Last week, FightingIllini.com reported on Coach Hartleb and Co.’s successful recruiting trip. When all was said and done, eight high school players had signed letters of intent to the University of Illinois.
It breaks down like this: Illinois recruited five pitchers, one catcher, one shortstop and one outfielder. Of the pitchers, three are lefties. Two are from outside of Illinois.
Here’s a quick look at each player:
Nick Blackburn |
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| RHP | Neuqua Valley HS, Naperville, IL | |
| 6’2” 185 | More info from Naperville Sun | |
| “They really know a lot about the game,” Blackburn said of Hartleb and his staff. “They’re definitely doing the right thing. They’re Big Ten champions. Obviously, they know what they’re doing there.” | ||
Ryan Castellanos |
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| RHP | Archbishop McCarthy HS, Davie, Fl | |
| 6’3” 185 | More info from Perfect Game | |
| Associate head coach Eric Snider on Castellanos: “Ryan is a projectable right-handed pitcher with excellent make-up and maturity. He has a solid fastball that sits at 86-87 mph with good spin and he has a feel for a changeup. And he knows how to pitch.” | ||
Kevin Duchene |
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| LHP | Joliet Catholic Academy | |
| 6’1” 200 | More info from Prep Baseball Report | |
| “Established self as a top-end left-hander after going 8-1 record with 71 Ks in 52 innings as a junior.” | ||
Jason Goldstein |
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| C | Highland Park HS | |
| 6’0” 190 | More info from the Trib Local | |
| “It has a great combination of academics and athletics,” the Highland Park High School senior said about his college choice. | ||
Tyler Jay |
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| LHP | Lemont HS | |
| 6’1” 170 | More info from Lemont High School | |
| “In 2011, Jay went 4-3 with two saves; he tied for second on the team both in wins and saves. In just 40.0 innings, he ranked second on the squad with 70 strikeouts – an impressive 12.25 per 7 innings. He also ranked second on the team with his 2.80 ERA. He contributed at the plate as well, batting .371 with eight extra-base hits (six doubles, two triples) and 14 runs batted in. The Indians went 24-9 (16-3 SSC) in 2011, repeated as the SSC Blue champ, and won their third IHSA Regional title in as many years.” | ||
Ryan Nagle |
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| OF/IF | Streator HS | |
| 6’1” 190 | More info from The Times of Ottawa | |
| Coach Eric Snider on Nagle: “Ryan is a competitive, athletic, hard-nosed player, and he has a high baseball IQ. He has a sweet left-handed swing with power, and I expect him to be an impact player as a freshman. He’s a hard-worker who projects as a middle-of-the-order type of hitter, and he can play multiple positions.” | ||
J.D. Nielsen |
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| LHP | Martensdale St. Mary’s HS, Winterset, IA | |
| 6’6” 205 | More info from Perfect Game | |
| Coach Dickinson on Nielsen: “J.D. is a very tall, athletic lefty with a lot of upside. He has solid, repeatable mechanics and the ball jumps out of his hand. J.D. also has a very good breaking ball with late bite. Plus, he is a hard worker and winner. I believe J.D. is going to blossom into an outstanding pitcher and I am excited for him to become an Illini.” | ||
Adam Walton |
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| IF | Stevenson HS, Buffalo Grove, IL | |
| 6’1” 185 | More info from the Daily Herald | |
| “Walton is the second Patriot to join the Illini baseball program, following Joey Bonadonna (Class of 2003).” | ||
Congrats to each player and to the coaching staff for a productive recruiting year!