Prep Baseball Report

Top 10 two-way players in Illinois' 2011 class



By Sean Duncan

The Class of 2011 features its share of top-level two-way prospects, players who dominate on the mound and in the field. A look at the top 10 two-way players in Illinois? 2011 class, led by Rock Falls? Jake Junis.

1.)  Jake Junis, Rock Falls HS, RHP/SS
A four-year varsity standout, Junis was the starting shortstop as a freshman on the Rockets? Class 3A state runner-up squad. As a freshman, he batted .421 with 37 RBI and he hasn?t stopped hitting since. As a sophomore, he batted .456 with 6 homers, and last spring he hit .485 with 41 RBI. As good of a hitter as he is, Junis likely will be a pitcher at the next level, thanks to an 88-92 mph fastball. Committed to North Carolina State.

2.)  Kyle Wood, St. Laurence HS, OF/LHP
Wood?s junior campaign not only earned him Prep Baseball Report first-team All-State honors, but he ascended St. Laurence toward the top of the Illinois high school baseball world for much of the spring season.  Offensively, the left-handed hitting Wood had few peers last season: he batted .538 with 14 homers, 13 doubles, 41 runs and 56 RBI ? and did it against the toughest competition in the state. Hard to believe, but he was equally as valuable on the mound. Using an 85-88 mph fastball and a tight curve, Wood finished with a 7-2 record and a 1.72 ERA for the 29-7 Vikings. In 53 innings, he surrendered 31 hits and struck out 73. Committed to Purdue University

3.) Joe Filomeno, St. Rita HS, LHP/1B
With a fastball that regularly sits 88-91 mph, Filomeno is widely recognized as one of the top power-arm left-handers in this loaded 2011 class. Yet it was his power right-handed bat that earned him Prep Baseball Report first-team All-State honors as a junior first baseman. A four-year varsity contributor, Filomeno blasted 14 home runs, 12 doubles, 63 RBI and batted .459 as he helped the Mustangs to a Class 4A runner-up finish. But make no mistake, Filomeno is a primary pitcher. Extremely strong and physical, he posted a 7-2 record with a 4.92 ERA while striking out 68 in 56.1 innings as a junior. Committed to Louisville.

4.) Jeff Boehm, Mount Carmel HS, 1B/OF/LHP
The left-handed hitting Boehm has been earmarked as an offensive prodigy since his freshman year, when he spun on a Tony Zych 91-mph fastball for a home run and finished as one of the Caravan?s top varsity producers. Boehm hasn?t stopped hitting since. As a junior, he finished with an astounding 19 doubles, 9 home runs and 33 RBI. As impressive of an offensive force as he is, Boehm?s future very well may be on the mound. The left-hander features an 88-92 mph two-seamer that has so much arm-side run that it makes him extremely difficult to catch. Committed to Kentucky.

5.) Joe Perricone, Hersey HS, RHP/OF
Since his sophomore year, the athletic 6-foot-2, 185-pound Perricone was ranked as an outfield prospect. But over the summer, Perricone?s fastball saw a significant velocity spike, climbing to 92 mph and regularly sitting in the upper-80s. With his loose arm action, athletic frame and considerable upside, Perricone should be on the short list of many pro scouts this spring. Committed to Coastal Carolina.

6.)  Mason Snyder, Ottawa Marquette HS, SS/RHP
Snyder has been the highest-profile middle infielder in the state since early in his sophomore year, and he has done nothing but bolster his status since. The 5-foot-11, 165-pounder has all the tools to be a top-level shortstop: good speed, strong arm, quick hands and, above all, he can flat-out hit. In two varsity seasons, Snyder has a career .456 BA to go along with 27 doubles, 8 HRs, 7 triples, 74 RBI and 69 runs. As a junior, Snyder batted .474 with 17 doubles, 6 homers, 50 RBI, 47 runs and 14 stolen bases. On the mound, Snyder features a loose arm and a mid-80s fastball. Committed to Louisville.

7.)  Denton Reed, Galatia HS, C/RHP/OF
Reed very well may be the most versatile player in the class, as he could be a Division I prospect as a pitcher, catcher and outfielder (he?s also solid in the infield). Wherever the switch-hitting Reed plays, his arm will certainly be a factor. Behind the plate, he has athletic feet and has consistently shown 1.9-2.0 pop times. From the outfield, he was clocked at 89 mph at the PBR Southern Illinois Top Prospect event. On the mound, he can command three pitches for strikes, including an 84-87 mph fastball and a hard-biting breaking ball.  Committed to Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.

8.)  Sam Coonrod, Carrollton HS, RHP/OF
As a sophomore, Coonrod made his imprint as a standout outfielder, earning all-area honors after batting .427 with 4 homers, 13 doubles and 30 runs scored. As a junior, though, the long, loose and athletic 6-foot-3, 175-pound right-hander emerged as one of the state?s most projectable prospects. Behind an 87-90 mph fastball, Coonrod posted an 8-1 record with a 1.10 ERA. Committed to Southern Illinois University.

9.) Dontrell Rush, Harlan HS, OF/RHP
Rush is the epitome of a quick-twitch athlete. Everything he does is fast. He possesses a lightning-quick arm on the mound, where his fastball?s velocity has climbed as high as 92 mph. His arm strength also plays in the outfield, along with his 6.7 60 speed and overall athleticism. Offensively, Rush is somewhat raw, but he very well may have the best bat speed in the class. Rush has the potential to be a standout on the mound or as a position player. Committed to John A. Logan JC.

10.)  Charlie Tilson, New Trier HS, OF/LHP
As the No. 2-ranked player in the state and the best overall athlete, Tilson is projected to be a top-round draft pick come June. At the Area Code Games in August, the 6-foot, 175-pound Tilson scored the fourth-highest SPARQ test against all the top players in the country, and ran a 6.56 60. While his incredible athleticism has ascended his name toward the top of draft-eligible outfielder lists, Tilson?s quick left-handed bat is something special as well. If Tilson wasn?t such a highly regarded outfielder, he certainly would garner a lot of attention on the mound. Athletic left-handers with mid-80s fastballs usually are in high demand, after all. Committed to the University of Illinois.

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