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NORMAL, Ill. - The Illinois State baseball program has announced the addition of nine players in its 2022 recruiting class, as unveiled by fourth-year head coach Steve Holm on Wednesday.
The incoming Redbirds are Daniel Pacella (Mundelein HS, Ill.), Shai Robinson (Homewood Flossmoor HS, Ill.), Ben Karpowicz (South Elgin HS, Ill.), James Duncan (Arrowhead HS, Wis.), Tyrelle Chadwick (Okotoks Dawgs Academy, Alberta, Canada), Ryan Borberg (Shawnee Mission Northwest HS, Kan.), Gradin Taschner (Neenah HS, Wis.), Thomas Harper (Wauwatosa East HS, Wis.), and Joey Wilmoth (Fishers HS, Ind.).
"We are extremely excited with this class. It is very balanced with speed, power, defense, velocity, breaking stuff and strikes," Holm said. "I'd like to thank our entire staff for the countless hours that went into putting this thing together."
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Daniel Pacella 6'3" 235, LHH, 1B/OF Mundelein HS (IL)
The physical LHH/1B from Mundelein HS possesses a rare combination of approach paired with plus power at the plate. He helped lead Mustangs to a 23-4-1 record as a Junior, batting .419 with 9 HR and 33 RBI. Pacella was awarded with 1st Team All-District, All-Conference, and All-State honors all while boasting an impressive 4.0 GPA and being a member of the National Honors Society. He also earned countless All-Tournament and Top Prospect awards during the summers playing for Top Tier.
Coach Holm on Pacella: "Daniel is one of the highest ranked recruits ever to sign with Illinois State. His physical presence in the box is what separates him from his peers. His power is off the charts and we can't wait to see him play at Duffy Bass."
Shai Robinson 6'0" 180, RHH, SS Homewood Flossmoor HS (IL)
An extremely athletic RHH/SS, Shai displays plus actions and feel on the defensive side of the ball which should allow him to impact the Redbirds from day one. The #2 ranked SS in IL, according to PBR, helped guide HF deep into the state tournament and continued his success throughout the summer with the White Sox Ace baseball program. Shai has accumulated many honors along the way including Chicago Tribune Player of the Week, White Sox Ace Player of the Month, Area Code participant as well as multiple Top Prospect and All=American tabs.
Coach Holm on Robinson: "Shai chose to become a Redbird early on in his high school days. His outstanding hands in the field are what stood out then. Through time and hard work, he has become the complete package. Not only can he defend, but now he is a threat on offense too."
Ben Karpowicz 6'0" 200, RHH, IF/OF South Elgin HS (IL)
After shining as a multi-sport star for South Elgin HS, the All-Conference and All-Area QB will be joining ISU Baseball next fall. Karpowicz has arguably been more impressive on the diamond, pacing SE with 6 HR last spring and following that up with 10 more in the summer for Longshots Baseball. Ben is pound for pound one of the strongest prospects in all of the 2022 class and should have a chance to impact the Redbird offense early in his career.
Coach Holm on Karpowicz: "Ben has a chance to play early on as a freshman. His strength stands out already and he's only going to get stronger! We think he has a chance to play well beyond his career in a Redbird uniform but look forward to him launching baseballs at the Duff in 2023."
James Duncan 6'1" 190 LHH, OF Arrowhead HS (WI)
The sweet swinging OF joins the Redbirds via Arrowhead HS out of the ultra-competitive Classic Eight Conference in Wisconsin where he was voted as a 2nd Team All-Conference outfielder in 2021. The two-time Perfect Game Pre-Season All-American competes in the summers for Hitters Baseball and has been a presence at the top of their lineup the past few years, helping them to 4 PG Tournament Championships. James also garnered All-Academic District honors and has maintained over a 3.8 GPA through his Junior year.
Coach Holm on Duncan: "James is a LHH out of Wisconsin, which is a state that has treated the Redbirds very well in the past. James is an athletic OF whose left-handed bat will ultimately be his carrying tool him as a player. I know Dunc will be ready to go from the moment he steps foot on campus."
Tyrelle Chadwick 6'4" 225, RHP Okotoks Dawgs Academy (Alberta, CAN)
The highly decorated Kamloops, BC native is coming to ISU via the Okotoks Dawgs Academy from north of the border. The big, strong, righty established himself as a reliable ace for the Dawgs. The work horse features a low 90's fastball, paired with a couple swing and miss off-speed pitches. Tyrelle will be bringing a ton of national experience and pedigree with him to Normal, IL. Tyrelle, the son of former Major Leaguer, Ray Chadwick, competed for Team BC in both baseball and basketball and has snagged multiple Provincial Championships along the way.
Coach Holm on Chadwick: "Tyrelle may have the biggest upside of anyone in our 2022 class. His talent and work ethic paired with his God-given DNA should allow him to make his way to the front of anyone's rotation in a hurry. The sky is the limit for Tyrelle both on the field and in the classroom and we are pumped he chose to be a Redbird."
Ryan Borberg 6'2" 190, RHP/UTL Shawnee Mission Northwest HS (KS)
The athletic 2-way player had a dominate summer for Building Champions. Tossing two no-hitters with a 2.20 ERA, Borberg also tallied four All-Tournament Team selections. Ryan's Spring was much of the same which included a 1.06 ERA, another no-hitter, and 1st Team All-State accolades. The right-hander was up to 91 on several occasions during the 2021 calendar year while also flashing a swing and miss breaking ball.
Coach Holm on Borberg: "Ryan has a great right-handed arm. High velocity will be in his future as he begins to concentrate more on pitching. We love the athleticism he brings to the mound and are excited for Ryan's arrival to campus next Fall."
Gradin Taschner 6'3" 235, RHP Neenah HS (WI)
A three-sport standout (baseball, basketball, and volleyball) by way of Neenah, WI, Gradin helped his high school and Stiks select teams both on the mound and at the plate. Already being equipped with a low 90's FB and a sharp breaking ball, competitive strike throwing has come easy for son of Major League southpaw, Jack Taschner. Boasting unanimous 1st Team All-Conference honors, Gradin was also voted the Conference Player of the Year, 1st Team All-District and 2nd Team All-State.
Coach Holm on Taschner: "Gradin is a power RHP whose fastball has been up to 92 already. I have known Gradin since his days of running around the SF Giants locker room when his dad and I played together. The sky is the limit for him on the mound."
Thomas Harper 6'4" 185, RHP Wauwatosa East HS (WI)
The National Honor Society right hander boasted a 1.90 ERA while earning 2nd Team All-Conference in the spring of 2021. Harper currently holds a 3.8 GPA while also competing as a three-year varsity QB for the Red Raiders. Two of the past three years have ended up in 1st Team All-Conference honors. Thomas features elite strike throwing abilities with an upper 80's FB and two secondary pitches.
Coach Holm on Harper: "Thomas also comes to us from Wisconsin and is yet another multi-sport guy. A quarterback in the fall, Thomas already possesses a great ability to pitch. He is one of the more advanced pitchers we have recruited."
Joey Wilmoth 6'2" 185, RHP Fishers HS (IN)
The Fishers, IN native assisted the Tigers to a state runner-up finish in 2021. The former soccer player holds a 3.78 GPA and threw his first no-hitter during his freshman year of high school. Entering his junior campaign, Wilmoth was named a PG Pre-Season All-American. Throughout the summer and fall, the RHP punched out 63 hitters in just 43 innings of work, while accumulating a 3.20 ERA.
Coach Holm on Wilmoth: "Joey's recruitment was short and sweet. He attended camp, threw sinkers and breakers for strikes; then was committed three days later. He will have a chance to pitch for the Redbirds immediately."
After signing day, the program added outfielder Auggie Rasmussen (Blair, Neb. / Iowa Western CC). Read more about Rasmussen HERE.
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