Inside the 2019 Overall Rankings: Illinois

September 23, 2016

By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The 2019 rankings have seen a big overhaul across the Prep Baseball Report platform, state rankings have been adjusted and earlier this week the 2019 Overall Rankings were updated.

It is important to note that the PBR overall rankings only include the states that we intimately know from our boots-on-the-ground scouting staff. The updated Top 150 Class of 2019 rankings is comprised of our current 31-state coverage area, which now includes North Carolina. Recently launched Oklahoma is currently not included in the overall rankings. The continued expansion is making it even more difficult to make the overall ranks.

CLICK HERE for Overall Rankings.

In Illinois, C Matt McCormick (St. Laurence) and RHP Quinn Priester (Cary Grove) are the highest ranked uncommitted prospects on the list, both reside in the top 15. McCormick is a sturdy 6-foot, 195-pounds and features an advanced left-handed bat. Priester, who rose six spots since the last update, is a highly athletic righty with a lightning quick arm and a fastball up to 89 mph.

The next Illinois prospect on the list is SS Andrew Wiegman (Carmel Catholic), a Louisville recruit. Wiegman, currently the lone 2019 committed from Illinois, comes in at No. 34 in the overall’s. Wiegman is new to the overall rankings and much of it can be credited to his performance at the 2019 IL/WI Top Prospect Games held this summer. Wiegman played the game at a different speed than his peers at the event. Wiegman stole bases at will and exuded confidence at the plate and on the infield.

Another SS who impressed at the 2019 Top Prospect Games and made his way into the rankings for the first time is Jared Cushing (Joliet Catholic). Cushing plays the game with ease and never seems to be in a hurry on the diamond. Defensively, there is no reason why he shouldn't be able to stick on the left-side of the infield at the next level.

Video of Cushing

Other Illinois prospects in the Overall Top 150:

RHP Zachary Lee (Effingham) – 6-foot-4, 185-pound right hander with a live, loose arm from a ¾ slot. Fastball 85-87 mph, touching 88.

RHP Grant Leader (Lyons Township) – Undersized righty pitches in the mid-to-upper 80’s and can spin a breaking ball.

OF Kendall Pettis (Brother Rice) – Athletic, sub 7 runner with high upside at the plate.

RHP Kyle Wisch (Hinsdale Central) – Physical, 6-foot-4, right-hander with a clean, easy delivery and feel for three pitches. This summer sat comfortably in the mid 80’s, touching 88.

RHP Nathan Rintz (Schaumburg) – Athletic, quick armed right hander, pounds the strike zone and sat 84-86 mph this summer.

SS Brody Harding (Moline) – Left-handed hitter, sub 7.0 runner and is an advanced defender.

RHP Ryan Keeley (Wheaton Warrenville South) – 6-foot-3, 190-pound righty with a high ceiling and fastball up to 86.