Jimmy
Janicki

C Jimmy Janicki (Downers Grove North) and INF/RHP David Cox (Nazareth) are also two other prospects off of Team Illinois at last summer’s Future Games that deserve a mention from the event.

Janicki, a Troy commit, continues to fill out the uniform with his 6-foot-3, 210-pound, broad-shouldered frame and he showed the top hand speed of the event, averaging 24.6 mph to go along with a peak exit velocity of 100.7 mph, 91.4 mph average. Janicki’s round progressively got better as he went and by the end of it he was all over the barrel, with easy, loud, line-drive contact back up the middle and to the pull-side. He als showed his usual clean and easy actions behind the plate with an accurate strong arm that played at 82 mph (up from 80 mph) with pop times ranging from 1.94-1.97.

Uncommitted. Physical frame, standing 6-foot-3, 205-pounds, strong lower-half. Started behind the plate and showed some upside to all sides of his game, both behind the dish and at the plate. The right-handed hitter starts in a somewhat upright position, hands high, stride is short and repeatable; his hands drop at foot strike while creating some separation, moving with a flat path through the zone and line-drive approach. Behind the plate, Janicki has soft/receptive hands that work under the ball to present pitches around the zone; he moves well into blocks, both out in front and side-to-side, deadening the ball out front. Out of the crouch, his feet work directionally and gain ground on his throws, also moving with a quick transfer; his arm plays with true backspin and effortless carry, standing out visually immediately.

Uncommitted. 6-foot-3, 205-pound, strong-bodied, right-handed hitting catcher. Caught and hit in the five-hole for a talented lineup. Finished 1-for-2 with a walk and double to the right field wall that led to an early Trojans lead. Tall, upright setup, slightly unorthodox look. Gets foot down on time and has long, strong levers with easy jump off the barrel. Easy overall effort, direct path and creates leverage. Defensively, above-average, fundamentally sound receiver, quiet actions with strong wrists and receptive hands. Comfortable and willing blocker, deadened the ball multiple times right out front, made it look easy. Clean and efficient out of the crouch, accurate arm from a high ¾ slot. Flashed a sub 2.0 in game pop time. High ceiling 2024 catching prospect.