By Sean Duncan

The Illinois Class of 2011 is a remarkably deep and talented class. In the newly released Prep Baseball Report magazine, we put the Class of 2011 into sharp focus, analyzing the top prospects all over the state.

Although it was difficult to select, here?s a look at the top 10 hitters in Illinois? Class of 2011:

1.) Tim Barry ? Oak Forest HS ? OF
The 6-foot-, 205-pound Barry is the most feared hitter in Illinois, a reputation he began molding since the first day he stepped onto Oak Forest?s campus as a freshman. His offensive numbers in his three varsity seasons are staggering: 41 home runs and 170 RBI. His home run total has him tied for second on the state?s all-time list behind Odin?s Curtis Parish (49), while his RBI mark is just 23 shy of the state mark of 193. And his 78 RBI during his freshman year currently ranks second all-time behind Mattoon?s Gil Metzger (80). Despite his reputation, the three-time All-State selection posted another statistically staggering season as a junior last spring: .578 BA, 17 homers, 43 RBI. Barry is verbally committed to attend Kansas State University next year.

2.) Keelin Rasch ? Harrisburg HS ? 3B/OF
A gritty, hard-nosed competitor, Rasch was not only the best defensive third baseman we saw last season, but he?s also extremely impressive from the outfield, where he was clocked at 93 mph at the PBR Southern Illinois Top Prospect Showcase. One more thing about Rasch: he seemingly barrels everything that is thrown his way. A three-year varsity standout and a PBR second-team All-State selection as a junior, he broke Harrisburg?s single-season hits record with 67 last spring, which included 10 doubles, 9 home runs and 2 triples. He finished his junior year with a .471 batting average, 51 RBI and 48 runs, which helped power 40-1 Harrisburg to a second-place finish in Class 2A. Committed to John A. Logan JC.

3.) Jeff Boehm ? Mount Carmel HS ? 1B/OF/LHP
The left-handed hitting Boehm has been earmarked as an offensive prodigy since his freshman year, when he spun on a Tony Zych 91-mph fastball for a home run and finished as one of the Caravan?s top varsity producers. Boehm hasn?t stopped hitting since. As a junior, he finished with an astounding 19 doubles, 9 home runs and 33 RBI. As impressive of an offensive force as he is, Boehm?s future very well may be on the mound. The left-hander features an 88-92 mph two-seamer that has so much arm-side run that it makes him extremely difficult to catch. Committed to Kentucky.

4.) Mason Snyder ? Ottawa Marquette HS ? SS
In two varsity seasons, Snyder has a career .456 BA to go along with 27 doubles, 8 HRs, 7 triples, 74 RBI and 69 runs. As a junior, Snyder batted .474 with 17 doubles, 6 homers, 50 RBI, 47 runs and 14 stolen bases. Committed to Louisville.

5.) Jake Junis ? Rock Falls HS ? RHP/SS
A four-year varsity standout, Junis was the starting shortstop as a freshman on the Rockets? Class 3A state runner-up squad. As a freshman, he batted .421 with 37 RBI and he hasn?t stopped hitting since. As a sophomore, he batted .456 with 6 homers, and last spring he hit .485 with 41 RBI. As good of a hitter as he is, Junis likely will be a pitcher at the next level, thanks to an 88-92 mph fastball. Committed to North Carolina State.

6.) Sam Travis ? Providence Catholic HS ? 3B
Travis has established himself as one of the premier right-handed hitters in the class, in addition to being one of the finest defensive third basemen in the state. A standout since his sophomore year, Travis? impressive junior campaign was punctuated with several clutch, game-winning hits for the state-ranked Celtics. He finished the spring with a .486 BA, 9 doubles, 5 homers, 2 triples and 32 RBI while slugging at a .752 clip. Committed to Indiana University.

7.) Kyle Wood ? St. Laurence HS ? OF/LHP
As arguably the best two-way player in the state, Wood?s junior campaign not only earned him Prep Baseball Report first-team All-State honors, but he ascended St. Laurence toward the top of the Illinois high school baseball world for much of the spring season. Offensively, the left-handed hitting Wood had few peers last season: he batted .538 with 14 homers, 13 doubles, 41 runs and 56 RBI ? and did it against the toughest competition in the state. Hard to believe, but he was equally as valuable on the mound. Using an 85-88 mph fastball and a tight curve, Wood finished with a 7-2 record and a 1.72 ERA for the 29-7 Vikings. Committed to Purdue University.

8.) Charlie Tilson ? New Trier HS ? OF
As the No. 2-ranked player in the state and the best overall athlete, Tilson is projected to be a top-round draft pick come June. While his incredible athleticism has ascended his name toward the top of draft-eligible outfielder lists, Tilson?s quick left-handed bat is something special as well. As a sophomore, he helped New Trier to the Class 4A state championship by hitting .409 with 26 stolen bases. Last spring, he batted .449 with 11 doubles, 2 triples and 27 stolen bases. Committed to the University of Illinois.

9.) Jeff Schalk ? Wheaton North HS ? 1B/OF/C
A starter since his sophomore year, the 6-foot-3, 190-pound Schalk possesses one of the top left-handed power bats in the state. As a junior, he helped power the Falcons to a surprising run to the Class 4A supersectionals, as he led the team with 41 RBI and 8 home runs. The physically strong and athletic Schalk also tallied 7 doubles, 1 triple and 37 runs scored while batting .344. Committed to the University of Alabama-Birmingham.

10.) Joey Filomeno ? St. Rita HS ? LHP/1B
Known more for his pitching prowess, Filomeno put up monster offensive numbers last spring to help the Mustangs to a runner-up finish in Class 4A. The 6-foot, 220-pound right-handed hitter belted 14 homers, 12 doubles, 63 RBI and 35 runs while batting .459. On the mound, the hard-throwing lefty went 7-2. Committed to Louisville

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