Top-10 Stories of 2022: No. 10 Team Illinois Goes Undefeated at PBR Future Games

Jack Bauer LHP / Lincoln-Way East, IL / 2025

Virginia commit. Bauer, the lone 2025 arm on Team Illinois, turned in two highly-impressive innings in his two stints at the event and showed one of the higher ceilings of any arm of the event, regardless of class. 

Here is what VP of Scouting Shooter Hunt had to say about the No. 1 2025 in Illinois and No. 37 Nationally:

Silky smooth throughout a clean delivery, it was easy to dream on the upside from Bauer with what he presented at the Future Games. Square-shouldered at 6-foot-3, 175-pounds, the big left-hander was up to 90.4 mph with a strong likelihood of adding even more in the near future. Garnering some whiffs on the fastball with upwards of 2440 rpm, he also flashed feel for a slower, 71-74 changeup which he killed spin on (1559 rpm avg.) for strikes. The breaking ball showed a more gradual, curveball shape at a slower mid 60s clip, but given the arm strength and athleticism, there is a chance that it morphs into a firmer slider, or perhaps cutter, down the road. Overall, Bauer emerged as an arm that will be followed very closely by college coaches moving forward, and for good reason.

Ethan Eberle LHP / Normal Community, IL / 2024

Eberle, still uncommitted, was a standout at the event and yet another arm that caught Shooter Hunt's attention:

Easily one of my favorite arms with upside as an outlier with a loose left arm, Eberle shined in his final appearance that closed out Team Illinois’ stay at the Future Games. At 6-foot-5, 210-pounds, there is present strength and durability, but still much more room for physical development. The southpaw was up to 86.4 mph with much more in the tank with a short arm stroke that allowed the ball to come out of the ear and play up at the plate. Perhaps most exciting about the potential was a sweeping breaking ball at 71-72 that looked the part of a future weapon. It was an excellent final look at the big left-hander, and as he continues to find more consistency, there is a chance that he makes significant advancements as a must-follow moving forward.

Nate Harris SS / RHP / Yorkville, IL / 2024

Harris was one of the few two-way prospects for Team Illinois at the event. Despite showing big tools and turning in an impressive Game three with the bat, his game two, two-inning stint on the mound opened up a number of eyes.

Game 2 Recap:
Arguably the biggest winner of the day on the mound was Harris, who came in and flashed some of the best velocity for Team Illinois, so far on the week. Harris, who is built at a physical 6-foot-4, 205-pounds, was running his FB into the low-90’s while flashing an above-average CB at 72 mph and a SL at 77 mph. That arsenal led to three strikeouts, along with two innings of hitless baseball for Harris.

RHP Nate Harris (Yorkville, 2024) with one of the more impressive showings so far.

Fastball worked 87-90 mph, T91 with life through the zone. Mixed in a sharp 11/5 CB at 72 mph & 10/4 SL at 77 mph. #PBRFG22 | @ShooterHunt | @PBR_Uncommitted pic.twitter.com/Lz6FmcmJjH

— PBR Illinois (@PBRIllinois) July 29, 2022

Enzo Infelise C / 3B / Providence Catholic, IL / 2025

Enzo was one of two 2025 position players chosen to represent Team Illinois at the event. Infelise spent time behind the plate and manning first base but it was his right-handed bat that stood out throughout the week. Despite being one of the youngest players in attendance and facing high-level throughout, Infelise was unfazed in the box and took a number of quality swings and at-bats throughout the course of the three games. 

The uncommitted sophomore has established himself as one of the top right-handed bats in the state and should be following closely moving forward. 

Here is what Shooter Hunt had to say about Infelise:

In looking for a northern hitter to follow, Infelise might be a good one to start with. The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder was an intriguing underclassmen at the PBR Future Games in July where he showcased a powerful right-handed stroke that worked short-to-long through the zone in driving the ball from gap-to-gap. Behind the dish, his strong arm (79 mph) produces accurate throws with carry, and his defensive ability should continue to trend up with further game repetitions. However, it is the bat, and more specifically the whippy barrel that he turns with some authority, that is likely to garner interest from schools in the future.

Wyatt Mammen RHP / Lincoln, IL / 2024

Mammen is another Team Illinois prospect that remains on the market and should garner plenty of attention moving forward. Mammen rose up the rankings, now sitting in the Top-20 in the state thanks to his impressive two-innings at the Future Games. At the Future Games Mammen threw a high-volume of strikes, firing a 90.8 mph bullet on his hardest pitch, sitting at 87-90 mph from a 6-foot-3, 205-pound frame. Rounding out his arsenal with a curveball and changeup, Mammen’s upside on the mound given his size and ability to generate velocity without much effort has him slotted amongst the top prospects in this class.