Prep Baseball Report

Updated Illinois Class of 2015 rankings



Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director - Illinois

We have recently seen a surge of prospects in the Class of 2015 jump onto the scene or improve their stock, and with the recruiting scene picking up its pace over the last few years, were seeing more and more sophomores make early decisions. Thus, we have updated the Illinois Class of 2015 rankings, adding some new faces as well as seeing some prospects climb the chart.

The highest new face on the list is LHP/1B Brett Newberg from Moline HS. We recently saw Newberg at the Underclass Prospect Showcase in late October and he impressed with his clean effortless arm action at 82-83 mph. On top of that Newberg possessed advanced pop at the plate, hitting from the right side. At 6-foot-1, 220-pounds, the big-bodied Newberg is definitely a prospect to keep an eye on.

Trent Johnson, an 88-90 mph RHP from Metamora HS, made the jump to No. 2. The 6-foot-3 Johsnon, who recently committed to Arizona, was healthy this fall and it certainly showed. Left-handed hitting SS Charlie Donovan from Westmont HS remains the top-ranked prospect in this deep class.

Willy Bourbon, a physical left-handed hitting 3B from Stevenson is also making the climb as he jumped into the top 5. Bourbon has consistently been showing advanced actions and arm strength from third base while displaying pop to all fields in his left handed bat.

Another pitcher making a big jump to No.15 is the 6-foot-4, 220 pound Mike Kogut. Kogut is a big-bodied right hander out of Nazareth HS that has recently been up to 86 mph. His delivery is exceptionally clean and balanced for his size and projects to see continuous spikes in velocity.

Peyton Isaacson is a left-handed hitting catcher from Galesburg HS who has also been making strides behind the plate, improving his pop time to a 2.01. His swing is clean and fluid and will play well at any level.  Isaacson has jumped to No. 21 in the state.

A trio of new shortstops also made the list.

Esteban Martinez is a new addition to the rankings at No. 24. Martinez is a switch hitting two-way guy from St. Rita HS who flashed some serious leather at shortstop during our Underclass Prospect Showcase in October. Martinez showed barrel awareness from both sides of the plate while also displaying a live arm on the mound (84mph).

At No. 39 General McArthur, a slick-fielding shortstop from Crete-Monee HS, impressed us with his soft hands in the field and level bat path at the plate.

Another new prospect at shortstop is Jake Milosch from St. Charles East. Milosch came in at No. 41 as an athletic shortstop with advanced actions and a good feel for the game. We look forward to seeing more from Milosch as he continues to improve his stock.

With the season just around the corner and the Underclassman Invitational coming up on January 27, we will certainly see more movement from this impressive list of top prospects in Illinois’ Class of 2015.

Click here for the complete Class of 2015 rankings

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