Recruiting Roundup: Who's Heading Where?

November 20, 2015

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.

Zion Pettigrew, SS, Mount Carmel, 2017
University of Iowa

Zion Pettigrew Future Games 2015 - 6-foot, 165-pound, toolsy, athletic right-handed hitting shortstop seems to do everything well on the baseball field. He ran a 6.91 60, clocked at 88 mph from across the infield, defends, and looks to be a force at the plate. Defensively, has plenty of arm strength, range and hands to stay on the left-side of the infield at the next level. Flashed a quick arm from an over-the-top arm slot. Plus carry on his throws especially from deep in the hole. Plays tall with body control and a plus transfer. Offensively, the right-handed hitter had an exit velocity of 91 mph. Loose, really athletic hands, and lots of whip in swing. Pull-side hitter, attacks the baseball. Hands work above the ball as he enters the hitting zone. Utilizes the lower half; routinely up off his back toe and contact. Pettigrew has an extremely high ceiling and should be a high follow in the 2017 class.

Connor Peplow, RHP, Plainfield North, 2017
Illinois State

Future Games 2015 - Wiry 6-Connor Peplowfoot-1, 155-pound right-handed pitcher features a strong arm that has a lot of potential. His fastball had been 86-88 mph at a previous PBR event, at the Future Games he was more 83-86 mph and touched 87. Even though his velocity was a tick down he flashed some tilt and arm-side-run on his fastball. Features a breaking ball that ranged between 70-74 mph. The breaking ball should tighten up if it is consistently thrown with fastball arm speed. Peplow also mixed in a change-up at 73-75 mph. Struck out one and induced a 4-6-3 double play in his two innings of work.

Jeremy Gaines, 2B, Oak Park-River Forest, 2016
John A. Logan

Jeremy Gaines 10.11.15 - 5-foot-9, 165-pound athletic body right-handed hitting infielder and outfielder. Flashed some of the better tools at the event. Ran a 6.87 60 yard dash. Offensively, showed some bat speed and registered an exit velocity of 89 mph. Starts from a balanced and open setup position. Slight pre-pitch load, short stride and good balance through contact. Uphill bat path through the hitting zone. Defensively, athletic actions in the outfield. Fluid footwork, clean exchange, long arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate clocked at 84 mph. On the infield, soft hands, athletic fielding position, out front. Fluid footwork and shorter arm action, clocked at 78 mph across the infield.

Sam Nozicka, C, Grayslake Central, 2016
Memphis

Sam Nozicka 6.18.15 - 5-foot-11, 180-pound catcher, average solid build, compact, solid lower half. Good catch and throw prospect, short over the top arm action, accurate arm, on the bag, 77 mph out of the crouch. Showed soft hands, quick clean exchange. Pop times ranged 1.93-2.07. Right-handed hitter, open stance, short to even stride. Line drive type hitter, mid to opposite field approach. Fast bat, 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Cole Milam, RHP, Waterloo, 2016
Jefferson College

Cole Milam 4/24/15 - Physical 6-foot-3, 225-pound frame, wide shoulders, developed lower half. Pitches exclusively out of the stretch, high leg left, coils front side; works from high-3/4 slot with high back elbow. Threw three innings of scoreless relief. Struck out six (including three straight), walked none and allowed one single. Threw nearly all fastballs that varied between 83-87 mph in all three innings.

Jack McEnroe, 1B, Elk Grove, 2016
UW-Oshkosh

Jack McEnroe 10.11.15 - Long and lean 6-foot-1, 155-pound right handed hitting first baseman. Offensively, balanced and tall setup. Early rhythm, big pre-pitch load and leg-kick trigger. Level bat path through the hitting zone. Exit velocity registered 84 mph. Defensively, steady hands and clean exchange. Arm flashed carry, short arm action, high ¾ slot and clocked at 79 mph. Also, ran a 7.90 60.

George Manikas, RHP, Joliet Catholic, 2016
Lewis University

George Manikas 10.2.15 - 6-foot-3, 210-pound, right-handed pitcher with an XL-frame. Impressed out the pen for Rhino. Works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long, quick arm action. Gets extension out front, falls off to first base side on release. Consistently works down glove side. Fastball sat 83-85 topping out at 86 mph. Slider sat 75-77 mph.

Joe McGuire, C, Lockport, 2016
Blackhawk College

Joe McGuire 10.11.15 - 5-foot-9, 200-pound right-handed hitting catcher, solid strong build. Well above average runner for his position and age, 6.98 in the 60, laser timed. Open stance, occasional bat wrap load. Demonstrates bat strength, aggressive violent swinger, attacks the baseball with a longer path. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively pop times ranged from 2.07-2.11 from the crouch. Arm played from an over the top slot at 76 mph.

Noah Stern, LHP, Highland Park, 2016
Webster University

Noah Stern 10.11.15 - Athletic build 6-foot, 170-pound right-handed hitting first baseman and left-handed pitcher. Offensively, narrow and tall setup. No load, short stride and average bat speed. Level bat path through the hitting zone. Registered an 80 mph exit velocity. Defensively, the left-handed thrower showed a strong arm across the diamond. Long arm action, high ¾ slot with carry, clocked at 80 mph. Also, ran a 7.30 60 yard dash. On the mound, would be a tough matchup for left-handed hitters. Long arm action, high ¾ window and closed front side. Fastball sat 80-82 mph, touching 83 with hard cutting action at times. Curveball played 12/6 and ranged between 65-68 mph. Change-up sat 74-76 mph with sink and slight cut.

Austin Straley, OF, DePaul College Prep, 2016
Kalamazoo College

Austin Straley 8.23.15 - 5-foot-10, 160-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder with a strong frame. Offensively hits from a tall, open stance with a short leg lift stride. Line drive hitter with a short swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.00. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Accurate throws that flashed carry. Plays thru the ball with a clean exchange and fluid footwork. Threw 76 mph from the outfield.

Blake Swanson, 3B, Barrington, 2016
Rollins College

Blake Swanson 10.19.14 - 6-foot-1, 205-pound right-handed hitting third baseman hits from a wide, balanced setup, short quick stride, level bat path, line drive type hitter with 81 mph exit velocity. Defensively, threw 80 mph across the diamond from short, high ¾ arm slot. Ran an 8.08 60.

Adam Schoenle, RHP, Chicago Christian, 2016
Olivet Nazarene

Adam Schoenle 6/18/15 - 6-foot-5, 190-pound, athletic build, good projectability. Tall-and-fall delivery, high ¾ arm slot, above-average arm speed, landing slightly closed. Fastball showed some arm-side-run, sat 82-84 mph, touched 85 mph. Curveball had 11/5 shape, 68-70 mph. Changeup had some sink, thrown for strikes, 74-76 mph. Splitter showed sinking action, 77-78.

Sean Cary, SS, Centralia, 2016
University of Evansville

Sean Cary 8.7.15 - Long lean projectable frame, 6-foot-3, 170-pound shortstop, big upside defensively. Showed to be arguably the best defensive infielder at the event. Soft hands, plays through the baseball, longer strided, rangy athlete, can play well on the move, showed advanced body control for his size. 7.08 runner, laser timed 60. Arm action is athletic and can play from multiple slots, loose with carry, 80 mph across the diamond. Offensively hits from the right side, balanced stance, drops hands at load, short stride. Average bat speed, loose hands, uphill plane. 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Darick Hayes, 3B, Mt. Vernon, 2016
Rend Lake College

Darick Hayes 10.11.15 - Strong body 6-foot, 195-pound right-handed hitting infielder and pitcher. Offensively, easy bat speed and simple swing. Ball jumped off his bat at times and barreled a number of baseballs during his round of batting practice. Gap-to-gap type hitter. Open, tall setup, pre-pitch load, reverse toe-tap trigger and good balance through contact. Short, level bat path through the hitting zone. Registered an exit velocity of 83 mph. Defensively, puts a lot into his throws on the infield. Long arm action, over-the-top slot and clocked at 84 mph. Also, ran a 7.60 60. On the mound the right-handed pitcher operates on-line and short stride. Short arm action, over-the-top window and quick arm speed. Fastball sat 80-82 mph mostly straight. Also, featured a curveball and a slider. Slider looked to be the better pitch, 10/4 action, 71-72 mph. Curveball worked 12/6, 69 mph. Change-up flashed fade and arm-side-run ranging between 74-77 mph.

Logan Splat, RHP, Cobden, 2016
Parkland College

Logan Spalt 7.8.15 - Strong lower half, well-proportioned, 5-foot-11, 180-pound, right-handed pitcher. Athletic delivery, smooth rhythm and good presence on the mound. Big, coiled, leg lift. Long, loose, athletic arm action. Throws from a high ¾ arm slot, high front side. Lands square, Finishes to the first-base side. Fastball showed some arm-side-run, sitting 80-83 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, tight spin, lacks depth at times, 70-72 mph. Changeup had fastball arm speed, thrown for strikes, sat 74-77 mph. Threw two cutters clocked at 75 mph, flashed 10/4 shape.

Jackson Stulas, SS, Providence Catholic, 2016
Parkland College

4.16.15 - 6-foot, 162-pound athletic right-handed hitting shortstop ranked No. 171 in Illinois. Hits from a balanced setup, short stride, hands are quite, bat taps/rests on shoulder pre-pitch. Short, quick, bat path. Jumped first pitch fastball in first at bat for no doubt homer to deep left center field on a 79 mph fastball. Impressed defensively in game, solid run through play in the first. Soft hands fielding the baseball, long, ¾ to high ¾ arm slot.

Patrick Sexton, RHP, Huntley, 2016
Eureka College

Recruiting Roundup: Who's Heading Where?

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