McCook Rising Stars ID: Statistical Analysis

2026 prospects

RHP/INF Callaghan O’Connor (Bishop McNamara, 2026) has all the makings to be one of the top 2026 prospects in the Midwest. The 6-foot-4, 185-pound, long-levered two-way prospect controls his levers extremely well for his age, has an upside right-handed swing but it is his ability on the mound that presents the highest ceiling. O’Connor is polished and poised on the mound with an advanced three-pitch mix and a fastball that he ran up to 86 mph. O’Connor is one of the top 2026 prospects we have seen to-date in the state and should be a high-follow moving forward.

One of the top all-around performances came from Ethan Bass (Glenbrook North, 2026), who started off his day by running a 7.25 60-time, tied for second in the event. Bass led the event in infield velocity, reaching up to 84 mph across the diamond. His arm easily translated to the mound as well, running his fastball up to 83 mph with control over a mature four-pitch mix. At the plate, the right-handed hitter impressed with one of the louder rounds of the day; recording a 90 mph exit velocity with easy bat-speed and quick hands.

TJ McQuillan (Lake Central IN, 2026) put together the loudest round of BP on the day and also looks to have the makings of a dangerous power/speed combination; reaching up to 93.7 mph for an exit velocity with intent to lift the baseball, easy pop and bat-speed - also cruised to a 7.49 60-yard dash, made even more impressive given his 6-foot, 210-pound frame. 

Another member of the 2026 class that showed well in multiple aspects was Dylan Kassab (Hinsdale Central). Kassab started his day by running a 7.42 60-yard dash; then proceeded to hop behind the plate and lead the event in pop-time (2.14) as well as catcher velocity (71 mph). His arm strength translated easily to the mound, where he reached up to 81.3 mph, third best in the event. The right-handed hitter also impressed with an 87.4 mph max exit velocity to pair with his quick/strong hands at the plate.

Two more catchers that stood out behind the plate were Anson Zaiser (Washington Community, 2026) and Pancho Vazquez (Mount Carmel, 2026). Zaiser recorded a 2.22 pop-time with a max velocity of 70 mph. His right-handed swing looked to be one of the best in attendance; reaching up to 83.4 mph with a loose/uphill path. The right-hander also hopped on the mound and reached up to 75.4 mph. As for Vazquez, the backstop recorded the second best pop-time in the event with a 2.21; also recording a max catcher velocity of 68 mph. The right-handed hitter proceeded to show off some easy pop at the plate with strong/direct hands to the ball.

A couple more arms that stood out on the mound were RHP Lucas Simulick (2026) and LHP Owen Rog (DePaul College Prep, 2026). Simulick impressed with a fastball up to 79.8 mph, while displaying feel for a sharp curveball and fading changeup - also showing well with the bat, reaching up to 85.6 mph for a max exit velocity. Rog, a southpaw, ran his fastball up to 79 mph while showing feel for both a curveball and changeup as well.

Logan Fernandez (2026) put together a strong all-around showing on Wednesday, leading the event in the 60-yard dash with a 6.96 to start his day. The right-handed hitter showed off some quick/strong hands to the ball, reaching up to 87.1 mph for a max exit velocity; also showing athletic actions during the outfield workout and reaching up to 78 mph from a crow hop.

2027 Prospects

Derrick Pomatto and Elijah Lewis are two members of the 2027 class with advanced right-handed swings that should continue to project down the road. Pomatto impressed with some easy pop off the bat, boasting strong/direct hands to the ball with a flat path. Lewis on the other hand, recorded the fourth best max exit velocity in the entire event; reaching up to 88.8 mph with ultra-quick hands and effortless power.

Blake Ragsdale (Lyons Township, 2027) was a standout performer in multiple aspects on Wednesday; reaching up to 76.5 on the mound and cruising to a 7.47 60-time. The right-handed hitter also reached up to 81 mph for a max exit velocity and took one of the more polished rounds of the day with easy bat-speed and a line-drive approach; pairing with an athletic round of defense and strong arm (80 mph across the infield).

2028 Prospects

Quincy Fulton (Newton, 2028) is an ultra-physical 6-foot, 180-pound switch hitter with a knack for loud contact. Fulton reached up to 86 mph for a max exit velocity and showed to be able to handle the bat from both sides of the plate; looking slightly more comfortable from the right side however.