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McHenry Preseason ID: Preview

February 8, 2022
By: Diego Solares
Associate Scout, Staff Writer

On Saturday, Feb. 12, the PBR Illinois staff will travel to Pro Player Academy in McHenry to host the McHenry Preseason ID - an event that’s been on our winter calendar since 2016. This event provides our staff an up-close opportunity to check on high school prospects hailing from this region of the state, and the Fox Valley Conference, early in the year. 

For a closer look at the showcase details and the technologies we'll have on-site to assist our in-person evaluation for all in attendance, click here. For a complete look at those registered to attend this event, view the most up-to-date version of the roster by clicking here.

EVENT HISTORY 

Last year’s roster was littered with talent from top to bottom and several names emerged as major winners thanks to impressive performances. 

Both RHP Nathan Chapman (Jacobs, 2022; Eastern Illinois) and RHP Tyler Deleskiewicz (Badger, WI, 2022; Wisconsin-Milwaukee) attended our Preseason ProCase two weeks ago and started their 2021 seasons off strong at this event last year. They each put together a multitude of impressive showings in front of our scouts throughout last year and we’re eager to watch them both put the finishing touches on their high school careers this spring

Nathan Chapman (1/29/22)

A trio of Huntley juniors cemented their status as high-end players in the Illinois’ 2023 class: C Ryan Bakes (South Carolina), OF Brayden Bakes (Wichita State), and RHP Andrew Ressler (Butler). Ryan represented Team Illinois as an underclassman at the 2020 Future Games, and is a top-40 player in the entire country, while the latter two were members of the Prairie State’s squad at LakePoint this past year. Ressler will be in attendance at this year’s event, too.

Ryan Bakes (7/6/21)


2022 ROSTER

Just like it has in past years, this event’s roster is already shaping up nicely with plenty of intriguing uncommitted names from top to bottom.

+ RHP Anthony Edge (Jacobs, 2023; Bradley) is one of several former PBR Future Games participants set to attend this event on Saturday. A top-30 prospect in the state’s junior class, Edge brings a highly competitive, bulldog-esque presence to the mound with a three-pitch mix, including a fastball that’s been up to 87 mph and two quality secondary options to pair.

Anthony Edge (7/28/21)

+ C/RHP Cooper Cohn (McHenry, 2023) and 3B/RHP Christian Graves (Jacobs, 2023) are two toolsy uncommitted prospects we’re eager to see this weekend. Cohn displayed a relatively loud skill-set at last year’s Underclass Invitational, reaching an 85 mph high from behind the plate, a 96.3 mph max exit velocity, and bumping his fastball up to 87 mph, too. Graves may be one of the state’s most physically imposing juniors, standing at sturdy 6-foot-2, 210-pounds. We’ve seen him flash advanced raw power for his age both in a showcase setting and gameplay, while using that noticeable physicality in his frame to touch 88 mph with his fastball last winter, too.

Christian Graves (8/14/21)

+ Two uncommitted southpaws that have been on our radar for quite some time now will also be at Saturday’s event: LHP Ian Boal (Johnsburg, 2023) and LHP Lleyton Grubich (McHenry, 2023). Boal stands at a wiry 6-foot, 165-pounds with a low-80s fastball that we’ve seen up to 84 mph and two secondary pitches to pair, including an above-average breaking ball. Grubich came away from this event last year as a winner and made a positive impression this fall at one of our tournaments, running his fastball up to 86 mph with an upper-70s slider that can be an out-pitch for him moving forward. 


+ There are a handful of current freshmen set to attend this Saturday and we’re definitely looking forward to adding some new names to our radar. Both 3B/RHP AJ Putty (Huntley, 2025) and C/RHP Charlie Meister (Hersey, 2025) are names that we’re already familiar with, however, as the duo represented Team Illinois at the PBR Junior Future Games last August. They’re both names-to-know in the state’s 2025 class and it’ll be an important up-to-date look for our staff at each after yet another off-season. 

AJ Putty (7/28/21)

ITINERARY

+ Check-in Times:

  • All Pitchers (POs and registered two-way players): 1 p.m.

  • All Position Players (non-pitchers): 3:15 p.m.

  • Catchers will stay for both sessions

CHECK-IN PROCESS

Because of the high number of prospects set to attend Saturday's event, it is imperative that you read our adjusted showcase itinerary below, which will allow our staff to swiftly and efficiently educate and evaluate the players set to attend.

Additionally, in an effort to continue and develop contactless check-in strategies, upon arrival, players will scan a QR Code with their smart phone camera that will lead them to a Google Form. On that Form, players will enter their name (matching the spelling on their PBR profile) and hit submit. Upon submission, players will be prompted to click a link that will direct them to their jersey color and number, located next to their registered name.

MORE EVENT DETAILS

Click here to learn more about our tech partners that have enhanced our players showcase experience. Partners like TrackMan, Blast Motion, and Vizual Edge have helped both our in-event evaluation process, as well the compilation of our post-event scouting reports – and they're also a tool for our players to learn more about their measured and collected data, that can be applied to improve upon their game.

Finally, masks are strongly encouraged during non-baseball activity. We will facilitate a contact-less check-in. Staff will wear masks throughout the event. Wear baseball clothes; assigned and numbered PBR jerseys will be provided.

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