Chicagoland Open: Pitcher Analysis
August 29, 2023
On Tuesday, June 13th the PBR Illinois team hosted the Chicagoland Open at Triton College in River Grove, IL. This open event was for all high school classes (2024-27), and gave our staff a chance to get a look at 30+ uncommitted prospects at the start of the summer.
For a closer look at the showcase details and the technologies we 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.
Today we conclude the analysis of the event with a look at all of the pitchers from the event.
RHP Josh Efflandt (Wauconda) emerged as a strong-armed incoming senior that should warrant plenty of attention moving forward. Efflandt features a lively arm, upper-80s fastball and spun his curveball at an above-average rate.
Josh Efflandt
RHP Owen Novak (Lincoln-Way Central, 2026) is another arm to know from the event. The incoming sophomore has a 6-foot-2, 185-pound frame and flashed a riding fastball that played at 81-83 mph with 2164 average rpm. Novak should continue to elevate his status as he continues to develop his off-speed offerings.
PITCHING PROSPECTS (listed alphabetically)
Isaac Beenders, Morton (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-0, 200-pounds.
Delivery: Side-saddle delivery, tall and fall.
Arm Action: RH. Loose arm action, H3/4 slot.
FB: T76, 70-75 mph. Has feel for the zone. T1860, 1729 average rpm.
CB: 52-54 mph. 12/6 shape, best of the off-speed. T1765, 1571 average rpm.
SL: 53-56 mph. Similar profile to the curveball, developing pitch. T1831, 1713 average rpm.
CH: 63-64 mph. Downer action, has feel for the bottom of the zone. T1297, 1216 average rpm.
Justin Bradley, De La Salle (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 5-11, 160-pounds. Lean, athletic frame.
Delivery: Side-saddle, drop and drive delivery.
Arm Action: RH. Loose arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T72, 70-71 mph. 4-seam: Plays mostly straight. 2-seam: Has some armside run. T2049, 1985 average rpm.
CB: 62-63 mph.11/5 shape, flashed the better action of the two breaking balls. T2184, 2138 average rpm.
SL: 63-64 mph. Differing shapes. T2337, 2244 average rpm.
CH: 69-70 mph. Similar profile to the fastball, developing pitch. T1840, 1711 average rpm.
Josh Colaizzi, Bartlett (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-9, 175-pounds. Strong, compact frame.
Delivery: Side-saddle delivery with torque.
Arm Action: RH. Loose arm action with arm speed out front, H 3/4 slot.
FB: T82, 79-81 mph. Has carry through the zone. T2346, 2196 average rpm.
CB: 68-69 mph. Flashes 12/6 shape at the bottom of the zone, feel for the pitch, landed for strikes. T2442, 2352 average rpm.
SL: 71-72 mph. Plays similar to the curveball, high-spin pitch. T2560, 2519 average rpm.
Sean Dabe, Huntley (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-9, 140-pounds. Long, athletic build.
Delivery: Over the head windup, athletic mover downhill.
Arm Action: RH. Compact arm action, H3/4 slot.
FB: T79, 77-78 mph. Plays down in the zone. Has feel for the bottom of the zone. T2019, 1946 average rpm.
CB: 58-60 mph. 11/5 shape, plays down in the zone. T1746, 1682 average rpm.
SL: 63-64 mph. Has feel for the bottom of the zone, changes arm slot, 10/4 shape, out-pitch potential. T1798, 1764 average rpm.
CH: 62-65 mph. Developing pitch. T1422, 1319 average rpm.
Josh Efflandt, Wauconda (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/C
Body: 5-11, 175-pounds.
Delivery: Drop and drive delivery, works athletically downhill.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action with arm speed out front, H3/4 slot.
FB: T89, 86-89 mph. Life on it with some ride. T2269, 2164 average rpm.
CB: 72-74 mph. Sharp bite, 12/6 action, has feel for the zone. T2307, 2214 average rpm.
CH: 80-82 mph. Hard, fades to the armside. T1840, 1711 average rpm.
Ben Fawcett, Stevenson (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-0, 185-pounds. Athletic build.
Delivery: Repeatable, drop and drive delivery.
Arm Action: RH. H3/4 slot, hides ball well, moves quick.
FB: T82, 80-82 mph. Plays up in the zone. T2217, 2157 average rpm.
CB: 68-70 mph. Gradual break, 10/4 shape. T2422, 2356 average rpm.
CH: 73-74 mph. Fades armside, downer action, has feel for the bottom of the zone. T1656, 1578 average rpm.
Justin Garcia Hernandez, St. Patrick (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: 3B/OF
Body: 6-3, 225-pounds.
Delivery: Side-saddle delivery, short leg lift, drop and drive.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T82, 78-82 mph. Has feel for the strike zone, with some life to it. T1987, 1921 average rpm.
CB: 63-65 mph. Sharp, 11/5 shape, plays down in the zone. T1807, 1651 average rpm.
SL: 61-69 mph. Mostly straight, developing pitch. T1761, 1645 average rpm.
Diego Herrera, Huntley (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-9, 155-pounds.
Delivery: Moves athletically downhill, delivery has torque to it.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T80, 78-80 mph. Late, cutting action. T1967, 1857 average rpm.
CB: 63-64 mph. 12/6 shape, feel for the bottom of the zone. T1589, 1417 average rpm.
SL: 63-68 mph. Varying breaks, flashes sharp action at times. T1777, 1678 average rpm.
Ethan Hibicke, Sussex Hamilton (WI), 2025
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-1, 175-pounds. Athletic build with projection.
Delivery: Athletic, tall and fall delivery.
Arm Action: RH. Loose, quick arm action, H3/4 slot.
FB: T80, 78-80 mph. Feel for the zone, plays up. T1944, 1848 average rpm.
CB: 64-65 mph. Downward action, 11/5 shape. T1891, 1876 average rpm.
SL: 66-68 mph. Inconsistent shape, developing pitch. T1703, 1666 average rpm.
CH: 70-71 mph. Plays down at the bottom of the zone, downer action at times. T1797, 1741 average rpm.
Mathieu Jadrych, Hammond Bishop Noll Institute (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-7, 170-pounds.
Delivery: Medium leg lift, drop and drive delivery.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, over the top slot.
FB: T72, 70-71 mph. Plays down at the bottom of the zone. T1589, 1469 average rpm.
CB: 60-62 mph. 11/5 shape, has feel for the strike zone, best of the off-speed offerings. T1485, 1454 average rpm.
SL: 61-63 mph. Plays more vertically, down in the zone. T1553, 1497 average rpm.
CH: 64-66 mph. Similar profile to the fastball, developing pitch. T1461, 1405 average rpm.
Darren Law, Oak Park-River Forest (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 6-0, 140-pounds. Long-levered, projectable build.
Delivery: Stretch-only, tall and fall delivery.
Arm Action: RH. Full arm circle, loose arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T78, 76-78 mph. Flashes cutting-action and feel for the zone. T2020, 1860 average rpm.
CB: 62-64 mph. 12/6 shape, high spin pitch. T2641, 2582 average rpm.
SL: 63-63 mph. 10/4 shape, high spin, has feel for the zone. T2517, 2485 average rpm.
Thomas Mitchell, Loyola Academy (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-0, 165-pounds.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, lands on-line at footstrike.
Arm Action: RH. Whippy, quick arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T77, 75-77 mph. Rides up through the zone. T1997, 1949 average rpm.
CB: 68-69 mph. 11/5 shape, stays down in the zone, the better of the breaking pitches. T2041, 1963 average rpm.
SL: 67-69 mph. 11/5 shape, similar profile to the curveball, developing pitch. T2022, 1965 average rpm.
Mason Monce, Wheaton Warrenville South (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-1, 195-pounds.
Delivery: Athletic, side-saddle delivery.
Arm Action: RH. Over the top slot, quick arm action.
FB: T82, 79-82 mph. Favors the 2-seam: heavy ASR, the better of the fastballs. T1949, 1808 average rpm.
SL: 71-73 mph. Gradual break, plays vertically. T1918, 1840 average rpm.
CH: 75-76 mph. Downer action, heavy ASR, best of the offspeed. T1611, 1522 average rpm.
Owen Novak, Lincoln-Way Central (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-2, 185-pounds.
Delivery: Hybrid delivery, works downhill.
Arm Action: RH. Short, quick arm action, has whip to it.
FB: T83, 81-83 mph. Armside run, has ride up and through the zone. T2212, 2145 average rpm.
SL: 68-71 mph. Gradual break, has feel for the zone. T2207, 2138 average rpm.
CH: 72-74 mph. Downer action, fades heavily arm-side, best of the off-speed. T1647, 1628 average rpm.
Weston Spreng, Sussex Hamilton (WI), 2025
Positional Profile: 2B/RHP
Body: 6-1, 160-pounds. Long, athletic build with plenty of room for continued physical development.
Delivery: Side-saddle, drop and drive delivery.
Arm Action: RH. Loose arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T73, 72-73 mph. Plays down in the zone, has some sink. T1822, 1761 average rpm.
CB: 63-64 mph. 11/5 shape, flashes feel for the zone. T2150, 2046 average rpm.
CH: 67-69 mph. Fades armside, has some feel for the zone. T1727, 1650 average rpm.
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