Inside The Illinois Rankings: 2020 Risers
November 20, 2018
At the start of the week, we released our updated and expanded Illinois Class of 2019 Rankings. We began the analysis of the event with a detailed/inside look at the Top-10 prospects. Today we continue the breakdown of rankings looking at some of the biggest risers among the 150 ranked prospects, that sit outside the Top 10.
The biggest riser towards the top of the rankings is also one of the more highly-projectable arms in the class, RHP Tucker Shalley (Jersey HS). The 6-foot-4, 180-pound, long and lean right-hander climbed 40 spots and now sits at No. 18 in the state. Reports of Shalley had been surfacing throughout the summer and we finally got a good look at him this fall at the PBR Fall Championship in September. Shalley has an unorthodox delivery but repeats well given his long levers and pounded the strike zone throughout his outing. Shalley’s arm works loose and quick and his fastball sat 83-85 mph, touching 87 with a lot more in the tank. The recent Illinois commit, also spun a sharp breaking ball with swing-and-miss potential. The pitch varied in shape and action but he throws it with conviction and it topped at 76 mph.