By Matt Huck
Area Scout

Recently 2019 RHP Grant Leader of Lyons committed to Illinois. Leader is currently ranked No. 6 in the Illinois Class of 2019 and No. 111 in the PBR Overall Ranks. Leader first came onto the PBR scene at the MCYSA  Showcase in Crystal Lake in 2015 as an incoming freshman. Despite being 5-foot-7 and 130-pounds Leader sat 83-85 mph with his fastball. Leader was one of two 2019 prospects invited to represent Illinois at the 2016 PBR Future Games. This January at the Underclass Invite Leader came out 89-90 mph with his fastball and showed a solid four pitch feel. After the event he committed to Illinois, joining Brody Harding (Moline) as 2019s in committing to the Illini. Here is a report on Leader from the Underclass Invite. 

1.15.17 - Recent Illinois commit. 5-foot-9, 145-pound right-handed pitcher, athletic build. One of the top arms in his class. Delivery repeats, exaggerated finish, gains ground, open front side. Arm action is short and quick, explosive arm action, high ¾ slot, little effort. Plus fastball for his age, sat 89-90 mph, slight running action, showed feel for the zone, excellent life through the zone. Two breaking balls. Curveball has 12/6 shape, 72-75 mph, better of the two breaking balls. Slider had flatter action, occasional cut, 77-79 mph. Changeup fades to arm side, 74-77 mph, has feel. Excellent four pitch mix, repertoire to be a front line starter at the next level.

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? Was it as expected? Easy/Difficult?

Leader:  I don’t know that I had any expectations about the recruiting process.  It just kind of happened.  It started with the MCYSA Showcase in 2015.  That got me hooked up with Top Tier.  After that, I started playing in some high level tournaments and some invite showcases, and then everything kind of fell into place.  I was surprised at how quickly things happened once it actually started.

PBR: What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?

Leader: I was looking for a school with high academic standards and a baseball program with a great coaching staff and a family like atmosphere.

PBR: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?

Leader: Distance from home was a factor. I really wanted my family to be able to see me play as often as possible, so I was concentrating on schools within a decent driving distance.  I told some good schools that I wasn’t interested because they were too far away (Duke, Houston, Wake Forest).

PBR: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Was there a particular game or event that you feel turned the corner for you?

Leader: Things really started to heat up for me after the WWBA National Championship in Georgia.  I pitched against the West Hills Show from Pennsylvania at the Lake Point Complex.  I felt good on the mound – lots of first pitch strikes and I was mixing up my pitches well.  I found out later there were a number of schools watching.

PBR: Where did the college you chose first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?

Leader: The first time Illinois saw me was at the Instructional Camps of America and then in Georgia.  It wasn’t until after I tried out for the National Team Development Program in Cary, NC that conversations started.

PBR: What do you like most about the college you committed to and what were the key factors in making your decision?

Leader: Illinois was the perfect combination of athletics, academics and distance from home.  The coaching staff at Illinois is passionate about their sport and their team – I am really looking forward to playing for them. 

PBR: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?

Leader:  The other two schools I considered were Michigan and Northwestern.

PBR: Who is the best player you have faced in your state, and why?

Leader: The best player I’ve faced in Illinois is Matt McCormick.  He’s got such a good awareness of the strike zone – he’s a tough out.

PBR: At what point in your career did you realize you were a college caliber player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?

Leader: I started realizing I might be able to play in college when I was about 12 or so – I had a number of umpires tell me that I had a “heavy” fastball and needed to take care of my arm.

PBR: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?

Leader: I would tell younger players to respect and love the game.  Playing baseball can teach you life lessons – especially how to deal with things when they don’t go the way you’d like.  But, my first coach also told me that someone is working harder than me.

PBR: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?

Leader: I was asked to pitch for at the WWBA World Championships for the Reds Midwest Scout Team in Jupiter.  I threw two no-hit innings against a great team (the Puerto Rican Baseball Academy High School team).

PBR: Preview your high school season for us. How do you feel your team will be? What are your expectations and goals?

Leader:  I’m looking forward to the high school season.  We did pretty well in last year’s summer ball, even though we were pretty young.  We should be solid and compete pretty well.  It’s a really good group of guys – many of whom I’ve played with since little league.

PBR: Where do you play in the summer? And what has been your most memorable experience with them?

Leader: I play with Top Tier in the summer.  I’ve been fortunate to have a number of really good experiences with Top Tier – but I think my favorite is playing in last year’s inaugural Under Armour Classic at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL.  It was my first high level, event-type tournament and I loved every minute of it.

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