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.

Jimmy Burnette, LHP/OF, St. Laurence, 2017
Austin Peay

1.18.15 - 6-foot, 155-pound lanky and athletic left-handed hitting OF/LHP hits from a wide base, crouch setup, hands don’t move in load, utilizes a weight shift backwards, no stride approach, short, level bat path, hit line drives from gap-to-gap during batting practice, fluid throughout, 84 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 84 mph from the outfield from a long, loose, high ¾ arm slot with accuracy and carry. Soft hands fielding, quick footwork, plays through the baseball. On the mound, Burnette impressed showing feel for three pitches from a tall/fall delivery, long, loose, high ¾ to ¾ arm slot, toe up at balance point, level shoulders, stride direction in line towards home plate, lands square. Fastball sat 77-80 mph, breaking ball flashed 2/8 slider shape in the 63-64 mph range, also threw a 75-76 mph changeup aggressively with cutting action.

Josh Nowak, C, Stagg, 2016
Gulf Coast State

2.15.15 - 5-foot-7, 160-pound left-handed hitting C/2B hits from a crouched setup, short stride, front knee turns inward to load hips, hands load smoothly, short, level bat path, gets extension, line drives from gap-to-gap during batting practice, 82 mph exit velo off the tee, barrel whips through the zone. Defensively, impressed behind the plate with pop times ranging from 1.98-2.12, excels with quick transfer and quick feet, arm strength is average at 74 mph from the crouch. Also impresses in the middle infield, 2B type, threw 76 mph across the diamond from short, athletic, high ¾ arm slot. Could catch and play 2B at the next level, utility type player. Runs a 7.17 60.

Jake Leonard, 2B, Oswego East, 2016
Iowa Wesleyan

1.24.16 - 5-foot-11, 155-pound left-handed hitting second baseman. Offensively hits from a wide base with a high hand set and short leg lift stride. Line drive hitter with a long, level swing path. 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.54. Defensively has a short loose arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Slower actions with a clean exchange. Threw 72 mph across the infield.

Craig Schuring, RHP, Burlington Central, 2016
Elgin CC

10.11.15 - 6-foot, 170-pound, right-handed hitting RHP/OF. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a short, loose arm action. Tall and fall delivery with some effort. Square landing with an upright finish and recoil. Fastball showed slight running action at 81-82 mph. Curveball showed 10-4 shape with sharp action at times at 67-70 mph. Maintained armspeed on changeup that showed armside run and sink at 76-77 mph. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Accurate throws with carry, throwing 85 mph from the outfield. Plays thru the ball with a clean exchange and fluid footwork. Offensively hits from a tall open stance with a short leg kick stride. Short inside out swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 88 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.17.

Cole Miller, LHP, York, 2016
Samford

6/18/15 - 6-foot-4, 195-pound left-handed pitcher. Fluid delivery, tall and fall, lands squared, works against front side some. High ¾ arm slot, loose arm. Fastball showed cutting natural cutting action, 80-82 mph, showed feel for the zone. Curveball works on 1/7 plane, fastball arm speed, 70-72 mph. Changeup offers sinking action, ranged 73-76 mph.

Andrew Gaytan, OF, Sandburg, 2016
Triton

1.24.16 - Undersized 5-foot-7, 145-pound left-handed hitting outfielder. Above-average defender in the outfield. Attacks the baseball, aggressive athletic actions and plays through the baseball. Soft hands, quick footwork and clean exchange. Loose arm from a ¾ slot, throws flashed some carry and clocked at 80 mph. Offensively, fluid rhythm and flashed a short bat path at times. Balanced, slightly open stance and an opposite field approach. Registered an exit velocity of 75 mph. Also, ran a 7.67 laser-timed 60.

Max Downs, OF, Stagg, 2016
Parkland

Kevin Cronin, 2B, Sandburg, 2016
Triton

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