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 by looking at the Big Ten, MAC, Horizon, Ohio Valley, Missouri Valley, and ACC conferences. Today, we’re onto the Southeastern (SEC) and Big East, two conferences that will be welcoming four big names each next fall.

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 SEC and Big East baseball scene in the not-too-distant future.

SOUTHEASTERN

Four prospects are set to compete in the Southeastern Conference in the spring of 2021, two of whom will join Mizzou: RHPs Zach Hise (Joliet Catholic) and Holden Phelps (Prairie Ridge). Hise put together a really strong 2019 which helped him climb the in-state rankings throughout the year and has put him on the radar of pro scouts. Hise currently sits comfortably in the low-90’s, flashes a plus slider at times and features an above-average changeup to round out his impressive three-pitch repertoire. Phelps, who is listed at 6-foot-5, 195-pounds, has one of the highest ceilings in the class and continues to improve his stuff. Phelps has an easy, clean arm, touches 92 mph with his fastball and his curveball continues to improve. Phelps could profile at the next level as a weapon in the back-end of a bullpen or a starter if he continues to develop his off-speed offerings. 

Holden Phelps (2/10/19)

The No. 4-ranked prospect in Illinois is RHP Jack Mahoney (St. Viator), who’s headed to South Carolina. He’s a high-profile three-sport athlete who’s long been at or near the top of the state’s 2020 rankings. Mahoney’s athleticism works especially well on the mound, with a low-90s fastball and above-average offspeed that should help him compete for a spot inside the Gamecocks rotation sooner than later. Mahoney is a quiet competitor who pounds the zone with his entire arsenal and has advanced feel for the mound.

Jack Mahoney (4/11/19)

Tennessee locked up INF/RHP Alec Gonzalez (Marian Catholic), a top-25 prospect in the state. He’s a strong 6-foot-1 with a quick-twitch right-handed bat that produces hard contact that finds both gaps with consistency. Defensively, he has all the tools to stick on the left-side of the diamond and plays with confidence and ease. 

Alec Gonzalez (2/10/19)

BIG EAST

Creighton locked in two Illinois recruits to its 2020 class: SS/RHP Nolan Clifford (Neuqua Valley) and RHP Ryan Manikowski (Providence Catholic). Clifford, the middle infielder, has long been on our radar for his competitive, left-handed bat, foot speed, and smooth middle-infield defense. Little did we know, Clifford is also more than capable on the mound, until he came out of the bullpen in a playoff game this past spring for Neuqua. Clifford attacked hitters with a quick, live arm, fastball that was up to 89 mph and showed off one of the best changeups in the class; showing advanced feel, throwing it in any count and getting a number of swing-and-misses.

The best slider in the class, for our money, belongs to Manikowski. The 6-foot, 175-pound right-hander throws his 78-80 mph often and at any time. He has adept feel for burying it under the zone or out of the zone with two strikes or buckling hitters early in counts. Not to be forgotten, Manikowski also has a loose, whippy arm and fastball up to 88 mph. See more for yourself below:

Ryan Manikowski (5/22/19)

We got our first look at RHP Thomas Schafer (Loyola Academy) just this year, back in February, where he quickly established himself as a need-to-know righty still on the market. Schafer ultimately committed to Villanova, has a mid-80s velocity with a sharp downer curveball inside a thick and strong 6-foot-1 frame.

From Mount Carmel, RHP/1B Nick Miketinac, is the fourth prospect in our 2020 class headed to the Big East. He’ll join Butler next fall. He’s a 6-foot prospect with a strong, athletic look and impacted as loaded Mount Carmel squad on the mound and at the plate last spring. Look for him to do more of the same this spring. 

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