On Feb. 28, the PBR Illinois team hosted the third annual Chicago Preseason I.D. at the Pullman Community Center in Chicago, Ill. The event featured nearly 50 players from high school graduates in classes 2022-25, from across the Chicagoland area, including a handful of prospects from across the Indiana state line.

Previously, our staff collaborated to highlight the biggest takeaways and highlights from this showcase, and published them within our Quick Hits piece. We also shared the event's traditional leaderboards, published inside this Statistical Analysis. Later on, with the help of the state-of-the-art technology we had on-site, we dove a little deeper into the data to see what we could find within our TrackMan Files and Blast Motion Board stories.

We began to roll out these position-by-position reports last week, beginning with the event’s catchers, infielders, and outfielders. We’re publishing the reports on the day’s pitchers today.

From Homewood-Flossmoor, uncommitted junior RHP Waylon Deck (2022) showcased a starter’s four-pitch mix at this event, and the athleticism he displayed in his 6-foot-1 build allowed him to repeat well and often enough for strikes. Look for him to make a bump up the Class of 2022 state rankings inside our upcoming update, as a result.

M.J. Liyeos’ (Waubonsie Valley, 2023; uncommitted) work on the mound has his arrow pointed up. Here, Liyeos sat 82-84 mph and he paired it with a high-spin sweeping curveball, which showed as one of the event’s best offspeed pitches. His arm is whippy and quick, which paired with his above-average spin metrics could lead to a big jump in velocity down the road.

A fellow uncommitted junior, 6-foot-5 right-hander Jack Armstrong (Shiloh, 2022), emerged as a follow inside this class. In his PBR event debut, Armstrong’s easy 83-84 mph fastball lived at the bottom of the zone, and he demonstrated an above-average feel for both his changeup and curve.

For reports on these three players, as well as the rest of the pitchers who made it out to this event at the end of February, continue on below.

TOP PITCHING PROSPECTS

1. Waylon Deck, Homewood Flossmoor (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-1, 185-pounds. Athletic build.
Delivery: Stretch only, starts closed, clean, repeatable delivery, smooth tempo, lands square, works in line to target.
Arm Action: R/R. Quick, loose arm action, 3/4 arm slot.
FB: T87, 84-86 mph. Arm side run, jumps out of his hand, thrown for strikes, ability to throw at top of zone. T2442, 2403 average rpm.
CB: 69-71 mph. 11/5 shape, gradual action. T2350, 2268 average rpm.
CH: 76-77 mph. Sink, advance arm side run, thrown for strikes. T1700, 1575 average rpm.
CUT: 78-80 mph. 10/4 cutting action, thrown at bottom of zone.

2. MJ Liyeos, Waubonsie Valley (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-1, 155-pounds. Athletic frame.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, quick tempo, level shoulders, works in line to target.
Arm Action: R/R. Long, quick arm action, low 3/4 arm slot.
FB: T84, 82-84 mph. Mostly straight, 4-seam type. T2250, 2190 average rpm.
CB: 70-72 mph. 11/5 shape, sweeping action. T2743, 2691 average rpm.
CH: 75-77 mph. Sinking action, arm speed same as fastball. T1676, 1577 average rpm.

3. Jack Armstrong, Shiloh (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-5, 230-pounds.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, smooth tempo, slow leg lift, strong front side, repeatable, lands square, works in line to target.
Arm Action: R/R. Long arm action, 3/4 arm slot.
FB: T84, 83-84 mph. Mostly straight, thrown for strikes. T2128, 2048 average rpm.
CB: 73-73 mph. 11/5 shape, sweeping action. T2225, 2153 average rpm.
CH: 76-78 mph. Arm side run, arm speed similar to fastball. T1737, 1674 average rpm.

4. Ryan Kramer, Latin School of Chicago (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-1, 210-pounds. Strong frame.
Delivery: Stretch only, drop and drive delivery, works quick to home plate, lands square, works in line to target, athletic finish.
Arm Action: R/R. Long, loose arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
FB: T85, 84-84 mph. Mostly straight, 4-seam type. T2490, 2460 average rpm.
CB: 66-67 mph. 11/5 shape, has depth. T2442, 2381 average rpm.
SL: 68-70 mph. 10/4 shape, gradual action. T2473, 2387 average rpm.
CH: 79-79 mph. Straight change, arm speed same as fastball. T1766, 1676 average rpm.

5. Richard Gomez, St. Laurence (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 2B/RHP
Body: 5-9, 175-pounds.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, shoulders work uphill, lands square, works efficiently in line to target, normal effort in delivery.
Arm Action: R/R. Long action, over-the-top arm slot.
FB: T83, 80-83 mph. Mostly straight, intent to throw at top of zone. T2258, 2174 average rpm.
CB: 67-70 mph. 11/5 shape, sweeping action. T2538, 2434 average rpm.
SL: 67-69 mph. 10/4 shape, thrown down in the zone, has a feel for it. T2130, 2044 average rpm.
CH: 73-76 mph. Flashes arm side run, arm speed same as fastball. T2097, 1938 average rpm.

5. Jaren Jackson, Homewood-Flossmoor (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-9, 135-pounds.
Delivery: Tall and fall, athletic delivery, strong front side, lands square, works in line to target, athletic finish.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
FB: T81, 79-80 mph. Throws both 4 and 2 seam. T2172, 2014 average rpm.
CB: 67-68 mph. 11/5 shape, gradual action, thrown for strikes. T2408, 2372 average rpm.
SL: 68-71 mph. 10/4 shape, has feel for it. T2484, 2352 average rpm.
CH: 75-77 mph. Arm side run, strikes, arm speed same as fastball. T2047, 1863 average rpm.

Best Of The Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Christian Arenibar, Lockport (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-11, 135-pounds. Long frame, room for physical development.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, steps behind rubber in windup, rhythm in tempo, leg kick works across body, lands square to target, works in line.
Arm Action: R/R. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
FB: T70, 67-70 mph. Mostly straight, intent to play at top of zone. T2334, 2145 average rpm.
CB: 55-59 mph. 10/4 shape, gradual action, feel for it, thrown for strikes. T2046, 1869 average rpm.
CH: 60-63 mph. Straight change, thrown for strike at times. T1765, 1709 average rpm.
CUT: 67-68 mph. Similar to fastball.

Spencer Boudreau, Bradley Bourbonnais (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-11, 150-pounds.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, rhythm in tempo, leg lift works across body, lands square, works in line with target.
Arm Action: R/R. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
FB: T76, 73-75 mph. Mostly straight, flashed arm side run. T2130, 2041 average rpm.
CB: 64-66 mph. 11/5 shape, gradual action. T1993, 1932 average rpm.
CH: 64-67 mph. Late movement, arm side run. T1798, 1704 average rpm.

Jaylun Camper, Brooks (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-2, 160-pounds. Athletic frame.
Delivery: Repeatable delivery, shoulders work slightly uphill, lands square, works in line to target.
Arm Action: R/R. Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
FB: T76, 73-76 mph. Mostly straight, thrown up in the zone/arm side of plate. T2000, 1945 average rpm.
CB: 66-69 mph. 11/5 shape, small/gradual action. T1856, 1809 average rpm.

Samuel Castillo, Lakeview (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 5-10, 216-pounds.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, rhythm in tempo, strong front side, lands square, works in line to target, balanced finish.
Arm Action: R/R. Long arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
FB: T75, 70-74 mph. Mostly straight, occasionally plays downhill, showed both 4 and 2 seam. T2015, 1920 average rpm.
CB: 60-65 mph. 11/5 shape, gradual action. T2106, 2042 average rpm.
SL: 61-64 mph. 10/4 shape. T2132, 2057 average rpm.

Connor Frey, University (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-9, 165-pounds.
Delivery: Athletic, clean delivery, quick tempo, lands square, level shoulders, works in line to target.
Arm Action: R/R. Short, quick arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
FB: T84, 83-84 mph. Plays downhill with tilt, strikes. T2103, 2011 average rpm.
CB: 65-67 mph. 11/5 shape, sharp action. T2010, 1865 average rpm.
SL: 73-74 mph. 10/ 4 shape, late movement. T2212, 2138 average rpm.
CH: 78-79 mph. Arm side run, arm speed same as fastball. T1417, 1380 average rpm.

Danny Johnson, St. Ignatius (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-11, 150-pounds.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, body works slightly closed to plate, lands square, works in line to target. 
Arm Action: R/R. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
FB: T77, 75-77 mph. Mostly straight, 4-seam type. T1930, 1855 average rpm.
SL: 62-64 mph. 10/4 shape, gradual action. T1877, 1837 average rpm.
CH: 68-70 mph. Arm side run, arm speed same as fastball. T1409, 1367 average rpm.

Nick Lagges, Lane Tech (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-11, 170-pounds. Athletic build.
Delivery: Stretch only, leg lift works slightly across body, repeatable delivery, strong front side, level shoulders, lands square, works in line to target.
Arm Action: R/R. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
FB: T79, 77-79 mph. Mostly straight, cutting action at times. T2245, 2151 average rpm.
CB: 67-68 mph. 12/6 shape, has depth. T2177, 2019 average rpm.
CH: 73-74 mph. Arm side run, arm speed same as fastball. T1815, 1729 average rpm.

Corwin Laurence, Simeon (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 5-9, 235-pounds.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, slow tempo, lands square to target.
Arm Action: R/R. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
FB: T59, 56-58 mph. Mostly straight. T1533, 1479 average rpm.
CB: 49-53 mph. 11/5 shape, gradual action. T1517, 1483 average rpm.
CH: 50-52 mph. Straight change, arm speed similar to fastball. T1579, 1493 average rpm.

Tyler Maross, Marian Catholic (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 5-10, 200-pounds.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, shoulders work slightly uphill, lands open, balanced finish.
Arm Action: R/R. Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
FB: T64, 63-64 mph. Mostly straight, plays downhill at times. T1538, 1490 average rpm.
CB: 53-54 mph. 11/5 shape, has depth. T1365, 1324 average rpm.
CH: 59-61 mph. Slight arm side run, arm speed same as fastball. T1648, 1548 average rpm.

Joseph Pieper, Palatine (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-1, 155-pounds.
Delivery: Stretch only, starts slightly closed, lands square, works in line to target, balanced finish.
Arm Action: R/R. Long arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
FB: T79, 78-79 mph. Mostly straight, plays downhill at times. T2267, 2174 average rpm.
CB: 61-64 mph. 11/5 shape, gradual action, flashed 12/6 shape with depth. T2304, 2131 average rpm.
CH: 71-72 mph. Arm side run, arm speed same as fastball. T1803, 1714 average rpm.

David Wodynski, Munster (IN) (IN), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-4, 157-pounds. Long, athletic frame.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, shoulders work slightly closed, lands square, works in line to target.
Arm Action: L/R. Long arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
FB: T66, 65-66 mph. Mostly straight, plays downhill at times. T1510, 1449 average rpm.
CB: 54-56 mph. 12/6 shape, gradual action, has feel for it. T1439, 1379 average rpm.
CH: 60-62 mph. Straight change, arm speed same as fastball. T1220, 1145 average rpm.

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