Illinois 2020 Signing Period: Best of the Rest
December 9, 2019
Throughout the last couple of weeks, the PBR Illinois team examined the 100-plus prospects on their way to Division-I destinations next fall, breaking them down conference by conference.
We kicked off the series by looking at the Big Ten, MAC, Horizon, Ohio Valley, Missouri Valley, ACC, SEC and Big East conferences. Today, we conclude the breakdown with a look at "The Best Of The Rest". All of the conferences listed below had two or less commitments from Illinois 2020s.
It’s important to note that we broke down all of the in-state D-I programs at length just a couple weeks back. You can find Part One here and Part Two here. If you’re looking for full, detailed breakdowns of Illinois’ top programs and their complete 2019 recruiting classes, check it out.
For now, here’s what you can look forward to inside the rest of baseball scene in the not-too-distant future.
BIG SOUTH
South Carolina Upstate, members of the Big South Conference, have two commits from Illinois in their 2020 class: RHP Eben Heine (Plainfield North) and OF/RHP Jackson Powell (Normal University). Heine is the No. 37-ranked prospect in the state, who has been making an impact on varsity since his sophomore season. Heine has a strong, well-proportioned,, 6-foot-1, 185-pound frame, a quick arm and lives anywhere from 85-89 mph, touching 90 with his fastball. Heine also has the confidence to throw his breaking ball in any count and has a more than serviceable changeup at his disposal. Powell is an upside, two-way prospect, with his future potentially being on the mound. Powell is listed at 6-foot-4, 200-pounds and last winter showed off a clean, easy arm and mid-80’s fastball with seemingly much more in the tank. Positionally, Powell swings an aggressive right-handed bat with loose hands.
Eben Heine (2.10.19)
CONFERENCE USA
The Marshall Thundering Herd have two Illinois prospects Huntington, W.V., bound: INF Jacob Mote (Normal University) and SS/3B Michael Kennedy (Lincoln-Way West). Mote is a physical 6-foot-3, 195-pound athlete, ranked No. 45 overall in the state. Mote has tools for days; a 6.75 runner, 94 mph across the infield and a 97 mph exit velocity. Mote swings with intent and has big power in his bat that could impact the middle-of-the-order at the next level. Kennedy carries strength in his 6-foot, 175-pound frame, has a balanced swing and creates easy pop in his right-handed bat. Defensively, Kennedy is a confident defender who has the tools to play any infield spot.
Michael Kennedy (2.18.19)
SOUTHERN CONFERENCE
The Southern Conference came into Illinois to pluck two Chicago-area products; INF Antonio Brown (Vernon Hills) committed to Furman and RHP Rohan B. Shah (Lyons Township) committed to The Citadel. Brown is an athletic middle infielder who continues to improve his stock everytime we see him. Back in February, Brown ran a 6.61 laser-timed 60 and had added quality strength to his frame which translated into his right-handed swing. Brown has loose, quick hands and the ball jumps off the barrel at times. Defensively, he has smooth actions, maintains body control on the move and can throw from multiple slots. Shah is a long and lean, 6-foot-3 right-handed pitcher with upside. Last February Shah was up to 86 mph but reports have his fastball velocity climbing higher than that as of late.
Antonio Brown (2.10.19)
BIG 12
The top prospect in the state and arguably the top prep position player in the country’s 2020 class, Ed Howard IV (Mount Carmel), is an Oklahoma commit. Howard is a highly regarded shortstop inside the pro scouting community and is the No. 1 shortstop in our overall rankings. Howard is as polished as they come for a high school shortstop with advanced, extremely easy actions. Defensively, he is never in a hurry, makes the difficult plays look easy and his arm is a weapon; playing easy, accurate and with life across the infield. Offensively, his right-handed bat continues to ascend and profiles at the top-of-an-order at the next level. Early reports project Howard to be a first round pick in next June’s draft.
Ed Howard (5.23.19)
SUN BELT
Coastal Carolina always seems to pull name or two from the Midwest every year, and this year it’s RHP Keaton Hopwood (Wilmington). Hopwood dealt with injuries in 2018 but showed he was back to full strength in the summer of 2019 and was one of the biggest buzz names in Illinois, ultimately resulting in a commitment to the Chanticleers. Hopwood came out consistently running his fastball into the low-90’s and showing off a late-biting slider with feel. Hopwood also has a changeup in his arsenal leading one to believe he has starter potential at the next level.
Keaton Hopwood (6.4.19)
SOUTHWESTERN ATHLETIC
The No. 36-ranked prospect in the state’s 2020 class is 3B/1B Joshua Houston (Mount Carmel), a Southern commit. Houston is one of the purest right-handed hitters in the class. Houston stays short and on top of the baseball, has a knack for the barrel, is consistently on-time and backspins line-drives to all fields. Defensively he is nimble given his 5-foot-10, 215-pound frame and has the hands to play either corner spot.
MID-EASTERN
Coppin State has two 2020s from Illinois committed for next fall; LHP/OF Max Rundberg (Chicago Bulls College Prep) and MIF D.J. Butler (Simeon). Rundberg has a loose, clean arm and topped at 84 mph this August with more in the tank. Butler is a switch-hitting middle infielder with a simple, barrel control swing from both sides of the plate. Defensively he has smooth, confident actions and loose arm that plays comfortably from multiple slots.
Max Rundberg (8.6.19)
FILLING OUT THE REST
 |
Zachary Ward RHP / Lincoln-Way Central, IL / 2020Rankings IL Rank: 101
Physical right-hander has an easy arm, velocity has been ticking up as of late with more in the tank. Impressed at the PBR Fall Championship in September. |
 |
Michael Koszewski OF / LHP / Montini Catholic, IL / 2020Rankings IL Rank: 95
Left/left outfielder had a big summer playing in some national events. Athletic outfield actions, can play all three spots. Offensively, feel for the barrel and potential top-of-the-order candidate. |
 |
Ryan Thiesse OF / ST. CHARLES NORTH, IL / 2020Rankings IL Rank: 75
Toolsy outfielder, runs a 6.65 60 and has strength from the right-side of the plate. Takes consistent, competitive at-bats and plays with a high motor. |
 |
Justin Rivera RHP / Lake View, IL / 2020Rankings IL Rank: 119
6-foot-3, 195-pound, strong-bodied right-hander with arm speed and a heavy fastball that has been up to 88 mph. Also, has feel for a tight mid-70's slider. |
| |
Nathan Holler RHP / BARRINGTON, IL / 2020Rankings IL Rank: 229
Selected to PBR Illinois Second Team All-State after an impressive spring for Barrington. Holler went 10-0 with a 0.72 ERA. In 58.1 innings pitched Holler only allowed 29 hits and struck out 84 batters. |
 |
Kevin Butler C / Neuqua Valley, IL / 2020Rankings IL Rank: 291
Joining Holler elsewhere in the ASUN next fall is Butler, a Bellarmine recruit. The Knights will be new to the conference in 2020 and Butler will bring with him a left-handed bat that hit .311 in 69 plate appearances for his high school as a junior last spring. |
+ CLICK HERE to filter through all of the Illinois 2020 commits.
RELATED CONTENT