Illinois 2020 Signing Period: MAC

Throughout the next couple of weeks, the PBR Illinois team is going to be examining the 100-plus prospects on their way to Division-I destinations next fall, breaking them down conference by conference.

We kicked off the series yesterday by looking at the Big Ten. Today, we’re onto the Mid-American Conference, one set to welcome 14 names, as of today, their way in the fall of 2020.

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 MAC’s baseball scene in the not-too-distant future.

MID-AMERICAN

The MAC is consistently loaded with Illinois flavor and this year is no different, with 14 names making their way to the conference in 2020.

The top prospect coming to the MAC is Mundelein’s RHP/OF Austin Greco, ranked at No. 39 in the state, who’s committed to Miami-Ohio. Greco has a chance to be a rare two-way talent at the next level. On the mound, he runs his lively fastball into the low-90s with feel for a sharp slider. As a position player, Greco is a sub-7.00 runner and he pairs that speed with a simple right-handed swing that has a knack for the barrel.

Austin Greco (8/2/18)

For a long while, 3B/1B Cade Sullivan (Metea Valley) was among the most powerful recruits left on the market until he committed to Western Michigan late this summer. He uses his big 6-foot-4 frame in the right-handed box and creates natural leverage to produce some of the best bat strength and power in the state. Western Michigan also just recently landed Glenbrook South left-hander Joseph Shapiro, a pitchability type who pounds the zone with his low-80s fastball and sharp curveball combination.

Cade Sullivan (7/28/19)

The Chippewas of Central Michigan have five Illinois products committed to them in this 2020 class: RHP Connor Gill (Oswego East), SS/RHP Ben Vitas (Providence Catholic), RHP Jack Feely (Normal University), 1B Danny Wuestenfeld (Joliet Catholic), and C Drew Stengren (Cary-Grove). Gill, Vitas, and Feely are all ranked right next to each other in the 50s on the Illinois board. Gill has a live mid-to-upper-80s arm with a change-curve combo that has swing-and-miss potential. Vitas is a high-tempoed two-way player with a mid-80s fastball that generates huge arm-side run. Vitas is only just beginning to tap into his upside on the mound. Feely is a 6-foot right-hander with an easy fastball that’s been up to 90 mph and his best secondary is a changeup with advanced feel. As for Wuestenfeld, he’s a hulking 6-foot-3 with a big right-handed bat who impressed this fall and has a good feel for the bag at first base. Stengren has sound actions behind the plate, an accurate arm and a projectable right-handed bat.

Danny Wuestenfeld (2/18/19)

Ranked No. 66 in the state, Ohio commit RHP Patrick Straub (Metea Valley) has an athletic, high-waisted, right-hander with a quick arm, upper-80s fastball, and sharp slider that flashes wipeout potential. Also Ohio bound is C Colin Summerhill (Loyola Academy), a projectable 6-foot-1, 175-pound, right-handed hitter with a loose, repeatable swing and strong arm behind the plate.

Refer back to our post here for a complete look at Northern Illinois’ 2020 class, including the four in-state names they’re bringing along, like top-ranked Notre Dame two-way prospect Matthew Salomonson. They also managed to snag a couple top names from Wisconsin, too.

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