Prep Baseball Report

Updated Class of 2011 Player Rankings



""Is the Class of 2011 one of the best classes of all time? Might sound ridiculous, but this group of seniors is remarkably deep, not to mention it features dozens of high-level national prospects.  According to Baseball America and other national draft sources, the Class of 2011 may produce two first-round draft picks in Downers Grove South?s Nick Burdi and New Trier?s Charlie Tilson. Burdi, a 6-foot-5, 210-pound right-hander, saw his national draft stock soar over the fall when his fastball climbed as high as 97 mph to go along with an 87-90 mph slider. Tilson, a supremely athletic left-handed hitting outfielder, ascended the ranks at the Area Code Games in August, when he established himself as one of the premier high school outfielders in the country.

Oak Forest outfielder Tim Barry is unquestionably one of the best hitters the state has ever produced. If Barry even has a marginal offensive year, he will become the state?s all-time leader in home runs and RBI. Breese Central?s Bryant Holtmann is another high-draft possibility. Not going out on a limb here, but a 6-foot-5 left-hander with an 88-92 mph fastball usually will attract more than a handful of cross-checkers.

Teutopolis? Derek Thompson, St. Charles East?s Wes Benjamin, St. Rita?s Joey Filomeno and Mount Carmel?s Jeff Boehm are all left-handers who have shown 90-plus fastballs, and Murphysboro?s Dylan Craig isn?t too far behind.

From the right side, Ottawa Marquette Joe Ceja, Hersey?s Joe Perricone and Rock Falls? Jake Junis are also high-draft considerations. With that said, it wouldn?t be a reach to say that the 2011 class may produce at least four players drafted in the top five rounds, including two potential first-rounders.

We rank the top 150 prospects in the state ? a difficult process considering all the talented players in Illinois.

Click HERE to view the Class of 2011 updated rankings.