On Nov. 12th, thousands of high school baseball players across the country signed to lock in their commitments to their respective schools, with hundreds of these signings hailing from Illinois.

Over the next few weeks, we will spend some time highlighting the names from Illinois that signed to play baseball at the Division I level. We’ll do so by breaking these names up by conference, continuing today with the Ohio Valley. 

Eastern Illinois 

The Panthers are bringing in a strong trio from within the Illinois borders, starting with MIF Lucas Simulick (Joliet Catholic). Currently ranked No. 24 in the state, Simulick is a top-end defender that could help make an early impact on the dirt - boasting natural actions and instincts that allow him to cover ground easily and make tough plays look routine. His right-handed bat continues to trend in the right direction, profiling with more bat-to-ball and line-drive tendencies. 

From 8/5/25: “INF Lucas Simulick (Joliet Catholic, 2026) continues to get better and better each time we see him. His right-handed swing is consistently on-time with twitchy hands and length through the zone. High-level defender with an up-the-middle profile, soft and fluid hands with clean transfers, easy timing through the ball with proper angles on ball to both sides of his glove. Quick, clean release with carry across the diamond, T90 mph across but T87 mph in this look.”

OF Tommy Georgelos (Lyons Township) is another big addition for the Panthers, and he’s one of the top left-handed hitters in the state. He’s a proven in-game performer that shows a mature approach with quality bat-to-ball, and there’s more power still to come in the coming years. 

4/10/25: “Eastern Illinois commit. Currently ranked No. 64 in the state. Athletic 5-foot-9, 161-pound frame with room for added strength in the future. Batted leadoff and played centerfield for the Lions. Impressed with his athleticism on both sides of the ball during the game. A left-handed hitter, he showed to have strong hands and a direct path, with easy foot speed out of the box. Defensively, he showed to have rangy actions in center, paired with a strong arm. A name to continue to follow within the state’s 2026 class.”

A high-ceiling arm the Panthers are adding is RHP Cameron Barnes (Oak Park-River Forest). There’s some present strength in his 6-foot-4, 207-pound frame, but there still looks to be room to continue to fill out in his high waisted frame. He moves well down the mound with a loose arm, creating a fastball up to 89 mph with more jumps likely in the near future. He has also shown the ability to land a sweeping curveball in the zone and kill spin on a splitter with some tumbling action. 

From 8/5/25: “RHP Cameron Barnes (Oak Park-River Forest, 2026: Eastern Illinois) pounded the zone with his three-pitch arsenal. Physical 6-foot-4, 208-pound frame with strength present throughout. The right-hander possessed a moderate drop-and-drive delivery, displaying a rocker step, with a high leg lift with tuck and coil, moving athletically down the mound. He also showcased a longer arm action with an over-the-top slot. Barnes tossed two innings in his outing, only allowing one hit and one walk with a strikeout. His fastball played with life out of the hand at 85-88 mph, topping 88.7 mph with a max IVB of 16.7” and a HM max of 15.3”. He also utilized a 12/6 curveball at 74-76 mph, and a splitter that he killed spin on at 79-81 mph with a max spin rate of 983 rpm. Another strong performance from the right-hander, who has impressed our staff throughout the summer.”

Lindenwood 

Lindenwood has been making some noise in Illinois as of late, and they have a very strong crop coming in with three Illinois products. 

C Braden Fournie (Belleville West) is one of the top catchers in the state, and he should have a chance to make an impact early for the Lions. He’s a premium defender at a premium position, showing the ability to steal strikes while also controlling the run-game and working to block the baseball. He’s also a physical right-handed bat that should have a chance to hit for power at the next level - though the glove alone makes him a valuable asset. 

From 5/8/25: “Uncommitted, currently ranked No. 61 in the state. Strong 5-foot-10, 160-pound frame. Started behind the plate and hit out of the four-hole. Fournie drew a walk in four plate appearances. The right-handed hitter operates from a wide, bent stance with no stride. Strong hands with an uphill bat path. Fournie was very impressive on defense. Showed off his advanced receiving abilities while also getting in front of balls in the dirt. Showed off his above average arm (T81 mph) by catching a runner at second base.”

INF/RHP Hunter Baugh (Edwardsville) is one of the more skilled two-way players we have in the state, and he brings a ton of value on both sides of the ball. He’s a highly skilled defender on the dirt, looking to profile up the middle at the next level with advanced actions and feel for the position. He’s also an upside hitter at the plate with more to come physically, which will pair with his already present bat-to-ball skills. On the mound, he’s a strike thrower and a competitor that will fill up the zone with multiple pitches. He will work the fastball into the upper-80s with above-average spin, and we think that number will only continue to rise in the coming years.

From 8/5/25: “INF Hunter Baugh (Edwardsville, 2026) is fresh off a commitment to Lindenwood, and he’s long been one of the top two-way prospects in the state. There should be more to come in his lean and wiry frame, and his actions on the infield project him to stick on the dirt at the next level with crisp hands/transfers and a strong arm to pair. He’s an athletic right-handed hitter with quality bat-to-ball skills, manipulating the barrel to shoot the ball around the yard. On the mound, Baugh’s fastball topped at 87 mph with an impressive 23.5 inches of induced vertical break. He complemented it with a late-breaking slider and a deceptive changeup, giving him a well-rounded arsenal. Baugh moves with ease on the mound and consistently fills up the zone.” 

RHP Austin Borries (Teutopolis) is the final addition from Illinois for the Lions, and he’s a strong-bodied 6-foot-1, 206-pound right-hander with a clean arm. He’ll work the fastball in the mid/upper-80s with some carry traits, pairing with a slider and changeup that he can land in the zone. 

From 3/28/25: “CIF Austin Borries, Teutopolis, 2026 Lindenwood commit. Currently ranked No. 60 in the state. Presenting a physical and sturdy 6-foot, 206-pound frame. Batted cleanup and manned the hot corner for the Wooden Shoes. Borries was on the barrel repeatedly from the right side, with the ball showing jump off his bat. He has a simple and relaxed look about him in the box, a simple load onto his backside, paired with a strong flat path that creates natural loft on the ball. Borries is also the top arm for the Wooden Shoes, and will be one to watch this weekend.”

Southern Illinois-Edwardsville 

The Cougars are bolstering their roster with three in-state names in this recruiting class. 

INF Brett Tucker (Lemont) is an athletic right-handed hitter that should have a chance to stick on the dirt at the next level with soft hands and rhythm. He also has a clean right-handed swing with a line drive approach that we’ve seen perform well in-game. 

From 5/10/25: “Uncommitted, currently ranked No. 43 in the state. 6-foot-1, 177-pounds, lean and athletic build with room to add more strength. Started at shortstop and hit out of the four-hole, working on the barrel a couple times with nothing to show for it. Athletic right-handed swing, fluid load and hands, present bat-speed, sees spin and sees it deep, lining out hard to right field twice. Showed well on the infield with a quick first step and easy range to both sides of his glove, soft hands and fluid actions, high IQ and makes decisions quickly. Arm plays with accuracy across from a clean release.”

RHP William Houston (Stagg) is a name we’ve been fond of for a while now, and he’s starting to make some big jumps as of late. He’s ultra-projectable at 6-foot, 153-pounds, and there is plenty more room for him to fill out in the coming years. He’s a clean, loose mover and the arm projects more velocity - though he’s already up to 91 mph with the fastball. 

From 8/5/25: “RHP William Houston (Stagg, 2026) is a wiry, 6-foot, 153-pound frame. Houston gave one of the more interesting outings on the mound Wednesday afternoon. The right-hander worked through two innings, striking out three and allowing only two hits. On the mound, he works from a staggered setup, working down the mound, with a high leg kick. The arm works loose and whippy, from a ¾ slot. Dealing with a three-pitch mix, the fastball was sitting 88-91mph, life through the zone with 18.7 IVB, the slider was lower 70s, with a sweeper profile, -18.1 inches of horizontal movement, and the changeup was 79-82 mph with a similar profile to the fastball. In-game a great mover on the mound, filling up the zone, relying on the fastball. As Houston continues to develop his secondaries and fill into the frame, he will be an arm to know throughout Illinois.”

Another quality arm the Cougars are adding is RHP Carson Norris (Lakes Community). There’s some present strength throughout his trim 6-foot-3, 204-pound frame, and he has a power fastball up to 89 mph with life and run through the zone. He’ll also go to a slider with depth and a changeup to fill out his arsenal. 

From 3/26/25: “Carson Norris, RHP (Lakes Community, 2026): Uncommitted. Norris had a strong outing against Vernon Hills, helping lead them to a 3-0 win. He tossed five innings on the mound and struck out seven, allowed no walks, runs and only one hit. He tossed five innings in their win over Dwight, striking out 11, walking one, allowing two runs and three hits.”

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