On Feb. 26, 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 2024 and 2025 classes. This invite-only event helped our staff gain a clearer picture of the on-the-rise underclassmen from around the state heading into the spring season. 

For a complete list of the player’s that attended this event, click HERE.

In the week that followed this event, we produced post-event analysis that includes performance highlights inside of our Quick Hits story, a look at the traditional stats measured within our Statistical Analysis piece, batted-ball and pitch data compiled in TrackMan Files, swing metrics captured on the Blast Motion Board, and sight scores from an athletic perspective tracked on the Vizual Edge Scoreboard.

You can learn more about the state-of-the-art technologies featured at our showcases within the hyperlinks above. We rolled out the position players from the week, starting with the catchers and outfielders, and infield group before finishing out on the mound with the pitcher reports.

We'll wrap up this events analysis today by ranking the top overall prospects in attendance as separated by 2024 and 2025 prospects. Read below to see where these upper-tier prospects in their respective classes stack up against each other.

TOP 2024 OVERALL PROSPECTS

1. Ryan Sloan RHP / York, IL / 2024 Positional Profile: RHP Body: 6-3, 200-pounds. Long, lanky build. Delivery: Drop and drive delivery. Coiled front side at balance point. Works on line with target. Falls off to the first base side. Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, loose and free. Natural high 3/4 slot. FB: T91.7, 88.6-91.7 mph. Advanced arm side run and sink. T2171, 2126 average rpm. SL: 74.3-76.0 mph. 10/4 shape. Tight spin. Above average lateral action. T2233, 2173 average rpm. CH: 75.8-80.6 mph. Thrown from a lower arm slot. Sinking action. Turns it over. T2020, 1908 average rpm.

2. Kenny Perez SS / De LaSalle , IL / 2024 Positional Profile: SS/3B Body: 5-9, 140-pounds. Compact frame. Hit: RHH. Wide base, slightly open stance, loose and relaxed pre-pitch. Some length to contact. Creates backspin. Natural loft. Power: 96.9 max exit velocity, averaged 91 mph. 351’ max distance. Arm: RH. INF - 84 mph. Loose, quick arm action. 3/4 slot. Accuracy on throws. Defense: Soft, confident hands. Plays light on his feet. Under control on the move. Plays with confidence. Run: 7.20 runner in the 60.

3. Nate Harris SS / Yorkville, IL / 2024 Positional Profile: SS/RHP Body: 6-4, 200-pounds. Above average strength. Athletic build Hit: RHH. Tall setup, toe-tap stride. Creates leverage. Easy power to all fields. Natural lift. Fluid rhythm. Power: 96.5 max exit velocity, averaged 90.1 mph. 346’ max distance. Arm: RH. INF - 92 mph. Short, clean arm action. 3/4 slot. Advanced arm strength. Ball explodes out of the hand with carry across the diamond. Defense: Plays loose, athletic actions, quick feet, sure hands. Run: 6.82 runner in the 60. Long strider, gains ground.

4. Tyler Bell SS / Lincoln-Way East, IL / 2024 Positional Profile: SS/2B Body: 6-0, 170-pounds. Athletic build. Hit: SH. Balanced setup, smooth load, short stride. Loose, easy swing. Uphill path, athletic hands, repeatable. Remains balanced throughout. Stays through the hitting zone. Natural lift, works gap-to-gap. Power: 92.5 max exit velocity, averaged 83.7 mph. 322’ max distance. Arm: RH. INF - 88 mph. Loose arm action. Works from a high 3/4 slot. Ball jumps out of the hand with carry to the target. Defense: Easy, fluid actions. Moves efficiently and under control. Quick to release. Run: 7.13 runner in the 60.