Incoming '09 prospects

Here are a few more 09 players that may have been overlooked Steve DalPorto- Nazareth Mike Kane - Notre Dame Brandon Hohl- Lincolnway East Jason McLain- Hinsdale Central Ryan Biehler- Batavia They wontplay varsity as freshmen, but they are all excellent players.

I have seen all these players play in travel ball and they are certainly very talented 09 players.

However we must remember that some of the players that were exceptional at 14, will become average high school players in their senior year; as well as some players that were average at 14 will become exceptional ballplayers in their senior year. This is due to several factors including different growth spurts, concentrating an alternative sport, injuries, workout ethic, politics in high school, etc.

It really to early to tell if there is the next Michael Bowden in this 09 class, but it will be fun and interesting to follow these ballplayers careers.

......and don't forget their attitude (make-up).

AMEN.....cause there is nothing else to say at this point-in-time.

ObserverNIL said it all!!!!

Prairie Gravel, Schaumburg Seminoles and Orland Sparks (along with many more) have been around for a while......they haven't just "risen"..I'm sure this age group has it's talented players...just like any other.

Tuzigot- Be glad B is asking a girl and not a boy, not that there's anything wrong with that!LOL

We had the same situation last year, about two weeks after homecoming the girl situation went away and it was back to baseball.

how good is brandon dupplessis? i heard he is one of the top 25 players in the country for 09? he has a live arm ive been working out with him, im glad hes going to lockport

Brandon and my son played together in the summer of 2004 for Team IL. Brandon throws hard for his age and has good control. The United States is a big country, therefore ranking kids at 14 years old is extremely difficult. I leave it up to the major league draft to rank players after their senior high school year. Lockport HS is lucky to have a player like Brandon. My son and I wish him the best!

how hard does he actually throw? ive heard 86 but even for an all american 86 is very very hard for a 14 year old

You should look out for Jon Dorsey of Simeon he has a 1.9 pop time as a freshman.

Johnny Revis--NT. Pitched extremely well as a 14YO on a 15YO travel team. Also, Loyola has an excellent incoming class--including Havey, a very solid lefty pitcher. But, let's not jump the gun on the '09's. Things change fast. I've seen OK freshman ballplayers blossom into excellent varsity ballplayers, and I've also seen top 14/15 YO's fail to progress as expected.

I heard that this is coach Hall's last year.

What are the better pre-high school travel programs (11-14 yr. olds) that are producing the next generation of “select”, all-conference, and all state HS ball players?? Where are these “select” 09’s coming from? House leagues or travel ball (another tread in itself)? Brew4crew mentioned several new travel teams I have never heard of, but I then again, I have not eaten pre-HS diamond dust in a long time. Some of these programs were the Orlando Magic, Palatine Travelers, Racine Hitters, Lake County Chiefs, Arlington Longshots, Upper Deck, and the McHenery County Hurricanes. I don’t mean to exclude anyone. These are just an example of the teams we ran into (I may be dating myself). Are these programs still around? What are the new and “up and coming” programs. Some of the better players in HS were the same individuals we faced playing in these travel tournaments. For example, our HS team was beaten in a Super Sectional (several years ago) by a pitcher we use to see all the time playing travel ball. Every week I would pick up the paper and read familiar names from travel teams we were on and played against. Many have been posted on this site and the PBR was loaded with them.

Observer and Boomer make great points. I have seen great players coming out of this age fizzle and average talent excel to prospects. Attitude and hard work is everything. As my father always said, “Many are called, few are chosen”.

Ling, Those eyes… There freakin’ me out!!!!!

Keep it TEAL! GO CHANTS!

Jack Havey 6'3" and built! LHP Loyola. This kid throws well into the 80's with fantastic command of all his pitches. He may be one of the top 09 prospects in the nation. Pitched for the Longshots last year and will be with the Senminoles this year. Havey is from what I understand, a straight A student and has Stanford type potential written all over him.

Colton Tortorello 5'11" and wirery RHP Mundelein. Has been mowing people down for years now. Has great stuff and can probably touch 80 or so. Is capable of blowing it bye ya, or hitting spots and forcing you to hit his pitch. Very crafty and deceptive.

We have some very good freshmen coming in. Logan Eader is a name to remember. He is a lefty pitcher, OF, 1st baseman. He will get a look in our program. He played last year for the Mustangs out of St. Louis and they made it to nationals for about the millionth time.

I have seen most of these kids pitch that are being discussed here, and there in no one that threw "well in the 80's" this summer as an incoming 09. I would say that the best in the greater Chicagoland area top out at 83-84. This is very respectable for a 14 year old.

If I saw an incoming freshman throwing well in the 80's (87 to 89mph) - I would project him to throw in the upper 90's as a senior. How many people have hit 96mph in IL as a senior? I can only remember one- Bill Gullickson!

Lets keep everything in perspective.

82-84 is well into the 80's! Registering low to almost mid 80's
Then there is the low 80's (81,82) mid 80's(84-86) and high 80's(87-89).
I have seen it for myself. The kid registered between 80 to 83 and once at 84 on the Jugs and about 76- 80 on the Ray.

That was one game, can he throw harder? maybe... was that his peak for the season? maybe...

I agree Observer. Pitcher's speed remains the most exaggerated thing we hear about. If all these kids throwing mid-80's at 14 and 15 really were throwing that hard, you wouldn't be seeing Varsity starting pitchers throwing in the upper 70's a great deal of the time. All these kids (these 09's) would be progressing into the 90's by the time they were 17. Seems like a lot of people posting on this thread have a lot to learn.

same thing goes for 2cool4us post about the catcher dorsey having a 1.9 pop time. Ive seen this kid play as my sons team has played against the clubbers more than a few times. There is no doubt the kid is a talented catcher with a strong arm, but to say he has a 1.9 is exaggerating a bit.

upandin-
will havey play varsity at loyola?

The avererage 09 fastball is 65 to 70 mph with an overpowering 09'er at 75.

Sophs go a bit higher.

Varsity level 82 is very good heat, with most averaging in the mid to high 70's. Your exceptional power varsity pitchers are 85 plus.

I also know how important a change of speed is.

Eric Wilson went 12 and 0 for New Trier and won a state title throwing 80 to 82 mph with an awesome splitter.

Ling- The guy's who are pretty dominant at the frosh level at 75 mph. You might( and I say might) see one or two all year near or over 80. If you do, most will move up to the soph level if they have anything to go with it.

remember, you'll be going to minus 3 bat. That will slow your bat speed some since most pre freshman grades are swinging super lights. That is a big adjustment for a freshman hitter. 65 to 70 will be the average speed and you'll be hitting in 40 degree weather for at least 1/3rd of the season. It's tough in that cold wind to hit, coupled with a minus 3! Big adjustment!!!!

Up...I never said that a particular kid can't throw the ball that fast. I was commenting that it is much more rare than what a lot of people claim on this site. I'll stand by my comment that speed is exaggerated blatantly...not only with incoming frosh but with others as well. I agree with just about all you said in your last post.

Second that, Fastball

Sorry for the misunderstanding FastballDad. I thought you were refering to me, my fault

Well, I originally mentioned Havey in an earlier post, so I definitely don't want to knock his potential. He leads what should be an excellent freshmen class coming into Loyola. However, from what I have heard, he does not throw well into the 80's. He touches the very low 80's, but cruises in the high 70's. Without a doubt, still VERY reputable, especially for a tall lefty. He is supposed to be very bright, but let's back off on predicting Stanford for any incoming freshman--I think that is way to big a load to throw on any HS freshmen ballplayer. I have seen people max out at 15. Chances are he will not play varsity as a freshman. Delfava is very cautious about moving guys up, and I don't believe (I could be wrong), that he has ever had a frosh play varsity. I am not sure whether he is playing Seminoles this upcoming year, but I do know that if he played at all with the Longshots this past summer, it was sporadic, because he played much of the summer with Wilmette Travel A. This topic makes me nervous a bit, because I think we can throw too much in expectations and projections on what are still early developing ballplayers. While Havey does appear to be a definite talent, let's give him a little time to mature and develop as a young man and a ballplayer.

And, AMEN to the exaggerated gun readings we get on all prospects. If I had a dime for all the pitchers I heard were throwing in the mid to upper 80's, I'd be retired and chatting on the Hawaii boards.

Sorry K13, you are mistaken. By the way he just showed up to pitch for the Longshots here and there. The family is not going to allow some Little League coach to over pitch him.

By the way his brother is 6'6", I do not think the younger Havey is any where near maxed out. He is very projectable at this point.

The only thing I can say is sure he will throw some pitches in the high 70's and can max out WELL INTO THE 80's 82-83. I guess you are arguing over symantics.

Believe me K13, I have seen it.....

Aloha Danno!!

As far as you basic message, I agree about people who throw 80 mph around, but in Havey's case it is accurate.

UpAndIn,

I'm not sure what I am mistaken about, he did play WIL Travel A--he may have played somewhere else also--which I said previously. And, you are right about the quibling over symantics, but maxing out in the low 80's and cruising in the upper 70's (which is where Havey is at) is not the same as throwing well into the 80's.

Regardless, he is a definite talent I agree. And, at 6'3" and likely to grow, he does SEEM to have big upside potential--I wouldn't argue that. My point was that they are only 15 and I hate throwing too much on their shoulders that early. And, projecting someone to be good--and predicting Stanford baseball (I believe that was Goose) are definitely two different things--the kid hasn't pitched an inning of HS ball yet. And, until he does, I'm not ready to send him out to the west coast to play baseball in college.

Havey at Loyola is definitely legit, and it will be fun to watch him develop, especially alongside Revis at NT. Revis (R-6'2") cruises around 72-73 and touches 75-76 and already has excellent mound presence. Pitched extremely well at the 15U level this summer, and also looks to have upside potential. In addition, like Havey, he is tremedously intelligent. Hopefully, if things pan out for both, we may have a few good years of NT-Loyola pitching duels in the future. It will be fun to watch them develop and play.

From the way it looks this is going to be a fairly strong class. Can anyone provide me with a list of what they depict as the top 09 players so that I am able to follow progress of these players and their positions.

quote:

Originally posted by fasteddie:
Here are a few more 09 players that may have been overlooked Steve DalPorto- Nazareth Mike Kane - Notre Dame Brandon Hohl- Lincolnway East Jason McLain- Hinsdale Central Ryan Biehler- Batavia They wontplay varsity as freshmen, but they are all excellent players.

Is there a reason these kids are all ex-seminoles? Is one of these over-looked kids yours?

Yes bender, actually one of them is my son..why do you ask? Overlooked only in that these kids are mostly position players and not pitchers. Here are a couple more players who should be on the list as well. Joe Wietecha- Notre Dame Robert Kennedy- Northside Prep These two players are ex seminoles as well. Really didnt understand your question ..is there a reason these kids are all ex sems. Do you want the reason or are you asking why my list only comprised ex sems?

One more player i forgot to mention another ex sem as well Drew Eads who is now with top tier and living in indiana. not sure what high school he is attending. Bender...feel free to add some players to the list.

The latter. You answered my question. Just trying to get some pub for your son. That's cool.

Eric Walantis-Schaumburg Red Hawks
Ryan Pacgya-Prarie Gravel
Kevin Lazowski-Top Tier
Angelo Burrage-Clubbers
John Dorsey-Clubbers

I would add:
Nikko Gomez(c-Lake Zurich)
Tim Drish (OF/P-Batavia)
Jordan Coffey (P-Batavia)

all of those players have already been mentioned in earlier posts except for lazowski and walentis. Another player who i neglegted to mention is Joey Cecci- Romeoville H.S. I was so focused on all of the ex seminoles i forgot to mention one of the current ones. Sorry joey. you belong on anyones list of freshman.

Josh Levy Niles North 5'10 170 will start at catcher for North. Has shown his ability to play and hit in the middle of the order for North. Sean Kennedy from the Seminoles throws around 80-82 and has made junior olympic team.

joey cecci has an excellent swing.. i have given him hitting lessons as well has watched him hit.. he has a very nice swing as long as he keeps growing he will be an excellent baseball player

this is coach halls last year

I have seen all these playes, and they are good 14 year olds. I agree with the earlier post that it is too early to tell how they will play in high school. Someone asked which of the travel teams is developing all this talent. Very few. The top travel teams a great recruiters, they don't develope the talent. Very few coach fundamentals. They play so many games they don't even practice. If a player isn't good enough, they cut him and steal a kid from another top team to replace him. The advantage they give is the kids consistently see other top talent, so they are always playing at a high level. Playing with and against the best is helpful in developing. But to really improve, yo need private lessons, and/or high school coaches.