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.

MJ Houdek, C, Brookfield Central, 2017
St. Thomas (MN)

5/7/16 - 6-foot, 195-pound catcher, solid strong build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, slightly wider, leg kick stride. Advanced bat strength, aggressive hacks, fast bat with some lift, flashes pop. 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short an over the top, slight carry, 76 mph out of the crouch. Average hands, clean exchange, pop times ranged 2.12-2.18. 7.53 runner in the 60.

Jim Callahan, OF, Ashwaubenon, 2017
College of Lake County

10/2/16 - 5-foot-11, 170-pound outfielder. Right-handed hitter, slightly open setup, leg lift stride. Path looks to the lift the baseball, 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Had an RBI double in game play. Defensively arm works over the top, average arm strength, 80 mph. Worked to play through the ball in stride. 7.15 runner in the 60.

Andrew Frieberg, OF, Tremper, 2017
Ripon

6/25/14 - 6-foot-2, 150-pound two-way player, longer thin frame. Left-handed hitter, slight open and crouched setup, shorter stride. Mid to opposite field approach, inside out path. Defensively uses a short over the top arm action from the outfield, high ¾ slot, 72 mph arm strength from the outfield. Plays through the baseball, 7.38 runner in the 60. On the mound arm works similar to that in the outfield, delivery works online and directional. Fastball has occasional run, showed control, 68 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, 57-59 mph, some feel, soft action. Changeup has arm side run, 61-63 mph.

Brandon Diedrich, RHP, Neenah, 2017
Dominican (IL)

2/21/16 - 6-foot, 160-pound right-handed hitting RHP/SS with a lanky frame. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a long, loose arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a closed landing and slight crossfire action. Uses a slide step from the stretch. Fastball showed running action at 76-78 topping out at 79 mph. Curveball showed slurve action at 65-67 mph for strikes. Changeup showed sinking action at 68-70 mph. Defensively has a short arm action from a low ¾ arm slot. Accurate throws with quick footwork. Threw 78 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and average balance. Gap to gap hitter with a short uphill path. 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.25.

Michael Lehner, RHP, Muskego, 2017
McHenry County College

1.22.17 - 6-foot-1, 200-pound left-handed hitting utility player who projects best on the mound. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate with smooth rhythm. Fastball flashed slight running action at 81-83 topping out at 84 mph. Curveball has 12-6 shape with tight rotation and downer action at 74-76 mph. Changeup sat 72-75 mph. At the plate hits from a balanced, open setup with a smooth load and short stride. Long, uphill swing path with fluid rhythm and good balance. Showed strength thru contact with 89 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.53. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Showed off arm strength from both the infield and outfield. Throwing 84 mph across the diamond and 85 mph from the outfield.

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