On Nov. 13th, thousands of high school baseball players across the country signed their National Letters of Intent to lock in their official commitments to their respective schools, with hundreds of these signings hailing from Illinois.

Over the next few weeks, we will spend some time highlighting the names from Illinois that signed their NLI to play baseball at the Division I level. We’ll do so by breaking these names up by conference, continuing with the BIG 10 today. 

For a look at the SEC outlook published yesterday, click HERE. 

Illinois 

Unsurprisingly, the University of Illinois tied for the most signees from the state in regards to Power Four schools, hauling in players such as LHP Aidan Flinn (Marist), CIF AJ Putty (Huntley), 3B/RHP Jack Wheeler (Morris), RHP Ike Young (Monticello) and MIF Lucas Krebs (Edwardsville).  

Few, if any arms have risen up the rankings like Flinn did this past year, as he now finds himself slotted at No. 6 in the state. A slender and projectable 6-foot-6, 205-pounds, Flinn has a long and easy delivery that gets quality extension down the mound, and he will work his fastball around the 90 mph mark with more to come. 

From 5/10/24: “Illinois commit. Currently ranked No. 140 in the state, Flinn got the start for the RedHawks and showed high upside throughout his start. He is every bit of 6-foot-6, 200-pounds with room to still grow into the frame. He is a loose and athletic mover down the mound, working in-sync with his long levers. His fastball plays with late, hard life through the zone at 88-90 mph, seemingly getting quality extension on the pitch. His go-to off-speed offering was a sweeping-type breaking ball that he was confident throwing to both sides of the plate; back-dooring right-handed hitters or throwing it at their back foot. To complement his repertoire, he pounded the zone with both pitches to make for a 77% strike clip in the outing. The southpaw is a tough matchup for any lineup he opposes, and he more than held his own against the No. 1 team in the state; finishing with six strikeouts over his five innings of two-run ball.” 

Putty, a former Future Games standout, is a physical 6-foot-4, 224-pound right-handed hitter that is currently slotted at No. 36 in the state. This past spring he earned First Team All-State honors after he swatted 11 home runs to pair with a .419 average, and he also possesses a keen eye at the plate with some present bat-to-ball skills. 

From 6/19/24: “The Illinois commit is one of the top right-handed power bats in the state and he proved it once again this spring launching double digit home runs for a Red Raider club that finished 29-8-1, finishing inside our Power 25 Final Rankings. Putty slashed .419/.504/.812 on the year, including 11 home runs, 13 doubles, and 35 runs scored. Despite hitting for a lot of power, Putty walked (22) more than he struck out (17) and was the biggest threat in the Huntley order throughout the season.”

Currently ranked No. 26 in Illinois, Wheeler has long been a winner on the Prep Baseball circuit. He boasts one of the more intriguing frames you’ll see on the left side of the infield, standing in at 6-foot-5, 190-pounds with plenty of room to add strength. The right-handed hitter has a simple yet strong swing with EVs up to 99 mph, and he also provides some intrigue on the mound with a fastball into the low-90s. 

From 8/21/24: “RHP/INF Jack Wheeler (Morris; Illinois commit) is an upside two-way prospect to know. At 6-foot-5, 190-pounds, Wheeler showed impressive tools to start the event during the workout. He ran a 6.95 60, was one of the event leaders in infield velocity at 90 mph, while also putting up a max EV of 99.3 mph. On the bump Wheeler featured a three-pitch mix, with his fastball touching 88 mph, while tossing in a 73-76 mph curveball for strikes 67% of the time, and also turning over a changeup at 79-81 mph.”

Young is another name that shot up the rankings over the last year, as he now finds himself at No. 29 in Illinois. Young has an explosive fastball that will play around the 90 mph mark, and his frame in addition to his movement patterns indicate that there is much more in the tank for the projectable right-hander.

From 4/22/24: “Currently ranked No. 162 in Illinois’ 2024 class. Stands in a high-waisted and projectable 6-foot-1, 160-pound frame with plenty more to come. Started on the mound for the Sages, and although he didn’t get the results he wanted, it was still an impressive look at the uncommitted junior. Athletic mover with a high leg lift with tuck, tall and fall delivery down the mound, foot lands closed towards third base. Clean and quick arm path out of a ¾ slot with noticeable acceleration out front. Came out of the gate throwing three 90 mph fastballs in a row, but sat mostly 87-89 mph early on, showed clear ride through the zone with arm-side run at times. Mixed in a breaking ball at 74-77 mph with varying shapes, worked best when thrown hard, producing 12/6 shape, garnering multiple swings-and-misses. A must-know uncommitted junior in Illinois.” 

Krebs, the final Illinois product headed to Champaign next fall, has been trending in the right direction so far in 2024, and he shows no signs of slowing down. He’s packed on notable strength to his now 6-foot-1, 185-pound frame, and it's paying dividends with his improved bat-speed and pop from the right side. On the other side of the ball, Krebs is a natural and fluid defender that should be able to stick on the dirt at the next level. 

From 4/16/24: “Strong, athletic well-proportioned athlete that’s tacked on notable strength over the last six months. Started at shortstop and hit in the three-hole for the Tigers in this look. Easy bat speed and balance at the plate, put together highly competitive at-bats against a low-90s arm with a real breaking ball, too. Continues to show his improvements defensively. Free mover on the infield, comfortable on the move and understands how to slow the game down. Arm plays free and easy across the infield, able to make all throws from either side at shortstop. Helped turn two double plays that ultimately proved pivotal in the Tigers’ win. One of the top juniors still on the market in Illinois.”

Indiana 

The Hoosiers may not have taken the most quantity out of Illinois, but they definitely took a quality prospect in OF Trey Meyers (New Trier). At a physically imposing 6-foot-6, 218-pounds, Meyers is a well above-average athlete for his size with a 6.58 in the 60. The right-handed hitter also has some big power potential given his levers and projectability. He has some defensive versatility, having shown the ability to roam freely in the outfield, as well as hold down first base. 

From 2/24/24: “OF Trey Meyers (New Trier; Indiana commit) stands out physically with his 6-foot-5, 214-pound frame, and he has some eye-opening upside still left in the tank. He uses his levers to create easy power and bat-speed (70.6 mph avg), and his power projects as he continues to fill out. In this look, he had a clear intent to keep the ball on a line, working up to 93.9 mph for his max EV. He moves extremely well for his size, cruising to a 6.58 in the 60 with a max run speed of 21.1 mph, also recording a 29.8” vertical. Fluid footwork in the outfield with steady hands, plays through the ball with intent. Moves well into a crow hop, topping out at 89 mph with life out of the hand. High-upside name to know.”

Iowa

OF Ben Toft (New Trier) is a strong addition to the Hawkeyes’ 2025 class, as the L/L outfielder comes in as the No. 34 ranked player in the state. Another former Future Games participant, Toft has shown an intentful swing from the left-side that pairs with an above-average arm in the outfield (T91 mph) and quality run tool (6.77). 

From 2/24/24: “OF Ben Toft (New Trier; Iowa commit) gave an impressive look on both sides of the ball. The left-handed hitter displayed quick hands with controlled aggression, looking to elevate the ball to his pull-side and up the middle with a max EV of 95.2 mph. In the outfield, he has athletic actions with soft hands, playing through the ball with intent and reaching up to 91 mph from a crow hop. Impressive athlete, turning in a 6.77 in the 60 with a 20.6 mph peak run speed and 33.6” vertical jump.”

Michigan State

The Spartans dipped across state borders and grabbed INF CJ Deckinga (Minooka) and INF/RHP Davis Weeks (Dunlap).

Deckinga, a highly projectable 6-foot-4, 194-pounds, is currently the No. 12 ranked player in Illinois, and he holds one of the highest ceilings in the state. A former Future Games standout, Deckinga took LakePoint by storm a couple summers ago and has remained one of Illinois’ top prospects since. 

From 3/29/24: “Michigan State commit, currently ranked No. 5 in the state and No. 181 in the country. Listed at an uber-projectable 6-foot-4, 173-pounds with lean strength and plenty of room to add on strength. The right-handed hitter finished the day 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored hitting out of the four-hole. His double was a frozen rope to his pull-side over the left fielder’s head, plating two runs on the same play. Wide base at the plate with a quick lift and place stride, pre-pitch waggle in the hands for rhythm, stays short to the ball and long through the zone, power projects as he fills out. Steady, natural actions at third base, appears comfortable on the move. Strong arm that plays with carry and life. High-ceiling name to know in the state.” 

Weeks gives an intriguing look on both sides of the ball, boasting an athletic right-handed swing at the plate that has routinely shown well in front of our staff. He is a quality defender up the middle of the infield to pair, and his arm is plenty strong across the diamond (T87 mph.) His arm-strength translates easily over to the mound, where he will run his fastball into the low-90s with a sharp slider and quality changeup to round out his mix. 

From 8/22/24: “SS/RHP Davis Weeks (Dunlap, 2025; Michigan State) looked to be one of the top prospects in attendance on the day. 6-foot-1, 179-pounds, high waist with athleticism and room to add strength. Controlled right-handed swing, wider base with a simple setup and load, loose hands with a flat path, balanced finish, upside swing, 95.7 mph max EV, 354’ max distance. On the mound, Weeks is a loose mover with a simple and repeatable delivery. His fastball worked up to 91 mph (T2344 rpm) while sitting around 88-90 mph. To pair off the fastball he went to a sharp slider at 75-77 mph and diving changeup at 79-80 mph.”

Minnesota 

Another former Future Games participant, INF Nathan O’Donnell (Providence Catholic) comes in as the No. 37 ranked player in the state. O’Donnell helped lead the Celtics to their 4A State Title this past year, turning in a .430 average with 11 doubles, one triple, 11 home runs, 55 RBIs and 44 runs scored - also earning him Prep Baseball Illinois First-Team All-State honors. 

From 6/13/24: “​​Currently ranked No. 44 in the state, and stands in at a well-proportioned 6-foot-1, 179-pounds. O’Donnell got the start at first base, while batting third, and later closed the game out to earn the save. At the plate, the right-handed hitter displayed a simple approach, not looking to do too much, and hit the ball hard in his final two at-bats, delivering the back-breaking blow late in the game with a two RBI single. He has an athletic, level swing that creates consistent line drive contact to all fields. O’Donnell then came in to close the game out for the Celtics and pounded the zone, only needing seven pitches to record the final three outs, working his fastball up to 88 mph. O’Donnell is one the state’s top remaining uncommitted prospects and will be one to watch heading into the summer.”

Northwestern

The Cats stayed in-state to grab LHP Jake Rifenburg (Benet), who has quickly been trending upwards over the last year or so. Currently ranked No. 69 in the state, the southpaw boasts an upper-80s fastball that he can control around the zone. He also features a sharp curveball and a deceptive changeup with arm-speed. There is still more to dream on with his quick arm and projectable 6-foot-1, 174-pound frame. 

From 2/24/24: “LHP Jake Rifenburg (Benet Academy) was one of the biggest winners from Saturday’s event. At the same event last year, Rifenburg’s fastball sat 78-80 mph, but this year, he showed significant strides in velocity, with his fastball sitting 87-89 mph with carry through the zone. He showed a sharp, late breaking curveball that sat 73-74 mph with 1/7 shape. Rifenburg’s changeup was thrown with intent, and he created clear fade/sink to the arm-side (avg. -11.6” HM). An instant uncommitted name to know in the state’s junior class.”

Ohio State

OF Jacob Parr (Lemont) has quickly risen up our rankings over the past year, now sitting at No. 35 in the state. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound left-handed hitter routinely works on the barrel in front of our staff, boasting a whole field approach that can drive the ball with authority to the gaps. He also moves extremely well for his size with a 6.94 in the 60. 

From 4/27/24: “Uncommitted. 6-foot-3, 198-pound, broad-shouldered, athletic, well-proportioned build. Left-handed hitter, started in center field and hit in the four-hole. Moves well for his size, clean arm that plays strong from the outfield. Offensively, finished 1-for-2 with a solo home run to right-field. Also walked and scored two runs. Easy, strong hands with above-average plate coverage and jump off the barrel. Physical, athletic, uncommitted left-handed hitter to know in the class.”

Penn State 

RHP Peter Thompson (Loyola) will be headed to Happy Valley, and he brings along a power arm attached to a high-waisted 6-foot-4, 170-pound frame. The big right-hander has an easy, low effort delivery and he can run his fastball into the low-90s to pair with a swing/miss slider. 

Purdue 

LHP Lucas Grant (Joliet Catholic) is one of the top arms in the state, currently slotted at No. 16 overall in Illinois. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound southpaw will work a running fastball into the low-90s, setting up a short slider and fading changeup. Grant boasts a starter profile with the ability to control all three of his pitches around the zone, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him get noteworthy innings as a freshman. 

From 3/15/24: “6-foot, 185-pound, left-handed pitcher, currently on the rise in the Illinois’ 2025 class. Showed well this winter at the Preseason All-State and has now backed it up with two quality performances this spring. Came out of the bullpen in this game and was almost perfect in his three innings of work, allowing one hit, no walks and struck out six. 29 of his 42 pitches were strikes, working primarily behind a lively fastball that gets all over hitters at 87-89, T90 mph early on, settling at 86-88. Worked almost exclusively with his late running fastball that he works at the bottom of the zone. Rarely went to his slider which played at 77 mph with a short, late horizontal wrinkle. Overall, easy operation with feel and presence on the mound. Should be a highly-sought after left-handed arm in the Illinois’ 2025 class.”

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