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2024 Preseason All-State, Underclass: Preview

February 22, 2024
By: Gavin Smith
Area Scout, Content

This Saturday, February 24th, the Prep Baseball Illinois team is hosting the Preseason All-State: Underclass at The MAX in McCook, Ill. This is an invite-only event for all high school classes (2026-27), and gives our staff an ample look at the area's top players.

For a closer look at the showcase details and the technologies we'll have on-site to assist our in-person evaluation for all in attendance, click here. For a complete look at those registered to attend this event, view the most up-to-date version of the roster by clicking here.

EVENT HISTORY

Historically, this is one of Illinois’ largest and most talented showcases on our calendar. We split our Preseason All-State event into two, separated by an upperclass and an underclass roster that perform at the event on the same day, back to back. This allows us to expand on the classes we see at this staple showcase which now includes freshmen, this year’s class of 2027.

This showcase is critical for our staff to gather intel on the Team Illinois roster we’ll construct at the end-of-summer PBR Future Games. At last year’s Preseason All-State: Underclass event, seven players from this roster went on to appear at the Future Games in Georgia while representing our state: OF/LHP Joey Arend (St. Charles East, 2025; Xavier), 3B CJ Deckinga (Minooka, 2025; Michigan State), OF/1B Trey Meyers (New Trier, 2025; Indiana), CIF AJ Putty (Huntley, 2025; Illinois), C/RHP Quinn Schambow (Libertyville, 2025; Oklahoma State), INF Gavin Triezenberg (Brother Rice, 2025; Arizona, and RHP Tucker King (Lyons, 2025) - with King still being one of the top uncommitted arms in Illinois.

We're looking forward to checking in on the next crop of talent from this event to earn next-level attention in the coming weeks, months, and years.

2024 ROSTER

This year's roster is already shaping up nicely, just like in years past.

MIF Ethan Bass (Glenbrook North, 2026; Illinois) is the state’s top ranked sophomore, and he’s headed to the max this weekend. Bass has all kinds of tools in his 6-foot-2, 164-pound frame. He’s a mature hitter from the right-side with a fluid, athletic swing, and he’s recorded a max exit velocity of 101.3 mph. He’s a sub-7.0 runner, with easy actions on the infield and a strong arm to pair (90 mph).

SS Colin Campbell (Brother Rice, 2027; Louisville) will be making his Prep Baseball event debut this Saturday. He’s a smooth-swinging left-handed hitter, who’s shown a knack to barrel up the baseball in-game with a mature, up-the-middle approach. We’ve also seen his fastball up to 83 mph. Campbell is a name we’re eager to get a look at this weekend.

There’s a lot to like about SS Joey Ireland (Mount Carmel, 2026; Illinois), who’s ranked No. 5 in the state’s sophomore class. He’s an athletic middle infielder that’s ran a 6.66 60-yard dash, and he’s shown above-average infield actions with a strong arm to pair. At the plate he has an easy, rhythmic swing with some juice, producing his top exit velocity of 91.7 mph at last year’s Illinois State Games.

3B TJ McQuillan (Mount Carmel, 2026; Louisville) stands in a strong, 6-foot-2, 222-pound frame that seemingly gets more impressive each time we see him. He’s a power-threat at the plate, with his simple, left-handed swing that’s aggressive with control. He’s produced plenty of eye-opening metrics, too; 102.6 mph max exit velocity, 93.9 mph average exit velocity, 392’ max batted distance, 76.2 mph average bat speed, and a 24.2 G average rotational acceleration. He’s an above-average runner for his size as well, running a 7.01 in the 60.

RHP/3B Callaghan O’Connor (Bishop McNamara; Notre Dame) is ranked No. 2 overall in Illinois’ 2026 class, and he’s making the trip up to The MAX on Saturday morning. He stands in an impressive frame that continues to develop at 6-foot-6, 210-pounds. It will be exciting to see how O’Connor has progressed on the mound, as we’ve seen his fastball up to 86.2 mph with an athletic and effortless delivery. He also has a smooth right-handed swing at the plate, producing a top exit velocity of 89.1 mph.

MIF Blake Ragsdale (Lyons, 2027; Texas Christian) is heading to his first Prep Baseball showcase since being a part of Team Illinois at the 2022 Junior Future Games, and we’re excited to see the progress he’s made in that time. An athletic frame with strength, Ragsdale is an in-game competitor that we’ve continued to see find success on the diamond.

INF Landon Thome (Nazareth, 2026) is making his Prep Baseball event debut this weekend, and our staff is excited to get an up-close look at him. He has a calm, collected approach at the plate, with a simple and direct left-handed swing. He was a part of a state championship team last year for Nazareth, and we’re looking forward to getting a look at him prior to this upcoming spring season.

The state’s top ranked freshman, OF/RHP Sebastian Wilson (Lane Tech; Tennessee), will be in attendance this Saturday. We’ve gotten multiple looks at the sweet-swinging lefty, and he’s shown all kinds of tools in his 6-foot, 187-pound frame. A 6.82 runner, Wilson has easy power at the plate (97.1 mph EV), and he’s an athletic outfielder with an above-average arm, firing his best bullet to home at 90 mph. We’ve also seen him up to 86.5 mph on the mound.

Perusing the event roster, we’re set to meet a majority of players who’ve not yet attended a PBR showcase, and we’re eager to add more names to our follow lists.

EVENT CHECK-IN PROCESS

Because of the high number of prospects set to attend Saturday’s event, it is imperative that you read our showcase itinerary below, which will allow our staff to swiftly and efficiently educate and evaluate the players set to attend.

Additionally, in an effort to continue and develop contactless check-in strategies, upon arrival, players will scan a QR Code with their smart phone camera that will lead them to a Google Form. On that Form, players will enter their name (matching the spelling on their PBR profile) and hit submit. Upon submission, players will be prompted to click a link that will direct them to their jersey color and number, located next to their registered name.


ITINERARY

Note: Please bring snacks and drinks as events can run long, especially depending on your position.

CHECK-IN TIMES:

  • Position Players: 8:30 AM
  • Pitcher’s Only: 9:30 AM

MORE EVENT DETAILS

Click here to learn more about our tech partners that have enhanced our players showcase experience. Partners like TrackMan, Vizual Edge, and Blast Motion have helped both our in-event evaluation process, as well the compilation of our post-event scouting reports – and they're also a tool for our players to learn more about their measured and collected data, that can be applied to improve upon their game.

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