Jake
Zitella

Zitella’s carrying tool is his raw power, as the Illinois’ signee swings a highly physical right-handed barrel and showed that throughout the spring. The main offensive threat on a St. Charles East squad who comfortably slotted inside the Power 25 as the season progressed, Zitella slashed .484/.570/.945 in 91 at-bats, swatting nine home runs and driving in 39. He doubled 13 times too and walked (19) more than twice as much as he struck out (7). In a live look earlier this spring, Zitella looked the part defensively at third base, adding even more positive contributions for the Saints this season. Zitella is headed to Illinois in the fall and is currently the 14th overall prospect in the state’s 2023 class. 

Illinois commit. The Saints went 4-1 on the week behind impressive performances from Zitella. On the week he went 5-for-10 (.500) with two home runs, two doubles, five RBIs, seven runs scored, three walks and a stolen base. In their 7-0 win over Geneva, he went 2-for-3 with a double, two runs scored and a stolen base. He had his most impressive performance of the week in their 4-2 win over St. Charles North, going 3-for-4 with two home runs, a double, three RBIs and two runs scored.

Week 5: We awarded Zitella the Week 5 PBR Illinois Player of the Week after going 11-for-15 (.733) with four home runs, two doubles, 10 RBIs and seven runs scored.

Illinois commit. Currently ranked No. 14 in the Illinois’ 2023 class and No. 409 nationally. 5-foot-11, 195-pound, physical, broad-shouldered, right-handed hitting third baseman. Hit leadoff and played third base. Highly-impressive all-around day. Got things going right away with a leadoff home run in the top of the first inning. Followed it up with an even further home run in his third at-bat; this time a two-run home run to a similar spot in deep left-center field. Arguably his hardest hit ball was a double off the top of the center field wall in his final at-bat of the day. Finished 3-for-4 with two home runs, a double, three RBIs and two-runs scored. Selectively aggressive in the box with all kinds of presence and physicality. Long, fast swing with natural lift through the zone and some of the top bat strength in the Midwest (103 mph exit velocity with wood bat at the Preseason ProCase this winter). Zitella was just as impressive defensively throughout the day. He made a number of plays over the course of the game, testing his ability on the move, as well as his hands on a few in-between tough hops that he handled with no issue. Clean footwork, smooth double play feed, soft confident hands and advanced internal clock where he rarely had to show off his full arm strength. Arm played clean with feel and accuracy across the diamond. Continues to impress everytime we see him. 

Positional Profile: 3B/SS
Body: 5-11, 195-pounds. Strong, mature frame with strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, slightly crouched setup, strong base.  Features some of the best bat strength in the class. Swings with purpose and intent. Above-average plate coverage, barrel stays on-plane and through the zone a long time. Gets separation in his hands, looks to elevate the baseball with authority and was consistently making loud, hard contact.
Power: 103 max exit velocity, averaged 96.2 mph. 406’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 91 mph. Clean arm action, high 3/4 slot with the ability to change angles when necessary.
Defense: Worked out at third base. Steady defender, sure-hands, comfortable on the move, clean double play feed showed body control on the run-through.
Run: 7.01 runner in the 60. 

Positional Profile: 3B
Body: 5-11, 195-pounds. Strong lower half. Strength throughout. Broad shoulders.
Hit: RHH. Tall, even stance. Hands ear level. Vertical barrel tilt. Combines an aggressive weight transfer, strength, length and a big swing to produce plus raw power to his pull side. Hits the ball out front.
Power: 103.9 max exit velocity, averaged 95.5 mph. 385’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 86 mph. Fast arm. Small arm circle. 3/4 slot.
Defense: Athletic actions.
Run: 7.00 runner in the 60. Flared feet. Long strides.

Positional Profile: 3B/SS
Body: 5-11, 195-pounds. Well-proportioned. Strength throughout frame.
Hit: RHH. Athletic look, balanced setup, active hands pre-pitch, long stride with controlled aggression through contact.  Explosive bat speed, aggressive, controlled intent, advanced feel for the barrel, consistent, loud contact and power to all fields. High-level right-handed bat.
Power: 103.9 max exit velocity, averaged 94 mph. 365’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 87 mph. Above average arm strength. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Loose, easy infield actions. Good hands. Range up the middle and to his arm side. Under control on the move. 
Run: 7.05 runner in the 60. 

Perhaps the day’s loudest BP round came from INF Jake Zitella (St. Charles East, 2023; Illinois). A well-proportioned 5-foot-11 195-pound athlete, Zitella swung with controlled aggression throughout his entire BP round, displaying explosive bat speed and consistent loud contact to all fields. It’s clear that he wields one of the state’s most potent right-handed strokes as the Illinois commit recorded a max exit velocity of 103.9 mph and peak distance of 365 feet while averaging 94 mph off the bat, too. Zitella flashed sure-handed actions on the infield as well and the arm strength to pair, reaching an 87 mph high during his defensive workout. He definitely created some positive momentum heading into the IHSA season as a high follow right-handed hitter in the state’s current junior class. 

Zitella repeatedly found the barrel this morning at the PBR at The Rock 16u Championships. He’s a right handed hitter with a strong lower half that swings with intent. The Canes Illinois two-hole hitter went 3-for-4 including a three-run rocket over the left field wall for a home run. He added a hard hit single and a double to the wall in left-center, and made a loud out on a screaming line drive to left in his last at-bat. 

Positional Profile: 3B/SS
Body: 5-foot-11, 185-pounds. Wide-shouldered, strong build.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, balanced stance, subtle load action, easy pre-pitch actions. Short, strong swing, with intent, repeatable, level path, ball jumps off barrel, consistent hard contact, gap-to-gap approach with advanced ability to drive the baseball.
Power: 98.12 max exit velocity, averaged 91.55 mph. 331’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. Loose arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Third base type, easy infield actions, steady hands, athletic footwork, quick exchange, plays with proper direction, ability to change arm angle.
Run: 7.19 runner in the 60. 

Positional Profile: 3B/SS
Body: 5-foot-11, 175-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall, balanced setup, open base, minimal pre-pitch load, short stride.  Aggressive swing, long level bat plane, gets extension after contact, power gap-to-gap approach, fluid rhythm.
Power: 95.77 max exit velocity, averaged 85.96 mph. 333’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 85 mph. Short loose arm action, high 3/4 slot, throw carry.
Defense: Small pre-pitch hop, works towards the baseball, clean exchange.
Run: 4.25 runner in the 60. Above average runner.

Positional Profile: 3B/SS
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds. Long levers with projectable strength.
Hit: RHH. Tall/open setup with hands set high, bathead horizontal. Athletic leg hang back to even triggers swing. Path works from aggressive approach with bat speed off an incline. Works to pull, lift hard-hit contact while maintaining a rhythm.
Power: 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Power potential, especially to his pull-side.
Arm: INF - 79 mph. Short, loose throws with accuracy from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Feet range well enough to help him land in position on time; defends tall at times.
Run: 7.35 runner in the 60.