The sixth annual Illinois Senior Games came to Ozinga Field in Crestwood on Tuesday, Aug. 11. The invite-only event featured 80-plus uncommitted 2021s from around the entire state of Illinois. After producing some rapid analysis inside of our Quick Hits post yesterday, we’re diving into the statistical side of things today.

TOP 60-YARD DASH

Former Team Illinois Future Gamer 3B Andrew Jimenez (St. Charles North) entered this event as a highly coveted uncommitted prospect in Illinois’ incoming senior class. A physical freak with inside of a muscled-up 6-foot-3, 205-pound frame, Jimenez rests near the top of several leaderboards from this event. Arguably the most intriguing takeaway, and a testament to how advanced of an athlete he is, is his event-best 6.70 mark in the 60, remarkable for someone of his stature. Quick-footed INF Austin Murray (Lemont) wasn’t too far behind Jimenez and neither was OF Tyler McClure (Champaign Central), who showed off his straight-line speed with a 6.78 run time. McClure was another one of the day’s statistical winners as he showed well across the listed categories within this post, as well as TrackMan and Blast boards referenced in yesterday’s Quick Hits.

MAX FASTBALL VELOCITY

There was some hefty velocity on display Tuesday, led by RHP/SS Ryan Smith (Nazareth Academy), who averaged the day’s firmest fastball. Smith recorded several 89 mph marks, the only arm to do so on this day, and his quick and athletic frame should help him remain a coveted prospect on the mound, and he offers some two-way appeal, too. RHP Ben Plumley (Lane Tech) has some particularly noteworthy arm speed inside of a 6-foot-1, 180-pound frame. His loose, fast arm produced the day’s next hardest average fastball, with above-average spin rates for the velocity (2,200 to 2,375 rpm). RHP Drew Burkholder (Eastland) worked one of the cleanest innings of the day, right at the start of gameplay, and his strong first impression lasted throughout the event as he was one of the day’s winners, sitting 86-88 mph.

Fellow righties Will Frisch (Crystal Lake South), Drew Martin (Mt. Pulaski), and Will Morris (Plainfield South) each offers some physical upside that complements their notable velocity, especially Morris, a physical and strong 6-foot-5. Martin’s clean and easy arm action works in conjunction with his athleticism, helping him sustain his status as one of the more interesting uncommitted arms on the market.

And one of the day’s most prominent names to emerge from the event, RHP Crayton Burnett (St. Joseph-Ogden), sat exclusively 86-87 mph with a feel to spot it where he wanted it. The live arm here and feel to locate make him an arrow-up prospect headed into the end of the summer.

MAX EXIT VELOCITY

3B/SS Giacomo Fanizza (Lake Park) showed well at a pair of winter events in the early part of this year, and he’s continued to impress in front of our staff since. As one of the more physical prospects in attendance – at an especially strong 6-foot-1, 190 pounds – Fanizza efficiently gets to that strength in the batter’s box, as he swings with effort and aggression. His 99 mph high at the exit velo station paced the rest of the day’s participants by three ticks.

Jimenez was just behind Fanizza, as the two were ahead of their peers, as expected. Jimenez also applied that immense strength in-game when he crushed a double to his pull-side that just missed clearing the fence.

There were a few familiar faces underneath these two: C Sebastian Cabeza (Kaneland), INF Joshua Kendall (Andrew), and 3B Jayden Gonzalez (De La Salle). Cabeza’s a hard-hitting backstop with the actions to stick behind the plate. He and Kendall both ran 7.16 marks in the 60; Kendall swings with intent from the right side to get to his strength on contact. Gonzalez is a competitive hitter with a good knowledge of the strike zone and he can pounce on pitches with authority, too.

MAX INFIELD VELOCITY

There’s a lot to like about the quick and athletic right arm belonging to the aforementioned Smith. After leading this group with multiple 89 mph fastballs from the mound, he uses that arm strength well on the dirt, too. The athleticism he brings to the mound may keep him there, but it’s clear that he can cover ground at shortstop as well. Burkholder offers something similar, as a two-way type who may be too good to pull off the mound. And, of course, Jimenez and Fanizza have the muscle that works on the left side of the infield, too, joined by SS/2B Tristan Samuelian (Burlington Central) with 86 mph highs across. Warren’s Michael Rivera worked one of the most complete innings, and he was up to 87 mph, and he’s long possessed the kind of athleticism that could keep him as a true two-way prospect.

MAX OUTFIELD VELOCITY

OF Payton Matthews (Neuqua Valley) is a left/left prospect that tied for the lead in outfield velocity, seeing a five mph uptick from when we last saw him in February. OF Brayden Sayles (Hononegah) is someone that’s been on our radar for some time now and, like Matthews, topped 88 mph from the outfield. A top-100 prospect in his class, Sayles works with ease and confidence defensively, moving swiftly and in rhythm. The left-handed-hitting Camden Ruby (Oswego East) was another prospect who raised his stock on Tuesday; his bat was the big takeaway Tuesday but he showed some arm strength as well.

MAX CATCHER VELOCITY

C Hunter Ryan (Minooka) offers some premium athleticism for a catcher, as a 6.91 runner who swings a loose, fast bat. One of his most prominent tools, however, is his arm strength which comfortably led his fellow backstops at 82 mph, with accuracy to the bag. C Noah Jouras (Lyons Township) is a steady defender with some arm strength, too. C Daniel Contreras (Rockford Boylan) and C Jack Ryan (Ridgewood) both came in next at 77 mph. Contreras swings a compact, strong right-handed bat and was among the more interesting bats in attendance, in addition to his above-average actions behind the plate.

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