On Aug. 22, the PBR Illinois team hosted the first event of its kind: the 2024 Top Prospect Games. In an attempt to gather the state’s best incoming freshmen in one place, the staff invited over 50 of Illinois’ rising Class of 2024 prospects to participate in the showcase.

We opened our analysis of this event by reporting on the day’s highlights inside of this Quick Hits post, published just a couple days following the showcase. Later that week, we examined the event’s measured data that we gathered inside this Statistical Analysis. We began the positional analysis of the event with a look at the catchers and outfielders, and we’re onto the infielders today.

A pair of Louisville-committed freshmen pace this gifted group of infielders: Cole Crafton (Lincoln-Way West) and Collin Mowry (Lincoln-Way Central). Crafton’s performance at this event was especially impressive, considering he was at or near the top of every statistical category that he participated in. He ran a 7.04 mark in the 60 in a 6-foot-2 frame, and his left-handed bat produced some of the top batted-ball data of any prospect in attendance. Mowry took the top spot on our catchers list on Tuesday, and his excellent athleticism translates on the infield, too. He swings a fast right-handed bat with some twitch and strength in it, and his all-around work at this event helped elevated Mowry into a high-follow category within Illinois’ freshman class.

Our staff has also been a witness to Jameson Martin (St. Laurence) and his productive summer and fall. Martin was an early summer standout after putting together a great weekend at The Rock as part of a PBR Wisconsin tournament, and he’s continued to impress in the time that’s passed since. 

Read the full scouting reports on the aforementioned names below, as well as the rest of the infielders from the event.

TOP MIDDLE INFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Cole Crafton, Lincoln-Way West (IL), 2024. Louisville commit.
Positional Profile: SS/3B; High-ceiling left-handed hitter with the ability to play all over the field.
Body: 6-2, 175-pounds. Highly-athletic frame. Lean, defined muscle. Room for added strength moving forward.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, tall setup, quiet load and short stride. Confident look in the box, athletic, loose hands, creates advanced bat speed. Level path, stays through the zone a long time, gap-to-gap approach and fluid rhythm throughout.
Power: 94 mph exit velocity from the tee. 95.82 mph max exit velocity, second-best at the event and max distance of 345', via TrackMan.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. Clean arm circle, high 3/4 slot and throws play with carry and accuracy across the infield.
Defense: Versatile athlete, can play all over the field. Took it on the infield at this event. Steady infield defender, gets around the baseball, fields out front, reliable hands and clean release.
Run: 7.04 runner in the 60. Long-strided runner.

2. Collin Mowry, Lincoln-Way Central (IL), 2024. Louisville commit.
Positional Profile: C/SS; One of the top 2024s we have seen to date.
Body: 5-10, 169-pounds. Athletic build; strength throughout his frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced quiet setup, hands load, short stride and stays on balance. Strong fast hands, creates advanced bat speed. Short uphill bat path, consistently on the barrel with authority and worked gap-to-gap.
Power: 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Was at the top of nearly every TrackMan category; Led the event in Max exit speed during BP; 96.05 mph (average of 89.83 mph). Also, led the way in longest average distance 282', almost 40 more feet than his nearest peer.
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph. INF - 85 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot and throws carried from behind the plate and across the infield.
Defense: Profiles as a C/3B. Showed equally as well at both but has a bright future behind the plate. Advanced actions, quick feet, highly-repeatable out of the crouch. Soft hands, strong wrists with the ability to stick pitches in and around the zone. Athletic defender on the infield, showed all the tools and actions to stick there if he so chooses.
Run: 7.20 runner in the 60. Above-average runner for age and position.

3. Jameson Martin, St. Laurence (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-9, 150-pounds. Lean frame with plenty of room for added strength.
Hit: SHH. Listed as a switch-hitter but only hit right-handed on this day. Balanced, slightly open setup, smooth load and short stride. Quiet swing, repeatable, athletic hands, bats stayed in the zone a long time and showed feel for the barrel. Line-drive approach, uses the whole field and consistently on time.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. 81.09 mph average exit velocity during BP, via TrackMan.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot. Throws played with carry and highly-accurate across the diamond.
Defense: Advanced infield defender for his age. Gets around the baseball, hands play from the ground up, out in front, soft and confident. Light on his feet, easy range, advanced double play feed. All the tools to stick at shortstop moving forward. Moves better than 60 time would indicate.
Run: 8.03 runner in the 60. 

4. James Novakovic, New Trier (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 6-0, 156-pounds. Athletic build.
Hit: LHH. Open, balanced setup, smooth load and short toe-tap stride. Fluid rhythm, loose, athletic hands, natural lift in swing and made a lot of hard lifted contact to the pull-side.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Max exit velocity of 88.56 with a max distance of 326' during BP, according to TrackMan. 69 mph of max bat speed, via Blast.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Short, loose arm action, accurate arm with the ability to throw from multiple slots.
Defense: Bouncy, actiony defender on the infield. Plays natural on the move, soft confident hands, body control and clean release. Advanced double play turn. Has the tools to stick at shortstop moving forward.
Run: 7.42 runner in the 60. 

T-5. David Cox, Nazareth Academy (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 6-2, 170-pounds. High-waisted, long-limbed, upside frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall, relaxed setup, smooth loading action and long stride. Loose athletic hands, whippy barrel through the zone, worked gap-to-gap. 
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. 23.61 mph average hand speed, second-best of the event and 75.40 mph max bat speed (third best), via Blast.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Loose, lively arm action plays easy from multiple slots and accurately across the diamond.
Defense: Fluid defender. Easy range and showed above-average body control for age. Soft hands, highly-athletic double play turn.
Run: 7.70 runner in the 60. 

T-5. Charlie Vercruysse, Normal University (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-1, 150-pounds. Highly-athletic, high-waisted frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, loads into backside and leg-kick timing trigger. Quick, strong hands, creates bat speed at times, short uphill path and gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. 91.07 mph max exit velocity and 326' max distance off the bat during BP, via TrackMan.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Short quick arm action, high 3/4 slot and throws flashed carry.
Defense: Steady defender, hands play out in front and in the center of his body. Sure-handed, plays through the baseball with length through release at times.
Run: 7.25 runner in the 60. Gets to top speed quickly. Clean straight line runner.

TOP CORNER INFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Savion Flowers, Kenwood Academy (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 3B/OF High-follow multi-positional 2024.
Body: 6-0, 154-pounds. Athletic, projectable build with plenty of room for continued physical development.
Hit: LHH. Balanced and comfortable look in the box. Smooth load, short stride and stays balanced through contact. Fluid rhythm, repeatable, short and direct to the ball, flashed bat speed, controls the barrel, hard contact and worked gap-to-gap.
Power: 74 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. OF - 78 mph. Clean, easy arm action plays from multiple slots on the infiel; natural high 3/4 slot in the outfield.
Defense: Showed equally as well on the infield and the outfield. Smooth, easy, athletic actions, steady hands and clean release.
Run: 7.57 runner in the 60. 

2. Cash Campbell, Montini Catholic (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-0, 185-pounds. Thick, wide-shouldered build.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, wide strong base, smooth load, short stride and maintains balance through contact. Fluid rhythm, strong hands, creat es leverage to the pull-side, big power potential in the bat.
Power: 92 mph exit velocity from the tee. 92.80 mph max exit velocity and 346' of max distance off the bat during BP, via TrackMan.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady defender, fields from the ground up, clean release with length to transfer at times.
Run: 7.91 runner in the 60. 

3. Joshua Janowski, Lincoln Way East (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-2, 195-pounds. Strong, wide-shouldered build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, fluid loading action and short toe-tap stride. Loose strong hands, stays flat through the zone and gets extension through contact at times.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. 71.60 mph max bat speed according to Blast. 90.85 mph max exit velocity during BP, via TrackMan.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot and throws flash carry across the infield.
Defense: Steady first base defender. Fields out in front, sure-handed and has a feel for the bag.
Run: 8.26 runner in the 60.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically) 

Benjamin Alvarez, Yorkville (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-0, 195-pounds. Extra-large, physical frame for his age.
Hit: RHH. Tall, quiet setup, pre-pitch load and short leg-lift timing trigger.  Swings with controlled aggression, strong hands and looks to elevate the baseball to the pull-side.
Power: 93 mph exit velocity from the tee. Above-average bat strength for age.
Arm: RH. INF - 74 mph. Long, easy arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Profiles as a corner infielder. Feet play through the baseball. Steady hands and clean release.
Run: 7.56 runner in the 60. 

Aidan Archibald, Charleston (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 1B
Body: 6-0, 220-pounds. Thick build with present strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, bat tip loading action and leg-kick timing trigger. Aggressive swing, attacks the baseball, advanced hand strength. Long path and pull-side approach.
Power: 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. 72.70 mph max bat speed according to Blast with a max exit velocity of 90.84 mph during BP, via TrackMan.
Arm: RH. INF - 70 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Secures the baseball, funnels through release at times. Active feet, showed bounce on the 3-6-3 double play.
Run: 8.51 runner in the 60. 

Henry Brummel, Pontiac Township (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 6-2, 165-pounds. Highly-advanced frame for his age. Loose long-limbs, high-waisted with plenty of room for continued physical development.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, slight pre-pitch load and small leg-kick timing trigger. Long levers, creates whip in swing at times, fluid rhythm and consistent pull-side gap contact.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Max distance off the bat in BP of 312', via TrackMan.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Clean, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot and throws played accurate across the infield.
Defense: Profiles at a corner infield spot. Smooth, steady infield defender, sure-handed and clean release.
Run: 7.55 runner in the 60. 

Matthew Cabrales, Fremd (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 5-10, 150-pounds. Athletic, lean build.
Hit: LHH. Tall, open setup, smooth load and short leg-lift trigger.  Simple approach, stays inside the baseball at times, short path, and hard line-drive contact.
Power: 75 mph exit velocity from the tee. 78% on plane efficiency according to Blast.
Arm: LH. INF - 65 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Fields in the center of his body, clean release.
Run: 7.81 runner in the 60. 

Conrad Charpentier, Routt (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 5-11, 147-pounds. Lean, high-waisted frame.
Hit: LHH. Tall narrow setup, long stride. Present levers in swing, easy effort, uphill bat path and looks to elevate the baseball to the pull side.
Power: 77 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. INF - 67 mph. Long full arm swing, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Fields out in front, steady hands and clean release with length at times.
Run: 8.36 runner in the 60. 

Colin Doyle, Plainfield North (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-2, 176-pounds. Well-proportioned strength throughout frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, open setup and short stride.  Easy effort throughout, middle of the field approach, long path with an uphill finish.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. 88.48 mph max exit velocity during BP, according to TrackMan.
Arm: RH. INF - 70 mph. Long arm swing, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Fields from the ground up and out in front, clean release.
Run: 7.63 runner in the 60. 

Justyn Hart, Marian Catholic (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 1B/LHP
Body: 6-0, 207-pounds. Strong, physical, wide-shouldered build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced athletic setup, toe-tap stride and finishes on balance. Advanced hand strength, stays short to the ball, works gap-to-gap and easy effort throughout.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. 89.48 mph max exit speed and max distance of 324' during BP, via TrackMan.
Arm: LH. INF - 76 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady defender, clean footwork, release and sure-handed.
Run: 7.98 runner in the 60. 

Kyle Hartmann, Sycamore (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-8, 135-pounds. Wiry, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, slightly open setup, smooth load and leg-kick timing trigger. Aggressive swing, looks to drive the baseball, short level bat path that gets extension through contact. Fluid rhythm and pull-side tendencies.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. 27.50g max rotational acceleration; third best of the event, according to Blast.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. INF - 73 mph. Arm played short and over-the-top from the crouch.
Defense: Worked out on the infield and behind the plate. Natural catcher actions. Soft hands, athletic out of the crouch, flexible hips and plays light on his feet. Quick, clean release.
Run: 8.44 runner in the 60. 

Ayinde Kidd, Homewood-Flossmoor (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 5-5, 117-pounds. Compact, wide-shouldered frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, smooth load and short stride. Simple, easy, repeatable swing, minimal wasted movement, short and level to and through the baseball. Line-drive approach.
Power: 70 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 65 mph. OF - 68 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Worked out in the outfield and on the infield. Steady defender, clean actions, plays with body control at times.
Run: 8.36 runner in the 60. 

Tommy Korn, Crystal Lake Central (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 3B/C
Body: 5-10, 170-pounds. Athletic build with lean muscle.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, coiled loading action, leg-kick timing trigger.  Swings with controlled intent, quick strong hands, gap-to-gap approach and rhythm throughout.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. 69.50 mph max bat speed, via Blast. 90.72 mph max exit velocity during BP, according to TrackMan.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Patient defender, sure-handed, clean release.
Run: 7.57 runner in the 60. 

Nate Nazos, Batavia (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-6, 130-pounds. Wiry frame with plenty of room for continued physical development.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, smooth and short stride. Simple quiet swing, repeatable. Hands work on top of the ball, stays within himself and line-drive oriented contact.
Power: 76 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 69 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Natural infield actions, plays with bounce at times. Maintains body control on the move, smooth athletic double play turn and soft hands.
Run: 7.81 runner in the 60. 

Jaden Obaldo, Crystal Lake Central (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-6, 140-pounds. Compact frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, narrow, slightly open setup, leg-kick timing trigger and maintains balance throughout. Athletic hands, feel for the barrel, level path and pull-side tendencies.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Max distance of 295' during BP, according to TrackMan.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. Loose arm action, high 3/4 slot and throws play accurate across the infield.
Defense: Natural infield actions, gets around the baseball, sure-handed, plays through the baseball, clean release.
Run: 7.83 runner in the 60. 

Landen Patton, Sangamon Valley/Tri City (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 1B/LHP
Body: 5-8, 159-pounds. Well-proportioned build.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup,  minimal load and leg-kick timing trigger. Stays short to the ball, level through the zone and line-drive approach.
Power: 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. 22.10 mph of max hand speed with a 77% on plane efficiency, according to Blast.
Arm: LH. INF - 74 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady first base defender. Plays under control and with body control. Sure-handed.
Run: 8.47 runner in the 60. 

Zachary Pyles, Warren Township (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 5-11, 200-pounds. Strong, physical frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, open setup, leg-kick timing trigger. Hands stay on top and short to the baseball at times, advanced bat strength for age. Pull-side tendencies during BP.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Max exit velocity of 89.40 mph during BP, according to TrackMan.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. INF - 76 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Worked out at first base and behind the plate. Potentially first base profile down the road. Steady first base defender, showed feel around the bag on the 3-6-3 double play ball.
Run: 7.75 runner in the 60. 

Trey Schilling, Lincoln (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 5-9, 165-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, hands load and short stride. Repeatable swing, long level path and line-drive approach.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. 23.40 mph max hand speed with a 78% on plane efficiency, via Blast.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 and showed some accuracy across the infield.
Defense: Natural infield actions, proper footwork; gets around the baseball and plays through. Sure-handed, clean transfer and smooth double play turn.
Run: 7.60 runner in the 60. 

Ryan Sloan, York (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-1, 170-pounds. Long-limbed athletic build with plenty of room for added strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, smooth load and rhythm throughout.  Long bat path, creates leverage and ball jumps off the barrel at times.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Max exit velocity of 91.52 mph and max distance of 343' during BP, according to TrackMan.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Long, live arm action, high 3/4 slot and throws played with carry.
Defense: Steady hands, play from the ground up and showed the ability to throw from multiple slots.
Run: 7.44 runner in the 60. 

Mitchel Stanton, Marian Catholic (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-0, 184-pounds. Present strength and physicality in frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, quiet smooth loading action and short stride.  Strong hands, level through the zone and line-drive approach.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. 80% on plane efficiency, via Blast. 87.26 mph max exit velocity during BP, via TrackMan.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Long arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Profiles as a corner infielder. Steady hands, secures the baseball, plays through at times.
Run: 8.01 runner in the 60. 

Paul Svanascini, Northridge Prep (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-10, 170-pounds. Well-proportioned strength throughout frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall, quiet setup, minimal load and long stride. Strong hands, flat path, line-drive approach and uses the middle of the field.
Power: 92 mph exit velocity from the tee. Max exit velocity of 95.36 mph and max distance of 309' during BP, according to TrackMan.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Long arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Comfortable moving to his glove side, fields in the center of his body, length through release.
Run: 7.46 runner in the 60. 

Tomas Valincius, Lockport (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 5-6, 160-pounds. Sturdy lower half.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, closed, relaxed setup; smooth hand load and short stride. Loose, athletic hands, simple repeatable swing, feel for the barrel, stays in the zone a long time, fluid rhythm and maintains balance throughout.
Power: 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. 16.60g of max rotational acceleration, via Blast.
Arm: LH. INF - 74 mph. Short, loose arm action, accurate throws, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Above-average first base defender, Feel for the bag, fluid footwork, soft hands, clean and easy glove-to-hand release.
Run: 8.40 runner in the 60. 

Peter Visconti, Warren Township (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 5-8, 160-pounds. Wiry build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, slight bat tilt loading action and short stride. Simple swing, easy effort, short bat path, stays within himself and looks to control the barrel.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Max distance of 310' off the bat during BP, via TrackMan.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. OF - 77 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot to over-the-top.
Defense: Worked out on the infield and in the outfield. Gets around the baseball and plays from the ground up on the infield; smooth double play feed and showed body control on the slow roller. Also, showed natural actions in the outfield, plays through the baseball and clean release.
Run: 7.51 runner in the 60. 

Jonah Weathers, Marian Catholic (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-0, 150-pounds. Long-limbed, athletic build with plenty of room for continued physical development.
Hit: RHH. Wide, spread setup, quiet load and short stride. Compact, repeatable swing, minimal wasted movement. Loose, quick hands, short uphill bat path and pull-side tendencies.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Top hand speed of the event; 26.70 mph, according to Blast. Max distance of 324' with a max exit velocity of 88.14 mph during BP, via TrackMan.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. OF - 82 mph. Quick arm action, plays over the top from the outfield; multiple slots on the infield.
Defense: Worked out in the outfield and on the infield. Currently actions played best in the outfield. Active quick feet, attacks the baseball, gets behind the baseball, steady hands and plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.60 runner in the 60. 

Ryne Woods, Batavia (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 5-10, 172-pounds. Compact build, strong lower half.
Hit: LHH. Balanced quiet setup and short stride. Minimal wasted movement, simple swing, short uphill bat path.
Power: 70 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 64 mph. Long arm action plays from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Fields in the center of his body, secures the baseball.
Run: 8.05 runner in the 60.

Ambrose (AJ) Zweeres, Morris (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/C
Body: 5-10, 145-pounds. Wiry, high-waisted build.
Hit: RHH. Tall, open setup and toe-tap stride. Quick hands, Long, level bat path, creates pull-side leverage.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. 25.00 mph max hand speed, second-best at the event; 70.73 mph max bat speed (5th best at the event), according to Blast.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. Arm plays short and from an over-the-top slot. Accurate across the diamond with carry at times.
Defense: Efficient defender, steady hands, clean and quick release.
Run: 7.40 runner in the 60. 

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