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Illinois Class of 2016 Rankings: Prospects New to the Rankings

November 17, 2014

By Ryan Quigley
Illinois Scouting Director

On Thursday and Friday we rolled out our updated Illinois Class of 2016 rankings, extended to 175 players. We highlighted the Overall Top Ten and also some of the Biggest Risers in the rankings. Today we’ll take a look at some of the prospects who are making their debut in the rankings.

Fenwick’s Jay Militello debuts at No. 53 thanks to an impressive display he put on back in August at the Chicagoland Open, where he was named the No. 2 Overall Prospect. Militello was solid at shortstop, but really impressed once he took the mound with an 83-87 mph fastball from loose arm action.

Stevenson's Patrick Loeffler debuts at No. 54. The left-handed power hitting first baseman was named the No. 5 overall prospect at October’s Class of 2016 Showcase. Loeffler runs extremely well for a 6-foot-1, 195-pound physical corner infielder, and impressed with a 6.91 60-yard dash.

Lincoln-Way North’s Tom Szczasny was named the No. 6 overall prospects at the October Class of 2016 Showcase, and impressed all fall as the three-hole hitter for Elite Baseball Training. The sure handed third baseman hits from the left-side with an advanced approach.

Edwardsville’s Collin Clayton impressed this spring during the Tigers’ sectional championship run and debuts at No. 63. Clayton also was named to the Labor Day Challenge All-Tournament Team, going 4-for-9 on the weekend impressing in the middle infield and centerfield.

Glenbard East’s Michael Sebby debuts at No. 69. The lanky left-hander fired 82-84 mph fastballs and was named the No. 4 overall prospect at the October Class of 2016 Showcase. His secondary offerings separate him from his peers, as both his 73-74 mph late breaking slider, and 76-79 mph changeup have above average potential.

A pair of projectable right-handed pitchers debut at No. 71 and No. 72 respectively. Reed Custer’s Jordan Walden impressed in August at the Chicagoland Open with an 81-82 mph fastball from a 6-foot-5 projectable frame. A few weeks later Walden was up to 84-85 mph in relief at the Kernels Tournament in Iowa. LaSalle-Peru’s Brady Huebbe was named the No. 7 overall prospect at October’s Class of 2016 Showcase. The lanky and athletic shortstop/right-handed pitcher threw 87 mph across the infield, 82-85 mph on the mound, and also threw a legitimate plus knuckleball.

St. Laurence’s Jack Cavanaugh debuts at No. 75. Like many prospects on this list, he also impressed at the Class of 2016 Showcase. Cavanaugh was 82-85 mph on the mound, and also impressed at third base, in the outfield, and with the bat. His versatility all over the diamond make him an intriguing prospect who can provide value to a college program at multiple positions.

Take a look at the Updated Class of 2016 rankings extended to 175 players HERE.

More Prospects Debuting in the Rankings

48. Danny Denz

81. Andrew Hennings

84. Ryan Pfutzenreuter

90. Neil Udelhofen

117. Ryan Davila

130. Dylan Molek

138. Tyler Dallio

139. Ranko Stevanovic

140. Arno Curtis

159. Alex Peters

160. Christian Barczi

161. Patrick McGowan

162. George Manikas

166. PJ Byrd

170. Colin Rivard

171. Johnny Galvan

174. Clay Bachman

175. Adam Schoenle

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