The following blog follows the life of a highly ranked high school prospect contending with the possibility of being drafted in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

Hi, my name is Casey Crosby. I am a left-handed pitcher from Kaneland (Ill.) High School. The Prep Baseball Report has ranked me as the No. 1 player in the state of Illinois, and many major-league teams have considered me a potential draft pick. This is my first blog of the season, and I would just like to take the chance to tell you a little bit about me and what I'm going through right now.

I'm a senior at Kaneland, and I played football, and of course I'm in baseball right now. Baseball has been my favorite sport my entire life, and it has been my dream to be a pro ballplayer.

I honestly haven't fully fathomed this dream might actually come true. Last season, I would have laughed if you told me I’d be in the situation I’m in today. Now, there are more than 20 scouts at all of my pitching outings, and they are talking like they are going to throw a bunch of money at me just to play the sport I love!

So far, I have done pretty well for myself, though. As far as statistics are concerned, I have yet to give up an earned run, I have pitched about 12 innings this season, but my record is 0-1. My loss was a 1-0 nailbiter to Huntley. I was a little wild against them, giving up six walks, and there's no excuse for that.

I didn't think I was going to be so nervous heading into the game, but I definitely was nervous throughout the game, with all the scouts crowded around the backstop watching me. But overall, my stuff was good, and I felt I did well.

My next outing was against Geneva on Tuesday, April 3. My command was much better, as I gave up just two walks, and I was feeling really good. My velocity pretty much stayed the same during the game, which is something I want to show I can maintain. I think I topped out at 93 mph, and I was in the 90s pretty much the whole game. The only run I gave up during the game was on an error, and I came out after the 5th inning. This time, I was much more relaxed during that game. However, I got a no-decision.

We played Geneva again the next Monday, and I closed the game for my first save of the season. I love closing, because I can just let loose and leave it all out on the field. However, I am starting on Wednesday, April 11th against Glenbard South. I was going to start the day after my save, but my advisors, pitching coach, and some scouts told my mom that it wasn't a good idea.

I'm going to get a day rest so I get strength back and hopefully I'll have a strong outing against GBS

Wish me luck! I'll tell you how I did in my next blog. See you later!