METRO EAST KICKOFF CLASSIC (MARCH 16-18)

 

JOLIET CATHOLIC VS. O’FALLON – 3.18.17

Antonio Saldana, LHP, Joliet Catholic, 2017
Iowa Western CC commit. 6-foot-7, 230-pound left-handed pitcher. Made a lot of strides on the mound from the summer. Back to his ¾ arm slot with a long arm action works fastball, slider, and changeup. Tall and fall delivery, working in line with home plate. Good balance, works fast on the mound. Attacks hitter with a fastball/slider combination. Fastball came out hot working 88-90 mph showing slight running action. Slider is a plus offering for him, has sharp breaking action and tight rotation, thrown with fastball arm speed. Faced and all right-handed hitting line up, used slider to back foot RHH generating a lot of swing and misses. Didn’t use changeup that much in game, showed hard sinking action in warmups at 80 mph. Strukout seven over five innings of work.

HARRISBURG VS. ST. LOUIS UNIVERSITY HIGH (MO) – 3.17.17

Cade Hohl, SS, SLUH, 2020
Right-handed hitting shortstop with a small, athletic frame. Defensively has fluid actions and footwork with an average arm across the infield. At the plate hits from a balanced, slightly open setup with a leg lift stride. Short, uphill swing path with loose hands. Handles the bat well. Starts at short and hits 9-hole for SLUH. Went 2-3 with a double and two RBIs in game. 

Matthew Bauer, RHP, SLUH, 2018
Lanky, 6-foot-3, 175-pound right-handed pitcher. On the mound has a loose arm action from an over the top arm angle. Fastball sat 80-82 mph, with two strikes he ramps it up to 85-86 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 68-70 mph.

EDWARDSVILLE VS. JOLIET CATHOLIC – 3.18.17
By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor

Andrew Yancik, RHP, Edwardsville, 2017
McKendree University commit. 6-foot-2, 170-pound right-handed pitcher, lean frame. Stretch only delivery, slightly across body, ¾ arm slot. Pitched primarily with fastball, topped at 86 mph, sat 83-84 mph throughout, slight natural cut when working to glove side, showed arm side run to arm side locations. Flashed slider sparingly at 72 mph. Worked four innings of no-hit baseball, 3K.

Dylan Burris, OF, Edwardsville, 2017
Wabash Valley JC commit. Continued to show that he is a premium leadoff type hitter. Team spark plug, takes disciplined at-bats, works counts. Barrel control spray hitter can use the whole field, always thinking two out of the box and looking to press the issue. A nuisance on the base paths, aggressive and will put pressure on the defense.

NOTRE DAME VS. OAK FOREST– 3.18.17
By Matt Huck
Area Scout

Paul Bergstrom, LHP, Notre Dame, 2018
6-foot-1, 175-pound left-handed pitcher. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a long, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate, closed landing with good balance though out. Fastball sat 80-82 mph with downhill plane. Slider is best secondary offering at 72-74 mph, thrown aggressively with sharp breaking action. Worked three innings striking out six.  

Connor Oliver, LHP, Oak Forest, 2019
6-foot-1, 190-pound left-handed pitcher with a thin, lanky frame. Long, loose arm action from an over the top slot. Tall and fall delivery with easy effort. Fastball worked 78-80 mph. Slider has more curveball shape with depth at 68-69 mph.

NILES NOTRE DAME VS NORMAL WEST - 3.18.17
By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

Jackson Kaplowitz, SS, Niles Notre Dame, 2018
6-foot-3, 180-pound shortstop continued to stand out for Niles Notre Dame. Went 2-for-3 with a walk, run scored and two RBI. Also, played a solid shortstop, including making an impressive turn on a double play ball up the middle, which ended the game. High follow uncommitted 2018 infielder.

Jake Marti, 1B, Normal West, 2018
6-foot-3, 220-pound, highly athletic, projectable frame, infielder who carries strength well. Athletic, high ceiling 2018 switch hitter (has ran a 6.76 60 in the past). Offensively, hits in the three hole for the Wildcats. Looks good in the box, composed, impressed right handed. Open setup, pre-pitch rhythm, looseness throughout and flashed bat speed. Made hard contact in his first two at-bats with two hard groundball singles that got through the infield in a hurry. High follow 2018 athlete who can handle the bat.

OAK FOREST VS NORMAL WEST - 3.18.17
By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

Josh Boger, CF, Oak Forest, 2017
Unsigned senior outfielder. Undersized left-handed hitter. Hits in the two hole for the Bengals. Crouched, open setup, minimal pre-pitch rhythm. Stays short to the ball, line-drive type, however in his first at bat, turned on a pitch and hit a solo home run over the right-field fence.

Peyton Dillingham, RF, Normal West, 2017
Heartland CC commit. 5-foot-11, 180-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder. Quite possibly had the most impressive performance of the event by a position player. Right-handed hitter went 3-for-4 in the contest with a two run home run, a grand slam and a long single which ended the game in a run rule. Finished with seven RBI and two runs scored. Both home runs were driven the opposite field. Simple approach at the plate, doesn’t try to do too much, sees the ball deep into the zone and stays short to the ball.

Jake Marti, 1B, Normal West, 2018
6-foot-3, 220-pound, highly athletic, projectable frame, infielder continued to impress in the Wildcats second game of the day, this time from the left-side of the plate. Smoked a double into the left-center field gap, was 4.55 on the turn and later scored. Added a single through the right side of the diamond in his second at bat.

PLAINFIELD SOUTH VS ST. LOUIS MARQUETTE - 3.18.17
Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

Jake Hansen, SS, St. Louis Marquette, 2019
Athletically built, left-handed hitting shortstop. Hit in the leadoff spot for the Mustangs. Presence in the box, athletic, open setup, pre-pitch rhythm and slight leg-lift timing trigger. Looks to control the barrel, stays short to the ball and has a feel for the strike zone. Defensively, fluid actions, ability to make plays on the move, maintains body control, soft hands and accurate arm. High-follow 2019 infielder.

Mason Mitchell, 1B, St. Louis Marquette, 2017
Left-handed hitting first baseman with a big body, solid lower half. Offensively, fluid rhythm throughout. Loose hands, creates easy bat speed and has feel for the barrel.

Jordan Mikel, RHP, Plainfield South, 2017
Western Illinois recruit. Long and lean, wiry, loose, live body right-handed pitcher. Threw six shutout innings picking up the win for Plainfield South. Repeats delivery, works with rhythm. Long, loose, quick arm from a ¾ slot. Steady two-pitch mix throughout. Fastball sat 84-85 mph, early and settled in at 80-83, occasional arm-side-run and thrown for strikes throughout. Threw a steady dose of curveballs throughout, clearly his go-to pitch. Good feel throughout, can throw it at any time, sharpens and tightens spin with two strikes. Ranged between  68-73 mph. Final Line - 6IP, 1H, 10K's, 3BB, 0R.

 

CHATHAM-GLENWOOD VS. JOLIET CATHOLIC – 3.17.17
By Matt Huck
Area Scout

Jacob Maton, RHP, Chatham-Glenwood, 2018
Coastal Carolina commit. Currently ranked No. 2 in the PBR Illinois class of 2018 and No. 47 in the PBR Overall ranks. 6-foot-3, 170-pound right-handed pitcher with a thin, lanky frame. Shows great poise on the mound. Works from an over the top arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery with good balance throughout. Showed plus pitchability with feel for three pitches. Fastball worked 89-91 mph in the first inning, mostly straight action on it. Slider showed swing and miss ability at 77-79 mph with sharp action and tight rotation. Showed an advanced changeup with late fading action at 79-81 mph thrown aggressively with fastball arm speed. Good command of all pitches, worked five innings allowing five hits and striking out five without allowing a run. Strong bloodlines, will receive a lot of draft interest this upcoming summer. 

Justin Conant, 2B, Joliet Catholic, 2018
5-foot-10, 160-pound right-handed hitting second baseman with a lanky, athletic frame. At the plate hits from a tall, narrow setup with a leg lift stride. Showed good body control and balance at the plate. Creates leverage in swing, loose hands. Went 1-3 with a double in game. Soft hands defensively, covers ground on the right side of the infield. 

Jared Cushing, SS, Joliet Catholic, 2019
Currently ranked No. 13 in the Illinois Class of 2019. 6-foot-3, 180-pound right-handed hitting shortstop with a lanky, projecatbale frame. Defensively showed soft hands with above average arm strength across the infield. Accurate throws with carry. Fluid actions and footwork, projects to play third at the next level. At the plate hits from a wide base with a leg lift trigger and good balance. Uphill swing path with loose hands, generates whip.

PLAINFIELD SOUTH VS. MT. ZION – 3.17.17
By Matt Huck
Area Scout

Austin Marozas, RHP, Plainfield South, 2017
Kentucky commit. Currently ranked No. 1 in the PBR Illinois class of 2017. 6-foot-7, 240-pound right-handed pitcher. Works from a low ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Drop and drive delivery with a closed landing, creating a slight cross fire angle. Drop and drive causes him to occasionally get underneath the ball, flattening out the fastball. Fastball worked 89-91 mph early on in the outing, settled in 87-89 mph. Slider sat 77-79 mph with sweeping action, snapped off one that flashed swing and miss potential.

NILES NOTRE DAME VS. HARRISBURG - 3.17.17
By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor

Max Rimac, LHP, Niles Notre Dame, 2017
Cisco JC commit. 6-foot-4, 220-pound left-handed pitcher, solid pitcher’s frame, athletic type. Loose clean arm with life, high ¾ slot. Fastball is firm, showed natural cut, touched 90 in the first, sat 87-88 mph, settled in at 85-86 mph for the remainder. Curveball thrown hard and aggressively, 75-78 mph, 1/7 plane, can back off of it for strikes and gets more aggressive for swing and misses. 3.2 IP, 0R, 3H, 9K, 0BB

Jackson Kaplowitz, SS, Niles Notre Dame, 2018
6-foot-3, 180-pound shortstop, long wiry frame, thin projectable build, loose live body. Defensively plays with loose actions, gets through the baseball, rangy actions, athletic strider. Arm plays loose and athletically, showed arm strength for the left side. Right-handed hitter, loose hands work, showed ability to get to the baseball, added strength will help. Hit leadoff, 2-for-4, 2B, 3RBI, 2R.

Dalton Lambert, RHP, Harrisburg, 2018
6-foot-3, 190-pound right-handed pitcher. Over the top arm, some length and looseness. Fastball has tilt, touched 86 mph, sat 82-85 mph, mostly straight. Curveball is 12/6, showed depth, 71-74 mph. Pitches on vertical plane with fastball/curveball combination. 3.2 IP, 3ER, 3H, 6K, 5BB.

O'FALLON VS. MOLINE - 3.17.17
By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor

Brayden Arnold, RHP, O’Fallon, 2018
5-foot-10, 190-pound right-handed pitcher, solid frame. Pitches with tempo, controls the game, composed in difficult spots, delivery is athletic and repeats. Easy, long loose arm action, high ¾ slot. Ability to command fastball with arm side run to both sides of the plate, touched 87 mph occasionally, sat 83-85 mph throughout outing. Has feel for breaking ball, 11/5 shape, slurve type action, 67-72 mph. 6IP, 0R, 4H, 5K, 2BB.

Brody Harding, SS, Moline, 2019
Illinois commit. 5-foot-10, 165-pound left-handed hitting shortstop. Leadoff hitter, athletic setup, slightly open. Confident approach, good plate discipline, easy barrel, middle of the field approach. A pair of hard hit barrels to center, finished 1-for-2 with a walk. Defensively has easy arm strength across the diamond, carries, short over the top. Hands are soft and confident, easy advanced defender with actions.

EDWARDSVILLE VS PLAINFIELD SOUTH - 3.17.17
By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

Dylan Burris, OF, Edwardsville, 2017
Wabash Valley commit. 5-foot-11, 180-pound, strong, defined left-handed hitting outfielder. Prototypical leadoff hitter with elite speed; 4.26 on a turn. Plays with energy, looking to take the extra base at all times. Offensively, bat speed, controls the barrel and works gap-to-gap. Lined a two-run double to left center off an 88 mph fastball. Also, ate up the second baseman with a line drive single in his following at-bat. Finished the day 2-for-4 with two RBI.

Drake Westcott, 1B/DH, Edwardsville, 2020
6-foot-3, 230-pound, extra-large left-handed hitter. DH’d and hit in the four hole. Has legitimate pull power at the plate. Took quality at-bats all game long. Composed, relaxed at the plate, advanced approach for a freshman; hit a solo homerun to right-center field in his last at-bat. Took a slider away in his second at-bat and lined out to the left fielder. Loose hands at the plate, easy bat speed, ball jumps off his bat and can handle velocity. Finished the day 1-for-3. High follow 2020.

Kade Burns, SS/RHP, Edwardsville, 2017
Central Missouri recruit. 5-foot-10, 170-pound SS/RHP with a solid lower half. Left-handed hitting shortstop hit in the two-hole. Athletic actions on the infield. Arm carries across the diamond. Impressed out of the bullpen. Right-handed pitcher, repeatable, simple delivery, stays on line. Easy arm, fastball sat 84-87, pounded the strike zone, life through the hitting zone, occasional tilt. Mixed in a curveball with depth, sharp spin, advanced feel, threw for strikes at will, 72-75 mph. Picked up the save and struck out four in an inning and a third.

Andrew Frank, RHP, Edwardsville, 2017
Unsigned senior. 6-foot-3, 165-pound, long and lean, projectable right-handed pitcher. Long arm action from a ¾ slot. Fastball gets hard run and sink action at times, gets a lot of ground ball action to the left side of infield, sat 83-85 mph. Curveball, slurve action, and 67-68 mph.

Konnor Ash, RHP, Plainfield South, 2017
Missouri recruit. 6-foot, 185-pound right-handed pitcher with a sturdy lower half, solid build. Quick, clean arm, loose out front, high ¾ slot. Athletic delivery and finish, works with occasional effort. Fastball was live early, sat 89-91 mph in the first, late life and finish through the zone. Settled in at  86-89 mph following the first. Slider, flashed advanced action, especially early in outing, sharp, late bite, good feel, 10/4 action, 79-82 mph. Went three innings and struck out eight.

CIVIC MEMORIAL VS BELLEVILLE EAST - 3.17.17

Brandon Hampton, LHP, Civic Memorial, 2017
Quincy University recruit. Well-proportioned left-handed pitcher. Also, hit in the leadoff spot; reached base in three of four plate appearances. Made his mark on the mound in this game. Threw a complete game and picked up the win for Civic Memorial. Slight hesitation in delivery, creates some deception. Arm works over-the-top. Filled up the strike zone throughout and kept hitters off balance with a three-pitch mix. Had success at the top of the zone with a four-seam fastball, got plenty of swing and miss throughout. Also, mixed in a curveball with short break and good feel. Changeup, used sparingly, kept down in the zone.

Ben Cruikshank, LHP, Belleville East, 2018
Missouri State recruit. Long, lean, projectable, 6-foot-4, 162-pound left-handed pitcher. High-ceiling southpaw in the 2018 class. Drop and drive delivery with some effort throughout. Arm works long, loose and quick out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball has command in the zone at times, arm-side life, flattens out at times, sat 86-88 mph early, settled in at 84-88. Confidence in his changeup, looks to be his go-to pitch, maintains fastball arm speed, late fade action, ability to throw against left-handed and right-handed hitters, sat 71-74 mph. Curveball was inconsistent; at times flashed depth, 1/7 shape, 69-73 mph. Highly projectable left-handed pitcher in the 2018 class.

BENTON VS. SALEM - 3.16.17 
By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

Brendan Boles, OF/LHP, Salem, 2017 
Uncommitted. 6-foot-4, 200-pound, athletically-built, defined, outfielder with present strength. Left-handed hitter, hit in the lead off spot. Open, balanced setup, quiet in the box. Simple approach, stays short to the ball, controls the barrel and uses the whole field. Went 2-for-4 with a hard ground ball back up the box and a line-drive single to left-field. Also, lined out to right field and reached on an error. Defensively, throws left-handed, long, loose, easy arm, throws carry. Supposedly is Salem's No. 1 on the mound but did not pitch on this day. Moves fluidly in the outfield and plays through the baseball. 

Ian McMahon, LHP, Benton, 2018
5-foot-10, 165-pound, left-handed pitcher. Composure and presence on the mound. Repeats his delivery, commands fastball, able to pitch to both sides of the plate. Fastball sat 77-80 mph. Went five innings and allowed one earned run, picking up the win for Benton. 

O'FALLON VS. CHATHAM-GLENWOOD - 3.16.17
By Matt Huck
Area Scout 

Reid Detmers, LHP, Chatham-Glenwood, 2017
Louisville commit. Currently ranked No. 41 in the PBR Overall Ranks. First start of the year for Detmers in front of over 20 MLB scouts on a frigid night. Detmers works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate. Good tempo and balance throughout. Advanced pitchability with feel for three pitches. Fastball worked 89-91 mph early in the outing, settled in at 87-89 mph. Curveball his is best secondary offering, worked 73-75 mph with 12-6 shape and sharp breaking action. Changeup has swing and miss potential with fading action at 80-81 mph. Showed dominating stuff striking out 11 in four innings of work. Stock continues to trend upwards this spring.

Hayden Juenger, RHP, O’Fallon, 2018
6-foot, 160-pound right-handed pitcher with a lanky, athletic frame. Works from a ¾ arm angle with a loose, quick arm action. Athletic delivery with good tempo and balance. Three pitch feel, pounds the bottom of the zone consistently. Fastball worked 86-88 mph topping out at 90 mph early on in the outing. Curveball has 11-5 shape with some depth at 71-72 mph. Changeup sat 75-77 mph. Showed good mound presence during highly anticipated start against Reid Detmers with numerous scouts in attendance.

MT. VERNON VS. CIVIC MEMORIAL - 3.16.17
By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor

Geoff Withers, RHP, Civic Memorial, 2018
6-foot-5, 210-pound right-handed pitcher, big body extra-large frame. Good presence on the mound, pitches with moxy, controls the game with uptempo pace. Works slightly across his body, loose high ¾ slot. Fastball touched 83 mph early, sat 80-82 mph for most his outing, showed feel for the zone and ability to get ahead. Slider had 10/4 shape, good action, ability to drop for strikes as well as expand the zone, 68-72 mph. Showed changeup at 76 mph, arm side sink.

Walker Brockhouse, RHP, Mt. Vernon, 2017
Unsigned senior, 6-foot-4, 180-pound right-handed pitcher. Tall and fall delivery, two-piece arm action, separates down with cup action, high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 81-83 mph, touched 85 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 71 mph. Showed sinking changeup, works well to arm side, showcased mostly to left-handed hitters, 74 mph.

BELLEVILLE EAST VS. COLUMBIA – 3.16.17
By Matt Huck
Area Scout

Luke Watson, RHP, Columbia, 2018
6-foot, 165-pound right-handed pitcher with a lanky frame. Got the start for Columbia against Bellville East. Works from an over the top arm angle  with a long arm action. Full, over head delivery with a slightly closed landing and smooth rhythm. Fastball sat 82-84 topping out at 85, flashed ability to get downhill tilt on fastball. Changeup has fading action at 77-78 mph, deceptive, thrown with fastball arm speed. Only saw one curveball, more of a show me offering present, at 63 mph with loose rotation.

Mitch Daniels, SS, Columbia, 2018
5-foot-11, 180-pound, right-handed hitting shortstop with a strong, athletic frame. Defensively has fluid actions and quick footwork, showed ability to go into the hole and make a play. Good body control and ability to play on the run. Arm is above average, accurate throws across the diamond with carry. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short swing path. 

Evan Lawrence, 3B, Belleville East, 2017
McKendree commit. Plus frame at 6-foot-5, 210-pounds. At the plate hits form a tall, balanced setup. Good leverage through contact with a level swing path. Had an RBI double in game. Defensively showed good body control, with a strong arm across the infield.

ALTON VS. CARBONDALE - 3.16.17
By Illinois Scouting Staff 

Steven Pattan, C, Alton, 2017
SIU-Edwardsville commit. Right-handed hitting catcher with an athletic, durable frame. Defensive minded catcher. Advanced receiver, soft hands, flexible behind the plate, presents low target. Stays quiet and receptive behind the plate, sticks pitches in the zone, agile blocker. Arm works short and over-the-top, throws carry, stayed true at times. Offensively, balanced, slightly closed setup, simple, short stroke, looks to control the barrel.

Robby Taul, SS, Alton, 2019
Lean, wiry framed shortstop. Actiony defender, soft hands, plays well on the move, maintains body control and has ease to his game. Arm is loose, accurate and above-average for the left-side of the diamond. Offensively, hit in the four hole. Balanced, slightly open setup, loose, whippy hands in swing. Hit a line-drive RBI single off the third baseman's glove. High follow shortstop in the 2019 class.

Charlie Erler, RHP, Alton, 2018
6-foot, 160-pound, athletically built, right-handed pitcher. Projectable arm action, works long and loose out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball works straight, thrown for strikes, sat 80-83 mph. Flashed two different breaking balls. Curveball worked 10/4, depth to it, 67-68 mph. Mixed in a slider/cutter, tighter 10/4 action, short break, 73-75 mph. Went three innings, no hits, 4 strikeouts and no walks.

Skyler Peterman, OF, Carbondale, 2017
Lanky, athletic frame, right-handed hitting centerfielder. Defensively took good routes in the outfield, made nice play on ball hit over his head. Arm is slightly above average, accurate throws with carry. At the plate hits from a tall, slightly open setup. Aggressive approach, pull side tendencies. Roped a double down the left field line in game.