By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The Illinois 2019 rankings were updated and expanded earlier this week along with the overall rankings. Today we take an inside look at the Illinois rankings and highlight some of the top newcomers and biggest risers on the list.

CLICK HERE for complete 2019 Illinois Rankings.

In the updated rankings story posted earlier this week we noted two of the top newcomers in the rankings, both of whom are now in the top 10, OF/1B Jason Hodges (Marist) and SS Jalen Greer (St. Rita). Both impressed multiple times over the fall and are uncommitted.

A trio of newcomers sit in the top 25 this time around, SS Josh Mrozek (Providence Catholic), C Tyler Snep (Lake Zurich) and RHP Brandon Laux (Lincoln-Way East). Mrozek and Snep were top overall prospects at the Underclass Showcase this fall. Mrozek is an athletic left-handed hitter with a loose swing, runs a 6.8 60 and is a steady defender. Snep is a 6-foot-2, 185-pound, left-handed hitting catcher who started on varsity as a freshman and led the team in hitting. He is also an advanced receiver. Laux, a Houston recruit, is a 6-foot-3 right-hander, with a clean arm and a fastball that was up to 86 mph this fall.

Outfielder Alex Helmin is another Providence Catholic product who made noise in the updated rankings. Helmin, who recently committed to Arizona State, has a projectable 6-foot-4, 175-pound frame and projects as a center fielder at the next level. He currently runs a 6.7 60, glides in the outfield and has a loose right-handed swing.

The top two arms at the Underclass Showcase in October, Xander Rojahn (Elk Grove) and Zachary Gould (Joliet Catholic), rose into the top 25 in Illinois. Rojahn features a four-pitch repertoire and a live arm that sat 83-85 mph, topping at 86 at the event. Gould is an imposing 6-foot-4, 205 pounds with a long, loose arm. He has the ability to get downhill on his fastball which sat 82-84 mph that day.

Video of Gould (10.23.16)

Some other notable newcomers in the top 75:

• LHP Connor Oliver (Oak Forest) - Long and lean southpaw with an athletic arm action. Ran his fastball up to 84 mph with a good slider.

• RHP Michael Gurka (Hinsdale Central) - Strong frame, clean arm and sat 81-84 mph at an event this fall.

• RHP Collin Witzke (Oswego East) - 6-foot-2, 160-pound, projectable right-hander. Loose, quick arm, four pitch mix and sat 79-82 mph at the Underclass Showcase.

• C Alex Powers (Prairie Ridge) - Lean, athletic frame. Loose, lively arm, clocked at 77 mph from the crouch. Offensively, loose swing with bat speed.

• 3B Charlie Allison (Rock Island) - High ceiling left-handed hitter with an athletic, strong frame.

• SS Damon Gladney (Illiana Christian) - Long and lean infielder with soft hands. Flashes bat speed and lift in his swing.

• OF Darrius Little (Homewood-Flossmoor) - runs a sub 7.0 60, can handle the bat and has fluid rhythm in everything he does.

• INF Andrew Kim (Libertyville) - Strong, compact left-handed swing with bat speed.

CLICK HERE for complete 2019 Illinois Rankings.

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