Today’s Player Spotlight is unsigned senior Ryan Dunne, hailing from Richwoods High School in Peoria, IL. Dunne owns a physical frame that is hard to miss. At 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, Dunne is an extremely projectable right-hander who looks to be one of the more impressive Class of 2013 prospects in the state. Dunne has wide shoulders, strong lower half and a powerful arm. Dunne’s stock recently rose at the Fall Prospect Program’s Coaches Camp. Operating from a high-3/4 arm slot, Dunne showcased a heavy fastball topping at 89 mph, sitting at 86-88, with late sink. As good as Dunne’s fastball is his most impressive pitch might be his curveball. He throws a hard, sharp, late biting breaking ball at 75-76. It shows good downhill plane, and coming out of the same window as his fastball, should rack up plenty of strikeouts for him this year.

 It's no surprise that Dunne is developing into one of the better pitchers in the state, as he comes from prodigious bloodlines. Ryan is the son of Mike Dunne, a former first round draft pick of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1984.  Mike was the runner-up in the National League Rookie of the Year voting after making his debut in 1987. Ryan seems poised to have a bright future ahead of him, with his baseball pedigree and limitless ceiling, watch for Ryan Dunne to lead the Knights to a terrific season this year.