By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The Chicagoland Open took place on Sunday, August 20 at Triton College in River Grove, IL. Prospects from all classes participated in a pro-style workout in front on the PBR Scouting Staff. Today, we finish the position analysis from the event with a look at the pitcher's from the event. 

Top Pitching Prospects

1. Nick Bonk, OF/RHP, Stevenson, 2018
6-foot-6, 205-pound, strong lower and upper halves, athletically-built, two-way prospect, projectable frame. Offensively, right-handed hitter, wide, crouching setup, pre-pitch load, long stride. Easy swing, long, uphill barrel path, generates bat speed, ball jumps off bat, fluid rhythm, 84 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.18 60. Defensively, long arm action, low ¾ slot, manages to stay on top of the ball, accurate on some with carry, 83 mph from the outfield. Plays through the ball, fluid footwork and clean exchanges. On the mound, high ¾ arm slot, short, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands square, finishes athletically. Fastball, run action, 85-86 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, short break, 71-73. Changeup, fastball arm speed, 76-79.

2. Trey Korbel, RHP, Lincoln-Way Central, 2018
6-foot-1, 187-pound right-handed pitcher with a solid frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a closed landing and regular effort. Fastball was firm at 80-83 mph down in the zone for strikes. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 65-67 mph. Changeup has fading action at 73-75 mph.

3. Graham Radabaugh, OF/RHP, Geneva, 2019
6-foot-3, 180-pound, strong, athletic two-way player, projectable frame. Defensively, right-handed, short arm action, over-the-top slot, accurate with carry, 87 mph from the outfield. Offensively, tall setup, toe-tap stride, power approach, uphill barrel path, 89 mph exit velocity. Ran a 6.86 60. On the mound, short, quick arm action, high ¾ slot, some effort, works on-line. Fastball, tilt, late life, 85-88 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, near fastball arm speed, 66-72 mph. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, 76-78 mph.

4. Michael Patterson, INF/RHP, Prairie Ridge, 2019
5-foot-9, 155-pound, lean, two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced, open setup, leg-lift trigger and good balance through contact. Fluid rhythm, level bat path through the zone, line-drive approach and flashed bat speed. Made a lot of hard contact and hits the ball where it is pitched. 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, his arm stood out on the infield. Work short and quick from a high ¾ slot. Ball jumps out of his hand, carries across the diamond and throws were accurate, clocked at 85 mph. Steady hands, tendency to play the ball deep into body and quick footwork. Ran a 7.67 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, showed feel for three pitches. Smooth rhythm, quick arm from a high ¾ slot. Fastball jumps out of his hand, flashes late life, arm-side action at times, 81-82 mph, topped at 83. Changeup looks to be his best secondary offering; thrown aggressively, good feel, arm-side-run, sat at 74 mph. Curveball 12/6, 11/5 shape, sharp action, 65 mph.  

5. Benjamin Maxey, LHP, North Boone, 2018
6-foot-3, 165-pound lanky left-handed pitcher. Works from a ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Works exclusively out of the stretch. Tall and fall delivery, high leg kick with a closed landing. Fastball has running action at 81-83 mph, consistently works up in the zone. Slider has tight sweeping action with sharp break at 72-76 mph. Curveball sat 66-69 mph. High ceiling with a plus frame, will improve with better command. 

5. Dan Balzhiser, LHP, Plainfield East, 2018
6-foot, 175-pound left-handed pitcher. Works from a side arm angle with a long, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery, square landing, works in line with home plate. Upright finish with a lot of effort in release. Fastball shows running action at 81-84 mph. SLider has sweeping action at 65-70 mph. Changeup has running action at 72-74 mph.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Mitchell Bahnaman, INF/RHP, Providence Catholic, 2020
6-foot-1, 175-pound, two-way player. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, back load, short stride, uphill barrel path through the zone, 78 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.95 60. Defensively, long arm action, high ¾ arm slot, accurate on some, 72 mph across the infield. On the mound, long arm action, high ¾ arm slot, tall and fall delivery, works on-line. Fastball, flashed run and cut at-times, 74-76 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, gradual break, 57-61. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, flashed sink and fade, 68-71.

Ryan Blunt, 3B/RHP, Hononegah, 2019
5-foot-8, 200-pound, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Offensively, balanced setup, back load, long stride, long, uphill barrel path, 86 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.63 60. Defensively, long arm action, over-the-top slot, accurate on some, 76 mph across the infield. On the mound, short arm action, over-the-top slot, tall and fall delivery, works on-line. Fastball, mostly straight, 76-77 mph, topped out at 78. Curveball, shape varied between 11/5 and 12/6, gradual break, 63-66. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, down in the zone, 71-72.

Nathan Boyer, LHP, Oak Park-River Forest, 2019
6-foot-1, 175-pound left-handed pitcher with a lanky frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short draw out of the glove. Drop and drive delivery with some effort in release. Square landing, works in line with home plate. Fastball was straight at 75-77 mph. Curveball worked up in the zone with loose rotation at 62-64 mph. Changeup sat 66-69 mph.

Jack Claus, INF/RHP, Wheaton North, 2019
5-foot-7, 155-pound, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ arm slot, accurate, 68 mph across the infield. Fluid footwork, clean exchanges, maintains body control. Offensively, balanced setup, long stride, long, uphill barrel path, pull approach, 81 mph exit velocity. On the mound, short arm action, ¾ arm slot, easy effort. Tall and fall delivery, lands square, cross body some. Fastball, mostly straight, sat 69-71, topping out at 74 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, gradual break, 60-62. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, 64-66.

Tyler Devereux, RHP, Plainfield South, 2019
6-foot-2, 160-pound right-handed pitcher with a lanky frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, loose arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a short stride, works in line with home plate. Fastball has running action at 72-75 mph. Curveball has 12-6 shape with gradual action at 62-65 mph. Changeup worked 68-69 mph for strikes.

Patrick Dosen, INF/RHP, Wheaton, 2019
5-foot-8, 140-pound, two-way prospect. Ran a 7.18 laser-timed 60. At the plate, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, deep pre-pitch load, leg-lift timing trigger, and average balance through contact. Long, uphill bat path, gap-to-gap approach and fluid rhythm throughout. 77 mph exit velocity. Defensively, on the infield, steady hands, showed range to the glove side, maintained body control on the move, clean exchange. Accurate arm, throws out of a high ¾ window, clocked at 70 mph. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, works quick, tall and fall delivery, lands closed and finishes upright. Short arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 75-76 mph, touching 77. Curveball, feel,l works 11/5, gradual break, 62-66 mph. Changeup, arm-side-run, 60-62 mph.

Ethan Elazegui, RHP, Carmel Catholic, 2018
6-foot-3, 175-pound right-handed pitcher with a thin, lanky frame. Works from an over the top arm angle with a short arm action. Works exclusively out of the stretch. Tall and fall delivery with a deceptive hitch at balance point. Slider cutter/curveball combo. Fastball has late cutting action at 73-75 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 62-63 mph. Also featured a changeup that has curveball like action with similar velocity at 61-63 mph.

Jesus Fernandez, INF/RHP, Holy Trinity, 2018
6-foot-2, 185-pound, athletically built, wide-shouldered, two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, bar load, early short stride and maintains good balance. Long bat path through the hitting zone, gap-to-gap approach and 88 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, soft hands, funnels into body at times and clean exchange. Short, loose, quick arm action, ¾ slot, accurate throws, carry across the diamond at 82 mph exit velocity. 7.07 runner in the 60, laser-timed. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, tall and fall delivery, works across his body, lands closed. Clean arm action from a ¾ slot. Fastball, sat 79-82 mph. Changeup, flashed feel, maintains arm speed, fade action, 69-73 mph. Also, threw a curveball and slider. Slider thrown with conviction, short break, 73-76 mph. Curveball sat 65-68 mph.

Frank Kalemba, INF/RHP, Jones College Prep, 2019
6-foot, 165-pound, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Offensively, tall setup, short stride, maintains balance, level barrel path, 75 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.34 60. Defensively, long, firm arm action, over-the-top slot, accurate, 70 mph across the infield. On the mound, short, firm arm action, high ¾ arm slot, tall and fall delivery. Fastball, flashed run, kept around the zone, 71-74 mph. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, 67-69. Splitter, flashed tumble, 66-68.

Ben Lane Korn, RHP/C, British International School, 2018
6-foot-2, 177-pound right-handed hitting RHP/C. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a long arm action, shows the ball out of glove. Tall and fall delivery with a closed landing. Fastball has running and sinking action, occasionally heavy at 75-78 mph. Slider has sweeping action at 63-65 mph. Splitter worked 68-70 mph. Offensively hits from a wide base, Short leg lift stride. Pull hitter with early rhythm. 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.66.

Robert Morand, LHP, St. Ignatius, 2018
5-foot-10, 150-pound left-handed pitcher. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a short arm action. Drop and drive delivery, jumps towards the plate. Open landing with a recoil finish. Fastball was straight at 76-77 topping out at 79 mph. Curveball has 12-6 shape with gradual action at 61 mph. Changeup was straight at 66-68 mph. Also threw a slider at 63-65 mph.

Nico Natali, INF, Bartlett, 2018
6-foot, 172-pound, athletically built, well-proportioned two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, pre-pitch bat waggle, loads, short stride and average balance. Long, uphill bat path and flashed strength through contact; 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, at first base, clean transfer, short arm action from a high ¾ slot, clocked at 74 mph. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, tall and fall delivery, stays on-line. Arm works long and out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball works mostly straight 73-74 mph. Curveball, short-breaking action, 11/5, 12/6 shape, ranged between 61-66 mph. Changeup, feel, thrown for strikes, fade action, 65-67 mph.

Tim Okonek, 1B/RHP, Fremd, 2019
6-foot-1, 185-pound, lanky, athletic, two-way prospect. Defensively, right-handed, long arm action, over-the-top slot, accurate with some carry, 72 mph across the infield. Fields position athletically, fluid footwork, clean exchanges. Offensively, wide, balanced setup, short stride, long, uphill barrel path, 82 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.48 60. On the mound, high ¾ arm slot, short, firm arm action, tall and fall delivery. Fastball, mostly straight, down in the zone, 72-75 mph, topped out at 77. Curveball, 12/6 shape, gradual break, near fastball arm speed, 60-62 mph. Changeup, flashed fade, 66-72.

Luke Olbrot, INF/RHP, Morris, 2019
5-foot-6, 160-pound, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Offensively, balanced setup, long stride, maintains balance, uphill barrel path, pull approach, 79 mph exit velocity. Ran an 8.04 60. Defensively, long arm action, high ¾ arm slot, quick exchanges, 71 mph across the infield. On the mound, long arm action, high ¾ arm slot, easy effort. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands square. Fastball, flashed run, commanded, 75-76 mph, touching 77. Slider, tight action, 10/4 shape, 66 mph. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, fade action, commanded, 62-64. Curveball, 11/5 shape, early break, 60-62.      

Jazzmine Rivera, INF/RHP, Horizon Science, 2018
5-foot-4, 164-pound, two-way prospect. Offensively, switch-hitter, looks more comfortable from the right side. Open setup, short, leg-kick trigger and average balance. Long bat path and registered a 65 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, on the infield, arm works out of a high ¾ slot and throws clocked at 62 mph. 10.50 runner in the 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, tall and fall delivery, stays on-line and finishes upright. Short, over-the-top arm action. Fastball, cutting action, sat 63-65 mph, touching 66. Threw a curveball and a slider, similar action. Slider sat 55-57 mph and curveball ranged between 52-57 mph.

Sean Sodaro, RHP, Maine South, 2019
6-foot-1, 160-pound right-handed pitcher. Works from a ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall delivery with regular effort. Long stride, square landing, works in line with home plate. Fastball sat 76-78 topping out at 79 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 69-70 mph. Maintains arm speed on changeup at 74-75 mph down in the zone for strikes.

Luke Wheatley, OF/LHP, Naperville North, 2019
6-foot, 160-pound, lanky two-way player. Offensively, left-handed hitter, balanced, crouching setup, leg-kick timing trigger. Line drive approach, short barrel path, loose hands, generates bat speed, fluid rhythm, 78 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.26 60. Defensively, left-handed, firm arm action, over-the-top slot, accurate, plays through the ball, 76 mph from the outfield. On the mound, long, firm arm action, over-the-top slot, works on-line. Fastball, mostly straight, up in the zone, 73-75 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, gradual break, 59-60. Changeup, flashed fade, 67-70.

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