Today, we’ll address all the Illinois prospects who made the decision to announce their commitment throughout this past week. We wrapped up our final showcase of 2018 last weekend, so as we head into the fall and winter offseason, now’s the time when recruiting season picks up. This past week was a busy one for commitments, so let’s begin.

2019 COMMITS

Ryan Maher SS / Brother Rice, IL / 2019 HEARTLAND CC 3.16.18 - Ranked No. 84 in his state’s class. 6-foot, 170-pound, well-proportioned, right-handed hitting infielder. Has the ability to play anywhere on the infield. Athletic actions, soft hands, fluid footwork. At the plate, delivered one of the key hits in Brother Rice’s win. Drove a two-run triple into the right-center field gap. Minimal wasted movement at the plate, short stride and natural lift in swing.

Joshua Williams OF / LHP / Simeon, IL / 2019 INDIAN HILLS CC Ranked No. 98 in his state's 2019 class. Athletic, left/left, two-way prospect. Loose, athletic swing and has been creating buzz on the mound, reportedly pitching in the mid-to-upper 80s.

Tim Rybarczyk RHP / Lincoln-Way Central, IL / 2019 TRITON JC 6.12.18 - Ranked No. 115 in the state’s 2019 class. 6-foot-5, 210-pound, extra large frame, strong upper and lower halves, right-handed pitcher, projectable build. Long, loose arm action, works quickly to get out front, high ¾ slot. Tilt and topple delivery, some rhythm, rushed at-times, shoulders stay level, works towards home, lands toe-open. Fastball, mostly straight, commanded in the zone, sat 83-87, touched 88. Curveball, 11/5 shape, short break, 70-73. Slider, 10/4 shape, 70-73.

Tony Fleischauer 2B / Joliet Catholic, IL / 2019 GRAND VALLEY STATE 8.26.18 - Ranked No. 166 in his state’s 2019 class. 6-foot-1, 190-pound, strong, athletically-built, well-proportioned, left-handed hitting infielder. 7.13 runner in the 60, laser-timed. One of the top left-handed hitters still available in the Illinois’ 2019 class. At the plate, athletic, open setup, moxy in the box, smooth load, short stride and fluid rhythm throughout. Loose hands, flashed quick twitch, lift in swing, gap-to-gap approach and easy effort throughout. 88 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, confident, actiony defender, fluid footwork, plays through the baseball, soft hands, quick release at times. Loose arm action, throws from multiple slots, accurate throws, carry across the diamond, topped at 86 mph.

Cameron Hibbets LHP / Granite City, IL / 2019 MCKENDREE UNIVERSITY 6.26.18 - Ranked No. 177 in his state’s 2019 class. 5-foot-9, 186-pound stocky, strong, left handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, balanced tall set up, smooth back load, fluid rhythm, leg kick, engaged hips. Fast bat speed, 94 exit velocity off tee, long barrel path through zone, gap-gap approach with power, extension through ball. Defensively, long arm action, over the top release, accuracy to throws, 87-mph velocity from outfield. Fluid footwork, clean exchange, athletic fielding position, plays through baseball. Ran 7.72 in the 60. On the mound, over top arm angle, long arm action, quick arm speed, effort, stays in line, out front finish. Fastball sat between 83-84 mph, touching 85. Curveball ranged between 72-73 mph, 10/4 shape. Changeup was 74-mph, slight fade.

Jake Kmiecik 3B / Metea Valley, IL / 2019 HEARTLAND CC 10.8.18 - (Quick Hits) Ranked No. 196 in the state’s 2019 class, Kmiecik showed a sinking fastball from a ¾ slot that worked 84-85 mph and topped at 86 mph. Kmiecik is an athletic arm who looks to have more in the tank and just scratching the surface of his potential on the mound.

Tony Mosher OF / Plainfield South, IL / 2019 DES MOINES AREA CC 8.7.18 - Ranked No. 198 in the state’s 2019 class. 5-foot-9, 205-pound, right-handed hitting two-way player, strong, muscle-bound frame. Balanced, open setup, minimal load, quick leg kick stride. Strong hands, short, level bat path, flashed hard, line drive contact with pull side power potential. Present bat speed, exit velocity topped 87 mph from a tee. Present foot speed for frame, tripled to deep right field in game play, 7.19 runner in the 60. Defensively, fluid footwork, quick exchange, plays through the ball. Short, strong arm action, early release, ¾ slot, throws topped 88 mph from the outfield. Right-handed pitcher, long rocker step, compact delivery, works in-line, stiff front leg, toe lands closed. Arm plays short and quick, over the top slot, some effort. Fastball worked straight, firm through the zone, topped 90 mph, ranged 86-89 mph. Curveball, 10/4 shape, got on the side of it, 70-71 mph.

Nicolas Palermo OF / St. Ignatius, IL / 2019 OBERLIN COLLEGE 2.11.18 - Ranked No. 195 in the state’s 2019 class. 5-foot-11, 170-pound outfielder, average build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, average balance. Upper body generates bat speed, path works level through the zone. 88 mph exit velocity form the tee. Defensively arm action is short, high ¾ slot, 81 mph from the outfield. 6.87 runner in the 60, plays through the baseball.

MORE 2019 COMMITS

 

2020 COMMITS

2021 COMMITS

Nicholas Demarco SS / St. Charles North, IL / 2021 NOTRE DAME 7.23.18 - Ranked No. 5 in Illinois’ 2021 class. 5-foot-11, 180-pound, strong, athletically-built, two-way prospect. All-around impressive day. On of the top offensive rounds of the event. Right-handed hitter, presence in the box, balanced setup, smooth early load, short stride and good balance. Quick twitch in swing, present bat speed, explosive at times, consistent hard contact, balls jumps off the barrel. Short bat path, gap-to-gap approach and fluid rhythm throughout; 89 mph exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, athletic infield actions, fluid feet, soft hands, works through the baseball and clean release. Loose arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate arm, throws carry and clocked at 83 mph. 4.76 runner down the line. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, one of the top arms of the event. Clean, repeatable delivery, works with rhythm, on-line and finishes athletically. Fluid, clean, compact arm action; works quick out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball, down in the zone, sinking action, sat 85-86 mph. Slider, 10/4 plane, flashed sharp action, thrown for strikes, 74-76 mph. High-follow two-way prospect in the 2021 class.

 

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