Prep Baseball Report

Inside the Rankings: 2019 Newcomers


By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The 2019 class is updated and expanded, we released the update on Wednesday, followed by a look at some risers yesterday. Today highlights the newcomers to the rankings, with 25 new additions.

When you start talking about the plethora of 2019 arms who impressed this fall and were newcomers to the rankings, you need to start with uncommitted RHP Teague Conrad (Conant). Conrad, a 6-foot-4, 185-pound right-hander emerged at the Class of 2019 Showcase in October and now sits at No. 21 in the class. Conrad’s delivery and arm action draws comparisons to 2017 graduate Austin Marozas (Plainfield South) who is now at Kentucky. At the event in October Conrad sat 85-87 mph, touching 88, with heavy run and sink. His slider is sharp and hard at 74-77 mph. Add a sinking changeup to his repertoire and he has the makings of a starter at the next level.


Teague Conrad (10.15.17)

If you are looking for tools and arm strength, look no further than the new No. 34 prospect in the state, OF/RHP Cam Kissel (Plainfield North). Like Conrad, and some of the other newcomers to the list, Kissel burst onto the scene at the Class of 2019 Showcase where he was up to 89 mph on the mound, 93 mph from the outfield and registered a 100 mph exit velocity. At a college camp a couple of weeks later, the talented two-way prospect more than backed up his previous performance. The right-handed hitter, took one of the top rounds of batting practice showing off bat speed and routinely squaring balls up to the pull-side gap. He then got on the mound and touched 91 mph multiple times and threw his breaking ball for a strike. There is still some rawness to his game but not many other 2019s possess the kind of skill set Kissel does.

One of the biggest revelations from the Class of 2019 showcase this October was 6-foot-7, 215-pound, LHP/1B Ryne Singsank (Elk Grove). Given his imposing, extra-large frame, Singsank does a good job of controlling his body, especially on the mound. The big lefty has a loose arm out of a ¾ slot. His fastball sat 82-84 mph and showed feel for two above-average secondary pitches. Singsank also features advanced strength in his left-handed bat, registering a 101 mph exit velocity. Singsank is still uncommitted.


Ryne Singsank (10.15.17)

Two other uncommitted prospects who impressed this fall and are now top 70 prospects are RHP’s Logan Mueller (Lakes) and Victor Fujiu (Fremd). Mueller has a quick arm, works across his body creating deception and his fastball recently sat 85-87 mph with life through the zone. His curveball has slurve shape and flashed late bite at 75-76 mph. Fujiu intrigued a couple of times this fall but really stood out in a one-inning stint in Iowa. Fujiu works fast and attacks hitters, working almost exclusively with his fastball that sat 84-87 mph in his outing.

The next position player in the mix, coming in at No. 81 is OF/LHP Logan Bibb (Mascoutah), who hails from the southwestern part of the start. 6-foot-2, 207-pound, Bibb, is a physical left-handed hitter with easy juice in his bat.

Here’s a look at the rest of the new additions to the rankings:

NAME SCHOOL POS Comments                                                           
Jimmy DeAngelo Hall 1B Physical two-way prospect and fastball up to 86
Mitchell Jackson Marion RHP SIU commit. 6-foot-4, 160-pound righty with loose, quick arm and mid-80s fastball.
Ethan Burgh Prospect SS Solid overall game. Makes a lot of hard contact at the plate and strong infield arm.
Anthony Sterchele Neuqua Valley RHP 6-foot-5, 200-pound right-hander who we have seen 82-84 mph but reports have had him in the mid-to-upper 80s as of late.
Matthew Ambrose Notre Dame College Prep RHP Fastball sits 83-84 and pounds the strike zone with a three-pitch mix.
Daniel Chausse Mt. Zion RHP Live arm, fastball up to 85 and flashed advanced changeup.
Ryan Nelson Montini SS  Athletically built middle infielder with fluid defensive actions and soft hands. 
Alex Vera Joliet Catholic LHP Pitchability lefty who works in the low 80's.
Samuel Grushkin Seneca RHP 6-foot-3, 195-pounds and fastball up to 85. 
Johnny Colombo Lane Tech SS Projectable frame, bat plays and should be able to stick on left-side of the diamond.
Bennett Eltoft St. Francis OF Athletic build and highly-projectable left-handed bat.
Michael Chialdikas Lake Zurich SS Left-handed bat is his calling card.
Matthew Sorrells Oswego LHP Projectable LHP, hard late life on 80-82 mph fastball. 
Cameron Mulvihill Evanston LHP 6-0, 165 LHP with upside, short loose AA, 80-82. 
Sam Hojnar Naperville Central SS SIU commit. Switch-hitter, sub 7.0 runner, with plenty of arm to stick at SS.
Patrick McCabe Morris SS Left-handed hitting middle infielder, barrel control type hitter, soft hands will stick in the middle.
Angelo Cantelo Marian Catholic C Offensive, thick bodied catcher, durable for position, flashes pop in RH bat
Parker Mathieson Normal University SS Left-handed bat with quick twitch in swing and 6.91 runner.
Alec Bolanowsk Crystal Lake Central C Projectable bat. Aggressive swing with extension through contact.

 

CLICK HERE for complete Illinois 2019 Rankings.
CLICK HERE for the 2019 rankings story.
+ CLICK HERE for the 2019 ranking risers story.

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