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.

Matt McCormick, C, St. Laurence, 2019
West Virginia

Future Games 2016 - The 6-foot, 190-pound left-handed hitter, strong, sturdy build, solid lower half, wider shoulders. Advanced plate approach, mature beyond his years. Keeps it simple, minimal moving parts, direct, flat path, extremely strong hands which he uses to backspin balls to all fields. The ball jumps off his barrel with ease and carry. Takes pitches extremely well, calm demeanor in the box, high level of barrel awareness and strike zone. Registered 97 mph exit velocity. Although his left-handed bat is certainly his carrying tool, defensively he is solid. He had pop times that ranged between 1.97-2.07 with accuracy, and was 77 mph from the crouch.

Jordon Rogers, C, Simeon, 2018
Michigan

Future Games 2016 - 5-foot-8, 155-pound catcher, thin frame, narrow shoulders, high-level quick-twitch athlete. Ran a 6.63 laser-timed 60, one of the fastest times at the Future Games. Natural athleticism shines behind the plate. Moves extremely well laterally, flexible hips, blocks and recovers well, fires out of the crouch quickly, light on his feet. Above-average arm strength, 78 mph from the crouch. Top pop times ranged between 1.97-2.09. Right-handed hitter, dabbled from the left side during BP and one in-game at-bat. Balanced setup, simple approach, handsy swing, average contact. Registered 86 mph exit velocity.

 

Nathan Rintz, RHP, Schaumburg, 2019
Arkansas

7.26.16 - 6-foot, 155-pound right-handed pitcher with a lanky, projectable frame. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a loose, quick arm action. Drop and drive, online delivery with smooth rhythm. Fastball gets downhill tilt sitting 84-86 mph. Will elevate it with two strikes to get strikeouts. Curveball has 12-6 shape at 73-76 mph with short breaking action, flashes plus occasionally. Changeup has downer action at 76-79 mph. Struck out four of the eight hitters he faced. One of the top arms in the Illinois 2019 Class.

 

Dylan Post, C, Lincoln-Way Central, 2019
Houston

7.26.16 - 6-foot-2, 185-pounds, strong physical build, advanced physically for his age, left handed hitting catcher. Hits from a slightly open stance, arm bar load, minimal stride. Has bat strength, longer uphill path, power potential bat. 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played short and over the top, misses were arm side, 75 mph out of the crouch. Pop times ranged 2.05-2.11. 4.47 runner down the line.

 

Cam Post, C, Lincoln-Way Central, 2017
Oakland

6/16/16 - Physical 6-foot-2, 205-pound catcher, strong sturdy build. Defensively arm carried well, short over the top arm action, accurate to target, 79 mph out of the crouch. Pop times ranged 2.08-2.19, arm strength is there and transfer can improve. Soft hands, willing to block, above average receiver. Right-handed hitter, wide setup, balanced stance, short stride. Simple approach with strong hands, fast bat, slight uphill path. 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.2 runner in the 60.

 

 

Nate Harris, SS, Woodstock North, 2017
McHenry County College

8.21.16 - 5-foot-9, 145-pound middle infielder. Defensively showed above average actions, average hands with ability to control body, some athleticism and range. Arm action is athletic, can release from multiple angles, 77 mph across the diamond. Ran the 60 at 7.05. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, leg kick stride, looseness in swing. Occasional quick twitch, mid-opposite field approach, level path. 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.

 

Jason Cast, OF, Lake Forest, 2017
DePauw

6.16.16 - Strong, athletic frame at 5-foot-11, 177-pound right-handed hitting outfielder. Showed big time tools at the event. Ran the 60 at 6.74. In the outfield has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Athletic actions playing thru the ball with fluid footwork. Throws showed carry at 90 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from a tall slightly open setup with a short stride and good balance. Gap to gap hitter with a long, uphill swing path and a fast bat. Showed strength thru contact with 88 mph exit velocity from a tee.

 

Jack Surin, C, Joliet Catholic, 2017
Benedictine (IL)

8.12.16 - 6-foot-1, 200-pound catcher, strong build, solid lower half, body plays well behind the plate. Strong arm, 78 mph out of the crouch, over the top slot with carry and accuracy. Pop times ranged, 1.98-2.07. Right-handed hitter, squared setup, short stride. Swings with strength, path is level, stays flat through contact. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. 4.79 runner down the line.

 

 

JJ Zywiciel, SS, Plainfield East, 2017
Concordia (WI)

8.9.16 - 6-foot-1, 165-pound, lanky, two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, flashed bat speed, line drive approach, loose hands, fluid rhythm, long bat path; exit velocity clocked at 85 mph. Open setup, long stride, smooth load. Defensively, soft hands, quick footwork, clean exchange, field position athletically. Long, accurate arm from a high ¾ slot; throws clocked at 82 mph across the infield. 7.02 runner in the laser timed 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, flashed rhythm, stays on line, lands square, finishes athletically. Long, loose arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, flashed arm side run, thrown for strikes, sat 79-80 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, gradual action, 66-69 mph. Changeup, maintained arm speed, flashed fade action, sat 69-73 mph.

Thomas Larson, OF, Families of Faith Christian Academy, 2017
Olivet Nazarene

8/12/16 - 6-foot-1, 190-pound right-handed hitting outfielder with a strong frame. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Plays thru the ball with fluid footwork and a clean exchange. Throws showed carry and clocked at 88 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and good balance. Line drive, gap to gap hitter with fluid rhythm and a fast bat. Showed strength thru contact with 93 mph exit velocity from a tee. 4.41 runner down the line.

 

 

Kyle Fitzgerald, SS, Oak Park-River Forest, 2017
Northwest Florida State

6/16/16 - 5-foot-11, 175-pound right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, open set up, short stride, short path, line-drive approach. Recorded an exit velocity of 83 mph. Defensively, flashed soft hands, quick, clean exchange, athleticism at position, plays through ball. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, flashed carry. Clocked at 80 mph across the diamond.

 

 

Justin Dye, RHP, O'Fallon, 2017
Rock Valley JC

6.28.16 - 6-foot, 172 pound, right handed pitcher, athletic build. Flashed rhythm, some effort, stays in line, lands square, finishes upright. Short, quick arm, over the top to high ¾ arm slot. Fastball, works mainly straight, thrown for strikes, sat 81-82 mph. Changeup, maintains arm speed, good feel, thrown for strikes, flashed sink, 73-75 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, 66-68 mph.

 

 

 

Jimmy Quinn, C, Lincoln-Way East, 2017
UW-Whitewater

6.16.16 - 6-foot-4, 220-pound catcher, large build and frame. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride. Showed bat strength, longer path with some lift, potential pull-power; 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played short and over the top, played with some accuracy and carry, 75 mph out of the crouch. Pop times ranged 2.04-2.11. 8.24 runner in the 60.

 

 

Andrew Peters, SS/RHP, Morris, 2017
Maryville

8.16.16 - 5-foot-10, 155-pound, lean, plenty of room for added strength, two-way prospect. One of the better 2017 right-handed pitchers still uncommitted. Quick, loose arm action from a high ¾ slot, projects. Rhythm works with rhythm, slight tuck, coiled at balance point, creates some deception, regular effort, stays in line and closed toe landing. Fastball, thrown for strikes, arm-side-run and flashed sink, sat 85-86 mph. Curveball works 11/5 when best, backed up at times, sharp action, 69-72 mph. Changeup, thrown with near fastball arm speed, arm-side-run action, ranged between 76-79 mph. Also, showed a knuckleball, 71-72 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, loose, handsy swing and fluid rhythm throughout. Path works uphill, gap-to-gap approach, 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Balanced, open setup, smooth pre-pitch load and short leg-lift timing trigger. Defensively, soft hands, athletic fielding position, clean exchange and body control on the infield. Arm works loose, high ¾ slot, throws flashed carry, clocked at 83 mph across the infield. 7.68 runner in the 60. High follow 2017 right-handed pitcher.

Tommy Neilson, 1B, Cary Grove, 2017
Benedictine (IL)

1.31.16 - Thick bodied 5-foot-11, 220-pound left-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, flashed loose hands and some strength in swing. Fluid rhythm, line-drive approach and good balance. Balanced setup, pre-pitch load and short stride. Registered an exit velocity of 84 mph. Defensively, soft hands and fluid footwork on the infield. Loose, clean arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate throws and clocked at 74 mph. Also, ran a 4.70 home-to-first.

 

Bryant Diel, OF, South Elgin, 2017
Heartland CC

10.9.16 - 6-foot, 189-pound, athletic outfielder. 6.84 runner in the laser timed 60. Offensively, right-handed hitter, level path through the zone, above average bat speed; exit velocity clocked at 91 mph from the tee. Balanced setup with a leg kick timing trigger. Defensively, fluid footwork, athletic fielding actions, crow hop. Short arm action from an over the top slot, flashed accuracy; throws clocked at 85 mph.

 

Luke Dunham, RHP, Crystal Lake South, 2017
Dubuque

1.31.16 - Strong frame at 6-foot-2, 210-pound right-handed pitcher. Works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a square landing and good tempo. Two-pitch guy. Works downhill with his fastball at 80-83 mph. Curveball showed tight rotation with 12-6 shape at 68-73 mph.

 

Bryce Thelander, SS, Prairie Ridge, 2017
Dixie State

1.31.16 - Average build 5-foot-9, 160-pound, some strength in the lower half left-handed hitting infielder. Showed off his speed running a 4.26 home-to-first time. Offensively, short, compact stroke with loose hands and flashed bat speed. Wide setup, short stride, line-drive approach and good balance through contact. Registered an exit velocity of 84 mph. Defensively, hands work well on the infield, showed some softness and fielded the ball athletically. Feet work quick, with bounce and good lateral agility. Short arm action, over-the-top slot, accurate and throws were clocked at 77 mph.

 

Daniel Reed, C, Edwardsville, 2017
Illinois College

2/14/16 - 5-foot-10, 185-pound catcher, solid frame. Defensively showed solid tools behind the dish, arm action is short and over the top, occasional carry, good accuracy, 77 mph out of the crouch. Pop times ranged 2.01-2.07. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, average balance. Path works uphill, opposite field contact, late timing. Flashed bat strength, 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.63 runner in the 60.

Austin Chapman, RHP, Sacred-Heart Grtiffin, 2017
Lincoln Land CC

10.16.16 - 6-foot-2, 210-pound right-handed pitcher, average build. Easy delivery, tall and fall approach, stays upright throughout. Arm action is short and loose, high ¾ slot. Fastball showed advanced action to arm side with run and sink, showed control, sat 82-84 mph, touched 86 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, feel for the zone, showed depth and spin, 66-70 mph. Changeup fades to arm side, thrown with arm speed, showed control, 76 mph. Splitter has downer action, swing and miss potential pitch, 71-74 mph, aggressive and showed confidence.

 

Brett Taucher, RHP, Elk Grove, 2017
SIU-Edwardsville

8.21.16 - 6-foot-4, 212-pound right-handed pitcher, extra large body, stronger build. Delivers with some effort, toe lift to balance, slightly on heels, squared landing. Arm action is long and firm, high ¾ slot. Fastball has arm side run, played 84-86 mph, some feel for the zone. Curveball flashed action, 11/5 shape, 68-72 mph. Changeup is thrown aggressively, flashed arm side action, 78-80 mph.

 

 

Mike Wagner, RHP, Downers Grove South, 2017
Heartland CC

Matt Wantiez, RHP, Stagg, 2017
Waubonsee CC

Related Content

• PBRPlus - Dec 2, 2016
  On the Hunt: Uncommitted 2019 Arms and a Big Bat
• PBRPlus - Dec 1, 2016
  Austin Beck Ready To Return
• IL - Dec 1, 2016
  Unsigned Senior Spotlight: Jack Marshall
• IL - Dec 1, 2016
  Q&A with Arkansas Commit Nathan Rintz
• IL - Nov 30, 2016
  Unsigned Senior Spotlight: Cameron Hupe