On Feb. 12, the PBR Illinois team hosted its second Preseason ID event of the new year: the McHenry Preseason ID. For the past six years, this event has provided our staff with an opportunity to evaluate high school-aged prospects from northern Illinois, primarily. The McHenry event has historically revealed to us some of the area’s top talent, and this year was no different.

In the week that followed this event, we produced post-event analysis that includes performance highlights inside of our Quick Hits story, a look at the traditional stats measured within our Statistical Analysis piece, batted-ball and pitch data compiled in TrackMan Files, swing metrics captured on the Blast Motion Board, and sight scores from an athletic perspective tracked on the Vizual Edge Scoreboard.

You can learn more about the state-of-the-art technologies featured at our showcases within the hyperlinks above. Today we’ll begin our post-event process by rolling out the individual scouting reports of the day, starting with the catcher position while working our way across the diamond as the week continues. 

TOP CATCHING PROSPECTS

1. Cooper Cohn, McHenry (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-10, 180-pounds. Well-proportioned strength throughout frame.
Hit: RHH. Athletic setup, slightly open, gets back to square with a short stride. Loose hands. Creates separation at front foot strike. Level path through the zone. Bat speed. Consistently on the barrel.
Power: 96.2 max exit velocity, averaged 89.6 mph. 322’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 82 mph. Advanced arm strength. Plays with carry. Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: 1.83 - 1.95 pop times. Athletic feet, clean and quick release, works towards third base at times.
Run: 4.76 runner home-to-first.

2. Calen Scheider, Hampshire (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-8, 135-pounds. Compact, lean frame.
Hit: RHH. Wide, crouched base, lift and place type stride.  Present bat speed. Level bat path through the zone. Consistently on the barrel. Used the middle of the field.
Power: 82.1 max exit velocity, averaged 75.9 mph. 247’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. INF - 79 mph. Loose arm action with slight length to release. High 3/4 arm slot. Plays similarly on the infield.
Defense: 2.03 - 2.09 pop times. Stabs at the ball. Feet work in line with the second base bag.
Run: 4.13 runner home-to-first. 

3. Sean Kempf, Crystal Lake Central (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-10, 175-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Wide, slightly open base. Gets back to square with a short stride. Loose, easy actions. Present bat speed. Level path through the zone with balance throughout.
Power: 94.8 max exit velocity, averaged 90.4 mph. 275’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. INF - 76 mph. Above-average arm strength. C: Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot. IF: Short arm action. Natural high 3/4 with the ability to throw from multiple arm slots.
Defense: 2.19 - 2.36 pop times. C: Stiff in the crouch, clean exchange. IF: Plays through the baseball. Body control on the move.
Run: 4.38 runner home-to-first.

4. Payton Sensabaugh, Marian Central Catholic (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/C
Body: 5-8, 138-pounds. Short, compact frame. Plenty of room for continued physical development.
Hit: RHH. Starts slightly open with a tall stance, toe-taps into a gliding stride.  Loose arms whip the bat head through the zone on a short and direct path to the ball.
Power: 87.7 max exit velocity, averaged 75.3 mph. 301’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. OF - 76 mph. Short arm action, Over-the-top arm slot, throws run towards first base side of the field.
Defense: 2.26 - 2.38 pop times. C: Upright and narrow receiving position. Blocks the ball out front. Feet work in line. OF: Fields the ball arm-side at times. Extra step on crow-hop. Long to release.
Run: 4.10 runner home-to-first.

5. Austin Leonard, Hampshire (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-0, 195-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Wide, crouched base, short/quick stride.  Hands start with some separation. Flat barrel through the zone. Creates lift. Used the whole field.
Power: 93.2 max exit velocity, averaged 90.5 mph. 195’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot. Flashed carry on throws to second.
Defense: 2.01 - 2.09 pop times. Gains ground out of crouch. Long to release at times. Feet work in line with second base bag.
Run: 4.13 runner home-to-first.

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Nate Branch, Palatine (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-2, 215-pounds. Strong, physical build.
Hit: RHH. Tall, open setup, long/hovering stride.  Long-levered. Stays level through the zone. Used the middle of the field. Present strength.
Power: 91.5 max exit velocity, averaged 80.2 mph. 229’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph. Some length in draw out of glove, over-the-top arm slot, hesitation on the exchange.
Defense: 2.33 - 2.51 pop times. Steady hands. Feet work in line with second base bag. Blocks the ball out front.
Run: 4.51 runner home-to-first.

Nicolas Bush, Grant (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-0, 175-pounds. Long, lean build.
Hit: LHH. Wide, athletic base. Short toe-tap stride. Level path through the zone, loose arms, line-drive approach.
Power: 82.7 max exit velocity, averaged 70.5 mph. 246’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot. Works slightly uphill. Flashed accuracy.
Defense: 2.10 - 2.19 pop times. Poised in the crouch. Easy and instinctual actions.
Run: 4.45 runner home-to-first.

Evan Dahl, Lakes Community  (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-4, 185-pounds. High upside frame.
Hit: RHH. Athletic setup, slightly open, moves back to neutral with a long/gliding stride.  Long/loose arms, mostly level path through the zone, maintains balance through contact.
Power: 82.5 max exit velocity, averaged 73.1 mph. 240’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. OF - 73 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot. Works downhill.
Defense: 2.34 - 2.58 pop times. C: Flexible and mobile in the crouch. Efficient foot work. Works in line with the second base bag at times. OF: Fields the ball like an infielder.
Run: 4.69 runner home-to-first.

Josh Efflandt, Wauconda (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, slightly crouched setup, short stride.  Drops hands slightly at foot strike. Uphill path to the ball creates natural lift.
Power: 86.1 max exit velocity, averaged 84.3 mph. 309’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: 2.05 - 2.09 pop times. Off-balance. Appears unsure of himself at times. Quick, easy exchange.
Run: 4.34 runner home-to-first. 

AJ Foley, Lake Zurich (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-10, 160-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Neutral setup, short stride.  Creates hand separation before foot strike. Loose hands. Level bat path through the zone. Works slightly uphill at times.
Power: 79.2 max exit velocity, averaged 74.5 mph. 207’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: 2.20 - 2.37 pop times. Quick exchange.
Run: 4.01 runner home-to-first.

Cooper Jaworski, Hampshire (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-9, 170-pounds. Lean, wiry build. Sloped shoulders.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, crouched, short stride. Hands stay close to body. Level bat path through the zone. Strength throughout swing. Worked on the barrel.
Power: 88.6 max exit velocity, averaged 85.7 mph. 281’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Over-the-top arm slot. Some length to release at times. Plays on line. Consistently around the second base bag.
Defense: 2.10 - 2.26 pop times. Athletic in the crouch. Quick footwork. Works in line with second base bag.
Run: 4.28 runner home-to-first.

Cameron Marson, Grayslake Central (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-0, 195-pounds. Broad shoulders. Strength throughout upper body.
Hit: RHH. Wide starting position, athletic in the knees, short/minimal stride.  Hands remain close to head through foot strike. Level bat path through the zone. Short to the baseball. Used the whole field.
Power: 86.6 max exit velocity, averaged 81.8 mph. 237’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Short draw, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: 2.07 - 2.18 pop times. Efficient Exchange.
Run: 4.13 runner home-to-first.

Ravi Thakkar, Huntley (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 1B/C
Body: 6-1, 215-pounds. Physical frame. Strength throughout
Hit: RHH. Closed front-side. Balanced base, toe-taps into a long stride.  Bat speed. Quick, compact swing. Works through the zone on a level plane.
Power: 93.7 max exit velocity, averaged 84.1 mph. 293’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. INF - 75 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot. Plays accurate from 1B.
Defense: 2.14 - 2.18 pop times. Loose, efficient transfer.
Run: 5.02 runner home-to-first.

Mason Willis, Antioch (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-5, 173-pounds. Broad shoulders.
Hit: RHH. Wide, slightly open setup. Present bat speed, level bat path through the zone. Consistently on the barrel.
Power: 85.4 max exit velocity, averaged 84 mph. 196’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Loose arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: 2.05 - 2.18 pop times. Steady, receptive hands. Quick, efficient footwork. Blocks out front.
Run: 4.50 runner home-to-first.

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