On Aug. 25, the PBR Illinois team visited Triton College in River Grove, Ill., to host its annual Chicagoland Open showcase – a late summer event that perennially produces high-level prospects to continue to follow.

Today, we’re continuing our position-by-position analysis with the day’s pitchers, after detailing the day’s catchers, outfielders, and infielders earlier in the week.

There were a high number of noteworthy arms, enough that we decided to dish out a top-10 below, starting with Nazareth’s RHP Ryan Smith (2021), a high-level athlete who has a loose and live arm, which helped him produce fastballs in the 84-85 mph range, all with a solid feel for offspeed. The 10 ranked names below are primarily juniors, but there is also a sophomore from Notre Dame College Prep to circle and follow.

For reports on all of the pitchers who took the mound at the Chicagoland Open, continue on below.

TOP PROSPECTS

1. Ryan Smith, Nazareth Academy, 2021
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-foot-1, 165-pounds. Long lanky frame, projects well.
Delivery: Loose lively delivery, long levers creates whip action, big leg lift into squared landing, high front side.
Arm Action: RH. Long loose arm action, whippy arm creates arm speed.
FB: T85, 84-85 mph. Fastball plays mostly straight, showed life.
CB: 66-69 mph. Gradual action, near fastball arm speed, 11/5 shape and dropped for strikes.
CH: 69-72 mph. Sink action, played down in the zone.

2. DJ Morand, Loyola Academy, 2021
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-foot-1, 175-pounds.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, regular effort, works towards open side, finishes first base side.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, loose out of high 3/4 slot.
FB: T85, 84-85 mph. Played with run to arm side, control of the zone.
CB: 68-70 mph. 11/5 shape, showed sharp action, near fastball arm speed.
CH: 71-74 mph. Near fastball arm speed, fade action to arm side.

3. Zach Martinie, St. Joseph Ogden, 2021
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-foot-2, 193-pounds. Large frame and build, sturdy.
Delivery: Full windup delivery, tall and fall type with regular effort, lands square, closed toe, front side stays closed.
Arm Action: RH. Loose arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T83, 81-83 mph. Produces above averag run and sink to arm side, hard action at times with feel for the zone.
CB: 66-68 mph. 11/5 shape, occasional deceleration, showed different shape than slider.
SL: 67-69 mph. Best secondary offering, 10/4 plane, tighter spin.

4. Mason Sweeney, Fishers (IN), 2021
Positional Profile: 
Body: 6-foot-1, 180-pounds. Athletic frame.
Delivery: Repeatable athletic delivery, works in rhythm, on line direction and lands square.
Arm Action: . Long and loose arm action, quick arm out of a high 3/4 slot.
FB: T83, 81-83 mph. Mixed four seam and two seam, two seam showed arm side run, controlled the zone.
CB: 69-71 mph. Sharp action, worked bottom of the zone with control.

5. Michael Moise, Huntley, 2021
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 160-pounds.
Delivery: Drop and drive delivery, works with some effort, works with direction, lands square, level shoulders thoruhout.
Arm Action: RH. High 3/4 slot, above avergae arm speed.
FB: T82, 80-82 mph. Plays with arm side run, showed feel for the strike zone, ability to work bottom of the zone.
CB: 65-66 mph. Dropped for strikes with fastball similar arm speed, 11/5 shape.
CH: 70-71 mph. Showed feel for zone, sink and arm side run, near fastball arm speed.

6. Ethan Pequette, Manteno, 2021
Positional Profile: LHP
Body: 5-foot-9, 155-pounds.
Delivery: Athletic delivery, repeatable and on line, lands open.
Arm Action: LH. Long arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T82, 81-82 mph. Mostly straight, played at bottom of the zone.
CB: 68-70 mph. 11/5 shape with late action, fastball arm speed.
CH: 74-77 mph. Firm changeup with fastball arm speed, above average action to arm side.

7. Christopher Bieniek, Notre Dame College Prep, 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-foot-1, 155-pounds. Long lanky frame.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, works with regular effort, delivery stays on line and level shoulders.
Arm Action: RH. High 3/4 slot, plays long and loose.
FB: T80, 76-80 mph. Slight arm side run.
CB: 63-65 mph. 11/5 shape, flashed late downer action.
CH: 72-72 mph. Straight change, near fastball arm speed.

8. Jacob Griffin, Riverdale, 2021
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-foot, 150-pounds. Lanky frame, thin build.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, lands square, in rhythm, lands square.
Arm Action: RH. Loose arm action, showed above average arm speed, quick out of a 3/4 slot.
FB: T83, 82-83 mph. Straight, late action through the zone, showed feel for strike zone.
SL: 67-69 mph. Sweeping action, 10/4 shape.

9. Dane McDonald, Stagg, 2021
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 170-pounds. Solid, strong build.
Delivery: Stretch only delivery, drop and drive type.
Arm Action: RH. High 3/4 slot, full circle path.
FB: T82, 81-82 mph. Straight four seam type, showed feel for the zone.
CB: 62-63 mph. 11/5 shape, gradual action.
KN: 67-67 mph. Slight flutter action.

10. Sam Arnold, Maine West, 2020
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-foot-2, 165-pounds.
Delivery: High front side, turns into balance point and swings into landing, finishes first base side.
Arm Action: RH. Shorter draw, over the top slot.
FB: T83, 80-81 mph. Straight four seam fastball, slight arm side action at times, showed feel and control.
CB: 65-67 mph. 12/6 shape with depth, above average action, ability to drop for strikes.
CH: 71-72 mph. Sink and fade action, near fastball arm speed.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Peyton Burgh, Prospect, 2022
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 160-pounds. Lean athletic frame.
Delivery: Stays tall through delivery, upright through finish. Wide toe lift into direct landing.
Arm Action: RH. Long path, works out of high 3/4 slot.
FB: T75, 74-75 mph. Mostly straight, four seam type.
CB: 58-62 mph. 11/5 shape, played down in the zone.
CH: 59-63 mph. Straight change, slight arm decel with some feel for the strike zone.

Erik Carlson, Oak Park River Forest, 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 5-foot-7, 125-pounds.
Delivery: Drop and drive delivery, side rocker step into medium lift.
Arm Action: RH. Full arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T78, 77-78 mph. Runs to arm side, occasional late action.
CB: 60-64 mph. 10/4 shape, gradual action, near fastball arm speed, showed control.
CH: 69-70 mph. Near fastball arm speed, works with arm side run, showed control.

James (JAC) Cholke, St. Rita, 2022
Positional Profile: 1B/LHP
Body: 6-foot-3, 180-pounds.
Delivery: Slight drop and drive style delivery, with some effort, lands square.
Arm Action: LH. Works out of a high 3/4 slot, short arm action.
FB: T73, 69-73 mph. Mostly straight, showed control of the zone.
CB: 64-65 mph. 11/5 shape, gradual action, near fastball arm speed and played down in the zone.
CH: 68-70 mph. Straight change worked bottom of the zone, fastball similar arm action.

Jack Cosich, Lincoln-Way East, 2023
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-foot-7, 130-pounds. Lean lanky frame, projects.
Delivery: Delivery works rotational and upright, lands square, closed toe.
Arm Action: RH. High draw, works to 3/4 slot.
FB: T69, 66-68 mph. Showed control, worked down in the zone.
CB: 54-55 mph. 11/5 shape, early gradual action.
CH: 56-61 mph. Some sinking action, slight decelerated arm action.

Santino Domingo, York, 2020
Positional Profile: LHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 160-pounds.
Delivery: Stretch only delivery, works uptempo, on line, slide steps to target.
Arm Action: LH. High 3/4 slot, short arm action.
FB: T75, 72-75 mph. Slight arm side run, played down in the zone.
CB: 67-67 mph. 11/5 shape.
CH: 65-67 mph. Showed feel for strike zone, arm side action with near fastball arm speed.

Jimmy Fedinec, Benet Academy, 2021
Positional Profile: LHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 155-pounds.
Delivery: Tilt and topple delivery, lands with closed toe on open direction, regular effort.
Arm Action: LH. High 3/4 slot.
FB: T70, 68-70 mph. Straight four seam fastball, showed ability to throw for strikes.
CB: 62-63 mph. Gradual action on 11/5 plane.
CH: 59-65 mph. Sinking action, worked down at the bottom of the zone.

Carlos Garcia Jr., Lake View, 2024
Positional Profile: 2B/RHP
Body: 5-foot, 118-pounds.
Delivery: Tall upright delivery, lands square, with direction to target.
Arm Action: RH. High 3/4 slot, long and loose.
FB: T61, 57-59 mph. Some sink, showed control of hte zone.
CB: 48-51 mph. 11/5 shape, gradual action.
CH: 55-56 mph. Near fastball arm speed, sinking action.
KN: 49-49 mph. 

Malachi Gonzalez, Lakeview, 2024
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-foot-5, 125-pounds.
Delivery: Drop and drive delivery, upright finish, regular effort.
Arm Action: RH. Low 3/4 slot, short draw.
FB: T65, 60-63 mph. Mostly straight slight sinking action.
CB: 46-51 mph. Slight action.

Dru Jasnoch, Warren Township, 2020
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-foot-0, 160-pounds.
Delivery: Stretch only delivery, submarine style, tucks into low balance point, lands square and rotate around front side, athletic finish.
Arm Action: RH. Submarine slot, sligltly below side arm, loose arm.
FB: T75, 73-75 mph. Sinking action, down in the zone, late action at times, showed feel for strike zone.
SL: 66-68 mph. Sweeping action across the plate, showed feel for the pitch.
CH: 65-67 mph. Arm side fade.

Angel Jimenez, Disney II Magnet, 2024
Positional Profile: C/RHP Advanced two-way player at his age. Strong follow in the class.
Body: 5-foot-6, 138-pounds.
Delivery: Simple delivery, medium lift, quiet landing, low effort and remains tall throughout.
Arm Action: RH. Easy effort arm, long action and loose out front, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T76, 74-76 mph. Mostly straight, four seam type, heavy at times, showed feel for strike zone.
SL: 60-63 mph. 11/5 shape, gradual action and thrown with fastball comparable arm speed.
CH: 67-67 mph. Near fastball arm speed, straight change.
KN: 60-60 mph. 

LeRoy Jordan, Plainfield Central, 2021
Positional Profile: 1B/LHP
Body: 6-foot-1, 145-pounds. Lanky frame with thin build.
Delivery: Side rocker step into medium balance point, slight drop and drive style into heel/toe landing, finishes slightly to third base side.
Arm Action: LH. Long arm path, works out of high 3/4 slot.
FB: T72, 69-70 mph. Fastball plays straight, occasional slight arm side run.
CB: 53-54 mph. Gradual action on 11/5 plane, ability to throw for strikes.
CH: 65-67 mph. Straight change with fastball similar arm action.
CUT: 66-66 mph. Mostly straight with occasional cut.

Kendall Lyons, Warren, 2022
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 170-pounds.
Delivery: Works with slight effort, athletic balance point, lands square down the mound.
Arm Action: RH. 3/4 slot, loose arm action and flashed arm speed.
FB: T76, 73-75 mph. Straight with occasional sink.
SL: 63-65 mph. 11/5 shape, sweeping type action, fastball arm speed.
CH: 65-68 mph. Fastball arm speed, runs to arm side and played down in the zone.

Morgan McFarlane, St. Laurence, 2021
Positional Profile: LHP
Body: 6-foot-2, 165-pounds.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, slightly rotational, turns into balance point, open toe landing.
Arm Action: . Loose arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T76, 74-76 mph. Slight run to arm side, control of the zone.
CB: 62-64 mph. 10/4 shape, short action, dropped for strikes.
CH: 65-67 mph. Near fastball arm speed, straight change, down in the zone.

Alex Mills, Romeoville, 2021
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-foot-0, 135-pounds. Thin, slender build.
Delivery: Sets hands high, side step into tall abalnce point, lets front side fall down the hill into squared landing.
Arm Action: RH. Long path, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T74, 72-73 mph. Mostly straight, four seam fastball, showed control.
CB: 62-64 mph. 12/6 shape to breaking ball, gradual action.
CH: 68-70 mph. Above average feel, mostly straight change with occasional sink action.

James Murphy, Marist, 2022
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-foot-6, 130-pounds.
Delivery: Delivery works directional to target, lands firm and square.
Arm Action: RH. Shorter draw, loose out front, 3/4 slot.
FB: T70, 67-68 mph. Straight action, four seam type.
CB: 59-60 mph. 11/5 shape.
CH: 63-64 mph. Near fastball arm speed, showed arm side run.

Ryan O'Toole, Warren, 2022
Positional Profile: INF/RHP
Body: 5-foot-9, 137-pounds. Athletic frame.
Delivery: Works directionally through the middle of the rubber, lands square and works online.
Arm Action: RH. High 3/4 slot, short action.
FB: T71, 68-71 mph. Showed control of the zone, cuts at times.
CB: 55-58 mph. 11/5 shape, back up action at times.
CH: 59-60 mph. Near fastball arm speed, straight change, showed control of the zone.

Trey Schilling, Lincoln, 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-foot-8, 150-pounds. Lean frame, slender and athletic.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, low effort, smooth and in rhythm, works on line, lands square.
Arm Action: RH. High 3/4 slot, full arm action.
FB: T66, 65-66 mph. Straight four seam with feel for strike zone.
CB: 50-52 mph. 11/5 shape, gradual action.
CH: 55-58 mph. Ability to throw for strikes, near fastball arm speed, showed sink action.

Gavin Sitarz, St. Charles East, 2022
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 5-foot-11, 145-pounds.
Delivery: Repeatable delivery, lands square and works online.
Arm Action: LH. High 3/4 slot, short arm action.
FB: T78, 75-77 mph. Sink action, played down in the zone.
CB: 63-66 mph. 11/5 shape, early action, played down in the zone.
CH: 68-69 mph. Straight change, slight cut action, near fastball arm speed.

Nicholas Smith, Taft, 2021
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-foot, 160-pounds.
Delivery: Simple delivery works directional, stays on line with good balance.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, works out of a high 3/4 slot, quick arm.
FB: T82, 79-82 mph. Worked well to glove side, slight cut action, showed control.
SL: 61-61 mph. 11/5 shape, gradual arm action.
CH: 65-68 mph. Slight arm deceleration, showed slight sink.

CJ Weik, Mundelein, 2022
Positional Profile: INF/RHP
Body: 6-foot, 175-pounds.
Delivery: Methodical, tall and fall delivery, gets tall into balance point, stride leg works down and out to squared landing.
Arm Action: RH. Full circle arm action out of 3/4 slot.
FB: T75, 74-75 mph. Mostly straight, occasional slight action, showed ability to control the zone.
CB: 56-60 mph. 11/5 shape, slight deceleration, backup action at times.
CH: 68-70 mph. Straight change, near fastball arm speed, showed control.

Jalen Williams, Joliet West, 2021
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 5-foot-10, 147-pounds. Long lean frame.
Delivery: Deliberate delivery, works online, aggressive through landing.
Arm Action: RH. Lengthy arm action, loose and lively, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T79, 78-79 mph. Straight four seam type, slight arm side action.
CB: 66-67 mph. 11/5 shape, dropped for strikes, near fastball arm speed.
CH: 66-71 mph. Near fastball arm speed, straight change.

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