Jimmy
Anderson

+ Another big winner from last week’s event: MIF/RHP Jimmy Anderson (Joliet West, 2024). Fresh off a commitment to Heartland, the 6-foot, 180-pound Anderson shined all over the field on both sides of the ball. His strong showing started in Tuesday’s workout, where Anderson barreled line drives to all fields from a balanced, postured right-handed swing with natural backspin feel. Defensively, Anderson’s a free-flower on the dirt and his sure-handed actions paired with above-average arm strength are likely to keep him on the left side moving forward. Anderson also hopped on the mound, pitching at 85-87 mph while landing a 72-74 mph curveball for strikes consistently.  

Verbally committed to Heartland CC.

Anderson has shown his two-way ability on the mound all summer, with one of his best showings being Saturday night at The Rock. Showed a polished three-pitch mix starting with a fastball that played in the mid-80s, T87 mph. Often started out hitters with a mid-70s change-up with arm-side fade for strikes. Also went to a sharp curveball in the low-70s that was thrown in all counts. Kept hitters guessing by mixing all three pitches well. 

Anderson is one of the top uncommitted ‘24 prospects that has been trending up this summer. Anderson presents above-average athleticism up the middle, easily ranging to both sides with solid arm-strength. At the plate, Anderson has shown feel for the barrel using a pull-side approach across multiple looks this summer, and continued to do so on Friday. Tallied two doubles to left-field, including one that hit the wall. Wiry athlete standing at 6-foot, 180-pounds with room for added strength. Currently ranked No. 76 in the Illinois 2024 class. 

Anderson continued to show why he is one of the top uncommitted athletes in Illinois’ 2024 class Friday night, closing out the final three frames to secure a win over the Schaumburg Seminoles. Up-tempo delivery, fastball reached 88 mph, sitting 83-87 mph. Tight spin on curveball, 68-74 mph. Also flashed a changeup at 74-77 mph for strikes. Played shortstop, showcasing easy range and a strong arm. Finished 3-for-4 at the plate with two singles and a bases-clearing triple to the opposite field.

SS/RHP Jimmy Anderson (Joliet West, 2024), a recent Heartland CC commit has shown well a number of times this summer and it started at this event. The 6-foot, 180-pound, broad-shouldered, athletic, two-way prospect started off his workout by running a 7.00 in the 60-yard dash. At the plate he has a smooth, easy, controlled right-handed swing with quick, strong hands that were highlighted by posting the highest max hand speed of the day 27.4 mph and an average hand speed of 25.2 mph, also an event high. Defensively, he continues to stand out at shortstop where he plays with loose, confident, easy actions and plays with body control when ranging around the infield. After topping at 83 mph on the infield he hopped on the mound and showed plenty of intrigue there as well. On the mound he showed a lively fastball that he commanded to the glove side at 84-86 mph. He also showed two polished offspeed offerings including a mid-70s changeup and 69-70 mph curveball.

Uncommitted. A well portion, athletic 6-foot, 180-pounds, showcased more as a middle infielder got the start on the mound against Sandburg. The right-handed pitcher worked five innings and struck out eight batters. From a deliberate drop and drive delivery, Anderson works directionally in line with home. The arm action is short, quick with a high 3/4 slot. The fastball sat 84-86 mph throughout the outing and played with hard, late arm-side action. Mixing in between the fastball was a curveball and a changeup. An 11/5 shaped curveball that flashed depth and sharpness at times thrown at 71-73 mph. The changeup maintained the same arm speed as the fastball with some run, sitting 75-78 mph. 

Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-0, 180-pounds. Athletic frame, still has room to add on strength.
Hit: RHH. Narrow, relaxed setup, fluid load and stride. Easy, balanced, repeatable swing. Stays within, on time and worked hard contact up the middle and to the pull-side.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 87.3 mph. 282’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 86 mph. Plays from multiple angles and on the move, some life across the diamond.
Defense: Soft two hand gather out front, plays through the ball with rhythm, athletic actions and footwork.
Run: 7.32 runner in the 60. 

Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-0, 180-pounds. High waisted, athletic frame with strength.
Delivery: Athletic delivery with ability to repeat, slight cross body.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, over the top slot.
FB: T86, 83-85 mph. Mostly straight, above average feel for age. T2247, 2135 average rpm.
CB: 70-72 mph. 11/5 shape, repeats, depth. T2155, 2123 average rpm.
CH: 76-78 mph. Straight change, slight sink action, showed above average feel. T1597, 1546 average rpm.

Hit: RHH. Slightly closed setup, knee knock trigger, repeatable forward move. Direct path, long through the zone, uphill path geared to drive the ball in the air to all fields.
Power: 95 max exit velocity, averaged 88.7 mph. 335’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 87 mph. Strong, quick arm, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Fluid actions, smooth footwork, clean transfer, moves well laterally.
Run: 7.15 runner in the 60. 

5-foot-11, 175-pound, athletically-built infielder with present strength and more to come down the road. Started at shortstop and hit in the five-hole. Fluid actions, easy effort and athletic look to all parts of his game. Smooth defender with athletic, clean actions and maintains body control on the move. Is comfortable on the move, maintains body control and arm plays loose and easy across the diamond. Right-handed hitter went 2-for-3 with a run scored. Extremely comfortable, relaxed look in the box, especially for his age. Quiet takes, sees the ball deep and stays on balance. Easy, loose hands, drops the barrel head and was consistently on time and on the barrel. Advanced approach, stays within, uses the whole field and understands the strike zone. 2024 shortstop to keep eyes on moving forward.

Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 5-11, 175-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, fluid load and stride. Hits off front foot, level path, loose hands at times, ability to backspin the baseball.
Power: 92.7 max exit velocity, averaged 89.6 mph. 324’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 83 mph. Loose, clean arm action from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays loose, soft hands, active feet, quick exchange.
Run: 7.29 runner in the 60. Athletic gait

Positional Profile: RHP
Delivery: Drop and drive delivery, high front side, works across body.
Arm Action: RH. Short draw out of the glove. Over-the-top slot.
FB: T81.7, 78.1-80.4 mph. Straight four seam fastball, plays true. T2071, 1973 average rpm.
CB: 64.8-65.6 mph. 12/6 shape, showed gradual depth. T1940, 1898 average rpm.
CH: 70.2-71.7 mph. Consistent sinking action. T1422, 1372 average rpm.

Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds. Athletic, long-limbed frame.
Delivery: Full windup, tall and fall delivery, works across body.
Arm Action: RH. Slight plunge out of the glove, plays from an over-the-top, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T79.1, 76.98-78.80 mph. Gets tilt/angle at times, comes out easy. T2160, 2054 average rpm.
CB: 58.50-61.28 mph. 12/6 shape, depth at times. T1915, 1878 average rpm.
SL: 59.45-62.09 mph. Similar shape and action to curveball. T1956, 1904 average rpm.
CH: 66.70-67.14 mph. Plays mostly straight, around the zone. T1432, 1393 average rpm.

Hit: RHH. Balanced setup with a short stride, creates hand separation during stride. Easy swing, stays on balance, hands work free and loose, long to contact, barrel works uphill.
Power: 88.29 max exit velocity, averaged 78.27 mph. 291’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Clean, easy arm action, ability to throw from multiple platforms.
Defense: Fluid, natural infield actions, plays from the ground up, plays easy and comfortable on the move with body control.
Run: 7.32 runner in the 60. Clean, long-strided runner.

SS/RHP Jimmy Anderson (Joliet West, 2024) continues to show well everytime we see him. Anderson is an athletic, two-way prospect, who led the event with a 31.7 inch vertical and is an easy mover with everything he does on the diamond, especially at the plate. The 6-foot, 180-pound, 7.15 runner showed off an easy right-handed stroke that flashes whip through the zone and works on an uphill path through the zone. He registered a max exit velocity of 95.2 mph, 88.7 average with his furthest batted ball traveling 335 feet. Defensively, he has fluid, athletic actions and topped at 87 mph (up from 83 mph in the past). Follow two-way prospect in the 2024 class.