By Sean Duncan

Judson University landed a major coup when it received a commitment from the No. 12-ranked player in the Illinois, LHP/RHP Ryan Perez from Westminster Christian HS – marking the first time a top 20 player has picked an NAIA school in recent memory.

The 6-foot, 180-pound Perez is the rarest of talents: a pitcher who can throw equally well with either arm. From the right side, Perez has been up to 91 mph. From the left side, Perez’s fastball sits in the upper-80s to go along with a more advanced curveball.

Perez’s older brother, Aaron, is the pitching coach at Judson, which is located in Elgin, IL. Perez has been a top-ranked prospect since his freshman year, when he appeared at a PBR Underclassmen Showcase throwing in the low-80s from both sides with similar arm action. Since then, he earned third-team All-State honors as a junior after he racked up 143 Ks to 23 walks in 66 innings while posting a 9-1 record with three saves. As a sophomore, he helped lead Westminster Christian to the Class 1A title by going 10-0 with a 0.57 ERA.

Last summer, Perez earned an invite to the Area Code Games in California. Click Here to watch Perez’s video as a freshman.

Judson also received a commitment from LHP/OF Bryan Engelsen, a three-year standout at Rockford Boylan HS.

In other recruiting news, Sam Santa Maria, a 3B/OF from Benet Academy HS, has committed to Illinois Wesleyan University. Santa Maria has been a middle-of-the-lineup hitter for Benet since his sophomore year.

Send all Illinois recruiting information to [email protected]