Recruiting Roundup: Who's Heading Where?

October 23, 2015

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.

Casey Becker, 1B, Wheaton North, 2016
Ashland University

Casey Becker 8.7.15 - 6-foot 1, 215-pound, left handed hitting two-way player. Defensively shows average hands with long exchange. Works from a high3/4 arm angle, with long arm action. 77 mph across the diamond. Hits from a tall open stance with good balance. Short stride, uphill tendencies with pull side/ power approach. Registered 86mph exit velocity off the tee. Went 1-3 with a walk, and a single. Was 4.86 home to first and ran an 8.37 60. On the mound Becker works from a ¾ arm angle, with a long arm action. Shows some rhythm in delivery stays in line and lands square. Fastball sat 74-78 touching 79 with arm side run. Curveball was 63 mph with 11/5 action. Flashed a sharp slider at 69 mph. Changeup was 73 mph.

Justin Vivar, LHP, Taft, 2016
Illinois-Springfield

Justin Vivar 5.9.15 - Uncommitted junior, currently ranked No. 163 in Illinois’ 2016 class. 6-foot-1 left-hander, wide frame, pitched two innings of spotless relief to earn the victory. Consistent strike thrower with his fastball-curveball combination. Works from high-3/4 slot, lands closed working across his body. Fastball sat 78-80, topping at 82 once. Throws curveball with confidence, showed ability to throw in different counts. Curveball ranged between 62-65 mph; shape varied between more lateral sweep and, when thrown harder, had more depth. Struck out one on final pitch of game with no walks in two innings.2.15.15 - 6-foot-1, 240-pound large framed left-hander works from a long, high ¾ arm slot, tall/fall delivery, loads over the rubber well, toe up at balance point, shoulders work uphill, drives forward with hips first, works slightly across his body, lands slightly closed at foot strike. Fastball sat 78-79 mph with run, for strikes. 62-65 mph curveball flashes 11/5 shape, feel to spin it. 73-74 mph changeup thrown down in the zone consistently.

Joe Curci, 1B, University of Chicago Lab, 2016
Oberlin College

Joe Curci 10.19.14 - 6-foot-2, 180-pound right-handed hitting first baseman hits from an open setup, dives with lower half, long uphill bat path produced 81 mph exit velocity. Defensively, threw 66 mph across the diamond from short, high ¾ arm slot. Ran a 7.68 60.

Jake Rintz, SS, Schaumburg, 2016
UW-Oshkosh

Jacob Rintz 6.18.15 - 6-foot, 175-pound, right-handed hitting shortstop. Currently ranked No. 220 in the Illinois Class of 2016. Defensively has s short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Accurate throws with average arm strength. Solid actions with slower footwork. Threw 80 mph across the infield. Offensively hits from a balanced slightly open stance. Short stride with average balance. Average bat speed with a long, slightly uphill swing path. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.07.

Kyle Massaro, SS, Romeoville, 2016
University of St. Francis

Recruiting Roundup: Who's Heading Where?

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