IHSA Playoff Scout Blog
June 26, 2023
The Illinois Scout Blog provides insider information and scouting notes from the PBR Scouting Staff during the season. This running blog will feature information on underclass prospects, unsigned seniors, draft prospects, and anything else that is notable. We will provide a wide range of information, including player evaluations, velocities, pop times, home to first times, and more. Simply put, the Illinois Scout Blog is loaded with information ...
Edwardsville vs Brother Rice - 6/10/23
By: Diego Solares
Area Scout, Illinois & Missouri
Alec Marchetto, RHP, Edwardsville, 2024
Uncommitted. 6-foot-2, 210 pound frame with strength, particularly in the lower half. High-intensity athlete on the mound, aggressive approach with feel for his two-pitch mix in this look. Delivery starts with a closed front leg lift that feeds into a short arm stroke, easy weight transfer, intentful down the mound and finishes out front through release. Fast arm with some whip, works out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball played with natural arm-side action, attacked hitters consistently, touching 89 mph in his first inning of work while pitching in the mid-to-upper-80s. Flashed depth to his curveball off an 11/5 plane, used it sparingly. Closed out the state championship game for Edwardsville, punching out five over three scoreless innings out of the ‘pen, walking none and allowing only a hit.
Jackson Natanek, MIF, Brother Rice, 2025
Athletic 5-foot-10, 172-pound frame with lean strength and room to fill out further. Represented Team Illinois at the PBR Future Games last summer and is currently the No. 25 overall prospect in the state’s 2025 class. Started at second base and hit in the two-hole for Brother Rice in this look. Heavy back leg load, active front half at the plate, hands are already set as the pitch is delivered. Path is short with quick hands and bat speed through the zone. Comfortable defensively, has advanced feel for himself on the dirt with steady glovework and athletic feet. Capable of providing positive production in multiple ways on the diamond; one of the top infielders in the state’s soon-to-be junior class.
Nazareth Academy vs Grayslake Central - 6/10/23
By: Todd Daugherty
PBR Staff
Cooper Malamazian, INF, Nazareth Academy, 2024
Indiana commit. Ranked 11th for the class in Illinois, 323rd nationally. Powerful, agile 6-foot-1, 175 pound build, coordinated movements. Malamazian showed prompt instincts all weekend both in the batter box as well as at shortstop. Fast hands with twitch, short to the baseball with barrel length through the zone, level plane. Advanced defender at a premium infield position. Cut off a throw to second base and nabbed a would-be run at home in the first inning. Nimble feet, comfortable on the move, maintains rhythm and covers ground confidently. Soft clean funnels, accurate across the infield with the arm strength to stick on the left side. Trending upward as a high-end 2024 prospect in Illinois.
Jaden Fauske, OF/C, Nazareth Academy, 2025
Louisville commit. Ranked 2nd in the Illinois class, 136th nationally. Proportionate 6-foot-2, 182 pound frame, defined upper and lower halves with noticeable strength. Started in the outfield and hit in the three-hole for the Roadrunners in the championship game. Quiet at the plate, carries himself confidently, really looks the part. Strong, fast left-handed bat that’s quick in a tight window. Hard on the barrel to all fields, tripled with authority in this look. Capable of playing multiple positions on the diamond - moves around to third base at times, also known for his actions and arm strength behind the dish. Enters the summer circuit as a major arrow-up name in the 2025 class nationally.
Effingham vs Sycamore - 6/10/23
By: Diego Solares
Area Scout, Illinois & Missouri
Josh McDevitt, RHP, Effingham, 2023
Missouri signee, currently slotted at No. 19 overall in the Illinois' 2023 rankings but is set to rise come next update. 6-foot-2, 195-pound frame with present strength and room to add more. Took the mound for Effingham in the third place contest against Sycamore and dominated - 8 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, BB, 14 K. Controlled and tempo'd mover, simple operation without much effort. Works onto his backside at leg lift, stays connected with the rubber and rotates onto his front foot at landing. In-line strider, finishes out front through release. Arm plays with some reach on the backside, finishes with arm speed out of a slightly elevated 3/4 window. Fastball played in the low-90s early, touching 92 mph, with life up in the zone, settled into the upper-80s as he went on. Turned to a sharp slider often, landing it for strikes and grabbing whiffs out of the zone to right-handed hitters, 77-80 mph. Faded a changeup to left-handed hitters, feel for the outer-quadrant, 81-83 mph. Finished his 2023 campaign with seven earned runs over 80 innings pitched and 140 strikeouts, earning a PBR First Team All-State selection.
Brother Rice vs New Trier - 6/9/23
By: Todd Daugherty
PBR Staff
Cole Van Assen, RHP, Brother Rice, 2023
Purdue signee, currently the No. 21 overall prospect in the Illinois’ 2023 class and is a PBR Future Games alum. 6-foot-3, 205 pound frame, long-limbed, rounded shoulders. Dominated for Brother Rice in this look, tossing a complete game shutout to put the Crusaders into the IHSA 4A state championship, punching out now and surrendering only two hits. Smooth and simple mover, strides short to the plate. Clear mound presence to him, confident. Long arm action, finishes out of a loose ¾ slot with arm speed out front. Van Assen showed a five-pitch mix. Fastball was mid-to-upper 80s and touched 90 mph multiple times. Cutter sat 84-86 mph, rapid movement to miss barrels. Slider showed exceptionally well, high 70s, touching 80 mph, sharp and consistent movement, thrown in all counts. Effective curveball at 74-76 mph with 11/5 movement. Change-up deceptive out of the hand, thrown mostly to lefties, 79-84 mph.