By Matt Huck          
Area Scout

Every Friday National Scouting Supervisor Nathan Rode provides a roundup of insider recruiting information and commitments throughout the PBR coverage area: The Buzz. CLICK HERE to take a look at this week’s National Buzz. With that in mind, let’s take an in depth look at the Illinois prospects who have committed to colleges, with detailed scouting information.

Alex Helmin, OF, Providence Catholic, 2019
Arizona State

7.17.16 - Long and lean, projectable outfielder. Offensively, right-handed hitter, hits in the three hole. Calm approach, easy effort in swing with looseness. Hit a double to right-center field in his third at-bat. Long, easy strides on the bases. High follow 2019 outfielder.

CJ Deshazer, SS, Conant, 2017
Heartland CC

10.9.16 - 5-foot-10, 160-pound switch-hitting shortstop, live wiry frame, quick twitch type athlete. Well above average runner, 6.82 in the 60. Defensively actions are quick and plays with a bounce, athletic defender can make all the plays to both sides, above average range. Arm action is loose and quick, showed carry and athleticism, ability to release on the move. 84 mph across the diamond. Offensively showed ability to hit from both sides, open stance, quick loading action with leg kick and drops hands. Aggressive quick twitch approach, loose hands, fast bat. 79 mph exit velocity from the left side, 82 mph from the right side.

Zach Frieling, SS, Chicago Christian, 2017
St. Louis

6/16/16 - 5-foot-11, 170-pound, strong, right handed hitting infielder. 6.97 runner in the laser timed 60. Offensively, flashed bat speed, short path, line drive approach, and fluid rhythm; exit velocity clocked at 81 mph. Balanced setup, smooth load and short stride. Defensively, fluid footwork and reliable hands on the infield. Athletic fielding position, out in front of his body and clean exchange. Flashed an accurate arm from a high ¾ arm slot; 78 mph across the diamond.

Ashton Creal, OF, Metea Valley, 2017
John A. Logan

6.16.16 - 6-foot-1, 180-pound right-handed hitting outfielder with an athletic frame. Defensively has a long arm action from an over the top arm slot. Accurate throws with carry, throwing 89 mph from the outfield. Athletic actions, playing thru the ball with a clean exchange and fluid footwork. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a short toe tap stride. Pull hitter with a long, uphill swing path and fluid rhythm. Showed strength thru contact with 91 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.07.

Brenden Butler, SS, Oak Lawn, 2017
Upper Iowa

8.12.16 - 6-foot-1, 175-pound, infielder. Offensively, right-handed hitter, flashed bat speed, hard contact, line-drive, pull approach, long bat path; exit velocity clocked at 86 mph. Open setup, leg kick, showed ability to maintain balance through contact. Showed well in gameplay with two base hits. Defensively, reliable hands, short, loose arm from a ¾ slot; throws clocked at 74 mph across the infield. 4.91 home to first time.

Victor Perez, C, Warren, 2017
Marian University (WI)

8.9.16 - 5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed hitting catcher with a strong frame. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and good balance. Pull hitter with some pop. Good approach with fluid rhythm. Showed strength thru contact wit 92 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.68. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Accurate throws with quick footwork behind the plate. Popped 2.08-2.13 and threw 71 mph from the crouch.

Will Oppenheim, LHP, Jones College Prep, 2017
Middlebury College

8.23.15 - 6-foot-2, 165-pound left-handed pitcher, lanky frame. Delivery works to glove side, finishes to third base side. Long arm action, high ¾ slot, average arm speed. Fastball is mostly straight four seam, 75-76 mph, touched 77 mph. Curveball played 12/6, gradual action, showed arm speed, flashed occasional depth, 64-65 mph. Showed feel of a changeup, slight arm side run, thrown with arm speed, 68-71 mph.

Alex Analytis, RHP, Joliet Catholic, 2017
IU-South Bend

10.18.15 - 5-foot-11, 210-pound right-handed pitcher, thick build, strong lower half. Directional delivery, slight swing to front leg landing. Arm action is short and loose, hides it well, over the top slot. Fastball is straight, occasional late action through the zone, good control, 82-83 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, gradual action, showed some feel for the pitch, 66-70 mph. Changeup had action, thrown for strikes, near fastball arm speed, 75-76 mph.

Pat Mayo, 3B, Brother Rice, 2017
Spring Hill College

8/9/16 - 6-foot-1, 165 pound, lanky, infielder. Offensively, right-handed hitter, flashed bat speed, fluid rhythm, pull approach, short, uphill path through the zone; exit velocity registered at 92 mph. Slightly open setup, smooth load, short stride. Defensively, reliable hands, fields position athletically. Flashed a short, loose, accurate arm from an over the top to high ¾ slot; throws clocked at 79 mph across the infield.

 

Breven Daugherity, OF, Joliet West, 2017
Upper Iowa

10.9.16 - 5-foot-11, 195-pound, two-way player. 6.93 runner in the laser timed 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, strike thrower, pitches with some rhythm, lands closed. Long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, heavy, sat 81-83 mph. Curveball, varied between 12/6 and 11/5 shape, short break, 68-71 mph. Changeup, tendency to slow arm, mostly straight, 71-73 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, tendency to find barrel, short, uphill path; exit velocity registered at 82 mph. Balanced setup, smooth pre pitch load, leg lift. Defensively, clean exchange, plays through the baseball. Long arm action from a high ¾ slot, accurate throws; clocked at 85 mph from the outfield.

Jack Splett, C, Wheeling, 2017
Lakeland College

8.12.16 - 5-foot-8, 160-pound catcher. Right-handed hitter, tall balanced setup, short stride, average balance. Some effort, path works slightly uphill. 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played short from a high ¾ slot, 70 mph out the crouch. Pop times ranged, 2.11-2.25. Goes home to first at 5.42.

 

 

Cory Busse, RHP, Woodstock North, 2017
McHenry County College

1.31.16 - Athletic build 6-foot-3, 170-pound well-proportioned right-handed hitting infielder and pitcher. Offensively, flat bat path through the hitting zone and line-drive approach. Balanced setup, pre-pitch load and long stride. Registered an exit velocity of 85 mph. Defensively, reliable hands, quick and clean exchange on the infield. Long arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate arms and clocked at 76 mph. Also, ran a 4.44 home-to-first. On the mound the right-hander flashed a quick arm out of a high ¾ window. In-line direction, square landing and athletic finish. Fastball featured some heaviness and clocked at 78-80 mph, touching 81. Curveball worked between 11/5 and 10/4, sitting 63-67 mph. Changeup, slight arm-side-run, fastball arm speed and ranged between 71-73 mph.

Braydon Weber, RHP, Eat Peoria, 2017
Illinois Central JC

8.5.15 - 6-foot-3, 190-pound right-handed pitcher. Delivery has some effort, slightly collapsed back side, squared landing. Arm action is short, high ¾ slot, clean arm. Fastball is mostly straight, four seam action, 78-80 mph. Curveball has 12/6 type action, 68-70 mph, flashed good action. Slider showed more lateral break, sweep, 72-74 mph. Changeup has some sink, occasionally pulls it, 75-76 mph.

Cooper Patterson, RHP, Harrisburg, 2017
Lindenwood (IL)

8/5/15 - 6-foot, 155-pound right-handed pitcher, lean athletic frame. Tall and fall delivery with easy effort, stays in line, squared landing to balanced finish. Arm action is long, over the top slot. Fastball sat 76-77 mph, with slight arm side run, showed control of the zone. Curveball has depth, 12/6 action, showed some feel with the ability to drop for strikes, 67-69 mph. Changeup has occasional sinking action, 72-74 mph, thrown with arm speed.

John Luca Muschetto, OF, Lyons, 2017
Carthage College

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