By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

The 15th Annual Super 60 Pro Showcase proved once again that Illinois is the most fertile Midwest state in producing high-level prospects, year in and year out. While some area scouts were bemoaning about how the 2017 class is a down year for Illinois, the performances of the 13 prospects at The Max on Feb. 5 would indicate the contrary.

The calling card for Illinois’ 2017 class is pitching. Depending on one’s sweet tooth, one of five pitchers could likely be the No. 1 prospect in the class. And there are a handful of arms that trail closely behind.

On a whole, Illinois prospects showed extremely well, which included several breakout performances (RHP Marius Balandis and IF Donivan Williams), arguably the top left-hander at the entire event (Reid Detmers, followed closely by Jimmy Burnette), big right-handers pumping velo (Glenn Albanese, Austin Marozas and Bobby Miller), loud tools (Brad Czerniejewski), and much more.

A look at the Illinois prospects at the Super 60:

Glenn Albanese, RHP, Batavia HS, IL
Louisville recruit. 6-foot-6, 225-pound right-handed pitcher, athletic build, big presence on the mound with lots of room for continued physical development. Albanese has clearly been doing some work in the off-season, as he showed vastly improved secondary stuff along with getting more lower half involvement. The end result was an extremely impressive bullpen at the Super 60. For his size, Albanese’s arm is quick, loose and athletic out of a high-¾ window. Relaxed demeanor on the mound, good tempo and pace, repeats drop-and-drive delivery. Fastball sat 90-91, topping at 92; two-seamer had late arm-side finish. Changeup flashed plus potential. Throws pitch aggressively, fastball arm speed, late sinking action at 81-84 down in the zone. Curveball had 12/6 action with some depth, around the zone with it. Overall, it looks like Albanese is just beginning to scratch the surface of his immense potential.

Konnor Ash, RHP, Plainfield South HS, IL
Missouri recruit. 6-foot, 185-pound right-handed pitcher. Fastball sat 88-89 mph, topping at 90. Showed excellent feel for changeup; threw pitch with conviction and for strikes, 81-83 mph, with late sinking action. Showcased a curveball (76-77) and slider (76-79), both similar in shape and velocity.

 

 

Marius Balandis, RHP, St. Laurence HS, IL
Currently uncommitted. 6-foot-2, 191-pound right-handed pitcher, athletic frame with room for continued physical development. Known as the Lithuanian Lightning, Balandis moved to Chicago around a year ago, and therefore is unknown among the national scouting community. Popping a 94 with a few 93s and bunch of 92s will certainly help elevate his name. Balandis, who pitched for the Lithuanian national team, features an electric quick arm from a high-3/4 slot, longer uninterrupted arm action with inconsistent release point. Throws changeup aggressively, 81-82 mph, around the zone with slight sink. Curveball flashed erratic shape, 71-73 mph, early break at times. With a more refined delivery, he could continue to see gains while sharpening his secondary stuff. But his performance at the Super 60, at the barest minimum, made Balandis a highly interesting draft prospect.

Jimmy Burnette, LHP, St. Laurence HS, IL
Illinois recruit. 6-foot-2, 185-pound left-handed pitcher, athletic frame with proportional strength. Two-way player who is quickly emerging as one of the premier left-handed pitching prospects in the Midwest. Only further solidified his status with his performance. Highly athletic arm action, clean, loose and quick from a high-¾ slot. Velocity has continued to climb over the last year; sat 88-90, topping at 91 at the Super 60. Fastball flashes occasional arm-side run, mostly flat, inconsistent release point. Advanced feel for changeup, 82-84, works the lower half of the zone with fade to the arm side. Curveball flashes sharpness at times, 73-74 mph, erratic around the zone. A left-handed hitting outfielder (and football player), Burnette has only begun pitching a few years ago. With more refinement and experience, he may achieve his high-ceiling potential.

Brad Czerniejewski, OF, Lake Forest HS, IL
Texas Christian recruit. 6-foot-2, 200-pound quick-twitch athlete with proportional strength. Showcased explosive tools throughout the Super 60. Ran the second-fastest 60 time at the event, 6.54 laser-timed. Also registered event-best 106-mph exit velocity and was clocked at 89 mph from the outfield. Right-handed hitter features plus bat speed in high-effort swing, severe uphill path; choppiness in stride/load caused for erratic rounds of BP but flashed pull-side juice.

 

Reid Detmers, LHP, Glenwood HS, IL
Louisville recruit. 6-foot-2, 200-pound left-handed pitcher, well-proportioned frame and strength; looks noticeably stronger since last look. Further solidified his status as one of the premier left-handed pitching prospects in the Midwest, if not the country, after his near spotless bullpen at the Super 60. Showcased advanced three-pitch arsenal, strike-pumper with all three, true starter profile at the next level. Compact, low-effort delivery, repeats well, maintains rhythm and balance throughout. Works from a high-3/4 slot, long draw out of the glove, hides well, short release out of a small window. Fastball sat 89-90 with significant arm-side run. Curveball is a plus offering, tight spin, late break, excellent depth, throws it with confidence at 73-75. Also demonstrated advanced feel for changeup, showing arm-side run and occasional sink at 77-78 mph. Throws all three pitches out of the same window with similar arm speeds. Overall, Detmers was the most impressive left-handed pitching prospect at the Super 60.

Mark DiLuia, RHP, Marian Catholic HS, IL
Maryland recruit. 6-foot-3, 190-pound right-handed pitcher, long, lean, athletic build with plenty of room for continued physical development. Delivery is clean, athletic and repeatable; shows excellent rhythm and tempo throughout; delivers all three pitches out of the same window. Arm works free and easily, loose, quick arm action, minimal effort, high-¾ slot. Fastball ranged between 86-88 with slight run to the arm side; more velocity likely to come as he continues to physically develop. Shows advanced feel for changeup; throws pitch with fastball arm action, 79-80 mph, with arm-side sink. Slider ranged between 76-77 mph, more lateral action with some depth.

Thomas Farrell, OF/1B, St. Laurence HS, IL
Illinois-Chicago recruit. Athletically built 6-foot-3, 186-pound left-handed hitter. Showed improved strength and athleticism. Ran a 6.79 laser-timed 60. Versatile defender at first base and outfield. Highly athletic hands and feet at first base. Was clocked at 85 mph across the infield and 83 from the outfield. Also registered 90 mph exit velocity.

 

Austin Marozas, RHP, Plainfield South HS, IL
Kentucky recruit. 6-foot-7, 240-pound right-handed pitcher, extra-large frame, wide shoulders, powerful lower half, overall hulking specimen on the mound. Showed increased velocity at the Super 60, topping at 93 mph while sitting 91-92. Works across his body from 3/4 slot, open-toe landing, moderate effort for premium velocity. Fastball has heavy feel to the arm side with run and sink. Changeup has shown improvement, 83-85 mph with arm-side sink. Slider ranged between 78-79 mph, tendency to get underneath, more lateral in action. Also threw a curveball at 77-78.

Bobby Miller, RHP, McHenry West HS, IL
Louisville recruit. 6-foot-5, 190-pound right-handed pitcher, long, athletic build, high level of projection in frame. Athletic, extremely quick arm, long uninterrupted arm path. Simple, controlled drop and drive delivery, explosive hand acceleration at foot strike. Fastball sat 91-92 with arm-side life; likely significantly more in the tank. Changeup flashed arm-side sink, ranging between 79-82 mph. Breaking ball had inconsistent shape, more slurve action at 75-76, but threw one at 79 with sharper bite. With his frame, athleticism and arm speed, Miller looks to have one of the highest ceilings in the Midwest.

Zion Pettigrew, IF, Mount Carmel HS, IL
Iowa recruit. 6-foot, 175-pound infielder, rangy-athletic frame, continues to develop physically. Athletic arm and hands, plus arm strength, clocked at 91 mph across the infield, second-best at the Super 60. Fluid actions, fields with rhythm and pace, soft hands, average range. Offensively, loose, easy hands, generates bat speed and barrel whip through the zone. Inconsistent path at times, gets off his backside extremely well. Registered 91 mph exit velocity with wood and ran a 7.08 laser-timed 60.

 

Bobby Seymour, 1B, Mount Carmel HS, IL
Wake Forest recruit. 6-foot-4, 240-pound left-handed hitting first baseman, wide frame, developed shoulders and lower half. Flashed pull-side power at the Super 60. Quiet, simple approach, minimal moving parts, strength in hands, rotational approach, natural lift in swing. Recorded 92 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.40 60 and was clocked at 73 mph across the infield from first base.

 

Donivan Williams, 3B, Richards HS, IL
Illinois State recruit. 6-foot, 193-pound frame, athletic build with room for continued physical development. Turned in arguably the most impressive infield performance at the Super 60. Listed as a third baseman, but has the athleticism, natural instincts, actions and hands to play anywhere on the infield. Moves with fluidity and rhythm, advanced hands and overall glovework, highly athletic arm, showcasing the ability to throw from multiple angles on the move with accuracy and authority. Was clocked at 90 mph across the infield without much effort. Plays exceptionally on the move, quick glove-to-hand transfer, overall head-turning defensive performance. Offensively, right-handed hitter, clearly has been working on his swing since last look. Hits from a slightly open setup, rhythm in stride/load, generates bat speed through the zone, showed ability to work the middle of the field, inconsistent path at times. Registered 91 mph exit velocity. Also ran a 6.99 60 (NOTE: He clearly ran faster the first 60 attempt, but the laser timer malfunctioned).

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