Throughout the next couple of weeks, the PBR Illinois team is going to be examining the 100-plus prospects on their way to Division-I destinations next fall, breaking them down conference by conference.

We kicked off the series earlier this week by looking at the Big Ten and MAC conferences. Today, we’re onto the Horizon Conference, one set to welcome 13 names, as of today, their way in the fall of 2020.

It’s important to note that we broke down all of the in-state D-I programs at length just a couple weeks back. You can find Part One here and Part Two here. If you’re looking for full, detailed breakdowns of Illinois’ top programs and their complete 2019 recruiting classes, check it out.

For now, here’s what you can look forward to inside Horizon baseball scene in the not-too-distant future.

HORIZON LEAGUE

With the UIC Flames nestled in the Horizon League, this conference has 13 prospects headed its way, though eight of them are headed to the Chicago program.

You can read more about their impressive recruiting class, headlined by the state’s top arm RHP Ben Hernandez (De La Salle), by clicking here. 

Illinois 2020s heading to UIC:

NAME	STATE (RANK)	SCHOOL	POS
Clay Conn	IL (85)	St. Charles East	SS
Cole Conn	IL (90)	St. Charles East	C
James Harris	IL (67)	Brooks	1B/3B
Ben Hernandez	IL (2)	De La Salle	RHP
Ryan Nagelbach	IL (110)	Deerfield	SS
Breck Nowik	IL (59)	Lake Forest	SS/RHP
Luke Picchiotti	IL (54)	Hersey	OF

Wright State finished atop the standings with 21 wins last spring, but was knocked off in the conference tourney by UW-Milwaukee in the semis, who then lost to UIC in the title game. But the Raiders have some 2020 help on the way for the spring 2021 season. The Raiders snagged two Top-50 prospects from Illinois; OF Dane Thomas (Marist; No. 29) and RHP Logan Tabeling (Tuscola; No. 44). Thomas is a highly advanced 5-foot-9 athlete geared to motor atop a lineup long-term all while roaming center field. Tabeling is an athletic right-hander who pounds the strike zone, is highly-competitive on the mound, features a swing-and-miss breaking ball and is not afraid to show it off. Tabeling sits comfortably in the mid-80’s, topping at 88 mph.

Logan Tabeling (2.10.19) 

Northbound to Wisconsin-Milwaukee are RHP’s James Severson (Lyons Township) and Josh Kosky (Batavia). Severson popped onto the radar in 2019 with his big, heavy over-the-top fastball, that’s been up to 88 mph, and a downer slider. Kosky has an extra-large, 6-foot-8 frame with plenty of room for continued physical development. Kosky is a high-ceiling arm that is just scratching the surface of his potential.

James Severson (10.6.19)

Lastly, headed to Northern Kentucky is LHP  Ben Gerl (Lincoln-Way West) and CF Luke Smith (Glenbrook South). Gerl is a competitive, strike thrower who pitches in the low-80’s with feel for his offspeed. Smith is a left/left athlete with above-average speed and profiles to stick in centerfield. 

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