By Ryan Quigley
Illinois Scouting Director

The PBR Illinois scouting staff recently released the updated Class of 2016 Illinois rankings. We’ve scouted extensively this winter, both at our own events, private workouts, and travel program college camps. The following rankings update reflects that work and will also be our final update before the start of the 2015 spring high school season.

After looking at the new Top 10, and highlighting some of the biggest risers in the rankings, today we’ll take a look at prospects making their Illinois Class of 2016 rankings debuts.

Washington C/OF Austin Ulick was one of the many impressive catch-and-throw prospects at the Preseason All-State Showcase. Ulick fired pop times from 1.93-2.01 to second base, and impressed during batting practice with power to his pull side. He debuts at No. 48 in the rankings.

Kevin Malisheski, a physical RHP from Wauconda, impressed at the Preseason All-State, and one week later at the Gurnee Preseason I.D. Malisheski, making his debut at No. 57, sat 85-87 at both events, and showed a harder breaking ball in the 70-72 mph range at Gurnee.

United Township RHP/OF Devin Wessels debuts at No. 67 after impressing at the Preseason All-State and the Quad City Open. Wessels shows athleticism at the plate and in the outfield, but really stands out on the mound with an 84-87 mph fastball. His skinny 6-foot-2, 155-pound frame has plenty of room to add weight, and he also impressed with one of the more aggressive changeups we’ve seen this winter; a power change with sink at 79-81.

Champaign Central RHP Tanner Gordon has a plus frame at 6-foot-4, 175-pounds, and was up to 86 mph with easy effort this winter at the Rawlings Hitters’ College Camp. He did not allow an earned run 28 innings on varsity last spring for the Maroons, during their incredible 32-3 2014 campaign.

Plainfield North LHP Tyler Garrity has gained velocity in the past few months, and impressed at the Preseason All-State throwing 82-84 mph with command of a 72-75 mph changeup. He’ll fight for innings on a loaded Cougars’ pitching staff this spring, which should be one of the deepest staffs in the Chicagoland area. Another lanky lefthander who impressed at the Preseason All-State is Wheaton North’s Sam Lawrence, ranked No. 91. Lawrence sat 82-85 mph from a 6-foot-4, 195-pound frame.

Tinley Park’s Brandon Williams debuts at No. 100 after sitting 84-86 mph at the Preseason All-State. In a little over one year, Williams has gained 10-11 mph on his fastball, and grown two inches.

Click Here to view the complete Class of 2016 Rankings - extended to 250 prospects, featuring 51 new players added.

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