ILLINOIS

2007 FOLLOW LIST  

OVERVIEW: AlthoughIllinois might not have a first-round pick in this draft, it should go down as one of the most talented draft classes overall in state history. Taken in combination with the strong classes in neighboring Indiana and Ohio , scouts have had plenty of reason to come and stay in the region for much of the late spring.

High school pitching has been the big reason, with at least 7-8 young pitchers, led by southpaw Casey Crosby, the state’s top prospect, getting crosscheck-type attention. Seeing 90-plus mph fastballs was easier to do in Illinois than it was in Georgia or North Carolina , or other comparable mid-sized states. A couple of high school hitters, Jake Smolinski and Tyler Newsome, could fit into the same top 5 round area as the pitchers.

 

The Illinois college ranks didn’t have the same type of talent or depth, although Illinois catcher Lars Davis, a native of Canada , could be a top 3 round pick. In fact, Illinois-Chicago, the state’s lone representative in the NCAA 64-team tournament field, is noticeably lacking from the scouts’ list of prospect schools this season. The same is true for the junior colleges, although scouts enjoyed having a top prospect who wasn’t under control to and go see in Kaskaskia CC lefthander Jay Voss.

 

STRENGTH: High school pitching.

WEAKNESS: College Pitching.

OVERALL RATING (1-to-5 scale): 5.

 

Best Out-of-State Prospect, Illinois Connection: John Ely, rhp, Miami (Ohio) U. (Attended high school in Homewood ).

Top 2008 Prospect: Austin Wright, lhp, Conant HS, Schaumburg.

 

Highest Pick, Draft History: Danny Goodwin, c, Central HS, Peoria (1971, White Sox/1^st round, 1^st pick).

Highest Pick, 2006 Draft: Joe Benson, c, Joliet Catholic HS (Twins/2^nd round).

 

Best College Team: Illinois-Chicago.
Best Junior College Team: South Suburban CC.
Best High School Team: New Trier HS, Winnetka .

 

TOP 25 PROSPECTS / By David Rawnsley

 

GROUPS (College, Junior College, High School)

      1   High-round draft (Rounds 1-3)

      2   Mid-round draft (Rounds 4-10)

      3   Late-round draft (Rounds 11-25)

      4   Chance draft / Player to follow

 

*Draft-and-follow; eligible to sign before 2007 draft

 

GROUP ONE

Rank  Player                                  Pos.       Yr     B-T      HT     WT     School                              Hometown                 Drafted/(Commit) B’date

     1.   Casey Crosby                     LHP      Sr.     L-L     6-5     200     Kaneland HS                    Elburn                          (Illinois )           9-17-88

SCOUTING REPORT: Crosby grew four inches and gained 10 mph on his fastball during his junior year, which quickly put him on the prospect charts. He’s still fairly raw as a pitcher but throws up to 94 mph consistently and fairly easily, which gives scouts plenty of opportunity to dream. Crosby’s arm action is long and flowing from a high three-quarters release point, and he is still working on his off-speed pitches. He throws both a curveball and slider, and his slider shows the most potential with mid-80s velocity and some two-plane bite. Crosby also throws a couple of types of changeups that are works in progress. He is regarded as an above-average athlete and was a star football wide receiver who caught 76 passes for 19 touchdowns his senior year. That, in combination with his height, easy velocity and improved curve should get him drafted in the top two rounds.