Inside the 2019 Overall Rankings: Illinois
December 13, 2016
By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director
The 2019 rankings have been updated and overhauled across the Prep Baseball Report landscape, which now includes 32 states and Canada. State rankings have taken place and the 2019 Overall Rankings were updated and posted last week. With new states continuing to enter the fold, making the overall rankings gets tougher each update.
CLICK HERE for the Overall Rankings.
The strength and depth of the Illinois 2019 class was noticeable in the updated overall rankings. 18 sophomores from the Land of Lincoln made the updated top 250.
The top prospect in Illinois and recent West Virginia commit, Matt McCormick (St. Laurence) makes the top 20 at No. 17. Left-handed hitting, McCormick is a pure hitter who should be able to stick as a catcher at the next level.
RHP Quinn Priester (Cary Grove) sits in the top 25 and is the top uncommitted arm on the overall list. 6-foot-3, 175-pound, Priester, who is also a standout on the gridiron, has an advanced repertoire and a fastball in the upper 80’s.
The top newcomer from Illinois, Jason Hodges (Marist), cracked the top 100 on the overall list. Hodges, who can play the outfield and first base, has an athletic, strong frame at 6-foot-3, 185-pounds and an impressive right-handed bat. He creates advanced bat speed, makes a lot of hard contact and the ball jumps off of his bat.
Jason Hodges (10.23.16)
Six other Illinois prospects made the 2019 Overall Rankings for the first time:
SS Jalen Greer (St. Rita) - 6-foot-2, 160-pound, athletic frame. Natural infield actions and soft hands. Loose, whippy swing and gets extension through contact.
RHP Bryce Barnett (Providence Catholic) - Quick arm and a fastball that has been up to 87 mph. Pairs it with an 80 mph slider with sharp, late bite.
C Luke Fitzgerald (Oak Park-River Forest) - Physical catcher who started as a freshman on varsity.
LHP Michael Prosecky (Nazareth) - Louisville commit. Projectable southpaw with a loose, easy arm.
OF Danny Doligale (Brother Rice) - Left-handed hitter with present bat speed and a flat path.
C Dylan Post (Lincoln-Way Central) - Houston commit. Physical, left-handed hitting catcher. Strength in swing and adept at using the opposite-field gap.
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