Chicagoland Open: Preview
August 20, 2020
Since 2013, the PBR Illinois team has hosted this late summer staple to its showcase calendar: the Chicagoland Open, coming Sunday, Aug. 23, at Lee Pfund Stadium in Carol Stream. This event, now sold out, marks the last showcase of our summer circuit and has helped our staff gather some important intel headed into the fall as we begin to update our state’s class rankings.
For more information regarding the event, click here. For a look at the most up-to-date version of the event roster, click here.
The vast majority of the prospects headed to the showcase on Sunday are uncommitted, and many of those registered will be participating in their first-ever PBR showcase. However, one of the top names headed to the Chicagoland Open is a committed prospect we’re very familiar with: LHP Cory Ronan (Routt Catholic, 2021), who’s committed to Hawaii. The 6-foot-2, 170-pound southpaw has an excellent fastball that was up to 88-89 mph back in late July in front of our PBR Missouri colleagues in tournament action. He pairs it with a power curveball, too, which has him presently ranked as a top-25 player in the state’s 2021 class.
Cory Ronan (10/13/19)
Among the top-ranked uncommitted names headed our way Sunday is RHP Evan Eberle (Oak Park-River Forest, 2022). The incoming junior attended our Top Tier Scout Day event recently and was up to 85 mph there. He’s a 6-foot, 165-pound follow and he should be a 2022 name to know coming into the event. Classmate RHP Roger Simon (Loyola Academy, 2022) is listed at 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, and was also up to 85 mph in front of our staff, though that came back in February, so we’re eager for an updated look.
Uncommitted senior OF Ryan DiGrazia (Waubonsie Valley) is an impressive athlete, underscored by his sub-6.70 speed. He uses that skill well in the outfield, attacking baseballs, while swinging from a line-drive approach with a short right-handed bat.
One of the more interesting sophomores en route to Carol Stream is 3B/OF Gavin Parkerson (Armstrong, 2023). He has a wide range of tools, especially for his age, and we’ll see how they develop together. Parkerson has some twitch that produces some bat strength, he’s an above-average runner, and he offers some defensive versatility.
Gavin Parkerson (2/16/20)
And another 2023 follow to know ahead of time is SS Luke Perry (Mattoon). He swings a simple right-handed bat that projects well, and he moves well on the infield. Keep an eye on Perry this Sunday and beyond.
ITINERARY
Again, for a look at the event info, as well as registration information, click here. Position players will check-in as follows:
- Outfielder Check-in: 8:30 to 8:40 a.m.
- Infielder Check-in: 10:10 to 10:20 a.m.
- Catcher Check-in: 12:30 to 12:40 p.m.
- Pitcher-only Check-in: 1:45 p.m.
* Catchers will stay through the pitchers’ session.