On Wednesday, 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 made their way to the Louisville Slugger Dome in Peoria, and we’re going to share with you the biggest takeaways from the event here today.

Tomorrow, Friday, we’ll publish a Statistical Analysis from the showcase, highlighting the top performers across the event leaderboards. In a few week’s time, we’ll have videos taken from Wednesday’s showcase posted inside player profiles, with position-by-position analysis coming soon after that. For now, here are the best things we learned and saw from the annual Peoria event.

MAX FASTBALL VELOCITY

A year ago, at this same event, RHP Will Morris (Plainfield South, 2021; uncommitted) was up to 78 mph. On Wednesday, Morris paced the pitchers at the same showcase by touching 87 mph, an event-high. Fellow junior Jack Barham (Dunlap; uncommitted) also emerged as a follow for his two-way abilities – he was up to 86 mph on the mound. Warrensburg-Latham’s big lefty Brayden Closs (2021; uncommitted) was also up to 86 mph from the left side, up 10 ticks since this same event last year. Also notably, sophomore Nolan McMasters (Chatham Glenwood; uncommitted) took some excellent reps on the infield where his big arm played, and he sat 83-85 mph on the mound, too.

TOP 60-YARD DASH

Three prospects, all uncommitted juniors, recorded sub-6.90 marks in the 60 on Wednesday: Luke Flesner (Springfield; 6.72), Karson Eccles (Deer Creek Mackinaw; 6.79), and Ryan Maul (Jacksonville; 6.87). Flesner also topped another leaderboard that you can find below. Also of note, unsigned senior Sam Monroe (Moline) ran a 7.11 while taking one of the top BP rounds at the Peoria event.

TOP EXIT VELOCITY

Here’s Monroe again – who used his bat strength in batting practice, but also produced the top exit velocity mark at this station. Alleman junior Zach Carpita (uncommitted) landed the No. 2 spot on this board with a 93 mph high, while fellow junior Patrick Mulcahey (Bloomington Central Catholic; uncommitted) trailed him by a tick. A group of sophomores also tallied above-average marks from the tee, and Tyler Adkins (Metamora; uncommitted) led the 2022s with a 90 mph high. Athletic middle infielder Jake Tapia (Belvidere North, 2021; uncommitted) showed well across the board, including here, running a 7.17, topping 85 mph across the infield, and reaching an 88 mph high from the exit velo station.

TOP INFIELD VELOCITY

Flesner’s big arm helped him top 89 mph from across the infield, leading this group. Washington C/INF Josh Heyder (2021; uncommitted) has big arm strength that helped him record an 88 mph high on the infield, as well as the top mark through it. Aforementioned Glenwood sophomore McMasters reached 88 mph from across the diamond, too, as one of the day’s big winners overall.

TOP OUTFIELD VELOCITY

Deemack’s Will Girardi (2021; uncommitted) was an interesting switch-hit bat that also topped this leaderboard with an 87 mph high to home. Sophomore Elijah Kjellberg (Parkway Central, MO; uncommitted) tied Girardi for the No. 1 seat. The outfielder from Missouri looks like a follow in the state’s 2022 class. Maul, one of the three sub-6.90 runners on the day, also recorded a 86 mph high from the outfield turf.

TOP CATCHER VELOCITY

Heyder’s big arm matches his physical size and led to him averaging some of the lowest pops of the day. He topped 80 mph from out of the chute. Sacred Heart-Griffin junior Dylan Dickerson (uncommitted) was up to 77 mph through the infield. Sophomore Nathan Cooley (Illinois Valley Central) was neck and neck with Heyder and pops while notching the third highest throws from the crouch.

TOP POP TIMES

Heyder and Cooley were practically tied for the lowest average pops in the event, both still uncommitted as a junior and sophomore, respectively. Versatile junior Carson Dubach (Edwardsville) showed some actions himself behind the plate and the same can be said about the aforementioned Dickerson. 

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