Inside The Overall Rankings: Illinois

August 31, 2016

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor – Wisconsin/Illinois

The 2018 rankings have seen a big overhaul across the Prep Baseball Report platform, state rankings have been adjusted and on Monday the 2018 Overall Rankings were updated. Now including North Carolina, our overall rankings are comprised of 31 states across the country, making it even more difficult to make the overall ranks.

CLICK HERE for Overall Rankings.

In Illinois, Mount Carmel OF Alek Thomas makes the top ten at No. 9. Illinois’ top 2018 prospect is a three-sport athlete with big pop from the left side out of a 5-foot-10, 165-pound frame.

RHP Jacob Maton (Chatham-Glenwood) saw a big boost into the top 35 after a strong performance at the Future Games. Up to 90 mph with his fastball, Maton showcased one of the harder breaking balls at the event, a78-80 mph slider with devastating action.

LHP Steven Sanchez (Mundelein) jumped over 80 spots, into the top 85 and is one of the more intriguing prospects in the class. At 6-foot-8, 230-pounds, Sanchez is physically imposing and his body works better than you would think at that size. His hands engulf the baseball and with a little more lower half he could take his already 87 mph fastball to new heights.

Zaid Walker was the top Illinois’ position player to see a jump in the overall ranks. Into the top 90, the Homewood-Flossmoor 3B is a live bodied athlete with electric hands at the plate, shows centerfield speed, and right field arm strength.

Six Illinois prospects made the Overall Rankings for the first time:

OF Dakota Kotowski (Providence Catholic) – 6-foot-3, 200-pound corner outfielder with a loud bat.

RHP Evan Tenuta (Carl Sandburg) – Quick armed righty up to 88 mph with a 12/6 curveball.

LHP Antoine Kelly (Maine East) – Highly projectable southpaw, 6-foot-4, 160-pounds, live arm.

SS Jamarion Loston (Morgan Park) – Athletic defensive first shortstop.

LHP Aiden Tyrell (Joliet Catholic) – Average, wiry framed lefty with a quick arm and big fastball.

3B Francois Castillo (Roberto Clemente) – Strong bodied corner defender with big arm, plays with high motor.