Now that the 2018 rankings have been analyzed and revised, we move on to the 2019 class in Illinois. Taking into consideration the late fall, winter season and events such as the Preseason All-State scouted over the last couple of months, we have updated and expanded the Illinois 2019 rankings once again.

Over that time we have seen a number of prospects make jumps and plenty of new faces making a name for themselves. It has caused a good amount of reshuffling and allowed us to expand the rankings from 150-to-175.

The top of the class remains unchanged with two talented RHP’s leading the way; Quinn Priester (Cary-Grove) and Zachary Lee (Effingham). Priester, a Texas Christian commit, has one of the strongest arms in the class, running his fastball up to 93 mph in the past with advanced pitchability to go along with it. Lee is highly-projectable at 6-foot-4, 195-pounds and has a loose, easy arm from a ¾ slot. Lee, who is committed to Kentucky, can dial his fastball into the low 90’s with heavy run and sink at times.

Louisville commit, SS Andrew Wiegman (Carmel Catholic), climbs up to No. 3 in the state. Wiegman, continues to fill out his 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame and is an offensive force at the plate. Wiegman was the top 2019 overall prospect at the recent Milwaukee Preseason I.D.  

Andrew Wiegman (2.25.18) 

Rounding out the top five is C Matt McCormick (St. Laurence) and OF Jason Hodges (Marist). McCormick, a West Virginia commit, is one of the best true hitters in the state with power to boot. Hodges, a Arkansas commit, has tantalizing upside, with electric hands and easy raw power at the plate.

The biggest jump inside the Top 10 was made by dynamic RHP Bryce Barnett (Providence Catholic). The Arizona State commit, turned heads with his performance at the Preseason All-State in February and has been backing it up so far early this spring season. Barnett runs his fastball into the low-90’s and has arguably the best slider in the state that he throws with extreme conviction at 79-83 mph.

UPDATED TOP 10

RANK	NAME	STATE	SCHOOL	CLASS	POS	COMMITMENT
1	Quinn Priester	IL	Cary Grove	2019	RHP	Texas Christian
2	Zachary Lee	IL	Effingham	2019	RHP	Kentucky
3	Andrew Wiegman	IL	Carmel Catholic	2019	SS	Louisville
4	Matt McCormick	IL	St. Laurence	2019	C	West Virginia
5	Jason Hodges	IL	Marist	2019	OF	Arkansas
6	Grant Leader	IL	Lyons Township	2019	RHP	Illinois
7	Brody Harding	IL	Moline	2019	SS	Illinois
8	Bryce Barnett	IL	Providence Catholic	2019	RHP	Arizona State
9	Cole Kirschsieper	IL	Lincoln-Way East	2019	LHP	Illinois
10	Clark Elliott	IL	Barrington	2019	SS	Michigan

 

Another RHP who made a huge jump in the rankings after his performance this winter was Creighton commit, Griffin Holderfield (Oak Park-River Forest). Holderfield put on a jaw-dropping performance and was named the top overall prospect at the Preseason All-State in February. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound, right-hander has legitimate closer type stuff; he works out of ¾ slot creating hard arm-side-run and sink on a fastball that touched 92 mph multiple times at the event. He paired that with a devastating slider at 79-82 mph.

The biggest riser, now in the top 40 in the state, is catcher Jacob Schroeder (Homewood-Flossmoor). Schroeder, still uncommitted, transformed his frame this offseason and now stands an athletic and strong 6-foot-1, 200-pounds. Schroeder has a big arm behind the plate, 82 mph from the crouch and can handle the bat. He should be one of the more sought after backstops in the 2019 class moving forward.

Jacob Schroeder (2.11.18)

The top newcomers in the rankings are two uncommitted right-handed pitchers who hail from the Central part of the state; Evan Rightnowar (Glenwood) and Andrew Pogue (Dunlap). The 6-foot-2, 195-pound, Rightnowar ran his fastball up to 89 mph this winter and has been getting quality innings for Glenwood so far this spring. Pogue is a highly-intriguing, 6-foot-4, 185-pound righty who has a loose, whippy arm and a fastball that sits 84-87 mph with plenty more in the tank.

Some other notable newcomers to the rankings were 3B/RHP Nathan Hardman (Normal U-High), RHP Jacob Karaba (Neuqua), RHP Mason Kasprisin (Joliet West), C Ben Harris (Prairie Ridge), RHP John Day (Dunlap), LHP/OF Dominic Listi (Prairie Ridge) and RHP Joseph Kaminski (McHenry), among many others.

CLICK HERE for complete Illinois 2019 Rankings.

CLICK HERE for the updated Illinois 2018 rankings.

Keep an eye out over the next couple of weeks as the updated 2019 overall rankings will be released.

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