Prep Baseball Report

Top-10 Stories of 2018: No. 4 Matt McCormick earns IL's POTY award


By Andy Sroka
Staff Writer

We covered St. Laurence’s star catcher Matt McCormick at length on Friday when his profile was revealed to be the No. 5 most-viewed in the state in 2018. Today, we’ll take an even closer look, as we determined the No. 4 storyline of 2018 was McCormick’s monster spring and how it earned him the honor of being named the PBR Illinois 2018 Player of the Year.

It’s no secret that the level of competition in the Chicago Catholic League – Blue conference is among the highest in the state. Yet, McCormick put together some of the most eye-popping statistics in Illinois. He hit over .500 and had an OBP of over .650. A patient approach to the plate, coupled with an innate feel for the barrel, allowed him to rack up extra bases and walks, making him arguably the toughest out in the state last spring.

Here’s the release below, back when we announced the PBR Illinois POTY award back in June.

2018 ILLINOIS PLAYER OF THE YEAR: ST. LAURENCE C MATT MCCORMICK

(Originally published on June 11, 2018) The 2018 spring high school season in Illinois generated some incredible individual moments and performances throughout all corners of the state. The Illinois high school season has ended, and Prep Baseball Report is excited to announce one player who emerged ahead of the competition at all levels in the state of Illinois. This player has been selected not only for their outstanding statistical numbers, but also for their overall effect on their high school program.

Matt McCormick, C, St. LaurenceMatt McCormick, a junior catcher from St. Laurence High School in Burbank, put together one of the strongest statistical seasons of any player in the state and he did it within one of Illinois’ most competitive conferences, the Chicago Catholic League – Blue. The West Virginia commit remarkably slugged over 1.000 and helped contribute to the Vikings’ first CCL – Blue title since 2014. His bat was a fixture along St. Laurence’s postseason run, too, where his team won an eighth straight Regional championship. He was also the recipient of his team’s Do It Stevie’s Way award at this year’s Steven Bajenski Memorial Tournament.

Delving further into McCormick’s numbers, it quickly becomes clear just how superb his season was at the plate. The 6-foot, 190-pound catcher slashed .510/.657/1.094 this spring and balanced all that power with patience – he struck out just twice in his 143 plate appearances and walked 26 times. In addition to his abilities in the batter’s box, McCormick’s glove behind the plate has prompted some praise from evaluators as well as his coaching staff, which has helped garner him the top rank at the position in his state’s class, and No. 8 nationally.

The catcher’s all-around performance, as well as the impact he has had on St. Laurence, has earned him the 2018 Prep Baseball Report Illinois State Player of the Year honors.

McCormick has been selected by Illinois Scouting Director Drew Locascio and the team of area scouts who covered the high school baseball season throughout the spring. The Prep Baseball Report staff has been diligently scouting and covering baseball games at baseball diamonds across the state this spring to bring parents, athletes and fans the most comprehensive coverage of amateur baseball across the United States. The dedication and coverage allow Prep Baseball Report a credible way to identify the top athletes each year who best represent the state of Illinois.

ILLINOIS PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Name: Matt McCormick

High School: St. Laurence

Position: C

Size: 6-foot, 190-pounds

College: West Virginia

Stats: .510 AVG, .657 OBP, 17 2B, 6 3B, 9 HR, 48 RBI, 21 R, 26 BB, 2 SO

PAST PLAYER OF THE YEAR WINNERS

2017: Cole Kmet, LHP/OF, Saint Viator HS

2016: Mike Madej, 2B, Providence Catholic HS

2015: Bryan Hudson, LHP, Alton HS

2014: Jake Latz, LHP, Lemont HS

2013: Ryne Roper, SS/RHP, Harrisburg HS

2012: Zack Weigel, OF/LHP, Oak Park-River Forest HS

2011: Sam Travis, 3B, Providence Catholic HS

2010: Shane Conlon, LHP/1B, Naperville Central HS

2009: Nick Tindall, C, O'Fallon HS

2008: Jake Odorizzi, RHP/SS, Highland HS

2007: Jake Smolinski, SS/RHP, Rockford Boylan HS

2006: Connor Powers, 1B, Benet Academy HS

2005: Michael Bowden, RHP/3B, Waubonsie Valley HS

TOP STORIES OF 2018