. Struck out 10, walked two in 4.1 innings. Both walks and the only hit allowed occurred during the fifth inning when he tired.

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