Recruiting Roundup: Week of 12/10

December 15, 2023
By: Gavin Smith
Area Scout

Today, we’ll address all the Illinois prospects who made the decision to announce their commitment throughout this past week. We wrapped up our final showcase of 2023 in October, so as we head into the fall and winter offseason, now’s the time when recruiting season picks up. This past week was a busy one for commitments, so let’s begin.

Note: Player's are listed in alphabetical order by last name.

2024s

Antonio Alanis OF / 2B / Streamwood , IL / 2024

ELGIN CC COMMIT

Positional Profile: OF/2B
Body: 5-8, 165-pounds. Compact frame, well-proportioned.
Hit: RHH. Tall, narrow setup, small leg lift into short stride. Handsy with effort on an uphill plane, quickness at times, on the barrel up the middle. 62.8 mph bat speed with 5 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 81.3 mph. 288’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 80 mph. Long arm action, over the top slot.
Defense: Attacks the ball in stride, one-hand gather, shuffle step crow hop, works towards target.
Run: 7.24 runner in the 60.

Thomas Ferguson RHP / 3B / Evanston, IL / 2024

HAVERFORD COLLEGE COMMIT

Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-0, 190-pounds. Strong, well-developed frame, round shoulders with a developed lower-half.
Delivery: Uptempo delivery, medium leg lift into a coiled balance, stride works in-line, recoil finish.
Arm Action: RH. Some effort out of 3/4 slot.
FB: T83, 80-82 mph. Plays with arm side run. T2143, 2050 average rpm.
SL: 65-69 mph. Sweeping action, 10/4 shape. T2390, 2317 average rpm.
CH: 74-76 mph. Straight change. T1922, 1801 average rpm.
2

Sean O'Dowd RHP / Maine South , IL / 2024

ST. CHARLES CC COMMIT

From 10/1/23:
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-3, 175-pounds. High-waisted, loose-levered.
Delivery: Methodical drop and drive delivery, fluid down the mound. Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, plays from a 3/4 slot.
FB: T84, 82-83 mph. Clean out of the hand, around the zone, late run and sink action. T1914, 1766 average rpm.
SL: 73-75 mph. Aggressive intent with 10/4 shape. T2271, 2207 average rpm.
CH: 75-76 mph. Plays with fastball arm action, quality feel, above-average horizontal action. T2013, 1915 average rpm.

Jake Parpet C / SS / Conant, IL / 2024

Rankings StateRank: 133 / POS: 13

HEARTLAND CC COMMIT

From 8/8/23: "...is an uncommitted follow in the 2024 class from this event with tools attached to a lean, athletic 5-foot-9, 160-pound frame. Parpet controlled the barrel in BP and used the whole field, spraying elevated contact while working gap-to-gap. He also ran a 6.95 60, was 87 mph across the infield, peaked at 76 mph from the chute, and popped a 1.90 on his quickest bullet to the bag."

Jack Piper RHP / SS / Dunlap, IL / 2024

CARROLL UNIVERSITY COMMIT

From 3/19/22: "Young arm to keep an eye on down the road. Came out of the bullpen and pounded the zone with a three-pitch mix. Polished, athletic delivery, highly-repeatable, works with rhythm and fluidity. Short, clean arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 77-78 mph, occasional arm-side action. Mixed in a 67-68 mph curveball thrown with arm speed and depth. Also showed a 71-73 mph changeup with plus feel and late fade. Should continue to see his velocity climb as he adds strength."

Trey Schilling SS / 2B / Lincoln Community, IL / 2024

ILLINOIS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY COMMIT

From 10/1/23:
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-11, 175-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, narrow setup, fluid load and leg-kick trigger. Easy, strong hands, stays on-plane and uses the middle to pull side of the diamond. 64.8 mph bat speed with 13 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 75.1 mph. 319’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 83 mph. Quick arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Soft, confident hands, clean/quick transfer, fluid footwork.
Run: 7.46 runner in the 60.

Tyler Sowers OF / RHP / Marmion Academy, IL / 2024

HILLSDALE COLLEGE COMMIT

Alex Tame RHP / RHP / O'Fallon, IL / 2024

LINCOLN LAND CC COMMIT

John Wilde C / OF / Rock Island , IL / 2024

LUTHER COLLEGE COMMIT

2025s

Benjamin Mitchell C / RHP / Harvest Christian, IL / 2025

Rankings StateRank: 138 / POS: 16

BELLARMINE UNIVERSITY COMMIT

From 9/23/23: "...has been trending up in 2023 after a strong showing at the Illinois State Games. The Junior is built at a physical 6-foot-1, 200-pound frame with strength throughout. Despite a larger frame, Mitchell is a mobile defender behind the dish and displays quality catch/throw actions. The right-handed hitter put his power potential on display Saturday afternoon, blasting a home run to left while using a wood bat at Milkmen Field. Mitchell registered some of the highest exit velocities back in August at the State Games, and continues to show quality pop with feel for the barrel."