On Feb. 25, the PBR Illinois staff hosted the Preseason All-State: Underclass showcase at The MAX in McCook, Ill., featuring many of the state’s top players inside both the 2025 and 2026 classes. This event helped our staff gain a clearer picture of the on-the-rise underclassmen in Illinois and who needs to be followed closely this spring and beyond. 

To view the event’s landing page, roster, and stats collected, click here. 

Read on below for a look at all of the catchers from the day, including the top-10 ranked by our staff during this look.

TOP CATCHING PROSPECTS

1. Enzo Infelise, Providence Catholic (IL), 2025; Oklahoma commit.
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-2, 205-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall open stance, slight leg kick, minimal hand load. Advanced bat speed, controlled intent, on the barrel with authority throughout, power bat profile.
Power: 101 max exit velocity, averaged 91.6 mph. 385’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 82 mph. INF - 90 mph. Short compact arm stroke, high 3/4 finish. Advanced arm strength for age from behind the plate and across the infield.
Defense: 1.90-2.02 pop times. Took reps behind the plate and on the infield. As a catcher, starts on one knee and creates momentum towards target with a clean exchange to release. On the infield, plays low to the ground and gathers out front, steady glovework, slight pack to release.
Run: 7.74 runner in the 60. 

2. Addison Latko, DePaul College Prep (IL), 2026; Illinois commit.
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced crouched setup, leg kick load with minimal hand load.  Advanced movement patterns, fluid, athletic and repeatable. Controlled intent, all over the barrel with loud, hard contact to the pull side.
Power: 98 max exit velocity, averaged 91.2 mph. 349’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. Short arm stroke, comes out clean with life out of a high 3/4 window.
Defense: 1.99-2.07 pop times. Fast, athletic mover from the crouch. Gains ground and creates momentum towards the bag, soft hands with a swift, clean transfer. Receives on one knee in 'pens, glove works down-to-up with rhythm, steady hands with firm wrists.
Run: 7.22 runner in the 60. 

3. Blaine Williams, Tremont (IL), 2025; Illinois commit.
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-11, 185-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned frame with lean-strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, high hands, short stride with minimal hand load.  Strong, intentful swing, short path, long through the zone and finished on balance. Hard contact off the barrel, middle/pull-side approach.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 88.4 mph. 337’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 85 mph. Short, clean arm action, over-the-top slot, throws play with life, carry and on the bag. One of the top arms in the state from behind the plate.
Defense: 1.91-2.00 pop times. One knee receiver in bullpens, quiet actions, steady hands. Athletic, clean and calm out of the crouch, works on-line, repeatable. Gets to advanced strength in rhythm.
Run: 6.91 runner in the 60. 

4. Noah Brandt, Somonauk (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-9, 160-pounds.
Hit: LHH. High hands in stance, wide base, slight leg kick with minimal hand and head movement. Loose athletic swing, short to and long through the zone, fluid rhythm throughout. On the barrel and used the middle of the field. Quality on the barrel round.
Power: 95 max exit velocity, averaged 88.5 mph. 330’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph. Short and quick arm that finishes out of a loose high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 1.94-2.06 pop times. Loose, balanced, and athletic behind the plate. Quick out the crouch, nimble feet that interchange in line and gain ground towards target. Soft hands, clean transfer to release.
Run: 7.39 runner in the 60. 

5. Quinn Schambow, Libertyville (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-0, 190-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance with weight slightly on back leg, short stride with quiet hand load. Easy, strong hands, long path, uphill tendencies and sprayed contact to all fields.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 91.2 mph. 259’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 83 mph. OF - 92 mph. Easy life and carry, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.00-2.13 pop times. Took reps behind the plate and from the outfield. As a catcher, balanced base, athletic feet that line up with the bag. Glove starts out front over the plate, soft hands, clean transfer. Worked on one knee in bullpens, quiet receiver. From the outfield, plays through the ball, steady actions.
Run: 7.05 runner in the 60. 

6. Peter Visconti II, St. Joseph Catholic (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-10, 180-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Narrow slightly crouched stance.  Minimal load with a short stride. Quiet, highly repeatable swing, easy hands, creates bat strength, mature whole field approach.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 90.1 mph. 342’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Short, lively arm, finishes from an over-the-top slot with carry through the bag.
Defense: 1.99-2.03 pop times. Simple mover, feet work in line from the crouch, simple hand transfer, willing blocker.
Run: 7.14 runner in the 60.

7. John McAuliffe, Marist (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-1, 185-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Wide base toe tap load minimal hand load. Short path, quick hands, on the barrel throughout, easy bat speed and worked hard contact to both gaps.
Power: 97 max exit velocity, averaged 91.5 mph. 283’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 81 mph. Short arm stroke, high 3/4 slot. Wiry arm strength with carry to the bag, accurate at times.
Defense: 1.87-2.01 pop times. Balanced base, athletic out the crouch, gains ground. Works in line, quick and clean hand transfer to release. Athletic blocker, squares up the baseball. Received on one knees in 'pens, glove plays down-to-up.
Run: 6.92 runner in the 60. 

8. Max Heineman, Normal University (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-10, 165-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, slightly open stance, leg kick trigger, slight hand load.  Fluid, repeatable swing, short and direct to the ball, on the barrel, mature gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 95 max exit velocity, averaged 86.1 mph. 342’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Arm draws back with some length, finishes from a loose high 3/4 window. Flashed carry through target at times.
Defense: 2.07-2.15 pop times. Athletic behind the plate, loose mover. Fluid feet that gain ground and stay in line, soft hands that transfer in rhythm, clean to release.
Run: 7.36 runner in the 60.  

9. Anthony Nottage, Glenbrook South (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-9, 160-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Open stance, small stride, hands work back at load.  Athletic swing, on-plane, on time and on the barrel. Fluid overall movement patterns and finishes on balance.
Power: 84 max exit velocity, averaged 77.4 mph. 256’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Arm draws back out the glove and finishes from a loose high 3/4 slot. Accurate on the bag.
Defense: 2.14-2.22 pop times. Receives on one knee, lets the ball travel with firm wrists. Athletic blocker with feel to chest up the baseball, showed that in bullpens. Feet line up with the bag from the crouch, clean steady transfer to release.
Run: 7.38 runner in the 60. 

10. Calen Scheider, Hampshire (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-11, 150-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Narrow stance slight bend in knees, toe tap/knee knock stride with quiet hand load. Easy, loose hands, whippy through the zone, line-drive approach, finishes on balance.
Power: 87 max exit velocity, averaged 80.3 mph. 262’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 81 mph. Tight, short simple arm action, high 3/4 finish with life and carry to the bag.
Defense: 1.94-2.00 pop times. Loose, athletic mover out of the crouch, flexible hips, Quick feet, soft hand transfer to a clean, fluid release. Softens the baseball on blocks.
Run: 7.49 runner in the 60. 

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Colton Benaitis, Lockport (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-0, 165-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall slightly crouched stance, minimal load and stride.  Direct, flat swing, easy effort, sneaky jump off the barrel and flashed back spin contact.
Power: 87 max exit velocity, averaged 81.7 mph. 314’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. INF - 71 mph. Short arm stroke, high 3/4 finish.
Defense: 1.94-2.07 pop times. Took reps behind the plate and on the infield. As a catcher, feet square up to the bag, simple hand transfer with a quick release. On the infield, glove gathers out front, flashed footwork feel and plays through release. 

Angel Castro, De La Salle (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 5-10, 210-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall narrow stance,  toe tap stride, minimal hand load. Quiet, strong. fluid swing, on-plane and uphill path. Stayed on the barrel throughout his round.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 89 mph. 337’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.12-2.20 pop times. Quiet throughout, soft gather, clean hand transfer with some length to release. Receives on one knee, flexible. Glove works down-to-up, soft hands.
Run: 7.79 runner in the 60. Run: 7.41 runner in the 60. 

CJ Donnelly, New Trier (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-2, 180-pounds.
Hit: SH. Tall stance, narrow setup, short stride, slight hand load. Easy effort, relaxed look and demeanor. Repeatable and on time, working up the middle throughout.
Power: 85 max exit velocity, averaged 79.6 mph. 273’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Short arm path, over-the-top slot.
Defense: 2.12-2.14 pop times. Upright start, steady transfer, long to release. Strong wrists at gather.
Run: 7.34 runner in the 60. 

Joey Gumuls, Marist (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-9, 160-pounds.
Hit: SH. Slightly crouched stance, wide base, minimal load. Quick hands, short, level path and line-drive approach.
Power: 80 max exit velocity, averaged 77.6 mph. 257’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Short over-the-top arm action with twitchy arm speed. Accurate around the bag with some carry at times.
Defense: 2.08-2.13 pop times. Athletic behind the plate, loose/flexible hips, comfortable back there. Quiet receiver, lets the ball travel, firm wrists. Quick feet, gains ground towards target, fast hand transfer to a clean release. Adept blocker.
Run: 7.43 runner in the 60. 

Dylan Kassab, Hinsdale Central (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-10, 180-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall open stance, short toe-tap stride.  Strong, fast swing, present bat strength, ball jumps off the barrel and flashed big power potential.
Power: 97 max exit velocity, averaged 93.4 mph. 351’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph. Tight short arm path, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.07-2.12 pop times. Square start, gathers out front with a steady transfer to release. Received on one knee in bullpens, flexible hips.
Run: 7.27 runner in the 60. 

Benjamin Mitchell, Harvest Christian (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-1, 200-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall open stance, long stride with hand pump for load. Aggressive swing, strong hands, creates backspin elevated contact off the bat and hits off front side.
Power: 99 max exit velocity, averaged 93 mph. 362’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.02-2.09 pop times. Quick out the crouch, stays in line to target, steady transfer to a clean release. Receives on one knee, glove works down-to-up.
Run: 7.31 runner in the 60. 

Mason Monce, Wheaton Warrenville South (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-1, 195-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide open stance with slight been in knees. Small leg kick trigger. Short, direct path, uphill swing, intent throughout and worked elevated contact to the whole field.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 83.8 mph. 300’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. Short, tight arm path that works out of a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.16-2.21 pop times. Wide start with weight out front, drifts away out of the crouch, steady exchange to release.
Run: 7.77 runner in the 60. 

Matt Murphy, Mount Carmel (IN), 2025
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-1, 185-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide base slightly crouched stance toe tap stride with minimal hand load. Strong hands, uphill path, long through the zone at times and middle/pull-side approach.
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 82.7 mph. 317’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.09-2.16 pop times. Receives on one knee, quiet glove, works down-to-up. Simple and athletic out the crouch, works in line to target, clean through release.
Run: 7.32 runner in the 60. 

Kaleb Navarro, De La Salle (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-3, 200-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Slightly crouched open setup, short stride. Strong, quick hands, on the barrel up the middle with lifted contact at times.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 80.6 mph. 324’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Short arm action with some twitch, comes out of a high 3/4 slot with carry. On the bag at times.
Defense: 2.08-2.13 pop times. Upright start, staggered feet, quick hand transfer to release.
Run: 7.25 runner in the 60. 

Alex Nielsen, Antioch (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-6, 155-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall narrow stance, high hand start, leg kick trigger.  Long path, loose hands, present bat strength, spray approach and finishes on balance.
Power: 84 max exit velocity, averaged 75.4 mph. 271’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. Short simple arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.13-2.16 pop times. Square start, athletic out of the crouch, swift mover. Quick clean transfer, efficient to release.
Run: 7.90 runner in the 60. 

Drew Stevens, Normal Community (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-9, 150-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, hands start high, slight leg kick trigger with minimal hand load.  Fluid swing, long path, level through the zone, feel for the barrel, spray approach.
Power: 84 max exit velocity, averaged 77.1 mph. 240’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. Short tight arm action, high 3/4 slot. Some feel for the bag.
Defense: 2.22-2.33 pop times. Athletic feet that gain ground from the crouch, stays in line to target, quick and clean transfer to release.
Run: 8.07 runner in the 60. 

Brandon Stinson, Kenwood Academy (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-1, 177-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced crouched stance with short stride and minimal hand load. Controlled aggression, loose strong hands, long through the zone, mature whole field approach, natural lift at times.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 80.7 mph. 317’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Short loose arm action, finishes out of a fast high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.00-2.14 pop times. Upright start, wide base. Fast feet that line up to target, quick hand transfer to release.
Run: 7.70 runner in the 60. 

Gael Urbieta, Loyola Academy (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-11, 200-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall balanced stance with small stride and minimal hand load. Balanced, strong swing, quiet overall actions and stays on the barrel and on time. Drove hard contact to both gaps.
Power: 96 max exit velocity, averaged 93.1 mph. 299’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Short over-the-top arm action, accurate at times.
Defense: 1.98-2.03 pop times. Quiet and simple throughout. Feet work in line with the bag, clean easy gather to release. Simple receiver, lets the ball travel.
Run: 7.62 runner in the 60. 

Cameron Williams, Homewood-Flossmoor (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-9, 180-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced start, toe-tap stride, minimal hand load. Short path, direct to the ball, strong hands, flat through the zone, worked the middle of the field.
Power: 85 max exit velocity, averaged 70.8 mph. 232’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. Short tight arm action, over-the-top slot. On the bag throughout.
Defense: 2.22-2.33 pop times. Square stance, feet work in line, clean hand transfer with a quick release.
Run: 7.93 runner in the 60. 

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