IL/WI Underclass Games: Top Overall Prospects
October 23, 2020
Illinois & Wisconsin Scouting Staff
On July 21, the PBR Wisconsin and PBR Illinois staffs teamed up to host this annual invite-only showcase for both states’ up-and-coming sophomores: Underclass Games. This year, the top 2023s from the two states met at Ozinga Field in Crestwood, Ill., to participate in a showcase workout and simulated gameplay.
We previously published highlights from the day inside our Takeaways post. This week, we began to break down this event, position by position, from the event’s catchers, outfielders, infielders, and pitchers – and now we’re concluding our analysis of this high-profile event by ranking the top overall prospects who participated.
TOP OVERALL PROSPECTS
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Ryan Jefferson SS / Providence Catholic, IL / 2023
Positional Profile: SS. One of the top middle infield prospects in the Midwest.
Body: 5-10, 145-pounds. Loose-bodied, wiry athletic frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, athletic setup, comfortable and relaxed in the box. Smooth load, hanging leg-lift timing trigger. Loose, athletic hands, quick whippy bat speed. Bat stays through the zone a long time, covers both sides of the plate and sprays line drives to all fields. Highly-advanced bat-to-ball skills. Went 2-for-2 with two line-drives and a stolen base during game play.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Sneaky bat strength. Max exit velocity of 94.0 mph during BP, via TrackMan.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Short arm action, plays athletic from multiple slots. Accurate across the diamond.
Defense: Bouncy defender, fluid footwork, easy range, advanced body control and playability on the move. Ranged both sides with extreme comfort and confidence. Made multiple sliding plays deep into the six-hole. Soft, confident hands, present internal clock, quick release. High-level middle infield defender.
Run: 6.99 runner in the 60.
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Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-2, 230-pounds. Physically imposing frame, clear strength in the lower half and throughout.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, rhythmic hand movement pre-pitch, smooth load into a strong hitting position, fluid leg kick trigger. Electric bat speed with brute hand/wrist strength to pair; max bat speed of 82.00 mph with a 74.97 mph average, per Blast Motion. Short and uphill bat path, easy gap-to-gap power, ball sounds different off the barrel.
Power: 94 mph exit velocity from the tee. Max exit speed of 103.33 mph in BP, per TrackMan, with an average exit speed of 91.01 mph and max fly ball distance of 381 feet. One of the Midwest's top power hitters, high offensive upside.
Arm: RH. OF - 81 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Attacks the baseball, steady hands with a clean exchange pre-release. Corner outfield profile.
Run: 6.57 runner in the 60. Highly-advanced athleticism and foot speed for someone of his stature.
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Ryan Bakes C / Huntley, IL / 2023
Positional Profile: C/OF; Emerged this summer as one of the top uncommitted 2023s in the Midwest.
Body: 5-9, 181-pounds. Barrel-chested, muscle-bound frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, quiet setup, minimal wasted movement and short stride. Simple strong swing, fast bat, creates electric bat speed at times. Short and direct to the ball, highly-repeated, connected swing present pull-side power. Hit a towering homerun down the left-field line during game play.
Power: 92 mph exit velocity from the tee. Max exit velocity of 101.21 mph and max distance of 397' during BP, via TrackMan.
Arm: RH. C - 80 mph. Short, quick arm action, over-the-top slot. Throws have life, play true and consistently around the bag.
Defense: 1.92-2.00 pop times. Quick glove-to-hand release, maintains body control, natural catcher actions. Soft, sound block, plays with bounce behind the plate.
Run: 6.93 runner in the 60. Advanced runner for age and position.
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