Top Short-Stops for 2006!!!!!!!!

Saw Cunningham play and he is smooth, with quick, soft hands. Good, accurate arm. Good hitter and will get more power when he gets stronger.

Son played little league with Doyle back in 2000. Son was twelve and Doyle was eleven. Son and Doyle split time between pitching and shortstop. Mick could hit then, and I'm sure he can hit now. Very close-knit family. If he put time into developing his skills and training, nobody would come close to him. Real smart kid!! Has definite future in next levels of baseball if family would focus on that.

Binder could be better than he is, but is inconsistent at times in both hitting and fielding.

When we JCA played Benet, Doyle was very smooth at Short, needs work with the stick to become All-State though.

My son played against Mick Doyle in the summer for Praire Gravel,and said he was the best short/stop he has played against,and for Jca we beat his team pretty good, we also played against Binder in the summer and he is very good also. I think Binder played for Lombard Lightning.

I have seen Brewer play and he is very good! Ihave seen Cunningham play and he need's to get stronger to be all-state but he looks very good! Doyle is very smooth and just needs to get a stronger arm and work on his hitting,saw the ss from Naperville Johnns, and he looks very good to me if he works on his fielding he has a chance to be all-state.

Sophomore Dane Hall from Barrington started all year, has hit an absolute ton...I think at least 5 Hr.....has to be considered among the top '07s.

I played with johanns from naperville central the white sox traveling team and i think that he is an underated player because he is playing with a crapy team. I think that if he played with a top 5 team he would all state for sure. Next to dan brewer i think johanns is a great short-stop

Fastballdad, You have a PM

If you don't go to any PERFECT GAMES show cases you won't get ranked!PERIOD.Baseball America sponser's Perfect game. SO its nice to get ranked but does not mean a thing ,cause alot of great player's don't go to PERFECT GAME show cases!!!!!!!

Ralphy and Marvin is going to be something sweet to watch up the middle next year for clemente

Mick Doyle you have a private message

05dad. WADR. Untrue. Unfair to PG.

A minimal amount of research would have at least tempered your post.

My mistake 05dad. Please accept my apology.

Thought it was your post. I should have known better.

O.F.04.......Your just flat wrong about this.

Ok" mr know it all" as my favorite poster(PEABODY) call'S you , you name one ! Ryan Anetsberger All-State 2004 was not ranked and never attented a Pg show case! and Dan Brewer who will be All-State was never ranked and did not attend a PG show case.And those 3 mentioned all have attened the PG show cases... What do you think PG is going to say if you dont attend our show case you wont get ranked??? DAH!!

OF04, I don't know what PG has ever done to you personally that you harbor such a resentment towards them. But, never mind that.

I believe that if a player never attended a PG Showcase it would be difficult for PG to have a profile on that player. That would make sense. However, I don't think that the absense of a PG profile would keep a player off of a Baseball America player ranking. Whether it be PG, Team One, Blue-Grey or others, they know who the players are and I don't believe that any one of those organizations would intentionally penalize a player because he didn't attend THEIR event. JMO.

mike cunningham is by far the best shortstop out of all these scrubs u speak of

Mc_Queens:
Gee thought Oak Park fan's had more class than that?? Guess your the exception to the rule!

Mc_queens,
That is just uncalled for.People could say something about your email name....."queen"!

I too along with LTDH8 played with Johanns in the summer. I agree that hes an underrated player on a not so good team but I also know mick doyle from playing prairie gravel a few years ago. He is very smooth and is also i fine hitter at the dish. The only thing that could use a little work is his arm.

"Queen" mike cunningham is a good short-stop but he is not the best as u say he is. Yes can has great hands but he cannot hit as well as the other short-stops. And everyone knows that if u can hit ur going to play no matter what

Josh Colon, a sophomore from Lane Tech, is as smooth of a fielder as i've seen.

Elliott Soto from Dundee Crown. Covers lots of ground and it looks like his feet aren't even touching the ground!

The work ethics of Cales, and Stevens and Brewer, Should be posted! Can you fine short-stops,tell the young shortstops named in this post how hard you work to get to be noticed? I dont think the younger ball player's really knows what it takes! LOve to hear from Cales and Brewer and Stevens. Congrats to Dan Brewer Named Sun-times All-State Shortstop 2005!

The only time I saw Cunningham play was against Lane last weekend. I'm assuming he had an off-day if he is considered the top returning SS in the state, because he didn't look that sharp.

Defensively at least for that game only, Colon deffinately looked better.

Vet,

Where did you see the All-State team listed?

mike cunningham has a better batting average and less errors then former "great"huskie shortstop ruiari oconnor did last season.

"you observe a a lot by watching"

For LTDH 8 Mike Cunningham was the only player on the Huskies to hit over 400 and made less than 7 errors this year. To not include him in the top shortstops in the state as a junior is a travesty. And I am pretty sure he was pretty successful against LT this year.

Down in the southern part of the state word has it there is an incoming sophmore by the name of Matthew Moore that is one of the "up and coming" shortstops in HS baseball. This kid makes such great plays in the field they have already named him "FlashinTheLeather"!!

He is playing summer baseball on a local Colt team and has already added some dazzling plays to his repitore in just his first four games. Word has it this is his first time to play on a nice solid grass infield and he is getting more experience with each week.

Going to see these young Shortstops play this summer, Way to go Brewer on your first team Sun-times Award, you deserved it with 13 bombs and like 60 Rbi's?? how did you not get the team's MVP? That was a joke!!!!!

watre u talking about, all state awards dont come out till after the tournament

Simotes is a very good all-around shortstop. He has good size, quick hands, and plays the position very well. Like any other high school player, he can continue to improve and will do that based on his attitude. His biggest drawback is, and will always be, his father Those that know Grant's dad, know exactly what I mean.

mc_queens your right they dont come out till after the tournament but they have already been selected. Pretty much only the coaches and players on a team with a kid that got picked know as of now.

There are some good young SS in Oak Lawn and Burbank (Sexton and Mueller) -- I don't know how they compare to some of the kids in the suburbs, but Sexton played for the Sox Training Center Team and Mueller was POY in the conference.

The Tribune has announced their all-state team:

First team

June 9, 2005, 10:43 PM CDT


PITCHER
Mike Bowden, Waubonsie Valley, Sr.
Repeat 1st-teamer's unreal numbers: 185 K's, eight walks, 0.41 ERA, 11-1, pitched one-hitter in loss.
College: Arizona State.
Tanner Roark, Wilmington, Sr.
Went 14-0 with a save, hit .516 with 10 HRs and 63 RBIs for Class A champions.
College: Illinois.

CATCHER
Nick Mitidiero, Lockport, Sr.
2nd-time All-Stater moves to first team with school record .621 average, 1.000 slugging percentage.
College: Undecided.

FIRST BASE
Connor Powers, Benet, Jr.
Powerfully built (6-3, 230) Redwing hit .505 with six HRs, 49 RBIs and .879 slugging percentage.

SECOND BASE
Jordan Tokarz, Neuqua Val., Sr.
Set school records with .489 average, 66 hits, 52 runs, 28 SBs in first full season as starter.
College: Elgin C.C.

SHORTSTOP
Dan Brewer, Lyons Township, Sr.
Lions' leader socked 13 homers with 57 RBIs and a .903 slugging percentage.
College: Bradley.

THIRD BASE
Matt Otteman, Lockport, Sr.
Porters' MVP hit .583 with .865 slugging pct.; 11-0 on mound with 0.66 ERA.
College: Undecided.

OUTFIELD
Jake Christensen, Lockport, Sr.
Hawkeyes QB recruit shines on diamond too: .520 avg., eight HRs, 44 RBIs, 48 runs.
College: Iowa.

Jason Kipnis, Glenbrook N., Sr.
CSL MVP hit .481 with eight HRs, 32-for-32 SBs.
College: Kentucky.

Aaron Barrows, Minooka, Sr.
No errors while hitting .460 with 44 runs.
College: E. Kentucky.


The Sun-Times only has their all-area team listed on the website for now, and the IHSBCA team will probably be announced after the ceremony at the Sox game on June 20.

What year is doyle??

djeter, i will be a junior next year. i just wanted to say thanks to everyone for their comments. any criticism, good or bad, is appreciated. thanks again.

Should'nt Grant be a senior this year.Why do we promote kids that are not in there right grade? Lets see Chris jeske football joliet catholic, and yes jake christensen of Lockport, brain stroud of New Lenox i here should be a jr.The birthday cut off is what it is.Thats just a few names. Anything to get the edge.

i would have to bring up Brian Lambert from Pontiac, IL. He will be a senior during the 06 year and he has had all-state honors since his sophomore year. I think he batted around 450 this season and he is very solid in the field. He is a great player.

Lambert looked smooth playing 2B at the Silver & Black showcase. Easy to see why he is a repeat performer on some all-state lists.

benetSS12 u have a pm

Never paid much attention to the Tribune for high school baseball and now I know why....

1. Wilmington
2. Lockport

IN THEIR DREAMS!!!!!!!

With Tanner Roark on the mound Willimington is better then any team in the state.

Unfortunately for them, you play a minimum of 3 games in the STate tournament.

Ask Waubonsee Valley.

Beenthere, I don't know, but I think I'm with Kenny on this one. Wilmington is not just Tanner Roark. If I'm not mistaken,younger brother Dillon Roark was undefeated this season. It is probably the natural instinct to feel Lockport is king of the hill, but just look at Wilmington's record. Yeah, their competition doesn't stack up with Lockport, but how many of us have even seen Wilmington play this season? I think if Wilmington played in the Chicago area they would quickly be mentioned with the other elite HS programs that we talk so much about. JMO.

This would be one of those years where it would be great to have the two champions play. Wilmington beat Mt Carmel, JCA, Minooka and Geneva. So they already have one win over a AA elite 8 team.

Don't know anything about Tanner Roark, he might be the second comming of Tom Seaver. But it seems that Rosy drinks Top Tier Kool Aid. If Elmer Fudd were to pitch for Top Tier Rosy would think he is as good as Randy Johnson. Rosy how many games did you see Wilmington play this year?
I don't think that this has anything to do with 06/07 shortstops

well, I always thought one of the great things about this site is that someone starts a thread, and it goes wherever from there. Norwood.....blame Beenthere not Rosy....he is the one who deviated from the topic. For my money, from what I have heard Either Wilmington or Wabonsie Valley would probably beat any team with their aces throwing. But as Beenthere said, it isn't a one game playoff which is agood thing in baseball. Lockport is my #1. But you can't discount Wilmington, because pitching is so big and they do haev perhaps the #2 Pitcehr in the state and an excellent #2.

I play with Tanner on top tier and let me tell you he is a stud. He shut down a very good indy bulls team. I think wilmington could beat any team in the state. The lost one game all year, that has to say something about them as a team.

I take the blame for deviating from the start of the thread "topic".

Do they still have that "rocketship" standing by the restaurant as you head into Wilmington?

Anyone know?

Catfish still biting?

I applaud Wilmington and I understand that Tanner and his team was very talented.

While I'm biased as a SICA West fan, very few people who saw Lockport this season, especially their "team" hitting, would say that there is a better high school baseball team out there this season.

From what I know about Coach Hall and his bevy of volunteers/parents/friends of the program (who scout teams for the program), they would likely have had a surprise or two for Michael and his 93 mph fastball.

Of course, no one would know since WV lost the first game!

Norwood, After reading your drivel, I re-read my posting above and I don't get your point. There was no mention of Top Tier or anything even remotely related to that team or any other such team. I thought the current discussion had drifted to about how Wilmington might fare against Lockport. What are you reading?

So, you don't know anything about Tanner Roark, who cares? There's lots more that you know nothing about, and we don't care about that either.

Saw Louis Johanns at Triton, looked pretty good!

actually, from what I know, stroud was born late in '88, after the school cut-off, so I don't think he is supposed to be a grade higher.

Johanns was at the Sox Silver and Black games and hit the hardest ball of the 2 days for a triple (wood bat) and then at the Stevenson showcase he hit a 2 run homer. He is showing some definite sign of power and has a great glove too.

i know wilmington well and tanner and crew very well... watching them and playing against them the past three years this is the best team they put together so far.... with tanner on the mound they are very tough to beat but i give the edge to lockport

Saw Anetsberger at Uic, and Brewer play for Top Tier the other day,the edge they have over the younger short stop's mentioned in this post, is that they can flat out HIT ! Brewer reminds me of Petrulis of Oak Park, Anetsberger reminds me of Capisita of JCA. They could hit ! Most SS can field.

How about Jim Donovan ? no one could hit like him ! smooth fielder also !
2006/07 ss Lot's of talent next year.
Johanns, Naperville CENTRAL hs
Courtwright, Lincoln Community hs
Grady, Sandberg hs
Mueller, Reavis hs
Simmonds,Driscolle hs
Wicoff, Limestone hs
Cantwell, Nazareth hs
Garcia, Clemente hs
Cunningham, OPRF hs
Cappetta, Montini hs
Sexton, Oak Lawn hs
Colon, Lane Tech hs
Doyle, Benet hs
Soto, Dundee Crown hs

I think that Doyle needs to hit better before he becomes an all state ss. I'm not saying that he will not be able to do it by next year, but he does have a great glove.

I know I may be a little biased but Johanns gets my vote for his range and power at the plate.

quote:

Garcia from clemente is better than everybody on that list

Raffy - you are pretty good, but that is a very bold statement.

Does Garcia play for any summer travel team?

yes garcia does play for a summer team the humbolt travlers, very underrated team that beat illinois orioles, perfect game, louisville elite, and lost 2 the norwood blues and southern illinois bullets both only by 1 run. very impresive.

I would like to know if Cunningham, Doyle, Johanns, Garcia, Courtwright,Cappetta,Simmons, are playing fall ball?and for what program?

Lou Johanns is looking at Norwood for the fall

You have to include Hall from Barrington in any discussions about SS in the '07 Class. Great hitter, coming on defensively.

I saw where Brewer from L.t. has the most vote's for 2005 short-stops, did he get all-state? sorry if that's a stupid question.

Johanns, looking at or committed to Norwood? I know a guy who has some good things going on in the Fall for his team. Could get some real good looks from a lot of schools. I know he would love to have him.

and yes Brewer was All-State

The best 07 shortstop I have seen is Dundee Crown's Elliot Soto. Great hands, great lateral movement, quickness and outstanding instincts on the field and while baserunning. Great contact hitter while developing some power. Hits on the field from line to line.

Deucedoc,
you have a PM

Lineshot...is your son an '08 middle infielder?

no fastballdad, but my daughter could be a 2015 cheerleader!! I just follow baseball as a hobby.

Garcia here, I would like to play against these shortstops

Brandond Wicoff from Barton Limestone is a very solid shortstop defensivly, but even better with a bat in his hands. Jim Lundstrom from Crete- Monee is also a very good 07'. Jim was brought up with Kevin Crane and even though Kevin put up numbers that were a big part of our teams success this last year, Jim's were just as important since i believe he batted right around 400 with quite a few doubles. He is one kid not affraid to put his face in front of a ball.

The only way to make ALL-STATE short stop in this STATE is to flat out HIT. Brewer can mash that's why he got it for 2005,defense was just ok, Anetsberger in 2004 could flat out HIT,fielding was just ok. So to all of the great name's mentioned in this interesting Post. WORK on your defense and your arm, but you must get to be the BEST at swinging the BAT !!! To follow in MR. BREWER'S and ANETSBERGER FOOT STEP'S!

NCBdad, I left my pm on your cell. Thanks

this is my first time and i want to say i like peter cappetta from montini at short stop. but i voted for mick doyle, i think he is good too.

JCA POPS. I assume you are from Joliet Catholic. You have no clue what you are talking about when you refer to Brewer and Anetsberger having OK gloves. Both players are very good to excellent shortstops. I've seen both go in the hole and up the middle to get to balls that most people wouldn't even move for. Is your animosity for them based on the fact that they don't play in "feared East Suburban Catholic League?" They happen to play in the strongest baseball conference in the state and also have to crossover to play teams like Hinsdale South, Downers South and other teams in the West Suburban Gold. Based on your opinion it's a wonder that a weak armed and defensively challenged play like Anetsberger can start at shortstop for a very good Division 1 team. He starts because he is very good. Why don't you watch them more than once or twice before you try to comment on what a poor fielder they are.

Norfrank, boy did you waste alot of word's on nothing lol. You missed the point! both were better hitter's than fielder's. And when some ask's me how I feel and I say ok! that does not mean in any way BAD!!!! You must spin for the liberals in politics cause every thing you said about me calling them bad fielder's was a lie,and bad arm's was a lie!! OK, last time I checked meant fine! my point was you have to HIT,to get ALL_STATE. Now go back to your blog and say how Bush LIED to all of us.

norfrank.

Just a little over the top on your post.

jca pops was exactly right.

Ryan and Dan are studs at the plate, no doubt.

Ryan needs to get better in the field. Its not a knock on anyone if its the truth. .924 is too low a fielding percentage for a Missouri Valley SS playing on mostly great playing fields. Dan, while playing solid defense was not the top defensive SS in the state. As pops said they were ALL State because of thier offense.

These are 2 very sharp young men that are just getting started with D1 ball. Like any other player, they will improve over the next few years or be switched to a different position.

I follow these 2 closely and wish them great success.

With Bolt, O'Brien and Berger ISU looks ready to make a move.

With Porter and Brewer, Bradley probably out recruited the rest of the states D1 schools.

Sox- I don't think it is over the top. People need to stop putting players down because they like might be better. It is a shame private school parents continually feel that they need to put down other players. Ryan and Brewer are both excellent players and don't need have others put them down. They got recognition and it was and is well deserved.

I think you have over reacted. My read of jcapops quote is that hitting will easily overide any defensive shortcomings in a beauty contest.

I read and re read what jca pops wrote and never got the impresson he ever cut down Brewer or Anetsberger I thought he was telling the short-stops for 06/07,that to make all-state you must be able to hit. He also told them not to forget to work on fielding or throwing.

Nothing wrong with jca pops post. All true. Get over it.

Agree with sox, old and SiB...

I've seen both of them play...more than once.

Hitting gets you noticed more than a play or two in the field.

Another SS who fits this mold is Hall from Barrington, an 07 who can hit with anyone and his defense is improving as well. I agree that this is just like Gold Gloves in the Major Leagues...they go to hitters most of the time, rarely to the best fielder at any given position. Again, when considering the top SS in 06-07, you have to include Hall who played short on the 3rd place team in 05.

My political affiliation aside, I still feel that when you state that their fielding was "just Ok" you are making a statement. They were the best all-around players at their position, hitting, fielding and leadership for those two years. Last time I check "fine" meant nothing to talk about "just OK." What's a blog? And Bush makes good beans.

norfrank; pop's point was that ,sure work on your fielding and throwing,but to get to be All-state, you must HIT. I thought he was complementry to Brewer and Anetsberger.

I really think,Mick Doyle from Benet can get all-state as a junior,like the other's have said if you can hit you got it,so with his fielding being so good,if he can hit a little he could be All-State,if he doesn't hit, the senior Johanns is my pick.

Cunningham all the way !!!!!!!go o.p.r.f.!!!!!

norfrank- i dont know why you would think "us" catholic school people are always trying to put us down... honestly i think he has a grudge against the escc/ catholic schools

there is a ss from jca that is very solid all around and his name is thomas zurliene

I know size is not a big deal, look at Eckstein and Giles, but how big is Doyle? I know Cunningham is like 5ft9, and Johanns is 6ft3.
Garcia how tall is he? and Courtwright?

Garcia here im 6'1 with the some of the smoothest hands around

just interested what do people think of Garcia?

Soft hands, great actions, strong arm. I have seen you more than once and liked your game alot. Too bad you played for the Yankees.

Wild_cats,wanted all my player's to think like you do about them self's, but to me, the best player's just think it and then go out and do it! Try and be more humble,I think that's the best way to be. Good luck to you in 2006!

Thanks for the advice jca pops

The kid from Clemente hs. Garcia can really play,saw him play this past summer

Garcia is going to be a good one. With him and the other Sanchez up the middle, that is going to be a tough city team.

Charlie Johnson Oak Forest left handed hitting short=stop. Very under rated.

Downers Grove South Shortstop, Mike Wido soph. Not a Garcia or Cunningham or Doyle yet,but who know's how hard he is working in the off season.My old college coach would say,"You can gain an edge on your competition,during the off season!"

You will hear even more about Dain Hall from Barrington. Already great a hitter, his defense improved by leaps and bounds playing for 3rd in State HS Team and 2nd in State Legion Team. He is a 2007.