By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

As a senior at Sandburg HS in Illinois, RHP Matthias Dietz was the No. 3 starter on arguably the state’s most dominant pitching staff to start the 2014 season. Pitching behind right-handers Bryan Pall (now at Michigan) and Sean Leland (Louisville), the 6-foot-6, 230-pound Dietz seemingly worked in the shadows at the Illinois perennial power.

Perhaps at most other high schools, Dietz would’ve been more heralded. He certainly had the size, arm strength and upside. Dietz finally jumped up on many pro scouts’ radars on April 18, 2014 when he went head-to-head with the No. 1 player in the state, LHP Jake Latz (now at LSU). Dietz struck out nine, allowed two hits and walked one behind as he spotted up his 87-90 mph fastball, only to lose 1-0 to Latz, who struck out 14.

Dietz continued to pick up momentum after that game, an eventually earned PBR third-team All-State honors over his more heralded teammates, posting an 8-1 record with a no-hitter, two saves and a 0.84 ERA. He struck out 87 in 66.2 innings.