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Updated 2015 Illinois Rankings

August 29, 2014

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor – Illinois/Wisconsin

After a mild Chicago summer where temperatures struggled to reach 90 degrees, RHP Fitz Stadler (Glenbrook South)provided plenty of heat of his own. In the 2015 class, Stadler has been the hot name in Illinois this summer and his fastball has steadily climbed all year, reaching its pinnacle of 91 mph at the Area Code Games earlier this month. We’ve seen plenty of Stadler’s outings this spring where he sat 84-86 mph, touching 87 mph, but recently his fastball has seen more 90’s than our Chicago summer.

Inside the top ten of Illinois' 2015 Rankings we saw two changes. Joliet Catholic’s Nick Dalesandro moved up to No. 2 and has been traveling the country this summer at several national events, continuing to prove that he possibly one of the most athletic catch and throw guys in the Midwest. Fitz Stadler jumped from No. 12 to No. 4. The 6-foot-8, 220-pound Stadler committed to Arizona State in late July and has impressed pro scouts this summer with his extra-large frame, high level of athleticism and fastball that reached 90-91 mph.

Rank Name State School Class Pos Commitment
1 Charlie Donovan IL Westmont 2015 SS Michigan
2 Nick Dalesandro IL Joliet Catholic Academy 2015 C Purdue
3 Kyle Ostrowski IL Lincoln-Way North 2015 LHP Purdue
4 Fitz Stadler IL Glenbrook South 2015 RHP Arizona State
5 Liam Jenkins IL Lincoln-Way North 2015 RHP Arizona State
6 Cole Daily IL Sacred Heart Griffin 2015 SS Notre Dame
7 Brenden Spillane IL Wheeling 2015 OF Illinois
8 Cole Bellair IL Lockport 2015 RHP Illinois
9 Shane Ritter IL Plainfield South 2015 RHP Iowa
10 Chris Botsoe IL Hinsdale Central 2015 OF Louisville


The rankings were updated with 18 new prospects to the top 250. OF D.J. Miller (Granite City), a Mississippi recruit, is a highly athletic 6-foot-2, 170-pound outfielder coming in at No. 21 and the highest new name to the rankings. C Jeff Hightower (Mascoutah) impressed at two PBR events this summer and recently committed to St. Joseph College. Hightower possesses a strong arm behind the dish at 80 mph that showed true carry through his target.

A few notable risers in the 2015 class include RHP Michael Schalasky (Brother Rice) moving into the top 60. His strong 6-foot, 180-pound frame features an 86-88 mph fastball with a 72-74 mph curveball that flashed sharp action. LHP Josh Mutter (Lincoln-Way North) moved more than 25 spots and into the top 75, proving that he will significantly bolster a Lincoln-Way North pitching staff that already features the No. 3 and No. 5 prospects in the state.

Infielders John Heilenbach (Lyons Township) and Michael Ferri (Notre Dame) also saw their stocks rise this summer. Heilenbach recently committed to Villanova and Michael Ferri was clearly the top infielder at the Unsigned Senior Games and possibly one of the top overall prospects at the event. Both prospect climbed over 50 spots hovering around the top 100 in the state.

CLICK HERE for complete 2015 Illinois Rankings

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