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.

Dakota Kotowski, OF, Providence Catholic, 2018
Missouri State

Future Games 2016 - 6-foot-3, 200-pound right-handed hitting outfielder, physical build with proportional strength. Possesses big right-handed power at the plate. Strong hands, generates advanced bat speed with lift in swing. Aggressive approach, swings with intent to do damage yet maintains balance; recorded one of the top exit velocities at the Future Games at 100 mph. Has potential to develop into high-level power hitter at the next level. Defensively, corner type, likely left fielder or first baseman; shows arm strength, clocked at 89 mph. Also ran a 7.30 laser-timed 60.

Matthew Michalowski, OF, Sandburg, 2017
Illinois Central JC

10.9.16 - 6-foot-2, 177-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder. 6.77 runner in the laser timed 60. At the plate, above average bat speed, line drive approach, level path; exit velocity registered at 88 mph. Balanced setup, smooth load, short stride. Defensively, clean exchange, some accurate throws, short arm action from a high ¾ slot; throws clocked at 87 mph from the outfield.

 

Marshall Rice, RHP, Geneseo, 2017
Southeastern CC (IA)

6.16.16 - 6-foot-2, 175-pound lanky right-handed prospect. Over-the-top slot, long arm action, quick arm speed with regular effort. Stays in line, steps open finishes glove side. Fastball, straight, downhill tilt, pounded the zone, registered 79-80, topped 81 mph. Curveball, near fastball arm speed, 12/6 break, sat 64-65 mph. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, slight fade, sat 72-74 mph.

Brent McDowell, 2B, Lockport, 2017
College of DuPage

11.1.15 - Athletic build 6-foot, 170-pound right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, quick hands and easy bat speed. Ball jumped off of his bat at times during his round of batting practice. Fluid rhythm, gap-to-gap and short path into the hitting zone. Balanced setup, pre-pitch load and short stride. Registered an exit velocity of 82 mph. Defensively, steady hands on the infield. Long arm action, ¾ slot, flashed some carry and clocked at 81 mph across the diamond. Also, ran a 4.62 home-to-first.

Jack Arnstein, RHP, Highland Park, 2017
Denison

2/14/16 - 6-foot, 175-pound right-handed pitcher, average body. Drop and drive style delivery, works with some effort across his body, occasionally gets underneath. High ¾ arm slot, loose arm action with slight plunge on the back. Fastball is mostly straight, 81-84 mph. Curveball has flat action, almost looks slider at times, 70-72 mph, showed tight rotation. Straight changeup with occasional fade, 77-79 mph, thrown with fastball arm speed.

 

Rocco Pascente, C, Plainfield Central, 2017
Pensacola State JC

7.15.15 - 5-foot-11, 160-pound catcher. Offensively hits from right side with tall and open setup, loads back, short leg kick stride, and good balance. Showed average bat speed, advanced approach, long level extended path, line drive type, and fluid rhythm. Exit velocity clocked at 80 mph off a tee. Defensively, throws from short over-the-top slot, some accuracy, average hands, clean exchange, and fluid footwork. Threw 71 mph from crouch and pop times ranged 2.07-2.18. Ran 7.81 60.

Trevor Niedzwiecki, C/RHP, Lake Zurich, 2017
UW-Oshkosh

8.9.16 - 5-foot-11, 170-pound right-handed hitting catcher. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Throws showed carry throwing 75 mph from the crouch. Clean exchange with athletic actions behind the plate. Popped 2.11-2.19. At the plate hits from a wide base with a heel lift stride. Pull hitter with an uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.28. Did not pitch at the event but have seen him up to 86 mph in the past.

Dylan Niedzwiecki, OF, Lake Zurich, 2017
UW-Oshkosh

8.9.16 - 6-foot-2, 170-pound, lanky, athletic outfielder. 6.97 runner in the laser timed 60. Offensively, left-handed hitter, uphill path, pull approach. Open setup, back load, leg kick; exit velocity registered at 80 mph. Defensively, reliable hands, long arm action from a high ¾ slot; throws clocked at 77 mph.

 

Andrew Padilla, RHP, Reavis, 2017
Webster

Jake Brnca, OF, Coal City, 2017
Joliet Junior College

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