By Sean Duncan

Why is the Class of 2011 such a special group of seniors? We believe it starts with the depth and quality of top-level left-handed pitchers. The 2011 class has an abundance of them. A look at the top 10 left-handers in the class, led by Breese Central?s Bryant Holtmann:

1.  Bryant Holtmann, Breese Central HS, 6-5, 180
Holtmann?s ascension up the ranks coincides with his big growth spurt and, subsequently, his increased velocity. With his size and loose arm action, Holtmann should be on the short list of pro scouts this spring. It also helps that he has flashed a fastball up to 92 mph, to go along with a hard cutter, curveball and changeup. As a junior, Holtmann posted a 6-3 record with a 1.77 ERA and 88 Ks in 55.1 innings. Committed to Florida State.

2.  Derek Thompson, Teutopolis HS, 6-3, 175
The athletic left-hander made his formal introduction to the state of Illinois in the Class 2A championship game when he did what no other pitcher could do last season: shut down Harrisburg?s high-scoring offense. Thompson earned Prep Baseball Report second-team All-State honors by going 9-1 record and a 0.53 ERA. In 66 innings, he struck out 101 and walked only 10. Already he has excellent command of three pitches, including a changeup that is reminiscent of Cole Hammels?, and a fastball that?s been as high as 90. Committed to John A. Logan JC

3. Dylan Craig, Murphysboro HS, 6-3, 185
The athletic left-hander has been lights-out throughout his high school career. He earned top prospect honors at the PBR Top Prospect Showcase in June behind an easy 87-88 mph fastball and feel for three pitches. As a freshman, Craig started off quickly, striking out 59 and posting a 2.38 ERA.  As a sophomore he upped his strikeouts to 94.  Last year was his best so far, fanning 123 while dropping his ERA to 1.91.
Committed to Illinois State.

4. Jeremy Scheck, Stevenson HS, 6-0, 175
Scheck missed his entire junior high school season after undergoing Tommy John Surgery. Prior to his injury, however, Scheck showed dominant stuff, including an 86-89 mph fastball, a plus change and a solid curveball. Committed to Clemson.

5. Joey Filomeno, St. Rita HS, 6-0, 225
With a fastball that regularly sits 88-91 mph, Filomeno is widely recognized as one of the top power-arm left-handers in this loaded 2011 class. Yet it was his power right-handed bat that earned him Prep Baseball Report first-team All-State honors as a junior first baseman. A four-year varsity contributor, Filomeno blasted 14 home runs, 12 doubles, 63 RBI and batted .459 as he helped the Mustangs to a Class 4A runner-up finish. But make no mistake, Filomeno is a primary pitcher. Extremely strong and physical, he posted a 7-2 record with a 4.92 ERA while striking out 68 in 56.1 innings as a junior. Committed to Louisville.

6. Wes Benjamin, St. Charles East HS, 6-1, 170
No Class of 2011 prospect enjoyed a more dominant junior campaign on the mound than Benjamin, who earned Prep Baseball Report second-team All-State honors in his first varsity season. Behind an impressive array of pitches that included an 85-88 mph fastball, Benjamin posted a 13-2 record with a 1.26 ERA. In 83 innings, he struck out 112 batters and walked 25. Benjamin?s emergence, which included three postseason victories, helped lead the Saints to the Class 4A sectional finals. Committed to Kansas University.

7. Kyle Wood, St. Laurence HS, 6-0, 205
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. In 53 innings, he surrendered 31 hits and struck out 73. Committed to Purdue.

8. Jeff Boehm, Mount Carmel HS, 6-0, 180
The left-handed hitting Boehm has been earmarked as an offensive prodigy since his freshman year. 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.

9. Joel Learnard, Salt Fork HS, 6-6, 220
Learnard is somewhat of a celebrity in the Class 1A, small-school crowd. The big left-hander earned first-team Class 1A All-State honors in both basketball and baseball. In the winter, he led Salt Fork downstate in basketball, as the power forward averaged 16.2 points and 9.2 rebounds. Then in the spring, he guided Salt Fork to the Class 1A supersectionals by posting an 8-2 record with a 0.80 ERA. In 61 innings, he struck out 112 batters. Committed to Illinois State.

10. Matt Panek, Cary-Grove HS, 6-2, 175
Panek flew somewhat under the radar last spring, but as his velocity began to climb in the summer, so did the interest. The long and loose left-hander has shown good feel for three pitches, including a mid-80s fastball that has climbed as high as 88 on occasion. Committed to Ohio State.

 

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