Recruiting Roundup: Who's Heading Where?

October 2, 2015

By Matt Huck
Area Scout

Every Friday National Scouting Supervisor Nathan Rode provides a roundup of insider recruiting information and commitments throughout the PBR coverage area: The Buzz. CLICK HERE to take a look at this week’s National Buzz. With that in mind, let’s take an in depth look at the Illinois prospects who have committed to colleges, with detailed scouting information.

Brendan Murphy, LHP, Mundelein, 2017
Arizona State

Brendan Murphy Future Games 2015 - Prototypical, athletic body 6-foot-3, 180-pound is one of the top uncommitted left-handed pitchers in the 2017 class in Illinois. The left-hander with pitch ability also showed that he has swing and miss stuff evidenced by his outings at the Future Games. In his two innings of work Murphy struck out five batters. Also, flashed one of the best change-ups for Team Illinois at the Future games. Fastball arm speed, plus action, a swing and miss offering, at 75 mph. Smooth, easy, clean arm action. Operates from a high ¾ slot, slow-paced delivery, athletic finish. Also, mixed in a 1/7 curveball, with feel at 75 mph. Fastball had arm-side-run, sitting 81-84 mph and touching 85. Projectable lefty should be a high follow moving forward.

Jack Wassel, SS, Geneva, 2016
University of Minnesota

Jack Wassel 6.18.15 - Lean loose athletic frame, 6-foot-2, 185-pound left-handed hitting outfield/infielder. Hits from a tall setup, slightly open, short stride, lower half works well, maintains good balance. Loose hands, easy bat speed, athletic hitter. Creates occasional lift, 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively shows the ability to play multiple positions, arm action is loose, high ¾ slot, shows accuracy and athleticism in arm, can play from different slots when on the move, 87 mph from the outfield, 80 mph across the infield. Footwork is athletic and shows athletic actions, looks to be best suited in the outfield, possible third base projection. 7.08 runner in the 60.

Cole Cimarolli, OF, Edwardsville, 2016
Quincy University

Cole Cimarolli 7.8.15 - 5-foot-10, 165-pound, strong build, right-handed hitter. Hits from a balanced set up, short stride, lower half can work, average balance. Above-average bat speed, level bat path, gap-to-gap approach, 84 mph exit velocity. Defensively, displayed average hands, clean exchange, ability to play through the ball. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, with accuracy, some carry, 83 mph from the outfield. Ran a 4.43 home-to-first time.

Jake Garella, 3B, Edwardsville, 2016
University of Mobile

Jake Garella 6/18/15 - 6-foot-1, 185-pound two-way player, average athletic shape. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, good balance through impact. Compact approach with athletic hands. Showed bat speed on a short path, 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played short and loose, high ¾ slot with accuracy across the infield, 80 mph across the diamond. 7.42 runner in the 60. Looked athletic on the mound, delivery is clean. Long arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 81-83 mph. Has feel for the curveball, 68-69 mph, 11/5 shape. Changeup sat 74-76 mph.

Bo Hofstra, RHP, Illiana Christian, 2017
Purdue University

6/8/15 - 6-foot-3, 190-pound, right-handed pitcher, with a strong frame. Works from a high ¾ arm slot, with a long, stiff arm action in back. Tall and fall, online delivery, with a short stride and a closed toe landing. Mechanics similar to Nathan Eovaldi of the Yankees. From the windup fastball sits 85-87 mph. In the stretch fastball sits 83-85 mph. Features a slurve at 72-74 mph. Will continue to improve with maturity on the field.

Alex Herbst, OF, Hinsdale Central, 2016
Trinity College

Alex Herbst 8.7.15 - 6-foot, 175-pound, right-handed hitting, two-way player. Athletic build. Defensively showed an over the top, short arm action with carry and accuracy on throws. Hands play, fluid footwork, and plays through the ball well. Recorded 88mph from the outfield and had an outfield assist throwing out a runner at third base in game play. Ran 7.10 60 and was 4.76 home to first Hits from a balanced setup, low hands, short leg lift, with good lower half and rhythm in swing. Showed above average bat speed, good approach, short and quick to the ball, line drive and gap to gap hitter. Registered 81 mph exit velocity off of the tee. On the mound, arm works from a high ¾ arm angle, quick short arm action, rhythm in delivery, lands with an athletic finish. Fastball sat 82-84 mph with arm side run, touching 85 mph. Curveball sat 70-74 mph with 10/4 action. Changeup was 73-75 mph arm side run. Threw two innings, allowing one hit, one walk, no runs, while striking out two.

Erik Kaiser, RHP, Waterloo, 2017
Vanderbilt University

Erik Kaiser Future Games 2015 - Big bodied 6-foot-4, 190-pound right-handed pitcher matched Corrigan for best fastball velocity on Team Illinois, also touching 90 mph over the weekend at the Future Games. The power-armed right hander seems to just be scratching the surface of his potential. His easy fastball sat 87-89 mph. His arm works long and over the top but when out in front creates some downhill tilt to his fastball. When Kaiser gets on top and out front, the ball jumps out of his hand. Showed feel for a 12/6 curveball with good depth at 73-77 mph. Routinely dropped it in for strikes during his stints on the mound. Throws a change-up at 76-77 mph. His three pitch repertoire leads me to believe he could be a legitimate weekend starter at the next level. Proved to have swing and miss offerings in his two innings of work at the Future Games Kaiser by recording all his outs via the strikeout, a total of six.

Recruiting Roundup: Who's Heading Where?

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