BVM Sports presents its list of the top 10 baseball players in the Class of 2024 within the state:
Illinois has produced plenty of baseball talent throughout its history and the Prairie State is in the midst of a hot stretch when it comes to elite high school players taking the diamond.
Over the last few years, there have been multiple early-round MLB draft picks from Illinois beginning with Chicago Cubs prospect Ed Howard, who was selected 16th overall in 2020. In 2022, Noah Schultz and Owen Murphy followed Howard’s footsteps as first-round draft picks, while Homewood-Flossmoor standout Dillon Head accomplished the same feat after being selected 25th overall by the San Diego Padres last year.
In 2024, there will be an abundance of high school baseball standouts in Illinois once again, including multiple players within the state’s senior class who could continue the trend as early-round MLB draft picks.
Here are the top 10 Illinois high school baseball players in the Class of 2024.
10. Nate Harris, SS, Yorkville
Harris is a tremendous two-way player who is athletic and powerful thanks to his 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame. On the mound, Harris had a 3.95 ERA and 48 strikeouts across 28 1/3 innings as a junior, featuring a strong fastball that reaches the mid-90s. Harris has been just as good at the plate during his time at Yorkville and hit .379 last year for the Foxes with 36 hits and a 1.182 OPS. He also had five home runs, 14 RBIs and 36 runs for a Yorkville team that finished around .500. Harris will look to improve the Foxes’ record in 2024 with a strong senior season before beginning his collegiate career. Originally committed to Northwestern, Harris will now play college baseball at Kentucky after officially signing with the Wildcats in November.
Click here to see players 1-9 on BVM Sports