Illinois Class of 2024 Rankings: Newcomers
December 2, 2022
With the year winding down, it’s time that we update our individual state rankings for one final time in 2022.
Earlier this week we updated the state's overall board and highlighted the top-10, including a few more standout names towards the top. To find that official release, click HERE.
You'll find the complete updated 2024 rankings by clicking HERE.
Newcomers
+ There’s a lot to like about RHP Ethan Dorchies (Cary-Grove, 2024; Illinois-Chicago). Standing 6-foot-4, 180-pounds, the long-levered Illinois-Chicago commit likely isn’t done filling out and could see substantial jumps to his game with added strength in the future. He has a fluid delivery with a loose, live arm and ran his fastball into the mid-to-upper 80’s this fall. Dorchies is young for his class and is far from a finished product on the mound. He is the top newcomer in this update, coming in at No. 71 on the big board.
+ Another Illinois-Chicago commit to jump into the rankings for the first time was OF Dominic Catalano (Montini Catholic, 2024; Illinois-Chicago). Catalano is a left-handed hitter who runs a sub-7.0 while featuring above-average bat speed, hand speed and rotational acceleration at the plate. Catalano stays simple and short to the ball while flashing pull-side power, his furthest ball coming off the bat at 348’ at the Illinois State Games.
(Dominic Catalano)
+ Two upside right-handers that are making their debut in the rankings are twin brothers David Barker (O’Fallon) and Michael Barker (O’Fallon), both now ranked in the top-90 in the class.
+ David, who stands at a projectable 6-foot-3, 164-pounds, came away a clear winner from this past fall’s Battle For the Arch. He has a loose and deceptive delivery, hiding the ball well into release which comes from a low ¾ slot. His fastball can reach up to 86 mph, getting on hitters quickly with life and sinking action through the zone. His three-pitch arsenal is filled out with a slider/changeup combination. With continued physical development, it would be no surprise to see a large up-tick in velocity in the near future.