Top Pick Academy

Top Pick is more than a travel team program it is a Player Development Academy. The Academy approach begins at 8U and will continue to develop athletes through 17U.

We are looking for goal driven athletes that want to improve and aspire to play in high school, college and beyond.

Upon making a Top Pick travel team you are also a member of the Top Pick Academy. Our commitment to training and development of our travel team players will begin in the fall and go through the end of the travel season in July. Top Pick Academy is lead by a dedicated Travel Team Program Director focused on guiding coaches to set age specific skill expectations and individual player goals. The Top Pick Academy adheres to a comprehensive plan that follows a progression specific for each age level. Top Pick Academy travel players will be instructed by tenured trainers and coaches dedicated to getting players to reach their highest potential.

TOP PICK PLAYER DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTORS AND COACHES

BRIAN KANE

Director of Travel Teams and Player Development

BILL ANGELO- LEAD INSTRUCTOR

Head Coach Elgin Community College

RALPH RISKE- LEAD INSTRUCTOR

Hitting Coach Elgin Community College

BENITO ROMAN CRUZ

Trainer of many marquee players from Puerto Rico, 25 years coaching experience, 4 years advancing players at Top Pick Athletics

JASON SULLIVAN

Four year starting 2B at Central Michigan University and former IHSA All State player at St Francis Prep (Wheaton).

RYAN RICHARDSON

Former starting SS at St. Charles North HS, Elgin Community College and Michigan State University. Was named 2010 Daily Herald Player of the Year.

TIM TARTER

Former All American at Grand Valley State and current assistant coach at Marmion Academy

PRESTON LARRISON

1998 Amateur Draft Tampa Bay Devil Rays, University of Evansville Collegiate Player, 2001 Drafted in the 2nd Round, played 7 years with the Detroit Tigers club, West Aurora High School Varsity Coach

BRAD MEDGYESI

Played shortstop at North Central College, advanced 60 players to college level, 22 years coaching experience

JOSH LATIMER

Former NCAA D1 player and current head coach at Dekalb High School

TYLER NUNEZ

Former college player at Elgin Community College and Augustana College

AUSTIN LOVELADY

Former college player at Elgin Community College

ED AMBRE- LEAD TRAINER

Strength & Conditioning Program