Illinois 2019 D-I Recruiting Classes: Part Two
December 11, 2018
In Part Two of our Division-I breakdown, we wrap up examining the state's D-I programs by analyzing the six remaining schools we've yet to cover. In case you missed it, here's Part One, which we published on Monday.
Thirty of the state’s top seniors will be sticking around their home state to pursue baseball at the next level. We’ll be breaking things down, program by program, in-depth below. Keep checking things out throughout the week as we analyze the entire Illinois 2019 class and the commitments they’ve made, as well as the top prospects in the state who have yet to choose a home come fall of 2019.
ILLINOIS STATE
| NAME | STATE (RANK) | SCHOOL | POS |
| Ryan Cermak | IL (30) | Riverside-Brookfield | SS/RHP |
| Jake Zenger | KS (18) | Lawrence Free State | RHP |
| Erik Kubiatowicz | MN (11) | North St. Paul | RHP/1B |
| Will Roguske | MN (21) | New London-Spicer | C/RHP |
| Tanner Peterson | WI (11) | Wilmot | OF |
| Trey Krause | WI (18) | Burlington | LHP |
| Reagan Klawiter | WI (37) | Verona | LHP |
TOTAL RECRUITS: 7 | IN-STATE: 1 | STATE TOP-50: 7
All seven future Redbirds are ranked within the top 50 of their respective state class rankings, prospects spanning four different states. Just one of the committed prospects is headed to Normal from in state, Riverside-Brookfield’s Ryan Cermak. The No. 30-ranked two-way talent has been particularly exceptional on the mound as of late. At the PBR Fall Championships, Cermak was pounding the zone with his 89-90 mph with deception in his delivery.
Three Illinois State-bound prospects will make their way down from Wisconsin: LHP Trey Krause (Burlington), LHP Reagan Klawiter (Verona), and OF Tanner Peterson (Wilmot). The two southpaws are lean and loose and both are ranked in Wisconsin’s top 40. Krause is actually the Badger State’s No. 2-ranked lefty. He utilizes a running fastball that sits in the 85-87 mph range and is able to snap off some sharp breaking balls while mixing in a changeup. Wilmot’s Peterson likely profiles in a corner spot but his bat, which is his carrying tool, will certainly play there. He’s right near the top-10 prospects in the Wisconsin's 2019 class.
Arguably, the top-ranked prospect headed to Normal next fall will be the big, 6-foot-3 two-way prospect Eric Kubiatowicz (North St. Paul) from Minnesota. Despite his extra-large frame, Kubiatowicz moves exceptionally well for his size, as evidenced by his 6.71 mark in the 60-yard dash. On the mound, he’s run his fastball up into the 88-91 mph range with sink. He has the offspeed to make an early impact as a starter at the college level, too. Kubiatowicz might be battery mates with fellow Minnesota prospect Will Roguske (New London-Spicer). Roguske is ranked No. 21 in the state and should be a capable two-way prospect for the Redbirds. He’s mobile behind the plate, flashes pop in the right-handed batter’s box, and works downhill in the 84-86 mph range from the rubber.
Finally, there’s the No. 18-ranked prospect in Kansas: RHP Jake Zenger (Lawrence Free State). He’s a projectable 6-foot-1, 180-pound righty who keeps hitters off balance with a two-pitch mix, featuring an upper-70s fastball with arm-side run, in addition to a 10/4 curveball.