Prep Baseball Report

O'Hare Preseason ID: Preview


By: Peter Hamot
Area Scout, Staff Writer

This Sunday, Feb. 12, the PBR Illinois team is hosting the O'Hare Preseason ID at Bo Jackson's Elite Sports in Bensenville, Ill. This is an open event for all high school classes (2023-2026), and gives our staff an ample look at the area's top players.

 

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

This is the third year we will be hosting this event, and it already has provided us a look at prominent players who've later gone on to receive invitations to select events. Among the players in attendance at this event in 2022, there are already 32 commitments among them.

One player that popped in particular last year was RHP Anthony Solis (Waukegan, 2023). The right-hander stole the show when he toed the rubber, showing off an electric arsenal and tremendous upside, later committing to Eastern Illinois at the end of the summer. 

(Anthony Solis - 2.13.22)

Last year's event hosted a duo of eventual Michigan State commits in RHP Brady Chambers (Lyons Township, 2024) and INF Dayton Murphy (Crystal Lake South, 2024). 

Chambers, a towering 6-foot-6, 200-pound right-hander, showed impressive feel for a three-pitch mix throughout his 'pen. He continued his ascent throughout the spring and into the summer, landing with Michigan State this past October.

Murphy, a savvy middle-infielder, popped as a name to know after his strong showing on both sides of the ball. His performance later earned him an invite to represent Team Illinois at the Future Games, committing to Michigan State this past November. 

(Dayton Murphy - 7.27.22) 

While on the topic of Big Ten commits, we have to look at last year's offensive standout and Iowa commit CIF Cash Campbell (Montini, 2024). Campbell's left-handed swing is one of the premier strokes in the state, and he showed that in full force at last year's event - later earning an invite to the Illinois State Games.

(Cash Campbell - 8.9.22)

Another impressive left-handed bat from last year's event is OF Dominic Catalano (Montini, 2024). Catalano took one of the better rounds of BP on the entire day and landed himself a spot in Rantoul for the Illinois State Games, committing to Illinois-Chicago not long after the event. 

(Dominic Catalano - 8.9.22) 

 

Roster Preview

This year's roster is already stacking up with talent just like in years' past.

A couple high-level 2026 graduates to be on the lookout for are INF/RHP Oliver Thulin (Downers Grove North) and OF/RHP Ryan Harris (Stevenson).

A standout from this past summer's Junior Future Games, Thulin features an incredibly strong arm from all around the diamond; reaching up to 83 mph across the infield and up to 84 mph on the mound. At the plate, he works with minimal wasted movement and controlled aggression to shoot line-drives to the whole field. 

(Oliver Thulin - 7.26.22) 

Harris brings some loud tools to the table himself, with an 82 mph max velocity from the outfield and top exit velocity of 92 mph; averaging 88.5 mph off the bat with a max distance of 347'. 

Making his PBR Showcase debut this weekend is Illinois commit and LHP Brayden Mazzacano (Schaumburg, 2024). Currently ranked No. 12 in the state, the 6-foot-2, 165-pound southpaw can run his fastball into the mid/upper 80s. He's an athletic mover with obvious upside on the mound, and we're eager to get a closer look at him in a showcase setting. 

(Brayden Mazzacano - 9.25.22) 

A high-level athlete set to attend Sunday's event is OF Mason Phillips (Oak Park River Forest, 2024). Listed at a lean 6-foot-1, 185-pounds, Phillips has recorded as low as a 6.67 in the 60-yard dash. He's a proven in-game performer, taking quality at-bats with a simple/short right-handed stroke. He also patrols the outfield extremely well for his age, playing with athletic reads and a quick first step to track down fly balls. 

Itinerary 

Sunday, February 12, 2023

+ Check-in Times: (Subject to Change)

  • All Players: 8:30 am

*Times subject to change

Check-in process 

Because of the high number of prospects set to attend Sunday'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 and Blast Motion 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.

Wear baseball clothes; assigned and numbered PBR jerseys will be provided.

Related Content