On Wednesday, February 26th, the PBR Illinois staff made its last stop on the high school winter showcase circuit for the third annual Peoria Preseason I.D. Approximately 70 prospects from the area and all high school classes made their way to the Louisville Slugger Dome in Peoria.

We began our positional breakdown with a look at the catchers in attendance. Today we conclude the positional analysis with a dive into the pitchers from the event.  

At the top of the list sits talented junior left-hander Brayden Closs (Warrensburg-Latham, 2021). Closs, a wide-shouldered, 6-foot-2, 200-pounds, sat comfortably from 82-86 mph – up from 76 last year. Closs also showed a three-pitch mix, including a curveball working at 72-75 mph, and feel for a changeup at 76-78 mph. Given the way the arm works there looks to be much more velocity in the tank for Closs.

One of the biggest revelations on the day was 2021 RHP Will Morris (Plainfield South), who comes in at No. 2 on the list. Morris, a long and lean, 6-foot-5, 180-pound, highly-projectable right-hander, has made one of the biggest velocity jumps of any 2021 arms in the state this winter. Morris attended the same event a year ago where he sat 75-78 mph. This year Morris mostly sat 85-87 mph with his four-seamer, featuring late, hard-running action. Even with the massive jump in velocity from last winter, there seems to be plenty more velo to come in this upside arm. Currently, Morris’ best secondary offering looks to be a mid-70s changeup with arm-side run and fade.

Nolan McMasters (Glenwood, 2022), the top infield prospect on the day, comes in as the No. 3 pitching prospect as well. McMasters has a quick, athletic arm, sat 83-85 and featured one of the better curveballs on the day; a sharp, late-biting pitch with feel.

Read on below for reports on all of the pitchers from the event.

TOP PITCHING PROSPECTS

1. Brayden Closs, Warrensburg-Latham (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: LHP 
Body: 6-foot-2, 200-pounds. Strong, proportional frame.
Delivery: Smooth tall and fall delivery, shoulders stay level, works on line with target and lands square.
Arm Action: LH. Long arm path, high 3/4 slot, loose out front.
FB: T86, 82-85 mph. Plays straight. Pounds lower half of zone.
CB: 72-75 mph. 1/7 shape, thrown with intent and consistently landed for strikes.
CH: 76-78 mph. Maintains fastball arm speed. Straight movement; feel.

2. Will Morris, Plainfield South (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP 
Body: 6-foot-5, 180-pounds. Athletic build. Projects.
Delivery: Uptempo delivery, high leg kick, high front side, closed toe-landing, works direct to target. Throws with some effort.
Arm Action: RH. Long and loose arm action, high 3/4 slot. Quick arm.
FB: T87, 82-87 mph. Clean out the hand. Hard action with natural arm-side run.
CB: 66-67 mph. 11/5 shape. Thrown with intent.
CH: 75-76 mph. Showed both arm-side run and sink. 

3. Nolan McMasters, Chatham Glenwood  (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 165-pounds. Athletic frame.
Delivery: Repeatable drop and drive delivery, closed toe landing, directional to target. Throws with effort.
Arm Action: RH. Short, compact arm action works quick out of a high 3/4 slot.
FB: T85, 83-85 mph. Plays straight with life through the zone. Strikes.
CB: 68-70 mph. 12/6 shape. Sharp action with late break. Swing-and-miss pitch.
CH: 70-72 mph. Natural sinking action. Feel for pitch. 

4. Jacob Pauwels, Moline  (IL), 2020
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-foot, 210-pounds. Strong, wide-shouldered frame.
Delivery: Smooth drop and drive type delivery, strong front side, lands square, works direct to target.
Arm Action: RH. Compact short arm circle, over-the-top slot.
FB: T85, 82-85 mph. Plays straight with occasional tilt.
CB:  mph.
SL: 74-76 mph. Tight 10/4 shape.
CH: 76-77 mph. Thrown with fastball arm speed. Flashed arm-side run. 

5. Jack Barham, Dunlap  (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP 
Body: 5-foot-6, 150-pounds. Compact frame with strength in lower half.
Delivery: Hands rock over head, tall and fall delivery, works on line to target, lands square. Aggressive delivery.
Arm Action: RH. Long and loose arm action, high 3/4 slot. Lively arm.
FB: T86, 82-85 mph. Jumps out the hand. Plays straight.
CB: 67-70 mph. 11/5 shape with sharp break at times.
KN: 65-68 mph. 

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Cameron Anderson, Bloomington (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-foot, 140-pounds. Lean wiry frame with plenty of room for added strength.
Delivery: Athletic on the mound, repeatable delivery, high leg kick, level shoulders, directional to target.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T76, 71-74 mph. Occasional arn-side run.
CB: 57-61 mph. 11/5 shape. Gradual action.
CH: 66-70 mph. Plays straight. 

Alex Burden, Glenwood (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 5-foot-7, 175-pounds. Athletic build. Strong lower half.
Delivery: Athletic drop and drive delivery, hides the ball well, directional to target.
Arm Action: LH. Long arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T81, 75-80 mph. Played straight with occasional cutting action.
CB:  mph.
SL: 66-68 mph. 2/8 shape with gradual action. Tight at times.
CH: 68-69 mph. Flashed both arm-side run and sink. 

Kevin Callaghan, St Laurence  (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: LHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 137-pounds. Lean, high-waisted build.
Delivery: Methodical tall and fall delivery, level shoulders, direct to target, athletic finish.
Arm Action: LH. Long arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T72, 70-72 mph. Natural arm-side run. Strikes.
CB: 59-60 mph. 2/8 shape with gradual action.
CH: 62-66 mph. Slightly decelerates arm action. Flashed arm-side run. 

Gavin Craggs, Taylorville (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: LHP/
Body: 5-foot-8, 142-pounds. Lean build.
Delivery: Stretch only, athletic delivery, shoulders stay level, works downhill, falls towards third base side at times.
Arm Action: LH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot. 
FB: T81, 77-80 mph. Flashed arm-side run. Strikes low to arm-side of plate.
CB: 67-71 mph. 1/7 shape with gradual action.
SL: 69-72 mph. 2/8 shape. Firmer than curveball with tighter break. 

Jack Davis, Sacred Heart-Griffin (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-foot-1, 165-pounds. Athletic, proportional frame.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, athletic balance point, level shoulders, lands square, directional to target.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, over-the-top slot. Quick arm.
FB: T78, 75-77 mph. Showed hard sinking action. Strikes.
CB: 60-65 mph. 11/5 shape. Gradual action.
CH: 67-69 mph. Slightly decelerates arm action. Flashed slight arm-side run. 

Jack Duncan, Macomb (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 6-foot, 180-pounds. Athletic build with strong lower half.
Delivery: Smooth tall and fall delivery, works on-line and lands square.
Arm Action: RH. Long full arm circle, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T80, 77-79 mph. Plays mostly straight with arm-side-run at times.
CB: 61-62 mph. Landed for strikes at times, 11/5 shape, occasional sweeping action.
CH: 67-69 mph. Maintains arm speed, fade action at times.

Derek Durham, Normal West  (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-foot, 175-pounds. Athletic build. Projects.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands front-foot closed and finishes upright.
Arm Action: RH. Compact arm action, over-the-top slot.
FB: T80, 74-78 mph. Thrown for strikes, works mostly straight.
CB: 66-69 mph. Short downer break, 12/6 shape, ability to land for strikes.
CH: 69-72 mph. Works straight, creates angle at times.

Mitch Dye, Sacred Heart-Griffin (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-foot-2, 160-pounds. Long-limbed, athletic build with room for continued physical development.
Delivery: Steady tall and fall delivery, elevated front side, square landing, works on line to target. 
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T81, 79-80 mph. Flashed slight sinking action.
CB: 63-67 mph. 11/5 shape. Gradual action.
CH: 63-68 mph. Thrown with near fastball arm speed. Showed occasional arm-side run.

Matthew Gaffney, Manteno (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 154-pounds. Athletic frame.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, level shoulders, lands square and closed to target.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T72, 70-71 mph. Flashed slight sinking action. Some strikes.
CB: 58-60 mph. 10/4 shape. Breaks early.
CH: 63-65 mph. Decelerates arm action. 

Mason Geltz, Washington Community  (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/2B
Body: 5-foot-9, 145-pounds. Athletic build.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, lands square, directional to target. Showed a slide-step out of the stretch.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T76, 74-75 mph. Straight with occasional sinking action. Strikes.
CB: 60-61 mph. 11/5 shape with sharp action at times. Strikes.
CH: 66-68 mph. Decelerates arm action. Plays down in the zone. 

Will Girardi, Deemack  (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 180-pounds. Strong, well-proportioned frame.
Delivery: Segmented, repeatable delivery, stays on-line and lands front-foot slightly closed. 
Arm Action: LH. Clean and easy arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T79, 76-79 mph. Showed control of the zone, late arm-side-run at times.
CB: 65-66 mph. 1/7 shape, depth at times. mph.65-66
SL: 70-73 mph. Maintains arm speed, late 2/8 shape, lands for strikes.
CH: 69-70 mph. Occasional fade. 

Easton Harris, Washington (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 5-foot-10, 167-pounds. Lean athletic build with plenty of room for continued added strength.
Delivery: Smooth tall and fall delivery, repeats, lands square, directional to target.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot. Quick arm.
FB: T79, 78-79 mph. Comes out clean. Showed slight arm-side run.
CB: 65-67 mph. 11/5 shape with sharp action. Clear feel for pitch, swing-and-miss potential.
CH: 66-70 mph. Maintains near fastball arm speed. Flashed sink. Strikes.
CUT: 71-74 mph. Slight glove-side break at times. 

Kellen Hershberger, Normal Community (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-foot-2, 195-pounds. Highly-athletic frame with well-proportioned strength throughout.
Delivery: Smooth tall and fall delivery, repeatable, fluid rhythm, works on-line and easy effort throughout.
Arm Action: RH. Short, loose arm action, plays out of a high 3/4 window.
FB: T78, 76-77 mph. Plays mostly straight, tilt at times.
CB: 65-66 mph. 11/5 shape, tight spin, depth and showed feel from the windup.
CH: 69-71 mph. Maintains arm speed, feel for the zone and straight action.

Davis Hoffstatter, Moline (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-foot-2, 175-pounds. Strong, well-proportioned frame. Projects.
Delivery: Steady tall and fall delivery, high balance point, level shoulders, front foot lands closed. Throws with max effort.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot. 
FB: T80, 79-80 mph. Hard action. Plays straight.
CB: 64-67 mph. 11/5 shape that flashed sharp action. Thrown with intent.
CH: 71-73 mph. Maintains near fastball arm speed. Flashed slight arm-side run. 

Quinn Hoftender, Orion (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 1B
Body: 6-foot, 185-pounds. Strong frame.
Delivery: Slight drop and drive delivery, deceptive, strong front side, directional to target.
Arm Action: LH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot. Quick arm.
FB: T78, 76-78 mph. Played straight with occasional arm-side run. Strikes.
CB: 67-70 mph. 1/7 shape with gradual action.
CH: 70-74 mph. Near fastball arm speed. 

Marshall Ingold, Rochester (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: LHP
Body: 6-foot-4, 160-pounds. Lean, long-levered frame. Projectable.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, level shoulders, falls towards third base side, upright finish.
Arm Action: LH. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T71, 68-69 mph. Showed late arm-side run. Strikes.
CB: 55-58 mph. 1/7 shape with gradual action.
CH: 54-56 mph. Decelerates arm action. 

Logan Justus, Midwest Central (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-foot-9, 132-pounds. Wiry frame with plenty of room for continued physical development.
Delivery: Drop and drive delivery, lands open to target, athletic finish. 
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T81, 76-79 mph. Played up in the zone.
CB: 57-65 mph. 11/5 shape with gradual action.
CH: 63-70 mph. Maintains near fastball arm speed. Showed sinking action. Strikes; feel for pitch. 

Jared Lockmiller, Monticello (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-foot-2, 195-pounds. Physical, wide-shouldered, strong frame.
Delivery: Drop and drive type delivery, shoulders stay level, works closed from target.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, over-the-top slot.
FB: T78, 76-78 mph. Flashed sink.
CB: 65-69 mph. 12/6 shape. Gradual action.
SL: 65-70 mph. 

Hunter Mccaw, Peoria Heights  (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 145-pounds. Wiry frame.
Delivery: Slight drop and drive delivery, level shoulders, works on line to target, throws with effort.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T78, 74-77 mph. Plays straight. Some strikes.
CB: 62-65 mph. 11/5 shape. Showed sharp action at times.
CH: 69-70 mph. Thrown with fastball arm speed. Straight movement.

Jake Nelms, Geneseo (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 5-foot-10, 180-pounds. Strong frame.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, level shoulders, lands square, athletic finish.
Arm Action: LH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T74, 71-73 mph. Plays straight. Strikes.
CB: 62-64 mph. 1/7 shape. Sharp action, swing-and-miss potential.
CH: 66-70 mph. Thrown with near fastball arm speed. Showed slight fading action at times.

Griffin Neuweg, Rochester (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-foot-11, 180-pounds. Durable, strong lower half.
Delivery: Works quick, tall and fall delivery, high front side, throws on line with target. 
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T82, 80-81 mph. Plays straight. Works up in the zone.
CB: 65-67 mph. 11/5 shape, breaks early.
CH: 73-75 mph. Maintains fastball arm speed. Straight actions. 

Jonathan Oliger, Mt. Zion (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 170-pounds. Well-proportioned strength throughout.
Delivery: Athletic on the mound, slight drop and drive delivery, level shoulders, lands square, smooth rhythm throughout.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot. Quick draw.
FB: T81, 78-80 mph. Clean out the hand. Lively action. Strikes.
CB: 64-65 mph. 12/6 shape. Late break. Tunnels well with fastball at times. Feel for pitch.
SL: 70-72 mph. Sharp 11/5 shape. Feel for pitch.
CH: 69-72 mph. Flashed arm-side run and sink.

Brennon Reed, Bloomington (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 6-foot, 165-pounds. Athletic build. Strong lower half.
Delivery: Smooth drop and drive delivery, level shoulders, square landing, works on line with target. 
Arm Action: LH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T78, 75-78 mph. Played straight with occasional arm-side run.
CB: 58-60 mph. 12/6 shape.
CH: 73-75 mph. Maintains fastball arm speed. Plays straight. 

Brandon Roberson, Normal Community (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 6-foot-1, 185-pounds. Wide-shouldered.
Delivery: Steady tall and fall delivery, level shoulders, lands square and works direct to target.
Arm Action: LH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot. 
FB: T77, 74-76 mph. Showed arm-side run at times.
CB: 61-65 mph. 1/7 shape with gradual action.
CH: 67-70 mph. Thrown with near fastball arm speed. Flashed arm-side run. 

Bennett Sierens, Princeton (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-foot, 160-pounds. Athletic frame.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, front foot lands closed at times, works on line with target.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T77, 73-76 mph. Plays with natural arm-side run. Some strikes.
CB: 66-66 mph. 12/6 shape with gradual action. Thrown with intent.
CH: 63-64 mph. Maintains near fastball arm speed. 

Jake Tapia, Belvidere North (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: 2B/RHP
Body: 6-foot, 175-pounds. Athletically-built with room for continued physical development.
Delivery: Athletic drop and drive delivery, strong front side, lands closed to target with an athletic finish, smooth rhythm throughout.
Arm Action: RH. Long and loose arm action, high 3/4 slot. 
FB: T84, 79-81 mph. Plays with natural arm-side run and occasional sink. Strikes.
CB: 66-70 mph. 10/4 shape with late break. Best secondary pitch.
CH: 72-73 mph. Slight deceleration in arm action. Plays with sink.
SPLT: 71-73 mph.

Ethan Uftring, Washington Community (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: /1B
Body: 6-foot-1, 160-pounds. Lean, high-waisted build.
Delivery: Repeatable tall and fall delivery, high front side, lands square with an athletic finish through release.
Arm Action: LH. Long and loose arm action, over-the-top slot.
FB: T76, 74-75 mph. Play straight. Strikes.
CB: 64-66 mph. 1/7 shape, early break.
SL: 68-70 mph. 2/8 shape.
CH: 63-65 mph. Maintains near fastball arm speed. Showed arm-side run. Played down in the zone. 

Mateo Villagomez, St Laurence  (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 5-foot-11, 132-pounds. Lean frame.
Delivery: Repeatable tall and fall delivery, athletic balance point, level shoulders, works direct to target, some rhythm throughout.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T73, 68-72 mph. Play straight. Strikes.
CB: 59-61 mph. 11/5 shape, early break. Some strikes.
SL: 60-62 mph. Similar actions to curveball. 

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