The Illinois 2021 rankings were updated two months ago, in the middle of September, after a hectic summer schedule full of events, tournaments and camps. Since then, a few fall events took place in Illinois, such as the St. Louis Open and the Class of 2021 Showcase. Those showcases and a couple national events have warranted an update to the junior class, as well as expanding the list, from 150 to the top 175 prospects in the state. 

The top 60 remains largely intact with only a few minor changes throughout. The top 10 remains exactly the same with two Louisville commits, SS Noah Smith (Marist) and LHP Adam Dowler (Oswego East) coming in at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively. The biggest riser within the top 20 comes from another Louisville commit, RHP Kyle Walter (Minooka). Walter, a strong-bodied, 6-foot-4, 220-pound, right-hander, climbs 11 spots to No. 18 in the class. Walter has a clean, easy delivery, can work his fastball (84-87 mph) to both sides of the plate and can throw his slider for a strike or expand it for swing-and-misses.

A trio of juniors who participated in the Future Games this summer, OF/LHP Isaiah Thompson (Sacred Heart-Griffin), LHP Eric Orloff (Glenbrook North) and MIF Gallien Coupet (Homewood-Flossmoor), remain the top uncommitted prospects in the class. Thompson is a left/left, two-way prospect, who has athletic hands at the plate, feel for the barrel and is an instinctive outfielder who could play all three spots. On the mound, Thompson pitches in the low-80’s but his separator is a swing-and-miss curveball. Orloff is a 6-foot-2, 190-pound, strike-throwing left-hander who creates deception thanks to a high-front side, working across his body and ran his fastball up to 87 mph at the Future Games. Coupet is a highly-athletic infielder with advanced range and confident, soft hands. Coupet plays with a high-motor, is instinctual on the bases (6.76 60) and competes in the box.

Eric Orloff (7.31.19)

A trio of uncommitted risers within the Top 75 are C Kyle Hayes (St. Charles East; No. 62), OF/LHP Joey Hagen (Johnsburg; No. 72) and MIF Jaylon Nauden (Marian Catholic; No. 75). All three were top prospects from the Class of 2021 Showcase in October. Hayes is a physical catcher with a strong, true arm (79 mph) from the crouch and has some of the best raw bat strength in the class. Hagen is a left/left, two-way prospect with bat speed at the plate, is natural in the outfield and is a strike thrower on the mound who pitches in the low-80’s. Nauden has continued to impress throughout the calendar year and is climbed up the list as a result. The new No. 75 prospect in the class, Nauden has added bat speed and strength at the plate and has the hands and feet to stick on the infield. 

Kyle Hayes (10.13.19)

 

UPDATED TOP 10 

RANK	NAME	STATE	SCHOOL	CLASS	POS	COMMITMENT
1	Noah Smith	IL	Marist	2021	SS	Louisville
2	Adam Dowler	IL	Oswego East	2021	LHP	Louisville
3	Nicholas Demarco	IL	St. Charles North	2021	SS	Notre Dame
4	Reed Gannon	IL	Minooka	2021	LHP	Kentucky
5	Brennyn Cutts	IL	Toledo-Cumberland	2021	RHP	Indiana State
6	Drew Gray	IL	Belleville East	2021	OF	Arkansas
7	Tyler Fullman	IL	Marian Catholic	2021	RHP	Michigan
8	Ben Hess	IL	Charleston	2021	RHP	Indiana
9	Ryan Moerman	IL	Lockport	2021	SS	Illinois
10	Lazaro Marquez	IL	N/A	2021	RHP	Texas

 

CLICK HERE for a complete look at the Illinois 2021 rankings.

Stay tuned over the next week or so for a look at some of the top newcomers who impacted the rankings. 

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