Recruiting Roundup: Who's Heading Where?

November 18, 2016

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.

Ty Olejnik, OF, Hamilton Sussex, 2018
Kansas State

Ty Olejnik Future Games 2016 - Physically impressive 6-foot-3, 190-pound left-handed hitting outfielder, lean strong build, plus frame. Highly toolsy prospect, put up one of the best stat lines at the Future Games. Plus runner, 6.54 in the 60, laser timed, 4.26 down the line on a turn. Defensively can stick in centerfield, potential plus defender, moves with easy action in the outfield. Arm action is loose, above average strength, 88 mph from a crowhop. Left-handed bat hits from a balanced stance, leg kick trigger, loose hands. Tools suggest power potential from his bat, 96 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Connor Manthey, C, Columbus, 2018
Bradley

Connor Manthey Future Games 2016 - 6-foot-1, 205-pound catcher/third baseman, large strong build. Offensively hits from an open stance, short stride. Strong fast bat, shows pull side power, makes hard contact in BP and game play, good barrel control with bat strength. Hit a double with three RBI in game play. 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively got out of the crouch well, ability to block and recover well. Pop times ranged 1.97-2.05. Threw out a runner in game at 2.08, showed accurate arm with carry, 79 mph. Moves well for his size, ability to defend third base at a high level, good body control with above average range to glove side. 7.42 runner in the 60, 4.44 down the line.

Tanner Smith, OF, Kettle Moraine, 2017
UW-La Crosse

Tanner Smith 7/7/16 - Solidly built 6-foot, 200-pound left-handed hitting outfielder. Narrow, open stance, leg kick in his load with opposite field approach. Uses speed to his advantage, good reads on base-paths. Showed power in the third day of games, short path, extension through contact, home run over right field fence. Added to his already impressive weekend with a 2-for-3 game including a double and triple showing pull side power and an aggressive approach to attacking the baseball with hard pull side contact.

Ryan Norton, C, Fond Du Lac, 2017
UW-Whitewater

Ryan Norton 9.18.16 - Lean, lanky athletic frame, 6-foot-4, 180-pounds, projects well. Plus arm for his age out of the crouch (81 mph), over the top slot, loose and carries. Exchange gets long, makes up for it with arm strength, 2.00-2.14 pop times, threw a 2.0 in game. 4.50 runner down the line in game. Right-handed hitter, squared setup, short stride, average balance. Path works slightly uphill, 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Zak Kosloske, C, Hortonville, 2017
UW-La Crosse

Zak Kosloske 9/18/16 - 5-foot-11, 175-pound catcher/outfielder, athletic body type with strength. Right-handed hitter, tall setup, short stride with good balance. Hard contact in BP, above average bat speed, line drive approach. 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 73 mph out of the crouch, 81 mph from the outfield, short over the top arm slot, flashed carry and showed accuracy. 2.18-2.26 pop times.

Martin Gonzalez, RHP, Waukesha West, 2017
Concordia (WI)

Martin Gonzalez 10/9/16 - 5-foot-7, 150-pound, right-handed pitcher. Delivery works with some rhythm, quick paced, high leg-lift, slight cross body direction and square landing. Short arm action with the ability to change arm angles, anywhere from high ¾ to side-arm. Fastball flashed late run at times, sat 79 mph, touching 80. Curveball, thrown for strikes, sharp action, 11/5 shape and ranged between 62-65 mph. Drop down side-arm on his slider, sat 65-67 mph.

Hunter DeSmet, RHP, Holmen, 2017
Upper Iowa

Hunter DeSmet 10/2/16 - 5-foot-11, 170-pound right-handed pitcher. Short over the top arm action from a compact and repeatable delivery. Showed feel for three pitches. Fastball flashed cutting action, 78-81 mph, touching 82 mph. Curveball sat 65-66 with 11/5 shape, ability to throw for strikes. Changeup has arm side run at 73 mph. Struck out three in two innings of action.

Tyler Jacobi, LHP, Mukwonago, 2017
College of Lake County

Tyler Jacobi 9/18/16 - 5-foot-10, 170-pound left-handed pitcher. Tall and fall delivery, hip load, solid front side. Full arm action, loose, over the top slot. Fastball is straight, 71-74 mph. Overhand curveball has 12/6 action, occasionally 1/7, 60-64 mph.

Austin Wagner, RHP, Fond Du Lac, 2017
Ellsworth CC

Brayden Elliott, C, Nicolet, 2017
Wisconsin-Whitewater

2/28/16 - 6-foot-1, 185-pound catcher, solid, above average frame. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, toe tap stride, rigid lower half. Showed average bat speed for his age, slight uphill path, lifts some with pop, 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.32 runner in the 60. Defensively arm played at 75 mph from the outfield, 68 mph out of the crouch, short over the top arm action. Pop times registered at 2.33-2.44.