Prep Baseball Report

Simeon 2014 standout Darius Day names his school



By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

One of the top Class of 2014 prospects in the country, OF/LHP Darius Day from Simeon HS (IL), finally named his school Monday night, selecting the University of Arizona.

The 6-foot, 190-pound Day is the No. 2 ranked 2014 prospect in Illinois and No. 8 overall in the Prep Baseball Report coverage area. The two-way standout said he chose the defending national champion Wildcats over NC State, Michigan, Missouri and Indiana.

“I really liked the coaching staff,” said Day after his announcement dinner  Monday night. “I liked everything about it, and I really liked the atmosphere.

“It was definitely a tough decision. My eyes were wide open to everything. I never thought I’d be able to choose between so many good schools.”

The fact that Day had the nation’s top programs courting his services is no surprise. Ever since he was in seventh grade he had been earmarked as big prospect in the making.

Three weeks ago Day earned top prospect honors at the Prep Baseball Report Preseason All-State Showcase after he ran a 6.68 60, was clocked at 91 mph from the outfield and showed a polished left-handed swing. On the mound he was equally as impressive, sitting 86-88 mph with his fastball to go along with command of his curveball and changeup.

Day marks the second 2014 top 10 recruit Arizona has landed in the region, joining left-handed hitting 1B/3B J.J. Matijevic (Norwin HS, PA).

“This has been a blessing,” Day said. “I still have go out, go hard and stay humble.”

A quick look at the PBR overall top 10 rankings and who's going where:

Rank Name State School Class Pos Commitment
1 Cameron Varga OH Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy 2014 RHP North Carolina
2 Alex Lange MO Lee's Summit West 2014 RHP LSU
3 Zack Shannon OH Moeller 2014 1B Ohio State
4 Jonah Patten IN Norwell 2014 RHP Arkansas
5 Brad Bass IL Lincoln-Way Central 2014 RHP Notre Dame
6 J.J. Matijevic PA Norwin 2014 1B Arizona
7 Liam Sabino PA Blair Academy 2014 SS Vanderbilt
8 Darius Day IL Simeon 2014 OF Arizona
9 Matt Ruppenthal MI Brother Rice 2014 RHP Vanderbilt
10 Jake Godfrey IL Providence Catholic 2014 RHP Notre Dame
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