Ryan
Sloan

Wake Forest signee. Currently ranked No. 1 in the state and No. 6 nationally; made his final high school start on Friday night and did not disappoint. Standing in at a physical 6-foot-4, 225-pounds with a presently strong lower-half, Sloan is an efficient mover down the mound with an in-sync delivery. The ball comes clean out of the hand from a ¾ slot, with a ton of life through the zone, especially on the fastball. His heater sat 96-98 mph in the first, before settling in at 94-96 with over 2500 rpm at times. His secondary stuff was just as polished; with his slider playing tight at 79-84 mph with over 2400 rpm for late, sharp bite, while also going to a heavy arm-side fading changeup at 88-91 mph. He punched out eight batters over the course of the outing, with half of them coming from the fastball, while the other four came from the slider. Sloan has certainly positioned himself to hear his name called early when the MLB Draft rolls around in July; with what he has done not only this season but with what he has done throughout his high school career.

Wake Forest commit. Currently ranked No. 1 in the state, also slotted as the top prep right-hander in the country. 6-foot-4, 225-pounds, strong, durable frame with still more strength to come, developed lower-half. Started on the mound for the Dukes and twirled 6.2 hitless innings with no earned runs, one walk and 16 strikeouts. Controlled tempo that syncs his hands with a high leg-kick, slight coil into balance point, drop/drive lower-half that holds bend in the back knee while working in-line. Long and loose arm action, uninterrupted throughout its’ path into a high ¾ slot. Fastball explodes out of the hand with some late arm-side life at times, collecting whiffs routinely throughout his outing, sitting 93-95 mph for the duration of his start and grabbing a couple 98s in the first inning. His go-to weapon was his slider, playing with hard/late sweep and heavy lateral action at 81-84 mph, wipeout profile that he can use to dump in for strikes or keep to his glove-side for swing/miss. Flashed a hard changeup with late dive at 88-90 mph, could develop into a quality third offering with increased usage. Premium prep arm that continues to impress.

Wake Forest commit. Currently ranked No. 1 in the state and No. 7 in the country. Strong, durable build with a developed lower-half, listed at 6-foot-4, 225-pounds. The right-hander is a fluid and controlled mover on the mound, working into a high balance point with some pace before driving down the mound, keeping his back hip over the rubber while working in-line, athletic finish, repeats well for size. Loose, uninterrupted arm action that plays long out of the glove in the back, delivers his arsenal from a high ¾ window, quickness out front. He worked his fastball up to 98 mph three times in the first inning, cruising in the 95-97 mph range with life to his arm-side, working it to both sides of the plate. Go-to secondary was his slider, playing in the 82-85 mph range with late 10/4 bite and depth, similar release window to the fastball, ability to land for strikes and was also placing it below the zone to his glove-side for swing and miss. Changeup is a quality third offering at 88-89 mph, showing the ability to land it for strikes and selling the pitch with arm-speed, played with some late dive to get under barrels. Flashed what appeared to be a cutter at 93-94 mph, short lateral action, miss was glove side with it. High-level prep arm that should continue to garner first day draft attention as the spring plays out.

The Wake Forest signee and top prospect in the state took the ball to start for the Dukes and turned in a strong two-inning performance, striking out six. Sloan is currently ranked No. 10 in the country at a physical 6-foot-4, 225-pounds with a strong lower half that he uses to his advantage down the mound. He showed command of an explosive 94-97 mph fastball that touched 98 multiple times in the first inning, before settling in at 94-95 in the second. Sloan showed a mature feel for the zone with his fastball, rarely missing by much (76% strikes) and was able to get a talented lineup to chase the pitch. His slider was untouchable in this look at 82-86 mph with often times over 2400+ rpm, playing off the same plane as his fastball with sharp bite to it. Sloan showed the ability to get guys to chase the slider while also backing it up on batters inside, leading to uncomfortable called strikes. He only threw his changeup a handful of times at 86-87 mph, but was able to strike a batter out with it later on in the outing. Sloan also appeared to be working on adding a fourth pitch to his arsenal, showing a cutter in warmups that could make his repertoire that much better down the road. The Prep Baseball All-American is likely to hear his name called this July at the MLB Draft, and will be one to watch each time he steps on the hill for the Dukes.

Prep Baseball All-American Game: One of the most advanced arms in the 2024 class. Durable 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame that is going to continue to get stronger. Loose, longer arm action out of slight rocker step, Sloan gets downhill well with big extension and lower release point in a low three-quarters arm slot. Heavy mid-90s fastball that has been up to 97 with arm-side run and present plus command. Low-80s slider continues to improve with good tilt and sweep that plays well at the bottom of the zone, and will create swing-and-miss. Above-average changeup feel for a firm 85-88 mph offering that can get diabolical tumble at times. Innate feel to spin the fastball/slider (Avg. 2500+) while killing spin on the change. A distinct plan every time he takes the mound with premier stuff that only continues to get better. Strong early-rounds draft profile for the Wake Forest commit.

Sloan’s season performance and numbers earned him a spot on our all-state third-team. The Wake Forest commit was dominant over the 40 innings that he tossed. Across the frames, Sloan struck out 78, an average of nearly two per inning. With that, he also posted a 1.05 ERA and a 0.925 WHIP that saw him surrender just 25 hits and six earned runs. The top-ranked player in Illinois’ 2024 class and ninth-ranked right-handed arm in the country impressed during the IHSA playoffs, where he tossed a two-hit shutout in York’s regional semi-final victory.

Wake Forest commit and the top-ranked prospect in the Illinois’ 2024 class, currently slotted at No. 41 overall on the PBR National Rankings. Picked up the win in relief in this look, punching out seven across 4.1 innings of work and surrendering a pair of earned runs. Works exclusively from the stretch, stacks onto his backside and gets down the mound in line to his target. Polished finish without much effort, stays in rhythm and repeats. Loose, clean, and fast arm that finishes from a ¾ slot. Fastball flashed life and heavy arm-side action to both sides of the plate, pitching in the low-90s, and touching 94 mph in this look. Slider showed as the primary secondary, sweeping off a 10/4 plane at 80-82 mph, and he turned over a changeup in the low-80s with sink, too. A premier prospect in the Midwest’s 2024 draft cycle that should garner plenty of attention throughout the summer circuit and into next year, too. 

One of the top arms in the country, Wake Forest commit RHP Ryan Sloan (York, 2024) lived up to his billing. Sloan showed off some premium arm strength out of a ¾ slot, working at 92-94 mph and touching 95 mph with a big running fastball. Sloan backs it up with a hard sweeping slider at 80-82 mph and revving at 2600-2700 rpm. His changeup rounds out an elite three-pitch mix that will likely put him in 2024 draft discussions come this summer.

Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-4, 220-pounds. Well proportioned, strong lower-half.
Delivery: Slight drop and drive delivery, works on-line with intent.
Arm Action: RH. Big arm strength, 3/4 slot.
FB: T95, 92-94 mph. Plays with heaviness at the bottom, sinks with spin. T2265, 2218 average rpm.
SL: 80-82 mph. Hard sweeper, 10/4 shape. T2719, 2634 average rpm.
CH: 83-88 mph. Hard sinking action, plays to the arm side. T2000, 1778 average rpm.

Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-3, 200-pounds. Long, lanky build.
Delivery: Drop and drive delivery. Coiled front side at balance point. Works on line with target. Falls off to the first base side.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, loose and free. Natural high 3/4 slot.
FB: T91.7, 88.6-91.7 mph. Advanced arm side run and sink. T2171, 2126 average rpm.
SL: 74.3-76.0 mph. 10/4 shape. Tight spin. Above average lateral action. T2233, 2173 average rpm.
CH: 75.8-80.6 mph. Thrown from a lower arm slot. Sinking action. Turns it over. T2020, 1908 average rpm.

There was one clear stand-out of the day on the mound: Wake Forest recruit RHP Ryan Sloan (York, 2024). He’s a high upside arm with an already dominant fastball that topped at 91.7 mph with advanced arm-side action, averaging over 15 inches of horizontal movement. He paired it with an equally impressive sweeping slider that averaged almost 12 inches of action in the opposite direction. Toss in a sinking changeup, and Sloan has a plus three-pitch repertoire for his age that profiles as a high-level starter at the next level.

Wake Forest recruit, currently ranked No. 69 nationally. 6-foot-2, 185-pound frame with strong lower half for age. Advanced feel to pitch, true starter profile, and will only continue to get better. Fills up the zone with his three-pitch mix, which includes a highly advanced 74-77 slider that is a present swing/miss offering at any high-school level, much less for a freshman. Arm path is clean and quick out of a 3/4 slot; tunnels all three pitches well. Operates with confidence and moxie, works fast, calm demeanor; has only begun to scratch the surface of his potential. Fastball sat 85-87 with arm-side life and plenty more in the tank. Also shuffled in a high-70s changeup with late fade for good measure during his six-inning masterpiece during Top Tier’s victory. Sloan got better as the game progressed, holding his velo for the most part, as he struck out nine with no walks and four hits.

Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 6-2, 170-pounds. Long, athletic frame.
Delivery: Drop and drive delivery, explosive action, repeatable, smooth tempo, lands square, level shoulders, works in line to target, balanced finish.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose arm action, 3/4 arm slot.
FB: T87, 85-87 mph. Advanced run/sinking action, consistent strikes. T2225, 2145 average rpm.
SL: 75-75 mph. 10/4 shape, sweeping action. T2307, 2245 average rpm.
CH: 76-79 mph. Sink/fading action, arm speed similar to fastball, strikes. T1900, 1846 average rpm.

Hit

Hit: RHH. Wide, balanced setup, stands tall, small leg kick, short stride. Strong, fluid swing, creates whip through the zone, path works efficiently uphill, average bat speed of 68.8 MPH, ball jumps off barrel, pull-side tendencies in an advanced round of BP.
Power: 96.12 max exit velocity, averaged 90.13 mph. 310’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 86 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, throws flash carry.
Defense: Active feet, steady hands play out front, athletic double play turn, body control, plays with proper direction.
Run: 7.22 runner in the 60.

Verbally committed to Wake Forest.

Positional Profile: RHP/INF; A highly projectable freshman with a live arm.
Body: 6-1, 170-pounds. Long-limbed athletic build with plenty of room for added strength.
Delivery: Tall start, side steps to deep coil balance point, hip turn, shoulders closed. Drops and drives down mound with shoulders still closed, good momentum to foot plant. Square, athletic landing; works with controlled, aggressive effort.
Arm Action: RH. Long, clean swing to 3/4 slot; generates live arm speed. Demonstrates big elbow flexion at foot plant. Long stride, extension (5.32 feet, on average), helps decrease average release height (4.36 feet).
FB: T83, 81-82 mph. Flashed some carry through the zone; averaged 16.2 inches of horizontal break. Action tended to be late run/sink.
SL: 69-70 mph. Works off a 10/4 plane; short action, tight break. Thrown at arm speed with a feel to locate. Projects well as a future out-pitch.
CH: 73-75 mph. Slight deceleration; fade/run action. 

Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, smooth load and rhythm throughout.  Long bat path, creates leverage and ball jumps off the barrel at times.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Max exit velocity of 91.52 mph and max distance of 343' during BP, according to TrackMan.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Long, live arm action, high 3/4 slot and throws played with carry.
Defense: Steady hands, play from the ground up and showed the ability to throw from multiple slots.
Run: 7.44 runner in the 60. 

On the mound, Sloan rocks into his delivery from the wind-up, works in rhythm and balance, compact arm circle, ¾ arm slot. The slot allows for Sloan to get consistent arm-side run on his fastball with above-average lateral break, sitting 69-71 mph, T72. He also showed feel for his curveball, working in between a 10/4 and 11/5 plane, with depth. Sloan also operated as his team’s shortstop when he wasn’t on the mound, where he showed natural feel for the position. From the right-handed batter’s box, Sloan has a tall/open setup with feel for the barrel, and was a regular on the basepaths.