South Suburban Open: Pitcher Analysis

September 8, 2023
By: Illinois Scouting Staff

On Tuesday, June 20th the PBR Illinois team hosted the South Suburban Open at Ozinga Field in Crestwood, IL. This open event was for all high school classes (2024-27), and gave our staff a chance to get a look at 30+ uncommitted prospects at the start of the summer.

For a closer look at the showcase details and the technologies we have on-site to assist our in-person evaluation for all in attendance, click here. Today we conclude the analysis of the event with a look at all of the pitchers from the event.

Hunter Johnson (Oak Forest), Jack Wilson (New Trier) and Gabriel Kotwasinski (Fenwick) Were a trio of right-handed 2024s still on the market that were worth a mention, pitched in the low-80s and just missed out on the Top-Five below.

LHP Cody DelFavero (Morris) is another 2024 to keep an eye on. DelFavero does most of his work as a position player but is still a capable arm that pitches in the low-80s with a three-pitch mix.

Read on below for a look at all of the arms from the day.

TOP PITCHING PROSPECTS

no. 1 Wilson Wemhoff OF / RHP / Hampshire, IL / 2025

Rankings StateRank: 106 / POS: 19

Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-10, 195-pounds. Strong, compact frame.
Delivery: Quiet delivery, medium leg lift, accelerates downhill.
Arm Action: RH. Works out of a 3/4 slot, long and whippy.
FB: T86, 83-85 mph. Four-seam: Loud, heavy armside run, quality in the zone, works best to the glove side. T2098, 2065 average rpm.
CB: 70-72 mph. Sharp, 11/5 shape, lands for strikes. T2231, 2170 average rpm.
SL: 73-73 mph. Gradual slurve shape. T2143, 2048 average rpm.
CH: 75-76 mph. Similar profile to the fastball, developing pitch. T1802, 1678 average rpm.

no. 2 Andrew Dawson RHP / SS / Oak Forest, IL / 2026

Rankings StateRank: 53 / POS: 11

Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 6-1, 160-pounds. Athletic, wiry frame with plenty of room for continued physical development.
Delivery: Segmented delivery, loose levers, works on-line down the mound, front foot lands square.
Arm Action: RH. Quick, clean, whippy arm action, high ¾ slot.
FB: T87, 82-85 mph. Armside run, heavy, ability to control to the glove side at times. T2239, 2129 average rpm.
CB: 67-68 mph. 12/6 downer shape, out-pitch potential. T2019, 1903 average rpm.
CH: 72-73 mph. Above-average feel (75% strikes), sink and run action. T1732, 1639 average rpm.

no. 3 Karim Patterson 1B / OF / Latin School of Chicago, IL / 2025

Rankings StateRank: 92 / POS: 4

Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 6-1, 200-pounds. Strong, mature frame.
Delivery: Smooth delivery, calm, drop/drive, works downhill.
Arm Action: LH. Long, fluid arm action comes out of a high ¾ slot.
FB: T82, 81-82 mph. Played heavy with arm-side run and showed control. T2080, 1981 average rpm.
CB: 68-70 mph. 1/7, similar to the SL, sharper bite. T2175, 2109 average rpm.
SL: 70-71 mph. 1/7 shape, slurve action, has feel for the zone, lands for strikes. T2306, 2190 average rpm.

no. 4 Padraig Hurley SS / RHP / Illinois Lutheran, IL / 2026

Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-0, 140-pounds. Athletic, wiry frame.
Delivery: Linear, athletic, on-line delivery, works with pace out of balance point.
Arm Action: RH. Short, whippy arm action, plays from an over-the-top slot.
FB: T82, 79-81 mph. Clean and lively out of the hand, plays true with carry (18.8 average IVB) and controls it around the zone (71% strikes). T2085, 1983 average rpm.
CB: 63-64 mph. 11/5 shape, sharp with depth at times. T1874, 1808 average rpm.
SL: 72-74 mph. Short wrinkle, tighter action. T1659, 1613 average rpm.

t5 Brady Backes RHP / 3B / Lasalle-Peru, IL / 2025

Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-5, 195-pounds. Long-levered build with more room for continued development.
Delivery: Flashed a hybrid delivery. Plays with pace and effort, rotates through finish.
Arm Action: RH. Short, compact arm action, quick out front and plays from a high ¾ slot.
FB: T86, 84-85 mph. Jumps out of the hand, lively offering and plays with four-seam carry. T2297, 2202 average rpm.
CB: 71-72 mph. Flashes out-pitch potential. Sharp, late-biting actions, thrown aggressively and plays at the bottom of zone. T2324, 2267 average rpm.
SL: 74-76 mph. Gradual, developing pitch. T2336, 2221 average rpm.
CH: 79-81 mph. Plays down in the zone, quality offering, landed for strikes 50% of the time. T2105, 2094 average rpm.
CUT: 79-79 mph. Plays similarly to the fastball.

t5 Ethan Highfill OF / RHP / Sandburg, IL / 2024

Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-3, 200-pounds. Strong, athletic, physical build.
Delivery: Side-saddle, uptempo, medium leg lift, athletic downhill.
Arm Action: RH. Long, aggressive arm action; quick out front. High ¾ slot.
FB: T84, 82-83 mph. Controlled the zone (80% strikes), flashed life through the zone. T2149, 2133 average rpm.
CB: 71-74 mph. Gradual, developing pitch. T2350, 2263 average rpm.
SL: 73-75 mph. Sharp, tight action, ability to get it to the glove-side of the plate, well above-average spin. T2609, 2349 average rpm.
CH: 77-78 mph. Circle change, plays down in the zone. T1844, 1718 average rpm.

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Micheal Bailey, Marian Catholic (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: LHP
Body: 6-2, 160-pounds. Lanky.
Delivery: Lands toward the plate, aggressive leg swing, stiff front leg, transfers weight well.
Arm Action: LH. Short, whippy, 3/4 slot.
FB: T79, 78-79 mph. Armside run, better command to the armside. T2110, 2056 average rpm.
CB: 65-66 mph. 10/4 shape, sharp actions. T1917, 1853 average rpm.
SL: 68-70 mph. 10/4 shape, lands, similar profile to curveball. T2038, 2024 average rpm.
CH: 70-71 mph. Cutting action, developing pitch. T1494, 1393 average rpm.

Jace Binion, Kenwood Academy (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 5-7, 168-pounds.
Delivery: Side-saddle, medium leg lift, drop/drive delivery.
Arm Action: RH. Short, over the top arm action.
FB: T73, 71-73 mph. Heavy, best thrown to the glove side. T1903, 1824 average rpm.
CB: 63-65 mph. Gradual, developing pitch. T1854, 1801 average rpm.
CH: 67-68 mph. Circle change, fades arm-side at times, plays at the bottom of the zone. T1419, 1312 average rpm.

Javon Carter, Kenwood Academy (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 5-10, 135-pounds.
Delivery: Medium leg lift, lands towards home, still head with some effort, drop and drive delivery.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T67, 63-67 mph. Some armside run. T1723, 1592 average rpm.
CB: 57-59 mph. 11/5 shape, downer action. T1526, 1490 average rpm.
CH: 57-59 mph. Fades at times, developing pitch. T1199, 1122 average rpm.

Nicholas Cutaia, Lincoln-Way East (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-11, 169-pounds.
Delivery: Side-saddle delivery, controlled at balance point, medium leg lift.
Arm Action: RH. High 3/4, full arm circle.
FB: T83, 78-81 mph. Feel for the zone, plays at the bottom. T2394, 2293 average rpm.
CB: 66-70 mph. 11/5 shape, best thrown to the armside. T2198, 2126 average rpm.
SL: 70-74 mph. Gradual 10/4 break, lands at times, developing pitch. T2290, 2241 average rpm.
CH: 69-73 mph. Slight deceleration, mostly straight. Developing. T1574, 1509 average rpm.

Cody DelFavero, Morris (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-10, 180-pounds. Strong, well-proportioned.
Delivery: Uptempo, slight side saddle, medium leg lift with torque, tall/fall.
Arm Action: LH. 3/4 slot, whippy, long, uses upper-half.
FB: T81, 78-80 mph. Better command to glove side, life through the zone. T2055, 1980 average rpm.
CB: 66-67 mph. 10/4 shape, short wrinkle. T1796, 1734 average rpm.
CH: 69-71 mph. Downer action, cuts at times, lands. T1439, 1316 average rpm.

Hunter Johnson, Oak Forest (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds. Athletic, lean build.
Delivery: High leg lift, large side step, still head with effort, lands towards home.
Arm Action: RH. Fluid, quick, accelerates out front, 3/4 slot.
FB: T83, 79-83 mph. Heavy armside run, better to the glove side. T2409, 2253 average rpm.
SL: 69-69 mph. Gradual, 11/5 shape, lands. T2187, 2113 average rpm.
CH: 68-70 mph. Keeps down, three finger. T1793, 1520 average rpm.

Gabriel Kotwasinski, Fenwick (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-4, 220-pounds. Physical, wide-shouldered build.
Delivery: Uptempo, side-saddle, medium leg lift, tall/fall.
Arm Action: RH. High 3/4 slot, fluid.
FB: T83, 81-83 mph. Some armside run, has feel for the zone. T2175, 2148 average rpm.
CB: 72-74 mph. 11/5 shape, short break. T2362, 2362 average rpm.
SPLT: 77-78 mph. Fades armside, downer action, plays at bottom of zone.

Jonny Lee, Romeoville (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-9, 135-pounds.
Delivery: Slight side-saddle delivery, medium leg lift, calm, drop/drive.
Arm Action: RH. High 3/4, short and whippy arm.
FB: T79, 74-79 mph. Has some sink to it, plays at the bottom of the zone, has feel. T2056, 1921 average rpm.
CB: 66-67 mph. 12/6 shape, short break. T2076, 2048 average rpm.
SL: 67-70 mph. 11/5 shape, has feel for the zone, out-pitch potential. T2179, 2140 average rpm.
CH: 72-74 mph. Keeps down, plays horizontally, circle-change. T1956, 1866 average rpm.

Griffin Meeker, Tremont (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: 2B/RHP
Body: 6-1, 175-pounds. Athletic, lean.
Delivery: Long, high leg kick, lands towards home, stiff back leg, transfers weight well.
Arm Action: RH. Loose, accelerates, over the top slot.
FB: T80, 76-79 mph. Armside run, heavy, thrown best to the glove side. T1814, 1764 average rpm.
CB: 67-71 mph. Gradual, 11/5 shape, lands at the bottom of the zone. T1738, 1618 average rpm.
SL: 71-73 mph. Tight rotation, small break. T1762, 1711 average rpm.
CH: 71-72 mph. Similar profile to the fastball, developing pitch. T1639, 1591 average rpm.

Tyler O'Brien, Neuqua Valley (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 6-3, 165-pounds. Long-limbed, high-waisted frame with projection.
Delivery: Simple, quiet delivery, still head, lands front foot closed, minimal effort throughout.
Arm Action: LH. Short, 3/4 slot.
FB: T74, 71-74 mph. Armside run, commands best to the armside. T1895, 1848 average rpm.
CB: 63-64 mph. 10/4 shape, slurve action, lands. T2053, 2012 average rpm.
CH: 64-67 mph. Circle change, keeps down in the zone, developing. T1327, 1208 average rpm.

Drew Rader, University (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-1, 185-pounds.
Delivery: Side-saddle, drop and drive, uptempo delivery, high-leg lift, athletic downhill.
Arm Action: RH. Over the top slot, long, fluid arm action.
FB: T81, 78-81 mph. Mostly straight, feel for the zone. T2144, 2026 average rpm.
CB: 68-71 mph. 11/5 shape, gradual. T2080, 1939 average rpm.
SPLT: 69-73 mph. Sharp, keeps down, aggressive break.

Robert Soto Jr, Reavis (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-9, 170-pounds.
Delivery: Segmented, lands towards home aggressively.
Arm Action: RH. Short, quick, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T78, 76-77 mph. Armside run, better to the glove side. T1907, 1800 average rpm.
CB: 65-69 mph. 12/6 shape, short break. T2001, 1772 average rpm.
CH: 70-71 mph. Circle change, plays at the bottom of the zone, developing pitch. T1613, 1457 average rpm.
SPLT: 68-70 mph. Downer action, fades arm-side at times, plays at the bottom of the zone.

Jack Starcevich, Thornton Fractional South (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-10, 185-pounds.
Delivery: Medium leg-lift, drop/drive delivery.
Arm Action: RH. High 3/4 slot, long arm.
FB: T78, 77-78 mph. Plays down in the zone. T2026, 1984 average rpm.
SL: 68-69 mph. 11/5 shape, lands at the bottom of the zone. T1638, 1539 average rpm.
CH: 70-71 mph. Fade action to the armside. T1591, 1517 average rpm.
CUT: 72-75 mph. Gradual, developing pitch.

Jack Wilson, New Trier (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-10, 180-pounds.
Delivery: Easy downhill delivery, drop/drive.
Arm Action: RH. Full arm circle, loose arm, quick arm, 3/4 slot.
FB: T83, 82-83 mph. 2S: Heavy armside, plays at bottom of zone. 4S: Armside run, feel for zone. T2495, 2389 average rpm.
CB: 70-72 mph. 11/5 shape, sharp bite. T2473, 2388 average rpm.
SL: 72-72 mph. Gradual 11/5 shape, lands. T2361, 2346 average rpm.