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.

Kellen Sarver, C, Champaign Centennial, 2017
Illinois

6/16/16 - 6-foot-2, 200-pound left-handed hitting catcher/third baseman. Hits from a slightly open stance, slight leg lift stride, average balance. Well above average bat speed, made hard contact in BP, pull side hitter. Path has some length on slight uphill plane, showed pull side pop. 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed soft hands, athletic setup behind the plate. Gets out of the chute well with a short over the top arm action, carried at 79 mph out of the crouch, 84 mph across the diamond. Pop times ranged 1.97-2.04. Ran the 60 at 7.58.

Richie Rice, C, United Township, 2017
Iowa Central CC

9/24/16- 5-foot-10, 180-pound well-proportioned right-handed hitting catcher. Started the day off running a 7.03 60, above average for a catcher. Offensively, quiet setup and load; starts open and stride gets back to even. Gap-to-gap approach and registered a 76 mph exit velocity. Defensively, athletic setup and presents target well. Pop times ranged between 2.15-2.38 and clocked at 67 mph from the crouch.

Erik Hedmark, LHP, Dundee Crown, 2018
Northern Illinois

7.30.16 - 6-foot, 173-pound left-handed pitcher. On the mound works from a low ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Works exclusively from the stretch with a drop and drive delivery. Fastball sat 79-81 topping out at 82 mph, attacks hitters with his fastball. Curveball has sweeping action at 68 mph.

 

Trevor Minder, SS, Springfield, 2017
Parkland JC

5.18.16 - 6-foot-2, 165-pound, long, wiry, right-handed hitting shortstop. Steady defender with feel for the positon. Smooth fielder, good body control and soft hands. Quick transfer and throws flash carry with easy effort; plenty of arm to play the left side of the infield. Makes the slow roller play look easy, ability to change arm angles on throws. Offensively, slightly closed, balanced setup. Compact swing, short path, line-drive approach. Should be a follow in the 2017 class.

 

Ryan Brink, SS, Nashville, 2017
Lindenwood University (IL)

6.28.16 - 6-foot-3, 180-pound athletic, multi positional prospect. Offensively, right handed hitter, balanced setup, leg lift timing trigger, maintains balance throughout swing. Has bat speed, quick twitched, finds barrel, level bat path, line drive approach; 83 mph exit velocity off of a tee. Also, ran a 7.45 laser timed 60. Defensively, took reps in the infield and outfield. In the infield, has active feet, plays through the baseball, quick exchange. Throws from a high ¾ arm slot, short arm action, showed some feel; throws registered at 77 mph across the diamond. In the outfield, clocked throws at 81 mph.

Johnny Ray, RHP, Quincy Notre Dame, 2017
Illinois State

Michael Prosecky, LHP, Nazareth, 2019
Louisville

Ben Cruikshank, LHP, Belleville East, 2018
Missouri State

Charlie Walzer, RHP, Naperville Central, 2017
Triton JC

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