Marty
Bechina

2nd Team All State: The Chicago Catholic League Lawless Award Winner (given to the CCL player of the year), Bechina led the Mustangs to a No. 1 ranking for a majority of the year, highlighted by a 25-game winning streak to begin the season. Bechina hit .394 with 12 doubles, three triples, two home runs, 28 RBI, 35 runs scored. He also registered 20 walks, good for a .500 on base percentage, while posting a .636 SLG and a 1.136 OPS. He stole nine bases, and displayed his usual stellar defense at shortstop. The Michigan State signee led the Mustangs to a 31-7 overall record, losing to eventual Class 4A State Runner-Up and CCL Blue nemesis Mount Carmel in the playoffs.

5.9.15 - 6-foot, 185-pound right-handed hitting shortstop, ranked No. 37 in IL. Hits from an open stance, short, slightly uphill path, looks to lift and pull. Doubled to left off the wall, line shot, in third at bat. Tripled off the wall in fourth at bat, eventually scoring game winning run. Smooth defender, short, quick, athletic arm action. Fielded both chances cleanly, threw to third on a fielder’s choice, getting an error when throw hit the runner in the back going from second to third, good decision throwing to third though to get lead runner on groundball to his right. Michigan State commit hits fifth and should be an impact player as a freshman in the Big Ten.

3.26.15 - 6-foot, 185-pound right-handed hitting shortstop, solidly put together, muscular build, impressed at the plate going two-for-two with a three-run homer and RBI-double. Hits from an open stance, short, slightly uphill path, was looking to lift and pull. Homer to left a no-doubter off the bat, over the second fence at Rita into the McDonald’s parking lot, impressive even with the wind. Double also crushed to left field. Bechina has a reputation as a top defensive shortstop, did not see any action during the game, and no pregame was taken due to field conditions. Showed athletic arm with accuracy and carry in between innings.

4/28/14 Currently ranked No. 51 in Illinois’ 2015 class. Solidly built 6-foot, 175-pound athlete. No pregame taken due to weather conditions and late Loyola arrival, but showed plenty of arm strength on a 6-3 putout during the game. Moves well laterally and shows soft hands. Offensively, hits from balanced setup, good rhythm, above-average bat speed. Delivered a run-scoring double down the third-base line in the fifth inning. Ran a 4.40 home-to-first on a 6-3 putout as well.

3/7/18 - 6’0/190, R/R, Junior. Played LF and 3B. Fringe-average arm strength and runner. Struggled throughout the tournament going 1-for-11. Swing was one piece and out of sync. Looked like a gate opening with no torque or whip to generate any type of bat speed. His hands were consistently tardy to the fastball, with his only hit coming on an elevated slider. Coming into the season, Bechina was considered a potential top 10 round pick. He was not one this weekend, but has plenty of time to make some adjustments to his swing and turn things back around.