Illinois’ top 10 baseball players in the Class of 2022
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (BVM) – With the 2022 baseball season underway, Illinois continues to boast a plethora of talent to take a look at around the diamond. With a handful of players helping elevate their teams to success, it comes as no surprise why some are garnering some major recognition.
With a return to action this year for many players around the state, get to know some of the rising stars who have continued to make a name for themselves. Here’s who you should take a look at the for the remainder of the 2022 season:
- Logan Wagner, Aurora – Home School (SS)
Aurora native Logan Wagner is set to join one of the most dominant college baseball programs in the country following his final year. The Louisville commit has impressed at multiple positions around the infield and has shown progression as both a lefty and a righty at the plate. Look for him to turn heads when he makes a jump to the collegiate level.
- Luke Adams, Hinsdale Central (1B)
The Red Devils’ first baseman has been a riser in the state rankings throughout his time at Hinsdale Central. So far in his senior season, the Michigan State commit is off to a monster start, highlighting the team‘s early season success during a week where he reached base 11 out of 12 times and accounted for seven RBIs.
Blessed to announce my commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at Michigan State University. I want to thank God, my family, and Top Tier Baseball for helping me achieve this goal. pic.twitter.com/Fqi9Q8UA0q
— Luke Adams (@Lukeadams_99) September 10, 2020
- Alex Stanwich, Lincoln-Way East (OF)
The Tennessee commit has been a stalworth on Illinois’ state rankings throughout his time at the high school level. With looks from colleges and professional scouts, the 6-foot-2 right-handed hitter has always impressed with the bat. With his dynamic play in the field and on the mound, it won’t be a surprise to see Stanwich at the front of another Lincoln-Way East playoff run.
I am extremely excited to announce I will be continuing my academic and athletic career at the University of Tennessee and want to thank my family and coaches for everything they have done for me throughout my life to get me to where I am today. #govols pic.twitter.com/h4bTXhJF1n
— Alex Stanwich (@AlexStanwich) August 8, 2019
- Ashton Izzi, Oswego East (RHP)
Teaming up with another ace on the list, Izzi has become one of the top pitchers in the state helping Oswego East combine for one of the most lethal pitching staffs in Illinois. The 6-foot-3 right-hander is set to make the jump to Wichita State following his senior season.
Official🌾✍️ pic.twitter.com/56Mi6prELB
— Ashton Izzi (@AJIzzi14) November 11, 2021
- Brendan Summerhill, Whitney Young (OF)
The 6-foot-3 outfielder/catcher has shown the potential of being the best left-handed bat in the state. In his 41 varsity games entering his senior year, Summerhill batted .364 with 34 runs and 14 RBI. With Whitney Young off to a hot start in 2022, look for Summerhill to close the season out strong before he heads off to play at Arizona.
I am honored and blessed to announce my commitment to the University of Arizona! I want to thank everyone that has helped me to this point. #beardown 🐻⬇️ pic.twitter.com/eUC3p5c2dl
— Brendan Summerhill (@BrendanSummerh1) August 24, 2021
- Jack Lausch, Brother Rice (OF)
For as good as Lausch is on the diamond, he might just top it on the football field. The two-sport Brother Rice outfielder is one of the best athletes in the state and will head to Northwestern to play quarterback after swapping his commitment from Notre Dame. Lausch showed promise as both a hitter and a defender in 2021 and has the Crusaders out to a hot start already in the 2022 season.
Go Cats🟣🟣 pic.twitter.com/iV9JYGJDXy
— Jack Lausch (@jack_lausch) December 14, 2021
- Estevan Moreno, Montini Catholic (SS)
Montini Catholic shortstop Estevan Moreno turned heads last year after being named the Chicago Catholic League Player of the Year. After a slow start to his senior season, the Notre Dame commit is looking to recapture his impressive 2021 numbers that included a .333 batting average and seven home runs. With a high upside at the plate and with the glove, it shouldn’t take long for him to get back into rhythm.
- Ethan Patera, Downers Grove South (RHP)
One of the top right-handed pitchers in the state, Patera has been on the state radar for a long time. The 6-foot-4 Mustangs pitcher has shown a high velocity fastball the past couple of seasons and has found a solid mix of secondary pitches. Following his work on the high school mound, Patera will team up with another player cracking the list when he makes the jump to Louisville following the season.
I’m very blessed and excited to announce that I’ve committed to further my academic and athletic career at the University of Louisville. I want to thank my parents, coaches, and teammates for helping me reach this point in my life! #L1C4 #gocards pic.twitter.com/Bnrz38wGcj
— Ethan Patera (@PateraEthan) August 5, 2019
- Owen Murphy, Riverside-Brookfield (3B)
The top position player in the state has impressed throughout the last couple of seasons, showing potential both at third base and on the mound. Murphy is hoping to add to the success of the Notre Dame baseball program following his senior year if he doesn’t choose to make the jump to the pros.
Owen Murphy, 2022 Draft prospect and @NDBaseball commit, got it done on both sides of the ball in #PDPLeague21 action.
The 3B/RHP out of Illinois fanned six and swatted a two-run homer. pic.twitter.com/ZlxQhHGngh
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 31, 2021
- Noah Schultz, Oswego East (LHP)
Schultz‘s presence on the mound alone at 6-foot-9 might do enough to strike fear in opposing hitters. The Oswego East left-hander is getting his first chance in two years to get back on the high school mound after his sophomore year was vacated due to the pandemic and injuries took away his junior campaign. With the season underway, Schultz is looking to get back in rhythm before he heads off to play at Vanderbilt.
anchor down. @VandyBoys pic.twitter.com/cI3M3tGCeA
— Noah Schultz (@noahcschultz) January 29, 2022
