2016 State Draft Report: Illinois

CROP RATING
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Rating compares this year’s group to what a state typically produces, not to other states

Number of players drafted in 2015: 33

 

Usually it’s the college talent that gets the primary focus in Illinois come draft time. And once again, Illinois does have an ace that will hear his name called quickly come draft day. But this year the high school talent is just as notable.

The depth of talent in Illinois is equally notable this year, but then that’s become a feature of the state in recent drafts.

NATIONAL TOP 500 PROSPECTS

BA 500 Scouting Reports

1. Cody Sedlock, rhp, Illinois (National Rank: 42)
2. Cooper Johnson, c, Carmel HS, Mundelein, Ill. (National Rank: 76)
3. Matthias Dietz, rhp, John A. Logan (Ill.) JC (National Rank: 102)
4. Tyler Fitzgerald, ss, Rochester (Ill.) HS (National Rank: 187)
5. Drake Fellows, rhp, Joliet (Ill.) Catholic Academy (National Rank: 281)
6. Jordan McFarland, of, Waterloo (Ill.) HS (National Rank: 374)
7. Brenden Heiss, rhp, Jacobs HS, Algonquin, Ill. (National Rank: 408)
8. Joey Polak, 1b, Quincy (Ill.) Notre Dame HS (National Rank: 435)

 

OTHER PROSPECTS OF NOTE

2016 Draft Map

9. Dustin Hunt, rhp, Northeastern
10. Garrett Acton, rhp, Lemont (Ill.) HS
11. Christian Bullock, of, Morgan Park HS, Chicago, Ill.
12. Colin Holderman, rhp, Heartland (Ill.) CC
13. Sam Ferri, c, Notre Dame College Prep, Norridge, Ill.
14. Cal Coughlin, 3b/rhp, Lake Forest (Ill.) HS
15. Trey Riley, rhp, Edwardsville (Ill.) HS
16. David Jacob, 1b/of, Quincy (Ill.) University
17. Teddy Rule, rhp, Quincy (Ill.) University
18. John Rave, of, Bloomington (Ill.) HS
19. Joey Marciano, lhp, Southern Illinois
20. Ryan Snyder, of, Quincy (Ill.) University
21. Connor Ryan, rhp, Illinois-Chicago

 

ADDITIONAL SCOUTING REPORTS

Dustin Hunt, rhp, Northeastern – Hunt is a big arm (up to 95-96 mph at his best) with a big frame (6-foot-5) who has had success at Northeastern (6-3, 2.72).

Garrett Acton, rhp, Lemont (Ill.) HS – Acton has plenty of arm strength already. He’s consistently touched 92-93 last fall and this spring. The St. Louis signee’s secondary offerings have work to do to catch up to his fastball.

Christian Bullock, of, Morgan Park HS, Chicago, Ill. – Bullock will probably be well served to head to Michigan as his body hasn’t fully filled out yet, but he has a lot of potential as a lefthanded hitting outfielder.

Colin Holderman, rhp, Heartland (Ill.) CC – A 6-foot-5 righthander who has signed with Mississippi State, Holderman has a promising three-pitch mix led by a low-90s fastball with run and sink. He struck out 88 in 67 innings and also was Heartland’s leading hitter–he hit .509 with 13 home runs.

Sam Ferri, c, Notre Dame College Prep, Norridge, Ill. – Ferri, an Arizona State signee, might end up on the mound, where he’s 90-91 mph on good days, but he also projects as a catcher thanks to that same strong arm and excellent makeup.

Cal Coughlin, 3b/rhp, Lake Forest (Ill.) HS – Coughlin could be a two-way player if he makes it to Texas Christian, but as a pro he projects as a pitcher.

Trey Riley, rhp, Edwardsville (Ill.) HS – Riley, an Oklahoma State signee, sits in the high 80s with the possibility for a little more down the road.

David Jacob, 1b/of, Quincy (Ill.) University – A 6-foot-4 lefthanded hitter who won the Prospect League batting title last summer, Jacob has a track record of hitting for average and power.

Teddy Rule, rhp, Quincy (Ill.) University – Rule’s 90-94 mph fastball worked well out of the bullpen this spring as he struck out more than a batter an inning.

John Rave, of, Bloomington (Ill.) HS – Rave is a speedster (6.5-6.6 in the 60-yard dash) who has shown he can catch up to velocity at the plate. He’s signed with Illinois State.

Joey Marciano, lhp, Southern Illinois – Marciano is a big (6-foot-5, 250-pound) lefty who generates downhill plane on his 88-90 mph fastball, setting up a fringe-average slider.

Ryan Snyder, of, Quincy (Ill.) University – Snyder played his way into a possible senior sign as a 6-foot-3, 210-pound outfielder who hit for average (.444) and power (23 home runs).

Connor Ryan, rhp, Illinois-Chicago – Ryan has a deceptive delivery and a low-90s fastball.