The Illinois Scout Blog provides insider information and scouting notes from the PBR Scouting Staff during the season. This running blog will feature information on underclass prospects, unsigned seniors, draft prospects, and anything else that is notable. We will provide a wide range of information, including player evaluations, velocities, pop times, home to first times, and more. Simply put, the Illinois Scout Blog is loaded with information ...

ST. IGNATIUS VS. NAZARETH - 5/20/23

By Drew Locascio
Illinois/Wisconsin Scouting Supervisor

Remo Indomenico, LHP, St. Ignatius, 2025
Uncommitted, currently ranked No. 36 in the Illinois’ 2025 class. 5-foot-11, 180-pound, left-handed pitcher with strength in the lower half and above-average overall athleticism. Started on the mound and also hit in the six-hole. On the mound, works with controlled pace down the mound, long, loose projectable arm action that plays from a ¾ slot. Fastball comes out of the hand clean and easy, plays mostly straight with occasional life and finish through the zone; sat 84-86 mph, touching 87 early. Also, flashed a three-pitch mix going to a horizontal, sweeping slider at 70-74 mph and a changeup at 75 mph. Slider is developing and flashed late, sharp bite at times. Impressed with his left-handed bat throughout the day as well. Simple, repeatable swing, above-average bat-to-ball skills and sneaky jump off the barrel as well. Finished 3-for-7 with a double and game-tying two-run single in the top of the sixth inning. Athletic left/left prospect with upside to all parts of his game. 

Remo Indomenico

Landon Thome, 2B, Nazareth, 2026
Uncommitted, currently ranked No. 4 in the Illinois’ 2026 class. 5-foot-10, 155-pound, left-handed hitting middle infield with strength in the lower half. Defensively, showed smooth, natural infield actions throughout the day at second base, including pre game, where he flashed soft confident hands and the ability to change platforms with his arm that plays loose and accurate. At the plate, hit in the eight-hole. Advanced approach and presence in the box, especially for his age. Stays within himself, uses the whole field, keeps his hands inside the baseball and highly-advanced bat-to-ball skills; very minimal swing and miss and features a heavy barrel. Natural loft through the zone, looks to elevate the baseball and ball jumps off the bat, given his age and stature. High-follow left-handed hitter in the class. 

Chase Zidlicky, RHP, Nazareth, 2025
Uncommitted, long-levered, wide-shouldered frame. Came out of the bullpen for Nazareth and showed a big jump in velocity in less than a month's time. Controlled, segmented tall and fall delivery with a loose, easy arm from a high ¾ slot. Challenged with the fastball throughout, sat 83-87 mph (2500+ rpm) which was up from 81-82 on April 29th. Fastball plays out of the hand easy and clean; flashed arm-side-run and lively finish at times. Mixed in a developing curveball at 69-73 mph with 2450-2600 rpm working off an 11/5 plane and bite at times. Allowed one hit, no runs, struck out four and walked four in three innings of work. High-ceiling sophomore who looks to be just scratching the surface of his potential. 

Chase Zidlicky

Jaden Fauske, UTIL, Nazareth, 2025
Louisville commit, currently ranked No. 2 in the Illinois’ 2025 class. 6-foot-2, 182-pound, wide-shouldered, athletic frame with room for continued physical development. Hit in the two-hole and started in left-field. Polished, calm, advanced presence in the box, extremely quiet takes and rarely chases out of the zone. Selectively aggressive, advanced bat speed and makes consistent loud contact off the bat. Scorched a double to right-center field in his first at-bat off a left/left 85 mph fastball. Finished 2-for-6 with a run scored. Continued to look like one of the top left-handed bats in the class. 

PROVIDENCE CATHOLIC VS CARL SANDBURG - 5/20/23

By Peter Hamot
Area Scout, Staff Writer

Ryan Hussey, RHP, Providence Catholic, 2023
Ohio State commit. Currently ranked No. 49 in the state. Started on the mound for the Celtics and picked up the win, firing 5.1 innings with two earned runs, two hits, one walk and six strikeouts. Listed at 6-foot-2, 187-pounds, athletic build, lean with room to fill out more. Athletic mover down the mound, front hip swings into a slightly open stride. Arm plays with some noticeable speed out front, high ¾ slot. Worked his fastball in the 87-89 mph range, used early and often in this look with control to both sides of the plate. Went to a short 11/5 breaking ball to pair off the fastball, sitting in the 75-77 mph with the ability to land it for strikes. High-follow 2023. 

Nolan Galla, MIF, Providence Catholic, 2025
Xavier commit. Currently ranked No. 24 in the state. Lean, athletic frame with plenty of room to add on strength. Hit in the leadoff spot and played shortstop for the Celtics, impressing on both sides of the ball throughout the day. Offensively, the right-handed hitter has some pre-pitch rhythm, moving into a flat path that stays through the zone, swing projects and should be complimented with some more power as he continues to fill out, found a couple barrels on the day with a single and a line-out to left. Defensively, has easy range to both sides of his glove with athletic feet. His hands are soft and pair with a quick/clean transfer, has some confidence to his actions. His arm has serviceable strength across the diamond, playing with accuracy and on the move. High-follow 2025 middle infielder with noteworthy upside. 

Jackson Smith, 2B, Providence Catholic, 2024
Uncommitted. Listed at a lean 6-foot, 175-pounds with plenty of room for added strength. Started at second base and hit out of the two-hole for the Celtics. The left-handed hitter has upside in his swing; coils into his load before firing through the zone with a loose and quick bat. Showed off impressive instincts at the plate and on the bases; pulling a double down the right field line and thinking double the entire time out of the box, making it to second with ease. High-follow 2024 infielder. 

Nick Bestrick, RHP, Sandburg, 2024
Uncommitted. Listed at 5-foot-11, 185-pounds with some strength throughout and round shoulders. Started on the mound on Sandburg and impressed despite receiving the loss. Short and to the ear out of the glove into a high ¾ slot. The right-hander has some effort in his delivery but held velocity well, working 87-90 mph throughout his outing with sinking action at times. Went to a short lateral cutter at 82-85 mph to pair off the fastball, as well as an 11/5 breaking ball at 70-75 mph, manipulating shape between tighter break and bigger action. Flashed a straight changeup at 81 mph. Uncommitted arm to follow closely moving forward. 

ST. RITA VS LYONS TOWNSHIP - 5/20/23

By Peter Hamot
Area Scout, Staff Writer 

Louie Sisto, St. Rita, RHP, 2024
Uncommitted. Listed at 6-foot-2, 225-pounds. Scrappy right-hander that has been a key force for the Mustangs on the mound this season. Attacks the zone with the fastball, sitting 80-84 mph early on, playing with slight cut at times with feel to the glove side. He went to a breaking ball to pair off the fastball, sitting 68-70 mph with 11/5 shape and feel for the zone. Follow 2024 that competes and gets outs. 

Nathan Anderson, Lyons Township, LHP, 2024
Uncommitted. Currently ranked No. 115 in the state. 5-foot-10, 190-pounds with evenly proportioned strength. Arm plays from a high ¾ slot from an up-tempo delivery, high leg-kick works into balance point, drop/drive lower-half works in-line down the mound. Heavy fastball usage on the day, working up to 88 mph and sitting mostly 84-86 mph with sink and some tilt through the zone. Went to a fading changeup at 77-78 mph, sells the pitch with arm-speed. Flashed a 1/7 breaking ball at 70-74 mph. High-follow 2024 with a dynamic arsenal. 

EUREKA VS. PONTIAC - 5/20/23

By: Gavin Smith
Area Scout

Henry Brummel, RHP, Pontiac, 2024
Indiana commit. Ranked no. 52 in Illinois’ class of 2024. Stands at an athletic 6-foot-2, 165-pounds. Brummel threw two innings, struck out four, allowed no hits and no runs. Athletic action on the mound with a loose, clean arm. Worked quickly and prevented the opposition from scoring on offense, giving Pontiac a chance to win a regional final game despite being behind by two. Showed a three-pitch mix with the confidence to throw any pitch in any coun