Illinois 2016 Rankings: New Additions

November 6, 2015

By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The updated rankings for the Illinois 2016 Class were released yesterday. There was quite a bit of shuffling to the Top 250 and 30 prospects made things interesting by making their way into the rankings for the first time.

Since the last 2016 Rankings Update two big events took place for Unsigned Seniors. The Unsigned Senior Games was held in August and took place at Plunkett Park in Elmhurst, IL and on October 11^th the Unsigned Senior Showcase was held at The MAX in McCook,IL. Over 130 unsigned seniors participated in the October event.

Those two events brought numerous faces and names to the forefront, many of whom, the Prep Baseball Report Scouting Staff had never seen before. Strong cases were made and many found there way into the updated rankings. Catcher Brendan Krob (Argo) is the top ranked newcomer to the rankings coming in at No. 82 in the state. Krob now committed to Evansville University showed a big bat and strong arm at the Unsigned Senior Games in August. He hit a towering home-run during game play and flashed a few sub 2.0 pop times during the workout.

Middle infielders Korry Howell (Homewood-Flossmoor) a Kirkwood CC commit and Jeran Simpson (Wheaton Warrenville South) were ranked as the top two position players at the Unsigned Senior Showcase this October. Simpson, still uncommitted, flashed easy bat speed and registered a 96 mph exit velocity at the event. They both now find themselves in the Top 115.

OF/RHP Alex Herbst (Hinsdale Central) a recent Trinity commit ranked as the third best prospect at the USG and made the Top 150. Herbst was 88 mph from the outfield and was up to 85 mph on the mound.

The next three newcomers on the list are all uncommitted middle infielders that can really defend. Malik Coupet (Homewood-Flossmoor) is now ranked No. 153, Andrew Garcia (Lincoln-Way East) and Sean Cary (Centralia) come in at 167 and 168 respectively.

Physical speciman, 6-foot-4, 200-pound 1B Connor Pett (Carmel Catholic) is now ranked No. 178. Right-handed hitter flashed power potential, a 96 mph exit velocity and also ran a 7.13 60 at the USS in October. Right-handed pitcher Michael Stevens (Lockport) was another good body prospect who impressed at the USS. 6-foot-6, 190-pound loose armed right hander has big upside and was up to 84 mph. He now finds himself at No. 184.

Jacob Ahrens (McHenry West) recently committed to Rend Lake College and Dylan Rusniak (Brother Rice) a Wisconsin-Oshkosh commit are two outfielders who are now in the Top 200. Ahrens, a right-handed hitter presents plenty of tools, 6.99 60, 86 from the outfield and an exit velocity of 95 mph. Rusniak is a diminuative left-handed hitter, hit a inside the park home run at the USG and was 89 mph from the outfield.

Three new right-handed pitchers Wyatt Kingery (Paxton-Buckley-Loda), Zach Redis (Proviso Math and Science) and Johnny Sanchez (Rockford Lutheran) round out the Top 250.

CLICK HERE for complete Illinois 2016 Rankings.

Early next week we will take a look at some of the biggest risers to the Illinois rankings.

Illinois 2016 Rankings: New Additions

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