Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director - Illinios 

The Underclassmen Prospect Showcase on October 28 at The Max unveiled many impressive Class of 2015 and 2016 prospects from across Illinois.

Here’s a complete breakdown of all the Class of 2015 prospects at the event:

1. Brett Newberg, Moline HS, LHP/1B, Class of 2015
Newberg looks to be one of the premier two-way players in his class. At 6-foot-1, 220 pounds, Newberg is a physical athlete. On the mound is where Newberg projects best. His big frame showed advanced balance throughout his delivery, creating an effortless feel to his 81-83 mph fastball. Newberg’s arm works cleanly from a high ¾ arm slot, demonstrating loose action. His fastball showed command and arm side run, while he demonstrated a curveball and a slider that showed some feel. His curveball worked on an 11/5 plane thrown with fastball arm speed showing control of the pitch. His changeup was clocked at 72-73 and consistently down in the zone. Positionally, he showed solid footwork around the bag, coupled with soft hands and an above average first baseman’s arm. Offensively, Newberg has a strong presence in the box. His stance is balanced and his load is smooth. While using a no stride approach, he still shows the ability to generate advanced power with bat speed and extension through the zone. Newberg showcased himself as a gap to gap style hitter with power.

2. Esteban Martinez, St. Rita HS, SS/RHP, Class of 2015
Martinez is a 6-foot, 165-pound two-way player. Martinez carries himself well on a baseball field; he showed solid infield actions with soft hands and a clean exchange. Martinez’s arm played well across the diamond at 81 mph. Martinez showed quick-twitch actions with his footwork in the field, also running a 7.06 60. Offensively, Martinez showcased the ability to hit from both sides of the plate. Martinez showcased an aggressive path to the baseball showing flashes of pop from both sides. On the mound, Martinez displayed quick arm action producing an 82-83 mph fastball from a high ¾ arm slot. His changeup showed arm side run while thrown with fastball arm speed, also showing the ability to command the zone with it.

3. Reid Birlingmair, Normal West HS, SS/RHP, Class of 2015
Birlingmair is a 5-foot-11, 165-pound two-way player. Birlingmair showed off a strong arm across the diamond, clocking in at 84 mph.  He demonstrated quick footwork and solid hands in the infield. Offensively, the left-handed hitting Birlingmair hits from a balanced setup using a short stride. Birlingmair, who ran a 7.28 60, worked exclusively to his pull side, displaying solid bat speed with some pop. On the mound, Birlingmair operated from a high ¾ arm slot while showing control from the stretch. His curveball showed some feel at 66-68 mph, working on an 11/5 plane and thrown for strikes. His fastball topped at 84 mph.

4. Cal Jarrett, Dixon HS, RHP, Class of 2015
Jarrett is a 6-foot-1, 175-pound right handed pitcher with good projection. His arm works from a high ¾ arm slot showing signs of hard sinking action on his fastball at 84-85 mph. His curveball worked on an 11/5 plane showing sharp biting action at 70-72 mph. Jarrett also flashed a change up with some control showing arm side run at 68-70 mph. Jarrett is one of the top arms in his class and will climb the ranks as he polishes his repertoire.

5. General McArthur, Crete Monee HS, SS/RHP, Class of 2015
McArthur is a long lanky shortstop who showed advanced actions in the infield. At 6-foot, 140-pounds, McArthur’s ceiling is high. His frame has plenty of room to fill out and with added strength could be a highly sought after prospect. McArthur showed expansive range both to his left and right, displaying soft hands with a quick clean transfer. McArthur showcased a strong arm that showed carry and accuracy at 78 mph. Offensively, McArthur hits out of a balanced setup using a short stride. McArthur showed solid hands at the plate, consistently working the middle of the field with a line drive approach. McArthur’s easy swing and quiet approach will advance quickly with added strength as he matures.

6. Jon Kruppe, Benet HS, C/RHP, Class of 2015
Kruppe is a physical 6-foot-4, 225-pound two-way player. Kruppe showed solid arm strength behind the plate at 74 mph, recording pop times of 2.07-2.20. Offensively, he hits from a balanced setup showing gap to gap pop using a short stride. On the mound, Kruppe showed an 80-81 mph fastball thrown for strikes. Kruppe also demonstrated a cutter at 73-75 mph. His curveball showed depth at 70-72 mph on an 11/5 plane. Kruppe also displayed a change up at 72-74 mph.

7. Eric Giltz, Wheaton-Warrenville South HS, OF, Class of 2015
Giltz is an athletic outfielder with a well-rounded game. Standing 5-foot-8, 157-pounds, Giltz showed aggressive outfield actions, playing through the baseball well and exhibiting 78 mph arm strength with some carry. He proved to have natural outfield instincts and fluid footwork, he also ran a 7.03 60. Offensively, he hit from a balanced setup with an open stance. He hits with a slight leg kick and showed barrel awareness, making solid contact throughout his round. Giltz looks to be one of the more athletic natural outfielders in his class.

8. John Heilenbach, Lyons Township HS, 3B/RHP, Class of 2015
Heilenbach is a projectable 6-foot-2, 180-pound two-way player. Heilenbach showed a solid arm across the diamond at 78 mph, thrown with accuracy and carry. He exhibited fluid lateral movements and reliable hands at third base. Offensively, he hits from a wide, balanced stance using a slight leg lift to get to his hitting position. Heilenbach also showed well on the mound, showcasing a 77-78 mph fastball from a high ¾ arm slot. His curveball showed 11/5 tendencies at 60-61 mph, while also throwing a 69-70 mph sinking change up.

9. Dominic Pilas, Mt. Carmel HS, MIF, Class of 2015
Pilas is a switch-hitting middle infielder who showed a solid approach from both sides of the plate. The 5-foot-8, 160-pound infielder exhibited soft hands defensively with fluid footwork. His arm is loose an accurate at 76 mph across the diamond. Offensively, Pilas showed the ability to hit from both sides of the plate using an open stance and a short stride. Pilas hits with a line drive, gap to gap approach in which he showed solid extension through the baseball.

10. Charlie Harrigan, Lyons Township HS, OF/3B/RHP, Class of 2015
Harrigan is a 5-foot-11, 175-pound two-way player. Harrigan showed a well-rounded game with solid projectability. Harrigan throws with a short, loose arm action working over the top with accuracy and carry at 78 mph across the infield and 83 mph from the outfield. Harrigan showed athleticism in both the infield and outfield while displaying soft hands. Offensively, he hits from the left side with an open stance using a short stride. Harrigan showed pull tendencies with occasional pop. On the mound Harrigan worked from a high ¾ arm slot showing feel for three pitches. His fastball ranged between 78-80 mph. He showed solid feel for a curveball at 65-66 mph on an 11/5 plane while flashing sharp bite. Harrigan also had control of a 74-75 mph change up with slight action.

11. Rudy Rott, LaCrosse Aquinas HS (WI), C/RHP, Class of 2015
Rott is a 5-foot-10, 175-pound left-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, Rott hits from an open stance using a smooth load and short stride. His setup and swing is very quiet and efficient. He showed the ability to work both gaps with pop, using an easy swing with excellent extension. Defensively, Rott’s best pop time recorded was a 2.15 showing arm strength of 71 mph from the crouch. Rott sets up well behind the plate giving his pitcher a strong low target.

12. Sean Burnette, St. Laurence HS, OF/RHP, Class of 2015
Burnette has an athletic frame at 6-foot, 168-pounds. In the outfield he displayed a long loose arm action resulting in 80 mph throws on target. Offensively, he hits from a wide stance using a no stride approach. He showed solid balance and extension through the zone on a level path. On the mound, he threw a 76-78 mph fastball from a ¾ arm slot with long loose actions.

13. Andrew Hill, Warren HS, RHP/1B, Class of 2015
Hill is a lanky 6-foot-3, 175 pound two-way player. Hill showed well on the mound operating out of a high ¾ arm slot with a long arm action. His fastball showed control at 79-81 mph with some heavy feel and sink. He showed feel of a curveball at 65-67 mph on an 11/5 plane with the ability to throw it for strikes. He change up also showed control at 72-74 mph. Offensively, Hill hits from an open stance and showed the ability to stay on top and through the baseball well. His bat path is level and produced line drives to the right center gap.

14. Grant Farmer, Illinois Lutheran HS, RHP/1B, Class of 2015
Farmer is a 6-foot-1, 175-pound two-way player. Farmer showed a long, high ¾ arm action across the diamond at 76 mph. At the plate, he hit from a slightly open stance producing an aggressive swing. He showed some line drive, gap to gap tendencies. On the mound, his fastball showed run at 75-77 mph from a high ¾ arm slot. His curveball showed 11/5 action at 65-67 mph.

15. Justin Kelly, Wheaton Warrenville South, C, Class of 2015
Kelly is a 6-foot-2, 180-pound catcher. Kelly showed solid arm strength from the crouch at 73 mph, producing pop times in the range of 2.04-2.11. His arm plays well behind the plate using a short loose arm action from an over the top arm slot, while exhibiting carry and accuracy. Offensively, he showed some barrel awareness out of a balanced approach.

16. Ryan Grannemann, McHenry West HS, C/3B, Class of 2015
Grannemann is a physical 5-foot-10, 195-pound catcher/third baseman. Grannemann showed strong hands at the plate demonstrating pop to his pull side. He displayed an aggressive swing and advanced physicality at the plate. Defensively, Grannemann showed a solid arm across the infield displaying accuracy and some carry. Behind the plate he recorded pop times of 2.12-2.32.

17. Marcus Reiser, McHenry HS, RHP/OF, Class of 2015
Reiser is a 5-foot-11, 160-pound two-way player. Reiser showed a true outfield arm action showing accuracy out of a long, over the top arm slot with carry at 83 mph. Reiser ran aggressive routes to the baseball with little hesitation, playing through the baseball well. At the plate, Reiser hit from a slightly open stance.

18. Bailey Egan, Mt. Carmel HS, C/RHP, Class of 2015
Egan is a 6-foot-3, 190-pound two-way player. Egan showed an offensive prowess at the plate, showing the ability to find the barrel with regularity. He showed bat speed that generated whip and extension through the zone from the left side. Egan showcased himself as a pull side hitter with pop. On the mound Egan threw a 75-76 mph fastball with some run. Eagan also threw a curveball at 65 mph and a change up at 70-71 mph.

19. Vincent Hubli, Kenosha Bradford HS (WI), 3B/OF, Class of 2015
Hubli is a strong 5-foot-10, 175-pound multi-positional player. Hubli showed well at the plate, using a balanced approach with a short stride. Hubli showed solid barrel awareness making hard contact to all fields. Hubli showed signs of pop to his pull side, displaying solid bat speed. Defensively, Hubli showed arm strength of 75 mph across the diamond. He also ran a 7.40 60.

20. Jonathan Hoffman, Grayslake Central HS, MIF, Class of 2015
Hoffman is a 5-foot-6, 140-pound middle infielder. He showed quick footwork moving side to side in the infield while exhibiting soft hands and a clean exchange. He recorded a 60 time of 7.13. Offensively, he hits from a balanced stance using a short stride and smooth load. His bat path is short, displaying bat speed, while also showing some rhythm in his swing.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Anthony Bryan, Plainfield East HS, MIF, Class of 2015
Bryan is an athletic 5-foot-10, 140-pound middle infielder. Bryan hits from a slightly open stance using a leg kick and short bat path producing occasional line drives. He showed accuracy across the diamond at 69 mph using a long, high ¾ arm action.

Alex Crinigan, Hampshire HS, RHP, Class of 2015
Crinigan is a 6-foot-4, 185-pound right handed pitcher. Crinigan uses a long arm action, producing a 74-76 mph fastball with some sink, while showing control of the pitch. His curveball registered at 63 mph, while his slider came in at 72. Crinigan also showcased a change up with arm side run in the strike zone at 70-71 mph.

Hunter Fiorito, Aurora Central HS, MIF/OF, Class of 2015
Fiorito is a 5-foot-10, 165-pound multi-positional player. Fiorito showed solid foot speed running a 7.09 60. Fiorito hits from the left side out of an open stance working mainly to his pull side. Defensively, he showed quick footwork getting to the baseball while making clean transfers.

Cedric Garrett, Rich Central HS, MIF, Class of 2015
Garrett showed a solid defensive presence. At 5-foot-5, 125-pounds Garrett displayed soft hands and a loose arm action across the diamond (67 mph). His arm showed accuracy out of a quick, clean exchange. Offensively, Garrett showed bat control out of a slightly closed stance. His inside out bat path resulted in line drives to both gaps.

Easton Haase, Herscher HS, SS/3B, Class of 2015
Haase is a 5-foot-8, 145-pound infielder. Haase throws from an over the top arm slot with accuracy to his target at 67 mph. Offensively, he hits from a balanced stance using a short stride and a short and level bat path finishing with two hands. Haase also ran a 7.78 60.

Isaiah Hernandez, Elmwood HS, MIF, Class of 2015
Hernandez is a 5-foot-9, 145-pound middle infielder. Hernandez has a short arm action across the diamond showing some accuracy at 70 mph. Offensively, he hits out of a slightly open stance using a level bat path. Hernandez was able to handle the pitch away, producing line drives.

LJ Kurek, Bishop McNamara, 3B/1B, Class of 2015
Kurek is a 5-foot-8, 175-pound corner infielder. Kurek throws with a long arm action at 64 mph across the diamond showing some accuracy. Offensively, Kurek uses a leg kick while working mainly to the opposite field.

Ryan Roberts, Plainfield South HS, RHP, Class of 2015
Roberts is a 6-foot, 170-pound right handed pitcher. He operates out of a high ¾ arm slot showcasing a fastball at 76-77 mph with sink and command. Roberts also showcased feel for a splitter that displayed bite down in the zone and thrown for strikes.

Santino Ruffolo, Kenosha Bradford HS (WI), 1B, Class of 2015
Ruffolo is a 6-foot, 200-pound first baseman. Ruffolo was clocked at 57 mph across the diamond. Offensively, he hits from an open stance using a no stride approach. Ruffolo also ran a 7.51 60.

Quinn Snarskis, Fenwick HS, MIF/OF, Class of 2015
Snarskis is a 5-foot-10, 145-pound multi-positional player. Snarskis showed natural infield actions while displaying a quick exchange. The lanky infielder displayed a long ¾ arm action at 67 mph across the diamond. Offensively, he consistently hit the ball to the opposite field while using a short stride and balanced set up.

Matthew Stock, Stevenson HS, C/3B, Class of 2015
Stock is a 6-foot, 175-pound catcher. Stock recorded pop times of 2.4-2.6 while being clocked at 66 mph out of the crouch. Stock hits with a closed stance using a short stride while spraying the ball to the opposite field.

Sam Warady, Lake Zurich HS, MIF, Class of 2015
Warady is a 5-foot-10, 140-pound middle infielder. Warady uses a long, ¾ arm action at 64 mph across the diamond. Offensively, he showed the ability to work the middle of the field well, hitting from a wide stance producing a level bat path while working gap to gap.

Austin Wheatley, Kaneland HS, MIF, Class of 2015
Wheatley is a 5-foot-5, 125-pound middle infielder. Wheatley fields the ball out in front while showing accuracy to his target at 67 mph. Offensively, he hits out of an open stance using a short stride and setting his hands low. He showed a quiet, opposite field approach from the left side.