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.

Ben Dragani, LHP, Catholic Memorial, 2017
University of Michigan

7/31/15 - At 6-foot-4, 190-pounds, Dragani has been the prototypical projectable lefty for a couple years now. We’ve seen him since early in his freshman year and love his upside, which is one reason why he came into the Future Games as the highest ranked available prospect in Wisconsin’s 2017 class. Dragani has one of the easier arm actions you’ll see producing an 80-83 mph fastball, touching 84 mph. He couples that with a hard darting slider at 75-77 mph, which we’ve previously seen up to 79 mph, so the hand speed is clearly there. In two innings of work, Dragani didn’t allow a hit and induced four groundouts. Dragani is already a hot commodity but once he makes that velocity jump, and he will, he could project as one of the top arms in the Midwest.

Alex Olver, LHP, DeForest, 2016
UW-La Crosse

3/15/15- 6-foot-1, 210-pound, left-handed pitcher. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm action and slight wrap in the back. Tall and fall delivery with some rhythm and level shoulders throughout. Slight crossfire creating a tough angle for hitters. Fastball flashed cut at 77-78 mph. Curveball showed slider action at 66-70 mph. Showed good feel for changeup with ink at 72-74 mph.

Kale Knaub, RHP, Port Washington, 2016
UW-Oshkosh

9.20.15 - 6-foot-3, 190-pound right-handed-pitcher, good pitchers frame, athletic and projects. Tall and fall delivery, lands square and finishes to first base side. Short quick arm action, over the top slot, creates some deception hiding the baseball. Fastball is mostly straight, four seam, flashed occasional arm side action, pitched at 81-83 mph. Slider plays on 10/4 plane, occasionally backs up, showed proper action when behind it, 68-72 mph. Missed bats in game, got plenty of swing and miss, in one inning pitched struck out three, allowing no hits.

Nick Goudreau, RHP, Appleton East, 2016
UW-Whitewater

3/1/15 - 6-foot, 160-pound left-handed hitting two-way player. Tall and fall delivery, short over the top arm action. Straight four seam fastball at 78-79 mph, touched 80 mph. Curveball flashed sharp action, 12/6, 62-65 mph. Changeup has arm side action, 67-69 mph. Showed athleticism, good runner at 7.08 in the 60. Left-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride. Pull side hitter, longer path, right center line drives, stays flat through the zone. 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays with a short firm arm action across the diamond, 68 mph across infield. Average hands.

Landen Williamson, C, Marathon, 2016
UW-Oshkosh

Spencer Schroeder, RHP, Ellsworth, 2016
Southwest Minnesota State

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