By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

This week we began our analysis of the Illinois Underclass Showcase from October 23. The Underclass Showcase was an open event to all 2019 and 2020 graduates. Throughout the week we broke down the event by position, featuring scouting reports and highlighting the top prospects at each position.

Today we conclude the event by taking a look at the Top Overall Prospects from the day. Below we ranked the top 2019 and 2020 prospects separately:

2019 TOP OVERALL PROSPECTS

1. Jason Hodges, OF/INF, Marist, 2019
6-foot-3, 185-pound, strong, physically advanced, athletically built, multi-positional prospect. Put himself on the map as one of the top 2019 prospects in Illinois. Ran a 6.95 laser-timed 60. Has a high ceiling offensively. Right-handed hitter with fluid rhythm, explosive bat speed and present pull power. Makes consistent hard, loud contact, ball jumps off his bat; 88 mph exit velocity from a tee. Balanced setup, leg-kick timing trigger and good balance throughout. Defensively, worked out at first base and in the outfield. Ability to play both positions; fluid, quick feet and soft hands. Athletic defensive actions, has a bounce in his step and good body control. Long arm action, high ¾ slot, some accuracy and throws have carry; clocked at 76 mph across the infield and 81 mph from the outfield.

2020 TOP OVERALL PROSPECTS

1. Anthony Mangano, INF, Lake Zurich, 2020
5-foot-11, 150-pound infielder with a lean, athletic frame. Emerged as a high-follow left-handed bat in the class. Compact swing, present bat speed, a lot of loud hard contact and some quick twitch in swing. Fluid rhythm, line-drive approach, path works level and gets extension through contact. 76 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, quick and fluid footwork on the infield. Athletic fielding position, out in front of body, receptive hands. Short arm from a high ¾ slot and throws clocked at 71 mph. Also, ran a 7.23 laser-timed 60.