Ryan Borucki was getting tired of people telling him he was going to be tall.
He heard it from his father, his mother, his brother, even his doctor.
“When I went to get my physical before my junior year, I was 5-8,” Borucki said. “The doctor said, ‘Don’t worry, you’re going to be 6-4. I didn’t really buy it.”
How quickly it happened was even less believable.
By last spring Borucki was 6-foot-2, and he’s reached 6-4 heading into his senior baseball season at Mundelein. The left-handed pitcher’s profile has risen considerably as well.
Equipped with the kind of long-and-loose arm action that makes scouts drool, he’s the No. 1 prospect in the state according to the highly respected Prep Baseball Report.
He has committed to Iowa and stands a good chance of being selected in the first several rounds of the MLB draft in June.
“The ranking, it’s cool,” Borucki said. “It feels great. I pitched a lot this summer and went to some big showcases in the fall and winter. I’m really excited for the season. People don’t really know us, but I think we’re going to surprise a lot of people.”
For the first time since he’s been in a Mundelein uniform, the state’s No. 1 prospect is a No. 1 pitcher this spring.
His arm was strong before he was tall and he was considered a legitimate prospect last spring, but the presence of two accomplished senior pitchers relegated Borucki to Saturday nonconference games as a junior.
He reaches 90 miles per hour on the radar gun, but Mundelein coach Todd Parola is constantly reminding him that he doesn’t have to throw that hard to be successful.
“I hope he still realizes his goal is to pitch and not throw by everybody,” Parola said. “His best pitch is his changeup. He’s got movement on it and great arm action. That was his best pitch two years ago, and now he has good life on his fastball.”
Borucki is off to a fast start this season. He’s 2-0 with 14 strikeouts and no runs allowed in eight innings.
He throws from a three-quarters arm angle and said his newfound stature has not forced him to alter his mechanics.
“Coach Parola always tells me not to be thrower,” Borucki said. “Sometimes I catch myself getting caught up throwing fastballs. He keeps me talking to me about being a pitcher.”
Mike Helfgot’s Top 10
1. Providence
Brother Rice transfer Ryan Koziol (Arizona) joins two Notre Dame-bound pitchers.
2. St. Laurence
Pitching staff loaded and experienced.
3. Lyons
Defending 4A champs have talent to reload.
4. Mount Carmel
Experience all over the field.
5. Joliet Catholic
Illinois-bound lefty Kevin Duchene leads deep staff.
6. Lincoln-Way North
Summer state champs.
7. Oak Forest
All-state pitcher Kyle Funkhouser among several returning starters.
8. Marian Catholic
Lilek-Nunn a dynamic pitching duo.
9. Simeon
College/pro prospects all over the field.
10. Glenbrook South
Defending Central Suburban South champs.
On the verge: Glenbrook North, Huntley, Mundelein, New Trier, Oak Lawn.
20 players to watch
Ryan Borucki, Mundelein, Sr., P; Kevin Duchene, Joliet Catholic, Sr., P; Kyle Funkhouser, Oak Forest, Sr., P; Jason Goldstein, Highland Park, Sr., C; Steven Heilenbach, Lyons, Sr., IF/P; Blake Hickman, Simeon, Sr., C; Sam Kint, Mount Carmel, Sr., 1B; Ryan Koziol, Providence, Sr., P/IF; Jack Landwehr, Prospect, Sr., P/IF; Brett Lilek, Marian Catholic, Sr., P; Colin Lyman, Huntley, Jr., OF; Ryan Perez, Westminster Christian, Sr., P; Jack Picchiotti, Oak Park, Sr., C; Corey Ray, Simeon, Jr., OF; Kevin Ross, Niles West, Sr., IF; Matt Schultz, Oswego, Sr., P; Kevin Smith, St. Laurence, Jr., P/IF; Zach Soria, St. Rita, Sr., P; Adam Walton, Stevenson, Sr., IF; Alex Young, Carmel, Sr., P.
