On Feb. 9, PBR Illinois hosted one of its biggest showcases on its annual calendar: Preseason All-State. This invite-only showcase brings together the state’s best talent in its 2021 class, and all that talent was certainly on display at The MAX over the weekend. Over 110 of Illinois’ best juniors made it to McCook on Sunday, many of whom remain uncommitted.

After publishing our instant analysis in the fallout of the event yesterday, inside our Quick Hits post, today we’re taking a look at the statistical side of things, seeing who topped the leaderboards of each measured category.

Keep an eye in the coming days and weeks when videos will be posted to profiles and our staff begins to break down each position from the select event. For now, here’s the Preseason All-State Statistical Analysis.

TOP 60-YARD DASH

To the surprise of absolutely no one, Nicky Giamarusti (Notre Dame; Pittsburgh commit) handily topped this leaderboard with a 6.31 mark. He couldn’t break his staggering personal record (6.22) at the 2019 PBR Future Games, but the event-best time on Sunday is still stellar. Quinn Willard (Cornerstone Christian Academy; uncommitted) came in next with a 6.59 mark and the versatile Missouri State commit, Hayden Moore (Edwardsville), was next at 6.74. An impressive amount of talent clocked in with sub-7.15 times, so it’s worth digging deeper than the list below, too.

MAX FASTBALL VELOCITY

Right-handers Brennyn Cutts (Toledo-Cumberland; Indiana State) and Tyler Conklin (Kaneland; uncommitted) both topped 91 mph with their fastballs, and reached that mark multiple times. We expected to see Cutts live in that range, but Conklin’s fastball was one of the biggest and best surprises of the event. Dominic Guzman’s (Crystal Lake South; uncommitted) 90 mph high was another one of the biggest takeaways from Sunday. Southpaws Drew Gray (Belleville East; Arkansas) and Eric Orloff (Glenbrook North; uncommitted) were each up to 89 mph to top the lefty leaderboard.

TOP EXIT VELOCITY

Alex Calarco’s (New Trier; Northwestern) huge size helps him impact the ball at a different rate than his peers, at this stage. His 103 mph high from the tee was four ticks better than the next best group. Three uncommitted prospects recorded 99 mph highs: C Tyler Pecson (Palatine), 1B Al Holguin (St. Rita), and C Kyle Hayes (St. Charles East). There was another trio of 98 mph-highs right behind this group, too. There was some demonstrable physicality on display at The MAX on Sunday.

TOP INFIELD VELOCITY

Nazareth Academy’s two-way talent Ryan Smith (uncommitted) led this group of infielders with an 89 mph high from across the infield. Moore, who was near the top of the 60-yard dash leaderboard, recorded an 87 mph high in the infield and is well-known for his versatility as a defender on both the dirt and grass. Zachary Kim (Glenbrook North) earned a mention in Monday’s Quick Hits post for the quality batting practice round he took and his big arm in the infield helped him land the No. 3 spot on this board, too.

TOP OUTFIELD VELOCITY

Given how talented Gray’s left arm is from the rubber, the 93 mph high placed him atop this leaderboard, alongside Normal University’s MacCallan Conklin (Illinois State). This Conklin didn’t pitch on Sunday, but he’s previously been up to 88 mph in our looks in the past. Willard’s footspeed landed him the No. 2 spot on the 60 board, and his 90 mph high tied him for third here, with Lucas Spence (Crete Monee; uncommitted).

TOP CATCHER VELOCITY

Ben Hartl (Springfield; uncommitted) was one of a handful of former Team Illinois Future Gamers at The MAX on Sunday, and he tied Cain Headrick (Providence Catholic; uncommitted) for the top spot in this category. Calarco and uncommitted Minooka backstop Hunter Ryan were just a tick behind the aforementioned – Ryan was also right near the top of the category on deck, too.

TOP POP TIMES

Western Kentucky commit Ty Batusich (Joliet West) is among the top prospects in the state’s junior class and he paced the day’s backstops with the lowest average pop time, and he took one of the more robust rounds of BP on Sunday as well. The aforementioned Ryan was basically tied with Batusich on this leaderboard and just about the same can be said about Palatine’s Pecson, and really the rest of the this group listed above.

CLICK HERE for a look at all the stats from the event.

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