Illiana Preseason I.D.: Preview

Our second showcase of 2019, Illiana Preseason I.D., will be held on Monday, Jan. 21, at the Ho-Chunk Sports and Expo Center in Chicago Heights, Ill. The Ho-Chunk complex, also known as the Southland Center, is currently set to host over 45 prospects on Monday, but there is still time to register to attend.

Click HERE for a look at the current roster or click HERE to access registration information.

This event is aimed at high school prospects, ranging from 2019 to 2022 graduating classes, in both Illinois and Indiana. With PBR staff representing both states at the showcase, this event has helped talent within their respective states and classes secure opportunities to play at the next level.

Last year’s event featured some some high-end talent, players who have since committed to play at Division-I programs. Pierce Jones (Marian Catholic), a senior, is headed to play in DeKalb at Northern Illinois next fall and came away from last year’s event as the top-ranked prospect in attendance. Normal University’s Parker Mathieson also landed near the top of the event’s rankings and later locked in a commitment to play at Central Michigan.

Pierce Jones (1/15/18)

The group headed to this year’s showcase is equally intriguing. Junior OF/RHP Daniel Dombrowski (Providence Catholic) may be one of the more intriguing bats in attendance. At an event last winter, the 6-foot, 180-pound, right-handed hitter showcased loose, quick hands and made a lot of hard contact. Dombrowksi has upside on the mound as well but will not be pitching at the event.

Tavares Van Kuiken is another 2020 to keep an eye on this Monday. The left/left, 6-foot-2, 190-pound, two-way talent, was a key varsity contributor for Illiana Christian this past spring, despite only being a sophomore. The Illiana Preseason I.D. will be Van Kuiken's first appearance at a PBR event.

Another bat to pay attention to will be Buffalo Grove’s Tristan Figus. The sophomore shortstop has an athletic, projectable frame and impressed with his high-upside right-handed swing this past October. 

Dombrowski, Van Kuiken and Figus are just three names that scratch the surface ahead of the talent gathered for the showcase on Monday. There’s bound to be more names and follows coming out of Illiana Preseason I.D.

ITINERARY

• Position Player check-in time: 8:20 to 8:40 a.m.

  • Offensive Evaluations (exit velo, mechanical analysis, batting practice)

  • Defensive Evaluations (arm strength, mobility, positional reps)

• Pitchers Only check-in time: 11:00 to 11:15 a.m.

  • Bullpen Sessions (15-pitch session, mechanical analysis)

  • Catcher Evaluations (evaluating receiving/blocking)

• Catchers will stay for both sessions

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