Mundelein native Kyle Zaleski has signed a national letter of intent to continue his education and baseball playing career at Illinois State University.
"We are extremely pleased to bring a young man with Kyles ability into our program," head coach Jeff Stewart said. "Hes a fierce competitor and a winner and those are some things in addition to his physical ability that make him a great addition to our team."
A two-way player during a stellar prep career at Mundelein High School, Zaleski led the Mustangs to a 32-5-1 record during his senior campaign with impressive numbers at the plate and on the mound.
The 6-foot-2, 180-pound righty sparked the Mustang offense with a team-high .441 batting average and 17 doubles but did most of his damage to the opposition while on the mound.
A breaking ball pitcher with a devastating curve and a nasty slider, Zaleski compiled a 14-0 record and a 1.24 earned run average with 144 strikeouts during his senior campaign.
Stewart likens Zaleski to MVC Freshman of the Year Mitch Stetter of Indiana State who also features a variety of breaking balls.
"Kyle can throw any pitch he wants on any count," Stewart said. "Hes got pinpoint control with his breaking stuff and thats not something you find everyday."
Zaleski was named first team all-state by the Chicago Sun Times and second team all-state by the Chicago Tribune in addition to garnering Daily Herald Player of the Year and Pioneer Press Captain All-Area honors.
Zaleski joins a recruiting class which already includes Jeremy Accardo, Matt Clark, Heath Heiberger, Bobby Rooney and Todd Stein.
