On Sept. 16, the PBR Illinois team hosted its first-ever Joliet Open event, at the DuPage Medical Group Field in Joliet, where over 30 prospects representing the 2021-25 high school graduating classes showed off their skills in front of our staff.

Shortly after the event’s conclusion, we provided you with some instant analysis from the day's top performers in our Quick Hits and Statistical Analysis posts. We continue our post-event analysis today, rolling out scouting reports on each of the event’s position players.

SS/RHP Easton Harris (Washington Community, 2022) strung together strong summer performances in front of our staff, one after the other, capped off at the Joliet Open. Harris’ tools are impressive, as he shows well in multiple facets – on the basepaths, up the middle of the infield, and from the right-handed batter’s box.

There’s some very clear, emerging upside attached to freshman SS/RHP Ryan Kotara’s (Lincoln-Way Central, 2024) game. This was his PBR debut, and he made a lasting impact in front of our staff. He’s an excellent athlete who swings a loose, strong righty bat and he has the tools to continue to develop up the middle of the infield. And Kotara was also among the top pitchers we saw at this event, but more on that tomorrow.

Plainfield North’s C Danny Nuccio (2021) remains one of the top uncommitted players in the state’s senior class. He’s a mobile receiver for his strong stature, which leads to some quick and clean actions from the crouch. Nuccio’s bat speed and strength help cultivate a real, raw power profile, as he recorded some of the hardest and farthest hit contact at this event.

All in all, this was a somewhat small, but talented collection of players worth examining more closely within.

For complete scouting reports on these three aforementioned players, as well as the rest of the event’s participating position players, continue reading below.

TOP POSITION PLAYER PROSPECTS

1. Easton Harris, Washington Community (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/RHP; A rising junior follow who had a productive summer.
Body: 6-0, 160-pounds. Thin, quick-twitch frame.
Defense: Smooth breakdown into an athletic fielding position, fluid feet that work around the baseball, glove plays out front, quick exchange to release. Clear confidence and athleticism on the dirt.
Arm: RH. INF - 91 mph. Short and quick arm circle comes out of a loose high 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Quiet in the box, balanced setup with an open stance, smooth load, strides to even.  Above-average hand speed, short bat path, sprayed line drives across the field.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 6.84 runner in the 60.

2. Ryan Kotara, Lincoln-Way Central (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds. Strong, athletic frame.
Defense: Smooth feet that work in rhythm, athletic base, hands play low to the ground. Clean hand transfer, long to release, showed strong body control on run through play.
Arm: RH. INF - 86 mph. Short and loose arm circle finishes from an athletic high 3/4 slot. Advanced arm strength for age.
Hit: RHH. Athletic setup in the box, balanced lower half, slight bat wrap, smooth load, steady toe-tap trigger.  Loose hands, long bat path with extension through contact, consistent gap-to-gap approach. Flashed barrel feel and juice to the pull-side, hit one in BP to left field that traveled 311 feet at 90.7 mph.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.18 runner in the 60. 

3. Danny Nuccio, Plainfield North (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-0, 205-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned frame. Strong lower half.
Defense: 2.07-2.18 pop times. Athletic stance, loose lower half that moves well, soft hands and wrists, feet gain ground towards the bag, secure exchange.
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot. Above-average arm strength for age.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, quick pre-pitch hand rhythm, smooth bat wrap load, toe-tap trigger, stays balanced through contact.  Strong hands with some bat speed, short and level bat path, gap-to-gap approach, more comfortable towards the pull-side. Advanced raw strength for age, knack for the barrel with juice when he finds it; average exit speed of 88.1 mph in BP, per TrackMan.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 6.98 runner in the 60.

4. Joshua Cunniff, Plainfield Central (IL), 2021; St. Charles CC commit.
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-0, 190-pounds. Strong, athletic frame.
Defense: 2.01-2.12 pop times. Natural actions behind the plate. Athletic stance, quick from the crouch to gather, soft hands, clean transfer to release.
Arm: RH. C - 83 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot. Advanced arm strength from the crouch, some accuracy to the bag.
Hit: RHH. Quiet and confident in the box, balanced setup, smooth load, short stride, easy balance through contact.  Quick hands, level bat path with some length, gap-to-gap approach, flashed juice to the pull-side.
Power: 92 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 6.94 runner in the 60.

5. Brek Baranoski, Joliet Catholic (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 2B/OF
Body: 6-1, 170-pounds. Athletic frame with proportional strength, still room to fill out more.
Defense: Active pre-pitch bounce, quick first move, smooth feet work around the baseball, fluid on the move. Soft hands play out front, quick transfer, some gather to release. 
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, smooth pre-pitch hand rhythm, quick bat tip load into a steady leg kick trigger.  Above-average hand speed for age; averaged 23.5 mph of hand speed, per Blast Motion. Short path, optimal attack angle to the baseball, natural lift through contact.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.22 runner in the 60. 

6. Evan Foster, Maroa-Forsyth (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 5-11, 150-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned frame.
Defense: Worked out at first base and in the outfield. Attacks the baseball on the grass, fluid footwork, steady hands with a clean hand transfer. Two-hand gather at first base, some footwork feel around the bag.
Arm: LH. INF - 75 mph. OF - 79 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot
Hit: LHH. Quiet in the box, balanced setup, bat starts rested on back shoulder, smooth load, toe-tap trigger.  Short and level bat path, some lift through contact, consistent line drive approach, fluid rhythm throughout.
Power: 77 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.09 runner in the 60. 

7. Troy Vosburgh, Oswego (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 6-0, 165-pounds. Lean, high-waisted frame. Projects.
Defense: Worked out as an infielder and outfielder. Active feet in the outfield, attacks and plays through the baseball. Athletic fielding position on the infield, hands play out front and low to the ground. Quick transfer, clean exchange to release.
Arm: RH. INF - 85 mph. OF - 89 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot. Advanced arm strength for age.
Hit: RHH. Crouched setup, open stance, weight starts shifted onto back leg, two-part load with a toe-tap and leg kick trigger.  Strong hands, short bat path, line drive approach with some strength on the barrel; max exit speed of 90.5 mph with a max fly ball distance of 341 feet.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.43 runner in the 60. 

8. Luke Doty, Metamora Township (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/OF
Body: 6-0, 150-pounds. Lean, athletic frame.
Defense: Fields in a fluid rhythm, feet work around the baseball, steady hands, long transfer to release.
Arm: RH. OF - 84 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, hands load back with a slight drop, short stride.  Short path, bat head stays level through the zone, steady line drive approach, fluid rhythm through contact.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 6.86 runner in the 60. 

9. Niko Mastoras, Lockport (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-11, 168-pounds. Wiry strength in frame.
Defense: Defends with a bounce and energy; athletic approach. One-hand gather, low to the ground, hands flash soft touch. Length in transfer, shuffle through exchange.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Short, loose throws from a 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Wide/balanced, athletic setup; hands set low, in a rhythm. Hands load back while lead leg strides long to even landing. Short, simple, efficient bat path; averaged 23.5 mph of hand speed, per Blast. Line-drive approach.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.24 runner in the 60.

T-10. Kaleb Wilkey, Lincoln-Way West (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-10, 170-pounds. Strong, athletic frame; sturdy lower half.
Defense: 2.12-2.22 pop times. Worked out behind the plate and on the infield. Quiet stance, controlled actions, soft hands, quick hand transfer to release. Fields low to the ground on the dirt, soft hands work out front, quick hand transfer to release.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. INF - 79 mph. Short and loose arm action plays from an over-the-top slot behind the plate. Lowers to a more high 3/4 release on the infield.
Hit: SHH. Balanced setup, smooth and simple load, toe-tap trigger to stride.  Strong hands, uphill path, consistently went the other way.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.32 runner in the 60.

T-10. Jude Allen, Providence Catholic (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 1B/3B
Body: 5-11, 185-pounds.
Defense: Glove plays low to the ground, hands field out front, quick hip turn on double play feeds, some footwork feel around the bag.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Quiet/balanced setup, hands load back, short stride.  Quick hands with noticeable Blast Motion metrics: 24.30 mph of max hand speed paired with 77.60 mph of max bat speed. Short bat path, gap-to-gap approach, juice on the barrel. Max exit speed of 93.77 mph with a max fly ball distance of 340 feet in BP, per TrackMan.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 8.10 runner in the 60.

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Cody Barnes, Whitney Young (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-7, 130-pounds. Lean, high-waisted frame.
Defense: Feet work in a smooth rhythm around the baseball, steady hands play out front of body, quick hand transfer, plays through the baseball.
Arm: RH. INF - 69 mph. Shorter arm circle, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, some pre-pitch hand movement, hands load high, toe-tap trigger.  Level bat path, line drive approach, sprays some, repeats well.
Power: 74 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 8.00 runner in the 60. 

Wesley Blitz, N/A (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 6-2, 170-pounds. Lanky frame.
Defense: Worked out as an outfielder and at first base. Glove fields out front on the dirt, long to release. Fields the ball with two hands in the outfield. 
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. OF - 71 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, hands start high with some drop at load, short stride.  Long and uphill bat path, pull-side approach. Max exit speed of 90.21 mph in BP, per TrackMan.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 8.59 runner in the 60.

Anthony Buono, St. Edwards Central Catholic (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-0, 175-pounds. Athletic frame, compact strength.
Defense: Attacks the baseball, clean exchange at times.
Arm: RH. OF - 73 mph. Long arm action, over-the-top slot.
Hit: RHH. Open stance, hands start high, bat drops at load, steady toe-tap trigger.  Long and uphill bat path, worked middle-away in BP.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.27 runner in the 60.

Nathan Ciemny, Joliet Catholic (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/SS
Body: 5-11, 160-pounds. Lean, projectable build.
Defense: Stays low to the ground, hands play out front, quick to release.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Short and quick arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, open stance, hands drop at load, short stride.  Short path, bat head gets underneath the baseball at times, line drive approach.
Power: 76 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.16 runner in the 60.

Ethan Fleming, Plainfield North (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-10, 145-pounds. Thin, wiry frame.
Defense:  Attacks the baseball at times, hands work out front of body.
Arm: RH. INF - 69 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, smooth load, short stride to even.  Loose hands, short and level bat path, line drive approach, consistently on time.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.68 runner in the 60.

Easton Gotts, Providence Catholic (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/3B
Body: 5-9, 140-pounds. Athletic build.
Defense: Athletic feet, quick first step, works around the baseball at times, plays through.
Arm: RH. OF - 74 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Quiet in the box, balanced setup, quick hand load, short stride.  Quick bat, hands stay short to the baseball, line drive approach, comfortable working the other way.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.04 runner in the 60.

Jackson Griegel, Oswego (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 3B/C
Body: 5-10, 140-pounds. Athletic build.
Defense: 2.25-2.40 pop times. Balanced base, upright at gather, feet work to the bag, quick hand transfer.
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. INF - 76 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup with some crouch in the lower half, active high hands pre-pitch, backward load with a quick leg kick trigger.  Quick hands, short and level bat path, line drive approach.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.73 runner in the 60.

Conner Hogan, Joliet West (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 6-6, 230-pounds. Large frame.
Defense: Some pre-pitch bounce, fields under center of body.
Arm: LH. INF - 74 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, some pre-pitch hand rhythm, leg kick trigger to a long stride.  Short and flat bat path through the zone, line drive approach.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 8.26 runner in the 60. 

Matt Jones, Oswego (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-11, 140-pounds. Lean, high-waisted build.
Defense: 2.26-2.52 pop times. Narrow base, upright posture at gather, some length to release.
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. Compact arm action, 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Open stance, hands load straight back, leg kick trigger.  Long and level bat path, line drive approach, knack for finding the barrel.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 6.91 runner in the 60. 

Shane Kielma, Crossroads Christian (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/1B
Body: 5-10, 160-pounds. Athletic frame.
Defense: Feet occasionally work on an angle, glove fields to the side of body.
Arm: RH. OF - 63 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: SHH. Tall setup, quick pre-pitch bat waggle, short stride.  Quick hands, short bat path.
Power: 79 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.33 runner in the 60.

Andrew Krause, Wauwatosa East (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 5-10, 140-pounds. Lanky build.
Defense: Hands get deep, crowhop to release.
Arm: LH. OF - 70 mph. Long arm circle comes out of a 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, arm bars at load, leg lift trigger.  Long and flat bat path.
Power: 73 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.85 runner in the 60. 

Jake Mackowiak, Lincoln-Way Central (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-10, 160-pounds. Lean frame.
Defense: Methodical footwork, staggered breakdown prior to gather, plays through the baseball.
Arm: RH. OF - 83 mph. Long arm action, over-the-top slot.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, quick pre-pitch hand movement, short stride.  Quick hands; average hand speed of 24.3 mph per Blast Motion. Uphill bat path, some juice on the barrel; max exit speed of 94.3 mph with a max fly ball distance of 332 feet in BP, per TrackMan.
Power: 90 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 6.82 runner in the 60. 

Jacob Morris, Lincoln Way West (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 1B/
Body: 6-1, 190-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Defense: Two-hand gather out front of body, quick hip turn on double play feeds, some feel around the bag.
Arm: RH. INF - 68 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, rhythmic pre-pitch hand movement, smooth load into a short stride, controlled actions through contact.  Long and uphill bat path, gap-to-gap approach, maintained a fluid rhythm throughout. Flashed barrel feel to the pull-side, hit one in BP that traveled 331 feet at 89.37 mph.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 8.35 runner in the 60. 

Aaron Orzech, Homeschool (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-10, 155-pounds. Lean build.
Defense: 2.13-2.25 pop times. Worked out behind the plate and on the infield. Narrow base from the crouch, quick feet interchange in line to the bag, short to release. Nimble on his feet in the infield, glove plays under center of body, clean hand transfer.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. INF - 74 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot behind the plate. Throws from a low 3/4 angle in the field.
Hit: RHH. Crouched stance, open base, hands start over center of body and load back, bat wraps, leg kick trigger.  Short bat path, pull-side approach.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.35 runner in the 60. 

Nolan Pociejewski, Cary-Grove (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 2B/3B
Body: 5-8, 155-pounds. Lean build.
Defense: Tall posture at gather, two-hand funnel, quick through exchange. Steady actions overall.
Arm: RH. INF - 67 mph. Short arm action to a high arm slot, release.
Hit: RHH. Balanced base, loads back, hands bar, short stride lands early. Front foot lifts, triggers hip rotation. Bat path is steep, long through the zone.
Power: 71 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.31 runner in the 60. 

Joe Smith, Oswego (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 5-8, 160-pounds. Compact frame, sturdy lower half.
Defense: 2.29-2.40 pop times. Balanced base, feet work in line to the bag, quick transfer.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Crouched stance, front toe points inward, bat starts on back shoulder, hands drop at load, quick leg kick trigger.  Long and uphill bat path.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 8.01 runner in the 60. 

Michael Zelko, Aurora Christian (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-0, 200-pounds. Large build.
Defense: Sits back on the baseball, two-hand gather out front of body.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Long arm path, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, minimal load, quick stride to open.  Long bat path, two-hand finish.
Power: 90 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 8.49 runner in the 60.

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