I know I may be getting ahead of myself here, but I am interested to find out who the high school baseball stars of tomorrow will be. Who are the top freshmen in the state? I know there are several freshmen playing on the varsity level, but I'm sure there are plenty that I am unaware of.

Dylan Craig at Murphysboro will be great player if he keeps improving. 6'3 175 lefty who is already up to 83-84. I saw him yesterday and he flashed a nasty duece also.

Is it really a good idea to rate Freshmen? The good ones are usually the kids that had their growth spurts already. It is not fair to evaluate them against kids that haven't and it also doesn't usually project out to the varsity level anyway.

I'm sorry. I didn't intend for this to turn into a ratings session. I was merely interested in the young guys out there who may be fun to watch.

RRF8, it doesn't hurt to say who's showing signs of being a player as a freshman. I think that everyone understands that these kids have so far to go. This is merely a discussion topic and no one is putting any of these young men in MLB at this point. In fact, I enjoy reading about the younger kids that are doing well. It encourages me and, to be honest, gets me to a few games that I'd never consider.

RRF8, I think a portion of what you might have drawbacks with, although, I don't want to put words in your mouth, is the idea that someone might be saying that these kids are the "its" and no others will develop. I don't think that is the intent but rather to get some names out there. BTW, I know this certain player that is a freshman that no one thinks that much of. S(he) has a long way to go but the weightroom has already produced results. All of the practice etc. is going to pay off. I'm kind of waiting for people, in the future, to start mentioning the name. While it doesn't guarantee anything, being recognized for having ability is good.

Palatine has a freshman shortstop, he possesses some great tools all of which can and will continue to progress. RRF8 not a hair on his chin yet.

I'm fine with all of that then. I'm sure we all know of certain kids that were stars Freshman year and then rested on their laurels while other kids who were not quite as blessed passed them by.

By paying attention to these players at a young age, we have an opportunity to watch them develop throughout time, and that is a fun thing. It will also be fun to see a kid who works very hard and passes some of the more talented players by. For me recently moving to the area I don't have a lot of history for the upperclassmen to see their development. I would like to be able to follow some of these younger guys through their careers.

While it is clear that many young athletes who are considered studs in Jr. High and early high school are the early bloomers, there are surely some who are "normal" in their physical attributes (i.e. height, weight, etc) yet posses above average athletic tools.

Either way, I agree with Coach Ope that it would be fun to know who they are and follow them through their HS careers.

As long as this is done not with the intention of knocking them when they don't progress or succeed, but to just thoroughly enjoy their HS experience.

Many times on this site we're told that the vast majority of HS players don't play in college. Well, then, when else are we going to appreciate their play? How about now?

For those who don't move on, thanks for letting us watch you play and good luck with your non-baseball lives (as the NCAA commercial states "most athletes will go pro in something other than baseball, football, etc.")

For those of you who do play in college and beyond, we'll appreciate your talents a little longer, and fondly remember when you were "just" a freshman!

I was hoping for a better response than this. I heard there is a freshman outfielder playing on the varsity at Oak Forest, has anyone seen him play?

Two of the best freshman in the Peoria area are Dylan Reid (1B/P) at Oneida ROWVA and Joe Kelch (MIF) at East Peoria.

Dylan has already hit four homers in 11 games and Joe has six multi-hit games in 14 outings.

biggerpapi,

Wonderfully said.

Okay, I've been waiting for the responses to start flowing...I have two... but one is my son and I know how that will go over.

How?

I don't care if it comes off as biased, if your kid can play, tell us.

Go ahead Papi, you've earned it. I might even join you (But probably not).

Just a few players that I have seen play who are now starting their HS careers.

Matt Anderson P/INF Hinsdale Central HS 2011

Josh Ferry P/INF Lemont HS 2011

Joey Filomeno P/INF St. Rita HS 2011

Kevin Colburn INF Warren Township HS 2011

Parker Asmann P/INF Lake Zurich HS 2011

Paul Warble P/OF Conant HS 2011

Joey Belmonte C/INF Conant HS 2011

Jose Godinez P/INF Immaculate Conception HS 2011

Zac Lewinski C Benet Academy 2011

John Dillon P/INF Downers Grove South HS 2011

Nick Tenerelli C Downers Grove South HS 2011

Micah McCulloch, RHP/3B, Rockford Boylan

Phil Toldo, MIF, Rochelle

Mason Snyder, SS/RHP, Ottawa Marquette

Joe Ceja, RHP/SS, Ottawa Marquette

Josh DeGraaf, RHP/3B, Morris

Kjeld Torkelson, RHP/OF, Morris

Ryan Bernickus, RHP/1B, Minooka

Luke Pullara, C, Minooka

the big guy at St. Rita Fillomeno probably spelled it wrong but he is a big kid and brings it pretty good!

I also heard Fillimo can bring it, people were telling me he's throwing 88 mph as a freshman. I find that very hard to believe. Has anyone seen the kid throw to confirm this? I have no doubt he's probably solid but that velocity that early is scary. Heard he's had arm problems already as well, can anyone confirm any of this? There's also a kid at Benet that's a freshman and supposed to be the real deal. It's hard to rank and project freshman because so many things can happen from now until they are juniors.