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Illinois Mailbag: Top Questions of the Week

February 16, 2014

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director - Illinois/Wisconsin

The Mailbag is a feature which allows readers to ask our scouting directors any questions they wish about high school baseball in their state. Whether it's about possible state title contenders, top prospects, recruiting, etc. your questions will get put into our "Mailbag" via the ask.fm app and our scouts will answer your questions through Twitter (@PBRIllinois) and Facebook.

This week's top questions feature more team outlooks for the spring.

To submit a question about Illinois high school baseball to the PBR scouting staff simply follow the link HERE. Also if you have a burning question about the national landscape of high school baseball or draft specific questions you can send them to National Supervisor Nathan Rode HERE.

Top Questions of the Week

Can Champaign Central make a run this year? How do you think they will rank in the preseason ranks?

Champaign Central should be significantly improved this year, as they have a handful of extremely talented underclassman and an ace on the mound. Central should factor in the Big 12 Conference race, no doubt.

Ever think that Central Illinois is underrated?

I wouldn't necessarily say "under-rated." Because there are always several high-level prospects and good teams every year. What I would say is there are typically fewer high-level players as the greater Chicagoland area (for obvious population reasons, etc.) and fewer top-level teams, so therefore receives less attention. It also seems that Central Illinois' talent runs in cycles. For example, the 2015 class is especially strong in Central Illinois - significantly stronger than in past years.

Any solid players from Grant, Lakes, or Vernon Hills that you know of? If any?

Yes. Grant has been churning out prospects all the time these days. Last year it was Jake Ring. This year Grant features C Simeon Lucas and OF Ryan Noda - both high-level prospects.

Do you have any idea when will the IHSA regionals be announced?

I don't know specifically when, but IHSA typically announces it earlier in the season.

What colleges recruit during the high school season for unsigned seniors?

Any college that is looking for an unsigned prospect.

Are there any good teams coming out of the Jackie Robinson South division in CPS?

Simeon and Morgan Park are always solid. Should be another good race this season.

Any specific players you're looking forward to seeing at the Pre-Season All state showcase?

Not to seem coy, but all of them. I am truly looking forward to seeing all players. The event is loaded.

If you know you didn't do your best at a showcase, would you recommend signing up for another one soon? Do you think it matters how many showcases you attend? How does it look to recruiters?

Often times players don't show their best at their first event they attend. Whether they were nervous or didn't know what to expect, something prevents them from performing to their highest abilities. Over the course of 10 years, I've seen dramatic improvements from one event to the next in a short period of time simply because they were more relaxed. However, if you think you haven't made a jump or improved in any one area, I'd say it would be a waste to attend another event until you have.

Do you know of any good schools up north in the lake county area that get scouts attention?

I'm not sure what your definition of "North" is, but certainly, yes. Libertyville, Carmel, Mundelein, Stevenson, New Trier, Glenbrook South, Grant ... the list goes on and on. In short, yes, there are plenty of Northern teams that are very, very good.

Is the Lyons Township baseball team a threat to make another state title run this year? Experience from Cybulski/Heilenbach duo could be the key to their success. Do you agree?

I would never count out Lyons any season. However, this year may not be the Lions' deepest teams in recent years. They certainly have talent, but I'd say Oak Park is probably the preseason favorite in the West Suburban Silver.

How do you think Brother Rice will do? They have almost all of the returning starters and the addition of Mike Massey. Also 8 of the seniors are committed to play college baseball.

Brother Rice should be very tough ... and they will need to be in the Chicago Catholic Blue. I know they have a lot of very talented core of young players. I didn't know they had 8 committed seniors already too. That's good stuff.

How did the Sandburg pitchers show at the Super 60?

Both Bryan Pall and Sean Leland looked very good. Pall was 88-90 with his fastball. His slider was 85-86 mph (not a typo), to go along with 80-81 change and 75-76 curve. ... Leland was 87-89 with 78-80 slider and 78-80 change. ... Should make for an excellent duo this spring.

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