Prep Baseball Report

Illinois' roster is loaded for PBR Midwest Future Games



By Sean Duncan

The Prep Baseball Report Future Games, powered by Under Armour, features most of the top Class of 2013 prospects from Illinois, Missouri, Ohio and Missouri. The one-of-a-kind, two-day event is set for August 6-7 at Benedictine University in Lisle, IL.

The Illinois roster is loaded with the top players in the Class of 2013. In fact, eight of the top 10 ranked prospects in the class are on the team, and all players are premier talents from all corners of the state.

A look at the Illinois roster:

Ryne Roper, Harrisburg HS, RHP/INF
As the No. 1-ranked prospect in the class, the 6-foot-2 Roper has been a standout since his freshman year. He earned PBR third-team All-State honors as a sophomore after hitting 11 homers, 6 doubles, 46 hits, 48 RBI and 45 runs while going 8-2 on the mound. Behind an upper-80s fastball, Roper has amassed an 18-3 record in two varsity seasons.

Keith Lehmann, Lyons Township HS, RHP/3B/C
Ranked No. 2 in the class, the 6-foot-1, 170-pound Lehmann helped Lyons Township win the Class 4A state championship. On the mound, Lehmann impressed with his easy 86-89 mph fastball and sharp curveball. At the plate, Lehmann hit 7 homers.

Corey Ray, Simeon HS, OF
Ranked No. 4 in the class, Ray emerged as one of the premier outfield prospects in the Midwest. Ray has all the tools; he has a pure left-handed swing and a plus arm from the outfield (87 mph at PBR event). As a sophomore, he batted .415 with 45 runs scored and 14 stolen bases.

Bryce Only, Huntley HS, INF/RHP
Ranked No. 5 in the class, the 6-foot, 182-pound Only is one of the premier hitting prospects in the Midwest. The right-handed hitter has been a big-time run-producer since his freshman year. As a sophomore, Only tallied 7 homers, 9 doubles and 36 RBI while playing a stellar third base.

Brent Gibbs, Alton HS, C
Ranked No. 6 in the class, the 6-foot, 195-pound Gibbs is one of the top catching prospects in the Midwest. He?s a physical athlete who possesses a plus arm (82 mph from the crouch). Offensively, Gibbs batted .494 with 5 homers, 9 doubles and 41 RBI as a sophomore.

Matthew James, Normal West HS, RHP/INF
Ranked No. 7 in the Class, James earned PBR second-team All-State honors after he posted a 9-1 record, which included six shutouts and one no-hitter. He finished with a 0.62 ERA and 107 Ks to 8 walks in 67.1 innings. James also is a top-level left-handed hitter and position player.

Kyle Pruemer, Teutopolis HS, RHP
Ranked No. 8 in the class, Pruemer is a physically imposing 6-foot-4, 200-pound right-hander who helped the Wooden Shoes to the Class 2A state championship. Behind an 84-88 mph fastball, Pruemer posted a 5-0 record in the spring.

Colin Lyman, Huntley HS, OF
Ranked No. 10 in the class, Lyman is an athletic left-handed hitting outfielder who possesses all the tools to be a top-level player. A sub-7 runner, the 6-foot Lyman hit .448 with 4 homers, 7 doubles, 52 hits and 30 RBI as a sophomore.

Miguel Hermosillo, Ottawa HS, OF
Ranked No. 12, Hermosillo is arguably the best athlete in the class, as he ran an impressive 6.66 60 at the PBR Underclass Invite in the winter. A 5-foot-11, 180-pound right-handed hitter, Hermosillo has quick hands at the plate and has a strong arm from the outfield.

Dan Mayer, Downers Grove South HS, RHP
Ranked No. 13 in the class, the 6-foot-2, 185-pound Mayer impressed with his heavy 84-87 mph fastball at several events, and ability to three pitches for strikes. Mayer stays tall and works downhill well.

Joe Hoscheit, St. Charles East HS, OF
Ranked No. 14 in the class, Hoscheit is a physical and athletic 6-foot, 195-pound outfielder who possesses power and speed. Also a standout football player, Hoscheit hit 7 home runs for the Saints as a sophomore starter.

River Pitlock, York HS, MIF/RHP
Ranked No. 16 in the class, Pitlock is a wiry, athletic middle infielder who possesses a strong arm and quick hands at the plate. The right-handed hitter tallied 8 doubles as York?s starting shortstop in the spring.

Jacob Jarvis, O?Fallon HS, RHP
Ranked No. 18 in the class, Jarvis is a wide-shouldered 6-foot-2, 200-pound right-hander who?s been earning varsity wins since his freshman year. Jarvis features a mid-80s fastball with a lot of upside.

Anthony Drago, Lake Zurich HS, C
Ranked No. 19 in the class, Drago is a 6-foot-1, 180-pound left-handed hitting catcher with big-time power potential. Drago?s loose and explosive swing is one of the most impressive in the class.

Bryce Cantrall, Edwardsville HS, RHP
Ranked No. 22 in the class, Cantrall is an extremely projectable 6-foot-6, 205-pound right-hander. With his long and loose arm, Cantrall should see a velocity spike with his mid-80s fastball.

Kyle Colletta, Niles West HS, INF
Ranked No. 31 in the class, Colletta is a left-handed hitting middle infielder who has been an impact varsity performer since his freshman year. Colletta has a clean and compact swing at the plate and excellent hands in the field.

Cody Campbell, Naperville Central HS, RHP/OF
A Michigan transplant, Campbell will make his Illinois debut at the Future Games. At 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, Campbell should soon become one of the most coveted prospects in the state. He has a top-level power arm and considerable upside. Will attend Naperville Central HS in the fall.

* Spencer Gaa, Metamora HS, INF
As one of the premier athletes in the class, Gaa earned top prospect honors at the PBR Class of 2013 Showcase in July after he ran a 6.63 60. Gaa also possesses a strong arm across the infield and has a compact swing at the plate. (Note: Gaa will be on the Indiana roster).

* Prospect will play on Team Indiana