Illinois
Total Commits: 10
National Top 500: 4
Immediate Impact Player: Cole Kirschsieper
Class Sleeper: Danny Doligale

OVERVIEW:
A year after putting together one of the top classes in the country, the Illini staff continues to build with an impressive group in 2019. This class should gel very nicely with the one above it, and the arrow continues to point up for the Illinois program.

Brody Harding SS / 2B / Moline, IL / 2019 Rankings� StateRank: 9 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 360 / POS: 64 SS Brody Harding’s compact strength and athleticism will allow him to be a versatile player in his time in Champaign. A left-handed hitter, he has possesses quick hands and strong wrists, and showcases natural lag in the zone. While he may have a chance to play some shortstop in college, his ability to shift to any position on the infield, and perhaps the outfield, will make him a valuable piece of a winning program.

Grant Leader RHP / Lyons Township, IL / 2019 Rankings� StateRank: 10 / POS: 3 OverallRank: 363 / POS: 129 At just 5-foot-9, 165-pounds, RHP Grant Leader will likely have to wait to hear his name called in the MLB Draft until after college...which is great for Illini fans. Leader is a competitive, quick-armed right-hander who dials up 92 mph fastballs to go along with a tightly-spun breaking ball that he exhibits complete confidence in. His winning mentality and quality stuff will add quality depth to a strengthening staff.

Xavier Watson SS / 2B / South Milwaukee, WI / 2019 Rankings� StateRank: 7 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 501 / POS: 85 SS Xavier Watson has the smooth actions and natural feel for the position to potentially blossom into an elite defender at the college level, and will provide depth at each spot. The right-handed hitter has a simple approach at the plate that produces line drives to all fields.

GUT FEEL:

Cole Kirschsieper LHP / 1B / Lincoln-Way East, IL / 2019 Rankings� StateRank: 12 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 373 / POS: 44 LHP Cole Kirschsieper was one of the more coveted, uncommitted players in the 2019 before announcing his commitment to Illinois a bit later in the recruiting process. His ability to keep hitters off-balance with multiple pitches for strikes could make him a key asset on the weekend at some point. His fastball runs up to 89 mph with more on the way, and he tempts hitters with a fading changeup and curveball that he lands for strikes. More than anything, his pitchability will be welcomed as a potential big-game starter in the future.

FINAL THOUGHT:

Danny Doligale OF / Brother Rice, IL / 2019 Rankings� StateRank: 34 / POS: 7 OF Danny Doligale has a chance to contribute immediately when he steps on campus. The speedy, left-handed hitting outfielder is comfortable tracking pitches from the left side, and showcases the ability to spray the ball to all fields with some surprising pull side power. Perhaps even more important for a program that has produced some impressive pitching in recent years, is Doligale’s crisp routes in the outfield, and the ability to track down almost everything.

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COMMITS: