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PBR IL: John A. Logan / SIC / Rend Lake / Kaskaskia: Takeaways

October 10, 2022
By: Peter Hamot & Diego Solares

On Wednesday, October 5, PBR Illinois hosted the John A. Logan | SIC | Rend Lake | Kaskaskia Scout Day at John A. Logan in Carterville, Illinois. The event featured over 60 players in total and allowed our staff to get a look at some of the top Junior College prospects in Southern Illinois. 

You can read up on the players that stood out to our scouting staff from the event, below. 

John A. Logan

Position Players  

Ben Higdon, OF, McCracken County (KY), 2021
Sophomore. Physical 6-foot-2, 210-pound build. The left-handed hitter blasted baseballs throughout his round of BP, reaching up to 106 mph for his max exit velocity with multiple balls sent over the fence to both left-center and right-center (406’ max distance). He put up some high-level BLAST metrics as well, reaching up to 24.5 mph for his max hand-speed while averaging 80 mph bat-speed (83.2 mph max). 6.84 runner in the 60-yard dash.  

Will Carpenter, INF, Aurora (OH), 2020
Redshirt-sophomore. 6-foot-1, 200-pounds, athletic build. The left-handed hitter works with a simple operation at the plate; shooting the gaps and the opposite field while remaining short to the ball with barrel control and bat-speed. He averaged just over 90 mph for his exit velocity throughout his round, maxing out at 101.1 mph with a max distance of 383’. His actions are steady on the infield, reaching up to 82 mph from across the diamond.  

Tre Hondras, OF, Homewood-Flossmoor (IL), 2020
Redshirt-sophomore. 6-foot, 190-pound build, lean/athletic frame. Hondras started his day by running to a 6.74 60-yard dash, however we’ve seen him down to 6.60 in year’s past. The right-handed hitter has an unorthodox operation but makes it work thanks to his athleticism. He worked hard off the barrel to his pull-side with hand speed and athletic wrists, averaging 92.9 mph throughout his round with a max exit velocity of 100 mph (361’ max distance). He is an athletic defender in the outfield, moving with intent and fluid footwork to the ball with reliable hands, reaching up to 85 mph from a crow-hop.  

Gavin Baldwin, OF, Nashville (IL), 2021
Sophomore. Physically built at 6-foot-3, 230-pounds. The right-handed hitter put on a show during BP, reaching over 106 mph for his max exit velocity with an average of 96.8 mph (415’ max distance). He occasionally gets long through the swing and cuts himself off, but he’s best when he stays to his pull-side. He is an above-average runner for his size, recording a 6.95 in the 60-yard dash. Defensively, his actions in the outfield are sound and pair with a strong arm (T90 mph). 

Gage Griggs, INF, Paducah Tilghman (KY), 2022
Freshman. Compact/athletic build, standing 5-foot-9, 165-pounds. Quiet/scrappy demeanor to his game. The right-handed hitter is athletic throughout his operation, repeating the swing and staying on-plane with bat-speed; working line-drives to the middle and opposite fields (96 mph max EV). His approach at the plate looks to pair with his speed, having run a 6.88 in the 60-yard dash to start the event. He’s an athletic defender on the infield, moving with fluid feet and soft hands through the ball (T86 mph INF).  

Pitchers  

Josh Dima, LHP, Belleville West (IL), 2020
Redshirt-sophomore. 6-foot-2, 185-pounds, lean/athletic build. The southpaw moves with a fluid tempo throughout his operation, repeating his delivery and displaying four quality pitches. His fastball sat right in the 90-92 mph range, filling up the zone and running slightly to his arm-side with a max IVB of 19.2. He showed feel for both of his breaking balls; the first being a sharp 1/7 curveball at 75-76 mph, and the second being a 2/8 slider at 77-79 mph - landing both offerings for strikes consistently. His final offering was a changeup at 82-83 mph, running to his arm-side with a max of 13.1”. 

Jack Hoeymans, RHP, Langley (VA), 2020
Redshirt-sophomore. 6-foot-2, 210-pound frame, workhorse build. The right-hander displayed feel for all three of his pitches throughout his ‘pen. He landed his fastball consistently for strikes, sitting 89-91 mph (T2350 RPM) with slight running action and a max IVB of 16.5. His breaking ball played with sharp downer action and 11/5 shape, 75-77 mph (T2424 RPM) - thrown consistently around the zone and manipulating shape to create more depth at times. His final offering was a heavy fading changeup with up to 17.9” of run, 82-83 mph. 

Matthew Tarr, RHP, West Aurora (IL), 2022
Freshman. 6-foot-1, 200-pound frame, strong build with evenly distributed strength. Athletic mover with a simple delivery. Tarr lit up the radar gun with an event best 94.6 mph max velocity, sitting 93-94 mph throughout his ‘pen (T2512 RPM) with up to 13.9” of run and a max IVB of 16.4. His breaking ball sat 79-83 mph with an average spin rate of 2,896 RPM (T2971 RPM), flashing sharp 10/4 action with up to -22.3” of horizontal movement.  

Eli Pillsbury, LHP, Castle (IN), 2022
Freshman. 6-foot-2, 200-pounds with evenly distributed weight. From an over-the-top slot, the southpaw showed a knack for spinning the breaking ball, reaching up to 3,054 RPM with an average spin rate of 2,913 RPM, 75-77 mph with sharp downer action. His fastball cruised at 88-89 throughout his ‘pen, playing with some life through the zone and a max IVB of 18.2. His final offering was a changeup at 78-80 mph that reached up to 17” of horizontal movement with developing feel.  

Trevor Jackson, RHP, Marion (IL), 2022
Freshman. 6-foot, 190-pounds, strong/athletic build. Jackson looks to have upside within his five-pitch arsenal. He held 89-90 throughout his entire ‘pen, filling up the zone and reaching up to 16.2” of horizontal movement with the two-seam - max IVB of 20.0 on the four-seam. His curveball and slider both spin above-average; with the curveball coming in at 77-79 mph (T2548 RPM) and the slider sitting 79-81 mph (T2425). Both offerings play with late action, with the curveball working off an 11/5 plane and the slider a 10/4 plane. His last offering was a heavy fading changeup at 81-82 mph, reaching up to 17.9” of horizontal movement, feel is developing but flashed above-average action.  

Drew Pestka, RHP, Carterville (IL), 2022
Freshman. 6-foot-5, 230-pound frame, appears to be taller than listed. The right-hander sat 91-93 mph with his fastball, reaching up to 15.3” of horizontal movement with a max IVB of 17.4. He showed feel for his downer 11/5 breaking ball, sitting 74-76 mph (T2480 RPM). His final offering was a changeup with developing feel and action at 78-80 mph, playing mostly straight.  

Cooper Herald, RHP, Minooka (IL), 2020
Redshirt-sophomore. 6-foot, 195-pounds. The right-hander worked his fastball up to 90.1 mph, sitting 86-88 mph throughout his ‘pen with up to 19.5” of run at times. His changeup plays with heavy arm-side action as well, reaching up to 18.2” of run, 75-77 mph.

SIC 

Position Players 

Javier Beal, INF, Harrisburg (IL), 2021
Sophomore. 6-foot-1, 210-pounds. The left-handed hitter was consistently on the barrel throughout his round of BP, repeating a loose stroke with an average exit velocity of 95.7 mph (99.6 max EV) and whole field approach.  

Ryan Bibb, INF, Central Hardin (KY), 2022
Freshman. 6-foot-1, 180-pounds with an athletic build. The right-handed hitter reached up to 97 mph for his max exit velocity with a max distance of 357’, averaging 91.7 mph off the bat and staying on the barrel 86% of the time according to TrackMan. 6.84 runner in the 60-yard dash.  

Parker Van Dorn, OF, Red Bud (IL), 2021
Sophomore. 6-foot-2, 210-pounds with a strong lower-half and round shoulders. The right-handed hitter has a loose right-handed stroke with an athletic finish, creating extension through contact and a max exit velocity of 93.7 mph (345’ max distance). Steady actions in the outfield with a max velocity of 88 mph.  

Noah Boon, 1B/OF, Harrisburg (IL), 2021
Sophomore. 6-foot, 195-pounds, athletic/strong build. Quick right-handed stroke at the plate with a flat path and line-drive approach; averaged 93.8 mph off the bat with a max EV of 98.7 mph (357’ max distance). Boon put up some impressive BLAST metrics as well; with an average hand speed of 24.1 mph (T25.2) and average rotational acceleration of 25.3 (T31.8). 

Rend Lake 

Position Players  

Ryan St. Ledger, OF, Edwards County (IL), 2021
Sophomore. 6-foot-1, 180-pounds lean/athletic build with room for added strength. The right-handed hitting outfielder led the entire event in 60-time, recording a 6.42 to start his day. His swing is simple with a line-drive approach, staying flat through the zone and using the whole field. Defensively, he roams the outfield with fluid footwork and athletic strides, playing through the ball with steady hands and reaching up to 85 mph from a crow-hop.  

Donson Morain, 1B, Young Americans Christian (GA), 2021
Sophomore. Strong-bodied, 6-foot-2, 235-pound frame. The right-handed hitter took an eye-opening round of BP, reaching up to 106.1 mph for his max exit velocity while averaging 99 mph. He reached up to 372’ for his max distance while also recording an 100% hard-hit rate according to TrackMan.  

Pitchers  

Philip Berberich, RHP, Wesclin (IL), 2021
Sophomore. The sidearmer looks to be an important piece out of the ‘pen for the Warriors this coming spring. From a low sidearm slot, Berberich ran his fastball up to 79.6 mph with up to 19.5” of run, setting up both his offspeeds effectively. He showed feel for both his offspeeds; with his slider landing in the zone 60% of the time at 71-73 with sweeping action and his changeup landing for a strike 100% of the time at 73-75 mph with fade (T16.3” of HM). 

Colin Hawkins, LHP, Lindbergh (MO), 2021
Sophomore. 5-foot-11, 175-pounds. The southpaw worked his fastball in the 84-85 mph range with finish through the zone and a max IVB of 19.5. His curveball looked to be his best offspeed offering this day, averaging over 2,400 RPM (T2518 RPM) with tight 1/7 downer shape, 70-73 mph. He also spun his slider at an above-average rate, reaching over 2,400 with 2/8 action, 72-74 mph. His final offering was a fading changeup at 77-79 mph, reaching up to 16.8” of horizontal movement.  

Reid Keene, RHP, Pinckneyville (IL), 2021
Sophomore. 5-foot-9, 185-pounds. The right-hander works with a simple operation and up-tempo pace on the mound, creating a fastball up to 85.6 mph. His curveball played with above average spin and action, cruising over 2,500 RPM throughout the entire pen with sharp 11/5 shape and feel for the zone, 73-75 mph. His final offering was a changeup at 77-78 mph, thrown with intent and slight fading action to the arm-side.  

Bishop Woods, RHP, Carrollton (GA), 2021
Sophomore. Physical 6-foot-4, 235-pound frame. Fluid mover with excellent body control for his size. The right-hander ran his fastball in the 83-84 mph range with up to 17.4” of run, looking to have more velocity in the tank. He went to both a curveball and a slider; with the curveball playing at 70-72 mph with 11/5 action and the slider playing with shorter 10/4 shape, 75-76 mph. His final offering was a changeup at 75-78 mph, coming from a near identical fastball release with up to 17.8” of horizontal movement. 

Maddox Yates, RHP, Herrin (IL), 2021
Sophomore. 6-foot, 185-pounds. The right-hander sat in the 83-85 mph range with his fastball, filling up the zone with a max IVB of 15.8. His curveball and slider both spin at above-average rates; with the curveball spinning 2,500-2,700 at 68-69 mph and the slider spinning up to 2,561 RPM at 72-73 mph. His changeup sat 75-77, thrown with intent and from a near identical fastball release. 

Kaskaskia  

Position Players  

Matthew Hunzinger, C, Dieterich (IL), 2021
Sophomore. 6-foot, 180-pounds, upside frame with room to fill out. Hunzinger had a strong showing on both sides of the ball for the Blue Devils. At the plate, the left-handed hitter works with a loose/fluid stroke, remaining relatively short to the ball with a simple operation; producing a max exit velocity of 100.7 mph with an average of 94.7 mph (383’ max distance). Defensively, he topped out at 77 mph down to second with a pop-time as low as 2.00 seconds.  

Kenneth Sugi, OF, Carson Graham (BS), 2020
Sophomore. Compact build, standing 5-foot-9, 180-pounds. The left-handed hitter was impressive at the plate with his athletic and clean stroke; producing a max exit velocity of 100.4 mph with an average of 93.1 mph (376’ max distance; 323’ avg. distance). Defensively, Sugi has sound actions and topped out at 86 mph from a crow-hop.  

Tyler McClure, OF, Champaign Centennial (IL), 2021
Sophomore. 6-foot-4, 200-pound build with upside in the frame. Athletic right-handed hitter that uses a simple stroke at the plate; producing exit velocities up to 98.9 mph with an average of 94 mph (368’ max distance; 435’ avg. distance). 6.85 runner in the 60-yard dash. Actions in the outfield are steady and pair with a strong arm (T89 mph OF).  

Ryan Birr, INF, Brownsburg (IN), 2020
Sophomore. 6-foot-2, 200-pounds, athletic build with evenly proportioned strength. The right-handed hitter was on the barrel with authority throughout his round, reaching up to 103.5 mph for his max exit velocity with an average of 92.9 mph (395’ max distance; 301’ avg. distance). He has multiple tools to his game besides power with the bat; running to a 7.01 in the 60-yard dash and reaching up to 90 mph across the diamond.

Matthew Campina, 1B, The First Academy (FL), 2021
Sophomore. 6-foot-1, 220-pounds, developed lower-half. The right-handed hitter took a physical round of BP with a simple/repeatable stroke; reaching up to 101.1 mph with an average exit velocity of 96.2 mph (370’ max distance; 283’ avg. distance). He also recorded a 100% hard-hit rate according to TrackMan.  

Ryan Kelly, C, Huntley (IL), 2022
Freshman. 6-foot, 195-pounds. The right-handed hitter has a simple swing at the plate with a flat path; reaching up to 98.8 for his max exit velocity and averaging 93 mph (368’ max distance; 301’ avg. distance). Behind the plate, Kelly has a quick/clean transfer and a strong arm; reaching up to 80 mph from the chute and producing a pop-time as low as 1.96 seconds.  

Michael Ascensio, INF/RHP, Joliet Catholic (IL), 2022
Freshman. Physical 6-foot-2, 202-pound build. Ascensio has a long right-handed swing at the plate, creating extension through the ball and producing a max exit velocity of 98.7 mph and average of 93.8 mph (379’ max distance). Defensively, he moves well for his size on the infield and pairs it with a strong arm (T88 mph INF). His arm-strength translates over to the mound, where he reached up to 85.3 mph with a max IVB of 21.6. He also displayed an 11/5 curveball at 72-74 mph (T2414 RPM) and fading changeup at 78-82 mph.  

Pitchers  

Nicholas Oyster, RHP, Hillard Davidson (OH), 2021
Sophomore. 6-foot, 170-pounds. Athletic mover with room to fill out in his frame. The right-hander worked his fastball in the 89-90 mph range throughout his ‘pen, setting up a tight 11/5 breaking ball at 76-77 and changeup at 77-80 mph.  

Peyton Apps, RHP, Pittsfield (IL), 2021
Sophomore. 6-foot-4, 220-pounds, workhorse frame. The right-hander sat in the 88-89 mph range with his fastball, consistently throwing it for strikes with a max IVB of 15.9. He went to two different breaking balls throughout his ‘pen; with the first being a 10/4 slider at 75-76 mph (T2,406 RPM), and the second being an 11/5 curveball at 71-74 mph - both thrown for strikes and kept mostly down. His final offering was a changeup at 77-78 mph. 

Clayton Taylor, RHP, Columbus East (IN), 2021
Sophomore. 6-foot-1, 175-pounds with a projectable build. The right-hander displayed a lively fastball that sat 86-89 mph with finish through the zone and a max IVB of 22.1. His curveball plays with tight 11/5 shape at 78-80 mph (T2381 RPM). His final offering was a changeup at 80-83 mph, fading up to 16” at times.  

Hayden Brazelton, LHP, St. Joseph-Ogden (IL), 2022
Freshman. 6-foot, 170-pounds. The southpaw had a quality showing on the mound, working his fastball in the 83-85 mph range with a max IVB of 17.8. His curveball plays with downer 1/7 shape at 69-72 mph, back-footing would-be righties at times. His final offering was a changeup at 80-82 mph, thrown for strikes with slight fading action.  

Chase Dodson, RHP, South Central (IL), 2021
Sophomore. 5-foot-11, 180-pounds. The right-hander sat 87-89 mph throughout his ‘pen, consistently filling up the zone and reaching a max IVB of 18.7. His curveball played with 11/5 shape and downer action, 70-72 mph (T2299 RPM). To complete his arsenal he went to a 79-82 mph changeup, thrown for strikes with up to 14.8” of run at times.  

Jude Tenny, LHP, Lafayette (MO), 2022
Freshman. Compact frame, 5-foot-9, 175-pounds. The southpaw works with an up-tempo pace on the mound and simple/repeatable delivery. His fastball sat right at 85-87 mph throughout his ‘pen, exploding through the zone with up to 22.1 of IVB. He went to two breaking balls throughout his workout; the first being a 73-74 mph curveball with 1/7 downer shape, and the second being a short 2/8 slider also at 73-74 mph. To fill out his repertoire he went to a 75-77 mph changeup, fading to the arm-side and thrown for strikes. 

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