By Matt Huck          
Area Scout

Every Friday National Scouting Supervisor Nathan Rode provides a roundup of insider recruiting information and commitments throughout the PBR coverage area: The Buzz. CLICK HERE to take a look at this week’s National Buzz. With that in mind, let’s take an in depth look at the Illinois prospects who have committed to colleges, with detailed scouting information.

Damian Pierce, 1B/LHP, Springfield, 2017
Parkland JC

5.18.16 - 6-foot-1, 195-pound, left/left prospect with a strong, physically advanced frame. Offensively, flashes easy bat speed with strength through contact. Aggressive hitter, looks to drive the ball pull side. Balanced, relaxed setup in the box and a smooth pre-pitch load. Defensively, feel for first base, steady hands and fluid footwork. Long arm action, flashes carry across the diamond. Also, one of Springfield’s top arms, although he did not throw on this day.

Andy Lopez, C, Brother Rice, 2017
St. Joseph College (IN)

5.11.16 - 6-foot-1, 197-pound catcher with a durable, strong build. Defensively, flexible behind the plate, blocks well and moves athletically. Soft hands, calm receiver. Short, over the top arm action, ball flashed carry, occasional cut, accurate. Offensively, strength in swing and pull-side pop present. Line-drive single to left field in his last at-bat.

 

 

Lane Belleville, RHP, Teutopolis, 2017
Maryville University

6.28.16 - 6-foot-4, 210-pound right handed hitting two-way player. Offensively, balanced set up, leg kick stride, fluid rhythm, bat speed, pull-side approach. Recorded an exit velocity of 89 mph. Defensively, long loose arm action, low ¾ arm slot, flashed accuracy, clocked at 78 mph across the diamond. 7.51 runner in the 60. On the mound, ¾ arm slot, quick arm speed, long action, regular effort. Some rhythm, in-line, square landing, athletic finish. Fastball sat 83-84 mph, topping 85 with run and late action. Slider, 11/5 action with sweeping shape, sat 68-72. Changeup ranged between 73-78 mph.

Ben Maurer, RHP, Waterloo, 2017
Webster University

2/16/15 - Maurer is a 6-foot-2 205-pound third baseman and pitcher in Illinois 2017 class, offensively, slightly open balanced stance, short stride, power potential, gap-to-gap approach,  85 mph exit velo, 4.87 home-to-first, on the infield, fields ball in athletic position, long arm swing, clean exchange, 79 mph positional velo. On the mound, strong/wide-shoulders build, high three-quarters release, throws with some effort, long arm swing, stays in line towards plate, athletic finish, 77-80 mph fastball, 11-to-5 shape breaking ball, gradual action, 75-76 mph change-up. On the mound, over the top arm slot, simple and controlled throughout delivery, in-line stride, high percentage of strikes, fastball at 83-84 mph, one of top RHP velos for the event, curveball at 71-72 mph, 11-to-5 shape, sharp break, change up at 77-79 mph, works knees,

Matt Kann, OF, New Trier, 2017
Franklin & Marshall College

6.16.16 - 6-foot-3, 185-pound left-handed hitting outfielder with a strong, athletic build. Offensively, wide, balanced set up, leg lift stride, short path, line drive type approach. Loose, strong swing, fluid rhythm. Recorded an exit velocity of 89 mph. Defensively, long arm action, high ¾ arm slot, flashed accuracy. Clocked at 81 mph from the outfield. 7.33 runner in the 60.

Brandon Laux, RHP, Lincoln-Way East, 2019
Houston

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