By Sean Duncan

Another top Class of 2013 prospect is off the board when Geneva RHP Andy Honiotes made his verbal commitment to the University of Miami. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound Honiotes will be the No. 1-ranked prospect in the 2013 class when the new rankings are released in the coming weeks.

Honiotes features an impressive four-pitch mix – all of which he throws for strikes. His fastball sits in the 87-91 mph range and can sustain it for an entire game. His slider, however, looks to have the potential of being a dominant pitch at the next level. Honiotes finished his impressive junior campaign with a 7-0 record and a 1.01 ERA. He struck out 74 and walked 17 in 48.1 innings.

In other news, Galesburg catcher Chad Johnson signed with the Royals after being selected in the fifth round – the highest Illinois prep player picked in the MLB draft. Johnson’s signing hurt Illinois State, which was counting on the left-handed hitter to be a part of the Redbirds’ future.

One person’s loss is another’s gain. Prairie Ridge’s Matt Krenz, who is one of the best catch-and-throw guys in the 2012 class, has decommitted from John A. Logan JC and is now headed to Illinois State.

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