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Recruiting Roundup: Who's Heading Where?

January 29, 2016

By Matt Huck          
Area Scout

Every Friday National Scouting Supervisor Nathan Rode provides a roundup of insider recruiting information and commitments throughout the PBR coverage area: The Buzz. CLICK HERE to take a look at this week’s National Buzz. With that in mind, let’s take an in depth look at the Illinois prospects who have committed to colleges, with detailed scouting information.

Tom Kelley, OF, Providence Catholic, 2016
Miami (OH)

Tom Kelley6.18.15 - 6-foot-1, 190-pound outfielder, solid average build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short leg kick trigger, good balance through contact. Athletic hitter, showed above average bat speed, slight opposite field approach.  Defensively arm plays from a short over the top slot, plays extremely well, accurate with carry, plays better than the 85 mph velocity recorded. Athletic defender, works through the baseball, fluid actions. 7.18 runner in the 60.

Evan Liebau, RHP, Jacobs, 2016
Judson

Evan Liebau10.11.15 - 6-foot-1, 165-pound right-handed pitcher, slender build, lanky frame. Tall and fall delivery, loose athletic delivery, shoulders stay level, slightly closed. Arm action is long and loose, showed arm speed, ¾ slot, easy arm. Fastball has arm side run, feel for the zone, 81-83 mph. Curveball plays on 10/4 plane, slurve type action 70-72 mph. Changeup has sink, arm side action, feel for the zone, 74-76 mph. Showed a sense of pitchability, loose easy arm, showed feel for the mound and controlled the zone.

Matthew Mulhearn, RHP, Marian Catholic, 2016
Webster University

Matthew Mulhearn2.16.15 - 6-foot-2, 160-pound, right-handed pitcher. Lanky build. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm circle in back, and easy effort. Tall and fall delivery with smooth rhythm and a slight crossfire delivery. Threw his fastball for strikes and sat 77-78 mph. Slider with 10-4 shape sat 64-67 mph. Threw changeup for strikes with sink action that sat 71-73 mph.


Colin Fowich, SS, Lake Park, 2016
Elgin CC

Colin Fowich1.19.14 - Lanky build, 6-foot-2, 160-pound two-way player, projectable long athletic frame. Offensively hits from the left side, slightly closed stance, shorter leg kick stride. Longer path, occasionally lunges, athletic hands, loose swing with whip, 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively shows long athletic actions on the infield, arm shows some effort, 71 mph across the diamond, some body control, clean exchange. 71 mph across the diamond. On the mound fastball is mostly straight, showed control of the zone, 76-78 mph. Shows advanced feel for his curveball, 11/5 shape with above average action, with added velocity has high level potential, 61-66 mph. Changeup has sink, 62-64 mph, shows some control.

Kyle Blunt, LHP, Hononegah, 2016
Aurora University

Kyle Blunt7.7.15 - 6-foot-4, 185-pound, lanky, athletic build, projectable body, left-handed hitter. Flashed his speed right away, running a 6.89 60 yard dash to start the day. Offensively, hits from a balanced stance, toe-tap stride. Above-average bat speed, long, uphill bat path, 85 mph exit velocity. Defensively, displayed fluid footwork, a clean exchange and plays through the ball well in the outfield. Loose arm from a high ¾ slot. Clocked at 79 mph from the outfield. On the mound the left-handed pitcher showed a drop-and-drive delivery, long, quick arm action, high ¾ arm slot, square landing and on-line finish. Fastball sat 80-81 mph, touched 82 mph. Curveball showed 1/7 shape, 65-67 mph. Changeup sat 65-69 mph.

Ryan Newton, OF, Oak Forest, 2016
Aurora University

Ryan Newton10.11.15 - Small framed 5-foot-9, 160-pound, left-handed hitting outfielder. Offensively hits from a wide base with a low hand set. Drop load to backside with some rhythm. Short stride with a short uphill swing path. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.08. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Long exchange with some lateral agility. Threw 82 mph from the outfield.

Justin Machado, SS, Glenbrook South, 2016
Fordham University

Justin Machado1.19.14 - 6-foot, 175-pound two-way player. Offensively hits from a slightly open stance, short stride. Shows bat speed, solid contact out in front, creates whip. Defensively shows solid hands, deliberate footwork, 7.38 runner in the 60. Arm plays at 76 mph across the diamond, high ¾ slot, shows some ability to release on the move. On the mound, fastball is mostly straight 76-77 mph touched 78 mph. Curveball flashed 12/6 shape with bite, showed control in the zone, 62-66 mph. Changeup has slight arm side action, showed control and feel, near fastball arm speed, 64-67 mph.

Easton Bertrand, OF, Manteno, 2017
Minnesota

Easton Bertrand10.18.15 - Projectable, well-proportioned 6-foot-3, 175-pound right-handed hitting infielder and outfielder. Bertrand was one of the top performers at the event. Showed off a combination of plus tools across the board. Ran a 6.79 laser-timed 60, 86 mph across the infield, 90 mph from the outfield and a 91 mph exit velocity. Offensively, extremely easy bat speed. Fluid rhythm, explosive hands, strength through contact and the ball jumps off of the bat. Displayed pull power during his round of batting practice. Short, level bat path through the hitting zone. Balanced setup, short stride, god use of lower half and good balance through contact. Defensively, showed athletic actions in the infield and outfield. Comfortable at third base, good body control, soft hands and athletic arm action. Accurate throws with carry. In the outfield, easy arm with carry and true flight. Quick and fluid footwork, soft hands, athletic fielding position, playing through the baseball and accurate throws. Impressive athlete and one of the top uncommitted prospects in the 2017 Class. Should be a high follow moving forward.

Matt Gruszkowski, OF, Providence Catholic, 2016
Loras College

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