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 position players from the event. 

Tyler Earmsmuth (Thornton Fractional South, 2024),  Wilson Wemhoff (Hampshire, 2025), and Robert Soto Jr (Reavis, 2027) are all names that impressed our staff at the event, but just missed out on being mentioned within the top-five.

TOP POSITION PLAYERS

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Peyton Ablin, Lincoln-Way Central  (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-10, 170-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Crouched setup, open stance, small leg lift, lift and place stride. Uphill path, hits the bottom half of the ball, up the middle approach. 72.5 mph bat speed with 21 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 83.5 mph. 284’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. Shorter arm action out of a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.10-2.18 pop times. Quick first step, quick transfer, works in-line, consistent accurate throws.
Run: 7.27 runner in the 60. 

Brady Backes, Lasalle-Peru (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-5, 195-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, shifts weight back with lower-half coil. Uphill path, pull-side approach. 70.1 mph bat speed with 8 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 84 max exit velocity, averaged 73.5 mph. 227’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 83 mph. Plays from multiple slots and on the move.
Defense: Two-hand gather, shuffle steps on throws and works directionally with his target.
Run: 7.87 runner in the 60. 

Peyton Barborek, Joliet West (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: OF/2B
Body: 5-7, 160-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, medium leg lift, long stride. Long through the ball, consistent, all fields approach. 61.9 mph bat speed with 8 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 79.9 mph. 250’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 75 mph. Long, loose and quick arm, low 3/4 slot.
Defense: One-hand gather out front, fields ball in stride, works in-line and transitions well into a crow hop.
Run: 7.60 runner in the 60. 

Jace Binion, Kenwood Academy (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 5-7, 168-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, high leg lift into balance point, short stride. Compact and short to the ball, up the middle approach. 59.8 mph bat speed with 10 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 82 max exit velocity, averaged 73.9 mph. 221’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 71 mph. Compact arm action into a  3/4 slot.
Defense: Two-hand gather, athletic actions, moves well side-to-side, clean double play turn.
Run: 7.65 runner in the 60. 

Javon Carter, Kenwood Academy (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 5-10, 135-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, minimal pre-pitch movements, lift and place leg lift. Direct path, slightly uphill, middle/opposite field approach. 58.9 mph bat speed with 8 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 81 max exit velocity, averaged 71.8 mph. 217’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Short, over the top slot.
Defense: Two-hand gather, fields ball to body.
Run: 7.06 runner in the 60. 

Andrew Dawson, Oak Forest (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 6-1, 160-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, medium leg lift into medium stride length. Short path, low effort, loose arms with a one-handed finish. 63.9 mph bat speed with 6 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 85 max exit velocity, averaged 73.1 mph. 284’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. Long, loose arm, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two-hand gather, clean transfer, smooth double play turn.
Run: 7.70 runner in the 60. 

Tyler Earmsmuth, Thornton Fractional South (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-3, 175-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, coils front foot with load. Direct, flat path, barrelled the ball throughout the round with line drive contact. 67 mph bat speed with 12 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 84.1 mph. 300’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 79 mph. Long, loose arm with acceleration out front, over the top slot.
Defense: One-hand gather out front, works through the ball.
Run: 7.03 runner in the 60. 

Kevin Epinger, Oak Forest (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: OF/1B
Body: 6-4, 195-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, small lift and place leg lift. Long swing, flat path, middle/pull-side approach. 64.5 mph bat speed with 7 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 79 max exit velocity, averaged 67.8 mph. 261’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 77 mph. Long, loose arm, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: One-hand gather out front, shuffle step on throws, works directionally to target.
Run: 7.10 runner in the 60. 

Joseph Fitzgerald, Marist (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-8, 130-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Narrow setup, open stance, small leg lift into long stride. Hands move back into balance point, long path with slight uphill tendencies. 44.2 mph bat speed with 3 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 74 max exit velocity, averaged 69.7 mph. 226’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 58 mph. Short arm, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.73-2.81 pop times. Clean transfer, works in-line.
Run: 9.17 runner in the 60. 

Ethan Highfill, Sandburg (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/C
Body: 6-3, 200-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, small leg lift, lift and place stride. Direct, flat path, all fields approach. 74.8 mph bat speed with 16 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 79.4 mph. 313’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 83 mph. Long, loose arm, 3/4 slot.
Defense: One-hand gather, fields ball out front, works in-line, shuffle step on throws.
Run: 7.21 runner in the 60. 

Jack Hughes, Evergreen Park (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 3B/1B
Body: 6-3, 205-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Narrow, tall setup, open stance, medium leg lift, long stride. Short, direct path to the ball, flat barrel through contact, up the middle/pull-side approach. 67.8 mph bat speed with 15 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 86.7 mph. 302’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Short, low 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two-hand gather out front, fields ball to body, smooth transfer, works well to both sides.
Run: 7.39 runner in the 60. 

Padraig Hurley, Illinois Lutheran (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-0, 140-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Narrow setup, toe-tap stride. Uphill path, handsy swing, line drives when barrelled. 66.3 mph bat speed with 10 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 84 max exit velocity, averaged 76.6 mph. 310’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. Short with loose arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two-hand gather out front, smooth actions, quick/clean transfer.
Run: 7.53 runner in the 60. 

Hunter Johnson, Oak Forest (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, small leg lift, short stride. Handsy swing, flat path, produced pull-side line drives. 64.1 mph bat speed with 7 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 82.9 mph. 269’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Plays from different slots and on the move.
Defense: Two-hand gather, fields ball to body, clean transfer, works well side-to-side.
Run: 7.77 runner in the 60. 

Andrew Miller, Hinsdale South  (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 3B/OF
Body: 5-10, 170-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Crouched, wide setup, small lift and place leg lift. Flat path, extends hands through the zone, power to the pull-side. 70.7 mph bat speed with 16 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 77.3 mph. 273’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. OF - 80 mph. Medium arm swing, over the top slot.
Defense: INF: Two-hand gather, quick transfer, moves well up the middle. OF: Two-hand gather, works in-line through the ball.
Run: 7.79 runner in the 60. 

Hayden Noha, Oak Forest (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-2, 170-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, small lift and place leg lift. Quick hands, long swing, creates extension out front, opposite field approach. 61 mph bat speed with 11 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 76 max exit velocity, averaged 60 mph. 260’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Compact and quick arm, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.04-2.18 pop times. Soft hands, quick first step, works on-line, throws on the bag, soft blocker.
Run: 8.20 runner in the 60. 

Ryne Pearson, Lincoln-Way East (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: OF/SS
Body: 5-7, 150-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, slightly wider stance, toe-tap back into medium stride. Short to and long through the ball with extension through contact, quick swing with a slightly uphill path, middle/opposite field approach. 64 mph bat speed with 12 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 78.2 mph. 286’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 79 mph. Long, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Attacks the ball, one-hand gather in stride, works in-line.
Run: 7.61 runner in the 60. 

Drew Rader, University (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-1, 185-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Crouched setup, toe-tap back into stride. Uphill bat path, opposite field approach. 68.9 mph bat speed with 7 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 87 max exit velocity, averaged 75.2 mph. 297’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Compact arm, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.17-2.22 pop times. Soft hands, quick first step, athletic actions, one hop throws on the bag.
Run: 7.60 runner in the 60. 

Robert Soto Jr, Reavis (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-9, 170-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, toe-tap back into short stride. Short to the ball, quick bat, mostly flat bat path, line drive and all fields approach. 73.3 mph bat speed with 13 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 85.1 mph. 315’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 66 mph. Short, over the top slot.
Defense: 2.17-2.26 pop times. Quick first step, clean and quick transfer, works in-line, throws on the bag, clean blocker.
Run: 7.46 runner in the 60. 

Jack Starcevich, Thornton Fractional South (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-10, 185-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Narrow setup, small lift and place leg lift. Short, flat path, middle/opposite field approach. 64.2 mph bat speed with 9 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 77.3 mph. 278’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 70 mph. Long, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two-hand gather, fields ball into body, quick and clean transfer.
Run: 7.36 runner in the 60. 

Dylan Visvadra, Huntley (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-0, 170-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall, narrow setup, open stance, high leg lift, long stride. Smooth, easy swing, uphill path, short to the ball and long through the zone. 66.1 mph bat speed with 11 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 79.1 mph. 322’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Loose, quick arm, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two-hand gather, sure-handed, fluid actions, quick and clean transfer, moves well side-to-side, smooth double play turn.
Run: 7.31 runner in the 60. 

Jaylen Ware, Thornwood (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: SS/SS
Body: 6-2, 160-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Crouched, wide setup, weight shifts back into swing. Hands move back with weight shift, direct and flat path at times, works well when in sync, creates bat speed. 70.9 mph bat speed with 9 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 85 max exit velocity, averaged 76.6 mph. 323’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Short, over the top slot.
Defense: Two-hand gather, fields ball into body, smooth transfer, moves well side-to-side.
Run: 7.11 runner in the 60. 

Michael Ware Jr., Thornwood (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-2, 241-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, slightly wider setup, small lift and place leg lift. Short, quick swing, strong hands, slightly uphill path, natural power up the middle. 57.3 mph bat speed with 9 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 87 max exit velocity, averaged 75.5 mph. 307’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 64 mph. Short, low 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two-hand gather, steady hands, works in-line on throws across the diamond.
Run: 8.74 runner in the 60. 

Wilson Wemhoff, Hampshire (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-10, 195-pounds. Strong, compact frame.
Hit: RHH. Open stance, tall setup, small leg lift into short stride. Short and quick to the ball, flat path, power to the pull-side, all fields approach, 68.2 mph bat speed with 16 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 97 max exit velocity, averaged 85.6 mph. 344’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 87 mph. Long, loose arm, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: One-hand gather, fields the ball clean and transitions well into a crow hop, works in-line.
Run: 7.16 runner in the 60. 

Cameron Williams, Homewood-Flossmoor (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-9, 180-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Crouched, wide setup, no leg lift, slight weight shift. Short, flat path, hard up the middle contact. 70.2 mph bat speed with 11 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 82 mph. 317’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 67 mph. Short, over the top slot.
Defense: 2.17-2.23 pop times. Soft hands, quick first step, quick transfer, throws on the bag, soft blocker.
Run: 8.11 runner in the 60. 

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