By Ryan Quigley
Illinois Scouting Director

Over the next few weeks in addition to highlighting the Top 10 Player Profiles of 2014, we will also highlight the Top Ten Stories in Illinois High School Baseball during the 2014 calendar year.

Coming in at No. 8 is a new trend in high school baseball that has touched Illinois recently. Standout 2016 Illinois prospects shortstop Nick Derr (Florida State commit) and right-handed pitcher Anthony Holubecki (Notre Dame commit) both transferred from their respective high schools to IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL.

Other Midwest prospects have also followed suit including Michigan left-hander Dion Henderson, who committed to Kentucky before his sophomore high school season.

IMG Academy’s baseball program is currently run former Miami of Ohio Head Coach Dan Simonds, and also features former Cincinnati Reds third baseman Chris Sabo as a head coach.

Holubecki is currently ranked No. 34 overall in PBR’s coverage area, Derr No. 46 overall. Let’s take a look at both player’s most recent PBR scouting reports.

Anthony Holubecki Scouting Report

Commited to Notre Dame. Transferred from Kaneland HS to IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL. Long lanky frame at 6-foot-4, 190-pounds, lean build, highly projectable, can add plenty of weight. Delivery works strictly from the stretch, toe lift to balance position, hands separate slightly outside knee. Short back side arm action, hand works through window close to head, erratic release point at times, can gain extension. Arm is extremely live, fastball has life through the zone, pitched mostly at 87-89, touching 90-91 throughout second and third innings, occasionally cuts fastball, fastball command can improve. Secondary offerings have not developed to the level of his fastball yet. Curveball lacked feel, soft action at 64-69 mph, left up in the zone, tends to get underneath secondary stuff as well as decelerating arm action. Holubecki has clearly one of the top arms in the 2016 class, his arm is quick producing a live fastball. Developing his secondary stuff and harnessing his command could make him nearly unhittable at the high school level.

Nick Derr Scouting Report

Verbally committed to Florida State. Highest-level athlete with high-level tool set. Transferred from Geneva HS to IMG Academy. Set Illinois Underclass Invitational five-year record by running a 6.62 60. Physically advanced 6-foot, 180-pound frame, runs with power and grace. Extremely advanced offensive player; offensive prowess mature well beyond years. Explosive bat speed yet maintains excellent balance throughout. Advanced rhythm and timing in box, quiet mechanics, superior barrel whip through zone, ball jumps off bat with backspin carry, displays pull side power potential; recorded 92 mph exit velocity. Defensively, clocked at 82 mph across infield, ball carries; moves well laterally, longer arm action. With speed and athleticism, may develop into centerfielder at next levels. Three-sport standout athlete – football (quarterback) and basketball – scary to think where Derr will be when he focuses on one sport at next level.

Here’s a look at Derr’s transfer, which appeared in June 6^th’s The Buzz column:

The draft is rightfully stealing most of the headlines right now, but we do have one item for you that is pretty significant. SS Nick Derr (Geneva HS, IL), who verbally committed to Florida State as a freshman, is moving to warmer weather. In an e-mail to Prep Baseball Report Executive Director Sean Duncan, Derr said his family is moving to Florida so he can attend IMG Academy to “train physically and mentally throughout the year” and work toward his goals in baseball. He is also giving up football in the process.

“I want to work hard to be one of the top 30 players in the 2016 (draft) class,” Derr said in the e-mail.

Complete List of Top Ten News Stories of 2014

No. 10 – South Elgin’s Improbable Third-Place Run

No. 9 - St. Rita's 26 Game Winning Streak

No. 8 – Illinois 2016 Prospects Transfer to IMG Academy in Florida