J.C. DeMuri (right), a Class of 2013 OF/LHP from Parkway West High School, has verbally committed to Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.  The No. 10 ranked player in the Class of 2013, DeMuri batted .418 with eight doubles, two triples, a home run, and 18 RBI as a sophomore in 2011.  In the summer, the right-handed hitter paced the St. Louis Recruits in most offensive categories. 

At 6-foot-3, 195-pounds, DeMuri’s size and athleticism projects well in the outfield as well as on the mound.  He has the speed (6.97 60) to play all three outfield positions and his low-80s arm produces throws with good carry.  As a pitcher, the left-hander throws a heavy, low-80s fastball and, in general, has a fast arm that suggests an increase in velocity in the near future.  He throws a sharp, 69-72 mph breaking ball that generates swings-and-misses from both right- and left-handed hitters.  DeMuri also features a steadily improving change up that has arm-side fade and plays well off his fastball.

At the plate, DeMuri is one of the more impressive Class of 2013 hitters. He features a compact swing with a direct bat path that generates legitimate backspin and power to all fields. He also employs a mature approach at the plate that allows him to manipulate counts in his favor. 

Last August, DeMuri was selected to play for Team Missouri in the Under Armour Midwest Future Games, an event the elite Class of 2013 players from Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, and Missouri.  He was one of two players to collect at least one hit in both of Team Missouri’s contests. 

With his decision, SIU-Carbondale, DeMuri becomes both the first Class of 2013 outfielder and left-handed pitcher to make a Division-I verbal commitment.  He is also the quarterback of the Parkway West football team.

Be sure to check out J.C. DeMuri’s Q&A that was recently featured by Prep Baseball Report Missouri.