By Ryan Quigley
Illinois Scouting Director

The Central Illinois Open took place on Wednesday, August 6^th on the campus of Normal West HS.  The open showcase featured prospects from the 2015-2018 classes in Illinois.  The Central Illinois Open is a long standing event in the PBR schedule and has unveiled several high end prospect over the years including such names as Cole Daily (Sacred Heart Griffin, 2015, Notre Dame), Cole Bellair (Lockport, 2015, Illinois) and Connor Manous (Munster, 2016, Miami).  Several players impressed at this year’s event, and may see similar success over the next two years.  Over the next week we will reveal the top players at each position, and then finish with the top overall prospects from the event. 

CLICK HERE for the article on top statistical performers from the Central Illinois Open.

Colton Johnson from Kewanee takes home top honors as the top overall prospect at the Central Illinois Open thanks to his clean arm action and low-to-mid 80’s fastball.  Jacob Gilmore also impressed with similar size and stuff, and has already seen quite a velocity bump in the last year and a half.  Champaign Central’s Joe Aeilts was the top position prospect in attendance, impressing behind the plate (79 mph from the crouch), in the infield (83 mph across the infield), and with the bat (85 mph exit velocity).  Normal West’s Mitchell Fairfield is physically put together at 6-foot-2, 190-pounds, has power potential with the bat (88 mph exit velocity) and throws well behind the plate (80 mph from the crouch).     

Let’s take a look at the top overall prospects at this year’s Central Illinois Open.