Prep Baseball Report

Become a Member

More +

Illinois Recruiting Roundup: In Depth Scouting Notes on Recent Illinois Commitments

January 9, 2015

By Ryan Quigley
Illinois Scouting Director

Every Friday National Scouting Supervisor Nathan Rode provides a roundup of recruiting information and commitments throughout the PBR 22-state coverage area: The Buzz. Click Here to take a look at this week’s National Buzz. With that in mind, let’s take an in depth look at the Illinois prospects who have committed to colleges, with detailed scouting information.

Garrett ActonGarret Acton, RHP, Lemont, 2016 - St. Louis
6-foot, 195-pound RHP ranked No. 27 in Illinois impressed this spring for Lemont during their class 3A state title run. Acton sat 84-87 mph this spring, and 87-88 mph this summer at the Future Games. His breaking ball took a step back in the fall after tinkering between a curveball/slider. This weekend Acton sat 88-89 mph with his fastball touching 90 mph, while also displaying a better 71-74 mph slider than what was shown in the fall. Acton has always been aggressive throwing consistent strikes with his fastball, developing a consistent breaking pitch to add to his 74-76 mph changeup will increase his prospect status.

 

Jacob GilmoreJacob Gilmore, LHP, Bloomington Central Catholic, 2016 - Illinois State
6-foot-3, 185-pound left-handed pitcher with projectable frame impressed as one of the top pitching prospects at the Central Illinois Open, currently ranked No.40 in Illinois’ 2016 class, No. 304 overall. Works from a long, loose, high ¾ arm slot, simple delivery, picks leg straight up to balance point, arches back slightly at balance point, stride direction stays in line with home plate, lands slightly closed at foot strike. Fastball sat 82-84 mph with sink, thrown for strikes consistently. 65-68 mph curveball flashed 12/6 shape with occasional late bit, other times pulled off the pitch a bit making shape erratic. Showed plus feel of a 75-76 mph changeup with fade to his arm side thrown consistently for strikes.  Gilmore has gained nearly 10 mph on his fastball since we saw him in February of 2013, and he still projects to throw harder. He will be a prospect to watch closely over the next two years in the class of 2016.

 

Ben ChapmanBen Chapman, MIF/RHP, Hinsdale Cenral, 2015 - Case Western Reserve
6-foot, 150-pound two-way player, thin build, average frame, some projection, currently ranked No. 239 in Illinois' 2015 class.. Defensively uses a short arm action across the diamond, high ¾ sot, 82 mph, arm plays athletically. Feet play through the baseball quick clean transfer, hands play well. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride. Works the middle of the field, level path, 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. On the mound delivery is compact, tall and fall with little effort, high ¾ arm slot. Fastball flashed sink with standard feel of the zone from 80-83 mph. Slider has short action, occasionally looked more like a cutter, 72-74 mph. Changeup has arm side action, showed feel, 71-74 mph. Ran a 7.33 60.

Nick VertaNick Verta, MIF, St. Laurence, 2015 - Prairie State
5-foot-10, 175-pound middle infielder. Offensively hits from a slightly open stance, balanced setup, short stride, lower half works. Line drive approach, 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively uses a short arm action from a high ¾ slot, showed accuracy across the diamond (80 mph). Plays through the baseball, showed body control and clean exchanges. Has also showed 79-82 mph fastball velocity on the mound with feel for three pitches.

 

Noah PetersonNoah Peterson, C, Morton, 2015 -  Illinois Central College


 


 

Recent Headlines

1.11.15 IL/WI USS Slide