Prep Baseball Report

Preseason All-State Underclass: Top Overall Prospects


By: Illinois Scouting Staff

On February 25th, the PBR Illinois staff hosted the Preseason All-State: Underclass showcase at The MAX in McCook, Ill., featuring many of the state’s top players inside the 2025-2026 classes. This event helped our staff gain a clearer picture of the on-the-rise prospects in Illinois and who needs to be followed closely this spring and beyond. 

To view the Preseason All-State: Underclass landing page, roster, and stats collected, click here

Today we finish off our post-event analysis with an in-depth breakdown of who our scouting staff deemed to be the top overall prospects based on their performance in-event.

We separated the rankings by class, which can be found below. 

2025 Prospects 

1. Jack Bauer LHP / OF / Lincoln-Way East, IL / 2025

Positional Profile: LHP
Body: 6-3, 175-pounds. Athletic, broad-shouldered build.
Delivery: Simple, hybrid delivery, tall and fall delivery works with extreme ease and on-line down the mound.
Arm Action: LH. Loose, free-flowing arm action, quick out front, 3/4 slot.
FB: T93, 90-92 mph. Advanced life and ease out of the hand, all kinds of finish and jump through the zone. T2346, 2266 average rpm.
SL: 76-77 mph. Advanced spin, thrown aggressively, tight 2/8 sweeping action. Potential swing and miss pitch down the road. T2817, 2743 average rpm.
CH: 83-85 mph. Maintains arm speed, showed feel, mostly straight. T2199, 2117 average rpm. 
 

2. Conor Essenburg 1B / LHP / Lincoln-Way West, IL / 2025

Positional Profile: LHP
Body: 6-1, 190-pounds. Broad-shouldered, athletic build.
Delivery: Slight drop and drive delivery, long levers work rotationally.
Arm Action: LH. Long arm action out of 3/4 slot, easy arm.
FB: T88, 86-88 mph. Plays with arm side run, easy life. T2205, 2146 average rpm.
CB: 72-75 mph. Slurve type works across zone from lower slot. Occasional decel. T2244, 2148 average rpm.
KN: 75-77 mph. True knuckle action, minimal rotational, around the zone.

Positional Profile: 1B
Hit: RHH. Tall open stance, slight leg kick, minimal hand load. Fluid, athletic sewing, on the barrel and on plane. Stays balanced with present bat speed.
Power: 100 max exit velocity, averaged 95.5 mph. 354’ max distance.
Arm: LH. INF - 89 mph. Loose, athletic arm, plays from a 3/4 slot. Strong arm.
Defense: Soft hands, athletic actions with fluid footwork, plays with some rhythm and above-average feel.
Run: 7.18 runner in the 60. 

3. Tucker King RHP / OF / Lyons Township, IL / 2025

Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-3, 195-pounds. Long, loose-levered, high-waisted frame.
Delivery: Lanky lever delivery, creates deception with cross body actions.
Arm Action: RH. Loose, whippy arm action, plays out of 3/4 slot.
FB: T91, 89-91 mph. Heavy action at the bottom of the zone, plus arm side sink and run. T2314, 2243 average rpm.
CB: 75-77 mph. Well-above average spin and action, flashes sharp but tended to stay arm side. T2363, 2288 average rpm.
CH: 81-82 mph. Flashes plus arm side action for age, well above average feel. T1941, 1752 average rpm. 
 

4. Joshua Holst LHP / 1B / Libertyville, IL / 2025

Positional Profile: LHP
Body: 6-2, 205-pounds. Physical, broad-shouldered build.
Delivery: Fluid, athletic, uptempo delivery, controls body well, works with rhythm and balance throughout.
Arm Action: LH. Clean, quick, strong arm, 3/4 slot.
FB: T88, 86-87 mph. Filled up the zone, worked mostly straight, and jumped out of the hand. T2208, 2151 average rpm.
SL: 72-73 mph. Maintains arm speed, 2/8 shape, horizontal action, feel. T1978, 1966 average rpm.
CH: 78-79 mph. Fastball arm speed, kills spin, advanced feel at the bottom of the zone, slight fade. T1401, 1353 average rpm. 
 

5. Enzo Infelise C / 3B / Providence Catholic, IL / 2025

Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-2, 205-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall open stance, slight leg kick, minimal hand load. Advanced bat speed, controlled intent, on the barrel with authority throughout, power bat profile.
Power: 101 max exit velocity, averaged 91.6 mph. 385’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 82 mph. INF - 90 mph. Short compact arm stroke, high 3/4 finish. Advanced arm strength for age from behind the plate and across the infield.
Defense: 1.90-2.02 pop times. Took reps behind the plate and on the infield. As a catcher, starts on one knee and creates momentum towards target with a clean exchange to release. On the infield, plays low to the ground and gathers out front, steady glovework, slight pack to release.
Run: 7.74 runner in the 60. 

6. Jack Wheeler 3B / SS / Morris, IL / 2025

Positional Profile: 3B/SS
Body: 6-4, 185-pounds. Long, loose-levered, projectable build.
Hit: RHH. Tall, wide upright stance, small stride. Fast bat, flat through the zone, repeatable, routinely barrels up the middle of the field, line-drive profile.
Power: 97 max exit velocity, averaged 94.2 mph. 262’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 91 mph. Easy life with carry across the field, 3/4 slot with a quick release.
Defense: Athletic actions, fluid with ease and feel, athletic footwork, plays through the ball with some rhythm, gathers himself before throws.
Run: 7.08 runner in the 60. 
 

7. Joey Arend OF / LHP / St Charles East, IL / 2025

Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-0, 160-pounds. Athletic build with room for continued physical development.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, slight leg kick trigger, fluid overall look and swing. Loose, athletic hands, intent and present bat speed; stays on-plane, works gap-to-gap with developing bat strength.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 86.5 mph. 329’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 89 mph. Loose 3/4 arm action throws flash carry and were accurate to the target.
Defense: Bouncy feet, ranges with ease, steady hands, plays through in rhythm and directionally. Athletic outfield actions.
Run: 7.11 runner in the 60. 

Positional Profile: LHP
Delivery: Clean delivery, toe lifted into balance point, works with tempo.
Arm Action: LH. High 3/4 slot, loose arm.
FB: T85, 84-85 mph. Showed run to arm side, plays down in the zone. T2290, 2084 average rpm.
CB: 73-75 mph. 1/7 shape, varies at times, gets on side but creates above average spin. T1810, 1764 average rpm.
CH: 77-78 mph. Well above average action, quality feel. T1915, 1872 average rpm. 

8. Remo Indomenico LHP / OF / St. Ignatius, IL / 2025

Positional Profile: LHP
Body: 5-11, 175-pounds. Athletic build with room for continued physical development.
Delivery: Fluid, drop and drive delivery, works with intent down the mound, squared landing.
Arm Action: LH. Long, loose, quick arm; low 3/4 slot. Flashed premium arm speed.
FB: T89, 87-89 mph. Plays with life, creates angle at times, late finish. T2285, 2237 average rpm.
SL: 73-76 mph. Sweeper type, tight horizontal action.  T2514, 2388 average rpm.
CH: 78-80 mph. Pronates and turns over, plays well at the bottom of the zone, late sink. T1524, 1504 average rpm. 
 

9. Brady Green SS / RHP / Oak Park-River Forest, IL / 2025

Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-10, 170-pounds. Athletic build with developing strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, big knee kick trigger. Advanced bat speed, short to the ball, long through it, flat, backspin contact to both gaps.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 83.2 mph. 282’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 86 mph. Quick, athletic arm, high 3/4 release, plays on the move.
Defense: Athletic through the ball, quick/clean transfer, easy range with a quick first step, soft hands.
Run: 7.14 runner in the 60. 

10. Caden Earing RHP / SS / Mundelein , IL / 2025

Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds. Athletic build with plenty of room for continued physical development.
Delivery: Fluid, controlled, tall and fall, linear delivery, lands front-toe closed.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action with life, 3/4 slot, easy.
FB: T89, 88-89 mph. Pounds zone with easy velocity, shows arm side run. T2237, 2032 average rpm.
CB: 75-76 mph. Around it at times, showed above average spin, 11/5 shape. T2283, 2250 average rpm.
CH: 81-82 mph. Varied action, flashed sink at times and run at times. T1755, 1660 average rpm.

Positional Profile: SS
Hit: RHH. Tall, balanced stance, knee lift trigger, minimal hand load. Loose, easy, athletic swing, on-plane and on time, finishes on balance.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 88.3 mph. 320’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - Athletic arm, plays on the move, quick 3/4 release.
Defense: Athletic footwork, fluid two hands gather, plays with some body control and rhythm.
Run: 7.25 runner in the 60.

2026 Prospects 

1. Ethan Bass SS / RHP / Glenbrook North, IL / 2026

Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-1, 165-pounds. Athletic frame.
Delivery: Drop and drive type, lines vary at times, works with slight effort, rotational finish.
Arm Action: RH. 3/4 slot, long arm action, quick arm.
FB: T86, 84-86 mph. Showed life through the zone, good feel and ease, arm side run.  T2596, 2530 average rpm.
CB: 69-71 mph. 11/5 shape, slightly higher slot. Flashed feel. T2403, 2286 average rpm.
SL: 71-75 mph. Better of the two breaking balls. T2325, 2278 average rpm. 

Positional Profile: SS
Hit: RHH. Wide, crouched stance, backside load and knee lift trigger, slight hand load. Long, quick levers, stays through the zone a long time and the ball jumps off the barrel. Loud consistent contact into the pull-side gap.
Power: 101 max exit velocity, averaged 89.8 mph. 350’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 89 mph. Loose, strong arm, high 3/4 slot, plays on the move, easy life across the diamond.
Defense: Athletic actions, soft hands, athletic pre-pitch, plays low and through the ball, quick hands with a clean transfer, mature round of defense with clear feel for the position.
Run: 6.96 runner in the 60. 

2. Paddy Roth RHP / OF / St. Patrick, IL / 2026

Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-2, 185-pounds. Advanced, high-waisted, loose-levered frame with developing strength.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery syncs up well, lines work well to target, controlled finish.
Arm Action: RH. Strong live arm, out of a high 3/4 slot.
FB: T86, 84-86 mph. Plays firm with some heavy feel through the zone. T1821, 1738 average rpm.
SL: 68-70 mph. Sharp 10/4 action with late bite.  T1714, 1680 average rpm.
CH: 74-75 mph. Above average feel, with arm speed and fade action. T1467, 1401 average rpm. 
 

3. Addison Latko C / OF / DePaul College Prep, IL / 2026

Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced crouched setup, leg kick load with minimal hand load.  Advanced movement patterns, fluid, athletic and repeatable. Controlled intent, all over the barrel with loud, hard contact to the pull side.
Power: 98 max exit velocity, averaged 91.2 mph. 349’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. Short arm stroke, comes out clean with life out of a high 3/4 window.
Defense: 1.99-2.07 pop times. Fast, athletic mover from the crouch. Gains ground and creates momentum towards the bag, soft hands with a swift, clean transfer. Receives on one knee in 'pens, glove works down-to-up with rhythm, steady hands with firm wrists.
Run: 7.22 runner in the 60. 

4. TJ Mcquillan3b / OF / Mount Carmel, IL / 2025

Positional Profile: 3B/OF
Body: 6-1, 210-pounds. Strong, broad-shouldered frame.
Hit: LHH. Tall, balanced setup with a short stride. Advanced bat speed and bat strength, physical presence. On time and on the barrel with loud contact to all fields.
Power: 103 max exit velocity, averaged 95 mph. 339’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. Arm can play from multiple angles, 3/4 release primarily.
Defense: Soft hands, moves well for size, plays through the ball, quick hands at times.
Run: 7.35 runner in the 60. 
 

5. Joey Ireland SS / 2B / Mount Carmel, IL / 2026

Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 6-0, 140-pounds. Lean, athletic build with plenty of room to add strength.
Hit: RHH. Wide stance, upright posture, slight knee lift. Loose, fast swings off an uphill path. Balanced and athletic throughout; high upside offensive profile.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 87.4 mph. 311’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Athletic, loose arm, 3/4 slot, can play on the move.
Defense: Quick, athletic actions, soft hands, plays through the ball with rhythm and feel, clean double play turn, controls body on the move.
Run: 7.20 runner in the 60. 
 

6. Lucas Simulick SS / RHP / Joliet Catholic, IL / 2026

Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-10, 160-pounds. Athletic build with developing strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, short stride, minimal hand load. Quick bat, short to the ball, sneaky twitch and jump off the barrel, used the  middle of the field throughout.
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 81.8 mph. 259’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. Easy carry and backspin, accurate throws.
Defense: Clean actions with feel for the position, athletic through the ball, plays with rhythm and soft hands, mature round of defense.
Run: 7.14 runner in the 60. 
 

7. Daniel Coyle 3B / OF / St. Laurence, IL / 2026

Positional Profile: 3B
Body: 5-9, 150-pounds. Well-proportioned build.
Hit: RHH. Tall stance with short stride and minimal hand movement. Loose, quick hands, sneaky jump off the barrel, balanced finish and highly-repeatable, barrel-control swing.
Power: 87 max exit velocity, averaged 78.2 mph. 256’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Loose, athletic arm, 3/4 release, can play on the move.
Defense: Fluid two hand gather out front, ranges well up the middle, controls body well on the move.
 

8. Joseph Kelly 3B / RHP / Loyola Academy , IL / 2026

Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 5-11, 175-pounds. Athletic build with strength.
Delivery: Hands work up and over his head before moving into an up-tempo leg-lift, slight drop/drive lower-half, works in-line.
Arm Action: RH. Above average arm speed, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T82, 81-82 mph. Runs to arm side. T2161, 2075 average rpm.
CB: 66-67 mph. 11/5 shape, above average action for age. T2371, 2281 average rpm.
CH: 72-75 mph. Plays with sink action. T1735, 1612 average rpm. 
 

9. Gavin Swartz RHP / 1B / Normal University, IL / 2026

Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-2, 155-pounds.
Delivery: Tall/fall delivery, works in-line, simple with minimal perceived effort, projects.
Arm Action: RH. Loose, whippy over the top slot.
FB: T84, 83-84 mph. Plays with some tilt through the zone. T1829, 1647 average rpm.
CB: 70-71 mph. Knuckle-grip; flashed some bite off an 11/5 plane. T1900, 1716 average rpm.
CH: 77-79 mph. Firm, thrown near fastball velo; some run/fade. T1443, 1316 average rpm.

10. Frank Costabile OF / RHP / Stevenson , IL / 2026

Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-7, 150-pounds. Well-proportioned frame with strength.
Hit: RHH. Tall, open setup, short leg kick trigger. Advanced bat/hand speed; short path to the zone. Works off a level plane; particularly strong for his age.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 85.3 mph. 344’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 93 mph. Loose arm action, high 3/4 slot. Easy arm action.  Life and carry on throws.
Defense: Two-hand gather out front, plays through the ball with intent.
Run: 7.02 runner in the 60. 

Positional Profile: RHP
Delivery: Drop and drive delivery, works slightly uphill. Big arm out of small frame, Flashed near-plus breaking balls but inconsistent action and feel.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action with scap load, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T88, 86-88 mph. Flashed ride through the zone. T2023, 1953 average rpm.
CB: 69-72 mph. Separates from the slider, 11/5 shape. Flashed above average. T2522, 2425 average rpm.
SL: 78-80 mph. Lateral action,  T2273, 2160 average rpm.
CH: 73-76 mph. Fade action from lower slot, gets sink at times. T1264, 1160 average rpm.

 

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