By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

More prospects have named their schools, including a few ranked players and a pair of 2013s:

+ One of the top 2014 prospects in Illinois is off the board after Laren Eustace, supremely athletic OF from Batavia HS, verbally committed to Indiana University. Ranked No. 11 in Illinois and 34 overall, Eustace earned top prospect honors at the PBR Top Prospect Showcase in June. The 5-foot-9, 165-pound left-handed hitter ran a 6.57 60 and was clocked at 91 mph from the outfield.

+ Matt Starai, a 2013 RHP from St. Charles East HS, has committed to Judson University. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Starai was the spring’s biggest revelation, rising from unknown prospect to earning first-team All-State honors. Starai threw one shutout after another until he had led the surprising Saints to the Class 4A state semifinals, where they finished third. In the end, Starai went 11-1 with a 0.54 ERA, including four victories in the playoffs. In 83 innings, he racked up 88 strikeouts to only 17 walks behind a consistent 87-89 mph fastball and sharp upper-70s slider. Starai is ranked No. 40 in Illinois’ 2013 class.

+ AJ Diepholz, a 6-foot-3, 175-pound RHP from Mattoon HS, has committed to Eastern Illinois. Diepholz showed well at the PBR Top Prospect Showcase in June with an 82-84 mph fastball and a sharp 67-71 mph curveball. Diepholz is currently ranked No. 127 in Illinois’ 2014 class.

+ Kolton Vermillion, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound RHP from Rantoul HS, has committed to Heartland CC. The strong-bodied Vermillion emerged in the summer as a high-interest prospect thanks to his upper-80s fastball and durable frame.

+ Josh Lung, a 2013 OF from Burlington Central HS, has committed to Carroll College in Wisconsin. Lung ran a 6.78 60 at the PBR Unsigned Senior Showcase in January.

Send all Illinois recruiting news to [email protected]