By Sean Duncan

Downers Grove South Nick Burdi (right) shines at the Under Armour All-America Game at Wrigley Field, New Trier OF Charlie Tilson earns All-Area Code Games honors, and college commitments …

About 90 minutes prior to the start of the Under Armour All-America Baseball Game on Saturday, Downers Grove South right-hander Nick Burdi admitted he was “a little nervous.” Despite pitching in most of the prestigious summer events reserved for the top players in the country, it was easy to understand why the 6-foot-4 Burdi had the jitters.

As the only Illinois representative in the pantheon of prep stars, Burdi was the starting pitcher for the National Team, at Wrigley Field, facing the best high school hitters in the country, in a game that was being televised on the MLB Network.

If Burdi was nervous, he certainly didn’t show it on the mound. In his one inning, Burdi struck out all three batters he faced behind a 91-93 mph fastball, topping at 94, with heavy sink, and a low-80s slider. Of all the impressive pitchers at the Under Armour All-America Game, Burdi’s performance was arguably the most dominant. Burdi earned the most valuable player honors for the National Team, which lost to the American Team.

Burdi, who’s the Prep Baseball Report’s No. 1-ranked player in the Class of 2011, was coming off a strong performance at the Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif., as well.  …

Speaking of the Area Code Games, New Trier outfielder Charlie Tilson watched his draft stock soar after he put on a show in Long Beach. The left-handed hitting Tilson, who’s the No. 2-ranked prospect in the state, earned All-Area Code Games Team honors after he led the tournament with seven stolen bases, scored four runs, hit the event’s only home run while batting .375. Tilson, who is committed to the University of Illinois, was one of the event’s best all-around athletes, scoring in the top four in the SPARQ testing, and running a 6.5 60. The White Sox team won the Area Code Games. …

In some recent commitments that was previously announced on the PBR Twitter wire, Wheaton North 1B/OF Jeff Schalk has committed to the University of Alabama-Birmingham. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Schalk is one of the best left-handed hitters in the Class of 2011. …

Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville landed one of the state’s most versatile prospects when it received a commitment from Galatia’s Denton Reed. A switch-hitter, Reed sparkled at the Prep Baseball Report’s Southern Illinois Top Prospect Showcase at John A. Logan JC, where he displayed 1.95-2.0 pop times behind the plate, arm strength from the outfield (89 mph) and an impressive three-pitch repertoire on the mound, including a mid-80s fastball with arm-side run. …

Drew Kornak, a 6-foot-5 Class of 2010 RHP from Hinsdale Central HS, has committed to Oakton Community College.

Email Sean Duncan at [email protected] with all newsworthy items.

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