I beleive that Erik Lis is without a dought the best hitter in the MVC right now - hes gunna be a sophmore and after his junior year the Sky is his limit
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best local kid i personally know...jeff duncan, cf, new york mets. Attended Lincoln Way central and lemont high school. Played at the college level at Iowa State. After their baseball team folded, he started at Arizona State. Great individual too
Best local pro...Scott Speizio from Morris High School; the University of Illinois; and, then the Oakland A's and the Anaheim Angels.
He's a free agent now and I hope that the Cubs get him to play 1st base.
With the bandbox of a field, he'd likely hit 106 home runs next year as a Cubbie.
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Best college player...Grant Johnson, rhp, from Lyons Township and the University of Notre Dame.
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Huge...Erik Lis is on my list as one of the top local hitters of the past 20 years.
He's a free agent now and I hope that the Cubs get him to play 1st base.
With the bandbox of a field, he'd likely hit 106 home runs next year as a Cubbie.
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Best college player...Grant Johnson, rhp, from Lyons Township and the University of Notre Dame.
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Huge...Erik Lis is on my list as one of the top local hitters of the past 20 years.
From our neck of the woods, young players I am personally familar with are:
Florida Marlins farm system, Greensboro Bats (A): Scott Olsen (LHP)
University of Arkansas: Scott Hode, JR (SS)
Although the well traveled lefty veteran reliever, Mike Myers, hails from this area
Florida Marlins farm system, Greensboro Bats (A): Scott Olsen (LHP)
University of Arkansas: Scott Hode, JR (SS)
Although the well traveled lefty veteran reliever, Mike Myers, hails from this area
Ryan Kochen from batavia then to western michagen now hes with the Astros i believe
Matt Weber RHP
Boylan HS
Chicago Cubs Org. will start next season at Class A Lansing
Boylan HS
Chicago Cubs Org. will start next season at Class A Lansing
Branden Sing, Joliet TownShip i herd will be invited to spring traning with the Cubs 2004,Hit 18 Homeruns 2002, was injured all of this past year. Justin Olsen form Oak Park,Twnis AA has hit 99 on the gun in fall league,Jay Shelley signed by the Brewers, from Berwyn.Bo Flowers Tigers a ball.
Current local players to keep-an-eye-on.....
Justin Olson - Minnesota Twins AA, Univ. of Illinois, OPRF
Threw 99mph a few weeks ago. Part-time instructor at
Strikes.
Jason Shelley - Milwaukee Brewers AA (2003 Independent League "Player of
the Year"), OPRF, Don't know which college. Throws 92mph.
Part-time instructor at Strikes.
Bo Flowers - Detroit Tigers A, Walter Lutheran H.S. (signed out of high
school). Part time instructor at Strikes.
"You observe a lot by watching."
Justin Olson - Minnesota Twins AA, Univ. of Illinois, OPRF
Threw 99mph a few weeks ago. Part-time instructor at
Strikes.
Jason Shelley - Milwaukee Brewers AA (2003 Independent League "Player of
the Year"), OPRF, Don't know which college. Throws 92mph.
Part-time instructor at Strikes.
Bo Flowers - Detroit Tigers A, Walter Lutheran H.S. (signed out of high
school). Part time instructor at Strikes.
"You observe a lot by watching."
Just a question...
How does a guy who hits under .180 in under 40 games be considered one of the top local players in the minors or college?
Bo's Stats
http://www.baseballamerica.com/cgi-bin/statsfindplayer.pl?player=Flowers
"I throw the ball right down the middle. The high-ball hitters swing over it and the low ball hitters swing under it" ---Saul Ragovin
How does a guy who hits under .180 in under 40 games be considered one of the top local players in the minors or college?
Bo's Stats
http://www.baseballamerica.com/cgi-bin/statsfindplayer.pl?player=Flowers
"I throw the ball right down the middle. The high-ball hitters swing over it and the low ball hitters swing under it" ---Saul Ragovin
Lewis...Because of his "tools" and the round in the draft, he'll get a much longer look-see in pro ball than anyone else might as a result of putting up such poor numbers.
He's likely seen what he has to do now to do well in the pros and he'll have to make major adjustments.
In my opinion, because of where he played in high school (the level of competition where he was a man playing against little boys), his national exposure with UDC and the national level of competition really helped him and helped get him drafted as high as he did.
HE needs to learn the strike zone and adjust from one at bat to the next. He can run, throw and hit with power. He'll have to work on plate discipline (not swinging at pitches over his head or sliders in the dirt). If he works hard over the winter, he should have a fine second season. They likely will assign him to a low A ball league.
He is just a baseball "puppy"...Pro ball is going to give him plenty of time to learn or to fail.
He's likely seen what he has to do now to do well in the pros and he'll have to make major adjustments.
In my opinion, because of where he played in high school (the level of competition where he was a man playing against little boys), his national exposure with UDC and the national level of competition really helped him and helped get him drafted as high as he did.
HE needs to learn the strike zone and adjust from one at bat to the next. He can run, throw and hit with power. He'll have to work on plate discipline (not swinging at pitches over his head or sliders in the dirt). If he works hard over the winter, he should have a fine second season. They likely will assign him to a low A ball league.
He is just a baseball "puppy"...Pro ball is going to give him plenty of time to learn or to fail.
I agree with Lewis. .180=not so good, even if he has time to improve.
Boomer...Where are you?
You are supposed to be defending your selection of Bo Flowers...
You are supposed to be defending your selection of Bo Flowers...
BeenthereIL.....
O.K., since you want to play "devils advocate", here goes!!!
What does the topic say? "Best Local KID in College / Pros". So I mentioned several players I thought are the best???? I also stated that you should "keep an eye" on them.
Now, having said that, your post probably was the most accurate and descriptive of the other posts....Best Local College / Pro.
Justify Bo Flowers, why???? He is with the Tigers, and he isn't hitting well, BUT based upon all of the hype regarding "projectability", i.e., Joe Dunnigan (please, please, please.....I don't have it "in" for JD), pro scouts and teams obviously have better means of seeing into the future than we do.
If everyone wants to start "picking chicken poop with the chickens", then step-right-up, because until you have accomplished what Flowers, Spezio, Olsen, Shelley, Honel, Sing, Johnson, or whom ever, you can't just throw names out there.
Your post really summed-it-up-in-a-nutshell!!!
"You observe a lot by watching."
O.K., since you want to play "devils advocate", here goes!!!
What does the topic say? "Best Local KID in College / Pros". So I mentioned several players I thought are the best???? I also stated that you should "keep an eye" on them.
Now, having said that, your post probably was the most accurate and descriptive of the other posts....Best Local College / Pro.
Justify Bo Flowers, why???? He is with the Tigers, and he isn't hitting well, BUT based upon all of the hype regarding "projectability", i.e., Joe Dunnigan (please, please, please.....I don't have it "in" for JD), pro scouts and teams obviously have better means of seeing into the future than we do.
If everyone wants to start "picking chicken poop with the chickens", then step-right-up, because until you have accomplished what Flowers, Spezio, Olsen, Shelley, Honel, Sing, Johnson, or whom ever, you can't just throw names out there.
Your post really summed-it-up-in-a-nutshell!!!
"You observe a lot by watching."
Not trying to diminish Bo or anything but all of the other guys you listed have actually had long strings of success at their level Bo hasn't. Spiezo, Honel, and Johnson all have earned the title best local player by playing well consistently, I'm just saying it's not fair to Spiezo and Honel to have Bo's name there just yet.
"I throw the ball right down the middle. The high-ball hitters swing over it and the low ball hitters swing under it" ---Saul Ragovin
"I throw the ball right down the middle. The high-ball hitters swing over it and the low ball hitters swing under it" ---Saul Ragovin
Is this topic about who is in college/pro ball or is this the best local player? Let me know, because several people are missing VICTOR DIAZ.......go take a look at his stats..........especially the 2002 season. Mark Mulder mean anything to you people? Anyone know who he is?
myself being a providence grad ill have to say carmen pignatiello and kris honel
Lewis....
You make a good point, and it makes sense, thanks!
"You observe a lot by watching."
You make a good point, and it makes sense, thanks!
"You observe a lot by watching."
I think everyone has forgot about Dan Wilson from Barrington, Cliff Floyd for Thorton
that's Cliff Floyd from Thornwood...
Gorzelanny from Triton now with Pirates
best local pro has to be Mulder though...
College player: Grant Johnson (cross your fingers this year)
Minor Leaguer: Victor Diaz if he loses the weight....
gotta love Jeff Duncan though, he can flat out play
Gorzelanny from Triton now with Pirates
best local pro has to be Mulder though...
College player: Grant Johnson (cross your fingers this year)
Minor Leaguer: Victor Diaz if he loses the weight....
gotta love Jeff Duncan though, he can flat out play
Slide...Saw Duncan for a few games with the Mets at the tail end of last year.
Does he have any "pop" in his bat. All I saw were weak grounders.
Is he just a speed guy who was rushed to the bigs because of the Mets problems?
Does he have any "pop" in his bat. All I saw were weak grounders.
Is he just a speed guy who was rushed to the bigs because of the Mets problems?
beenthere-
A part of the reason he was brought up was because of the injuries, but it wasn't like he was hitting .209 in AAA. As you know he runs well and plays great defense. I saw probably 10-12 games that he played in (directv) and he wasn't intimidated at all. He has a body that can still fill out a little bit. Which of course will help the power numbers. He had a few games where he went 3-4 with a couple doubles and a stolen base. He seemed like the type of player that you hate to go against, but love to have on your team. I liked him and think he has a chance of being a solid pro player for 7-8 years.
A part of the reason he was brought up was because of the injuries, but it wasn't like he was hitting .209 in AAA. As you know he runs well and plays great defense. I saw probably 10-12 games that he played in (directv) and he wasn't intimidated at all. He has a body that can still fill out a little bit. Which of course will help the power numbers. He had a few games where he went 3-4 with a couple doubles and a stolen base. He seemed like the type of player that you hate to go against, but love to have on your team. I liked him and think he has a chance of being a solid pro player for 7-8 years.
Thanks, slide.
He's from Frankfort and I'm happy that he got the chance to get some time in the bigs.
He's from Frankfort and I'm happy that he got the chance to get some time in the bigs.
I haven't had the privledge to see all the guys on this list. But i can't let anyone say a bad word about Bo Flowers. I have hit with this kid and he is a machine. He's what every ball player should strive to become....
titan...BeenthereIL knows Bo.
Take someone saying a "bad word" in the context of a response to his name being mentioned as a top pro player when he only hit .180 his first year in pro ball.
Lots of pro players struggle their first year. There is a lot of money invested in Bo by his pro team and they will give him a lot of time to succeed.
Welcome and hang in there with the rest of the websters.
Take someone saying a "bad word" in the context of a response to his name being mentioned as a top pro player when he only hit .180 his first year in pro ball.
Lots of pro players struggle their first year. There is a lot of money invested in Bo by his pro team and they will give him a lot of time to succeed.
Welcome and hang in there with the rest of the websters.
After reading all of these posts, there are some great names, so here is my lisy by college/minors and the big's
College..Grant Johnson..Lafringe Hayes( who will be better then little Bo), Nelson Gord (UIC) Craig Murry (U of M), MIke Santoro and Rob Marconi NIU,also look for d3 transfer Trevor Wolgemuth to make some noise is the MAC. local kids that will make a very big impact in the 04 season
Minors. How can you not love the Justin Olsen story...A college career plauged with injury, a year out of baseball and is throwing harder then he ever had in his life..moves up almost 4 levels in a matter of weeks. Major League arm, major league body. Look out for his old Illini teammmate, Drew Dickinson, for the Kane County Cougers, got out to an unreal start, but had to battle threw injuries in the second half. 2 time big ten pitcher of the year and K leader, this Jamie Moyer like pitcher has a very bright future, overlooked because fastball tops out at about 80, but was drafted because of the sucess he had, oakland took a shot and will pay off. Give Bo Flowers a break, lets not forget he is 19 years old and played private league ball, give him time to adjust and he will develop and be moving up fast, i had the privelage of coaching him in High School, great work ethic unreal athlete. Just some quick local names, Jim Paduch, who threw a no-no in rookie ball playoffs, Joe Mazzuca, Mike Spidale, and the person everyone is sleeping on, Curtis Granderson out of the Tigers organazation.
The Show: Its easy to sit there and drop names like Mulder, Spezio, but lets be different. Tony Fiore, holy cross high school, twins organazation. Life time utility man, Jeff Robelue, boston back up Lou Colleier, and white sox prospect and ISU grad Neal Cotts. I saved the best for last...if you can call morris native spezio "local" how can ANYONE forget the pride of Peoria...Jim Thome...one of the best power hitters of the last decade, resides in peoria and still is a big contributer to ICC.
Its easy to sit there and drop the big names, but all of the names mentioned are all local kids whose names will be very well known, if not allready, over time
College..Grant Johnson..Lafringe Hayes( who will be better then little Bo), Nelson Gord (UIC) Craig Murry (U of M), MIke Santoro and Rob Marconi NIU,also look for d3 transfer Trevor Wolgemuth to make some noise is the MAC. local kids that will make a very big impact in the 04 season
Minors. How can you not love the Justin Olsen story...A college career plauged with injury, a year out of baseball and is throwing harder then he ever had in his life..moves up almost 4 levels in a matter of weeks. Major League arm, major league body. Look out for his old Illini teammmate, Drew Dickinson, for the Kane County Cougers, got out to an unreal start, but had to battle threw injuries in the second half. 2 time big ten pitcher of the year and K leader, this Jamie Moyer like pitcher has a very bright future, overlooked because fastball tops out at about 80, but was drafted because of the sucess he had, oakland took a shot and will pay off. Give Bo Flowers a break, lets not forget he is 19 years old and played private league ball, give him time to adjust and he will develop and be moving up fast, i had the privelage of coaching him in High School, great work ethic unreal athlete. Just some quick local names, Jim Paduch, who threw a no-no in rookie ball playoffs, Joe Mazzuca, Mike Spidale, and the person everyone is sleeping on, Curtis Granderson out of the Tigers organazation.
The Show: Its easy to sit there and drop names like Mulder, Spezio, but lets be different. Tony Fiore, holy cross high school, twins organazation. Life time utility man, Jeff Robelue, boston back up Lou Colleier, and white sox prospect and ISU grad Neal Cotts. I saved the best for last...if you can call morris native spezio "local" how can ANYONE forget the pride of Peoria...Jim Thome...one of the best power hitters of the last decade, resides in peoria and still is a big contributer to ICC.
Its easy to sit there and drop the big names, but all of the names mentioned are all local kids whose names will be very well known, if not allready, over time
some names you guys are forgetting are Jody Gerut-Willowbrook high school and Jerry Hairston Jr.-Naperville North High School
hmm...from up north...T.J.Nall he won state championship for Schaumburg as a Sophomore walked NO ONE his senior year...8th round pick of the Dodgers. Blew out his elbow and had Tommy John surgery in '01, last year (first after recovery) was in high "A" ball for the Dodgers, league all-star and is now topping 90, is was a 99 grad, so look for him to start moving up.
John Hummel, 16th round of Pirates....6'4" lhp, has had tenionitis in the throwing shoulder (result from to much pitching in H.S.) worked out of the pen last year in rookie ball...low era, upper 80's with movement, low walk to strike out ratio...'02 grad from Schaumburg
Trey Johnston, 18th round of the Cubs, didn't hit well but started to make the adjustments at the end of rookie ball...very young, didn't turn 18 until a month after he was playing pro ball....strong arm, good glove...moved from 3rd to 2nd...'03 grad from Schaumburg...time will tell
John Hummel, 16th round of Pirates....6'4" lhp, has had tenionitis in the throwing shoulder (result from to much pitching in H.S.) worked out of the pen last year in rookie ball...low era, upper 80's with movement, low walk to strike out ratio...'02 grad from Schaumburg
Trey Johnston, 18th round of the Cubs, didn't hit well but started to make the adjustments at the end of rookie ball...very young, didn't turn 18 until a month after he was playing pro ball....strong arm, good glove...moved from 3rd to 2nd...'03 grad from Schaumburg...time will tell
hmm...I messed up...they aren't in the "best" yet...maybe in time, but not now anyway
In college...what about Ryan McKenna?...ASU, Jr. with two varsity letters, will be drafted after this spring..redshirted last year due to illness/loss weight gain...but expected to be in all 3 outfield positions during this coming spring...'00 grad from Larkin
watch for joe mazzuca out of HC AND NORTHERN. MARLINS ORGANIZATION.
sox, your email is on your profile, mind if i email you?
Yeah! Please do pitchdoc24.
Mike Jernstad older brother of Matt Jernstad.
Mike Jernstad 6'5 220lbs Left handed pitcher touching 90 nasty curve, change that moves depending on grip, a very good knuckle ball, great controle. Mike is playing for Lindenwood University in St. Charles Mo. Mike is from Oswego IL.
Mike Jernstad 6'5 220lbs Left handed pitcher touching 90 nasty curve, change that moves depending on grip, a very good knuckle ball, great controle. Mike is playing for Lindenwood University in St. Charles Mo. Mike is from Oswego IL.
How about Chris Cunningham of South Suburban? He had a unbelievable year hitting as a freshman and is a first team JUCO all-american.
my vote goes to brian bogasevich from DeLaSalle, now at tulane. This kid had one of the all time great senior years in 2001. I think he is on a few lists for player of the year recognition.