On March 27, the PBR Illinois team hosted its annual Underclass Invitational showcase, bringing together a collection of the state’s best freshmen and sophomores in one place, The MAX in McCook, Ill.

We began our post-event breakdown in the days that followed this event, detailing the prospects who exited the event with their prospect arrows pointed way up inside of this Quick Hits post, as well as the traditional stats leaders inside the Statistical Analysis.

Today, we’re beginning our position-by-position analysis by publishing the scouting reports on each of the catchers who made it out to this event. 

This is a special group, led by the top-ranked underclass catchers in the state. Each of the top-four-ranked players below reside within the top-25 of the Illinois Class of 2023 Rankings, and the list is headlined by one of the best uncommitted players in the Midwest: Colin Barczi (Naperville Central, 2023). Barczi is a highly physical sophomore, and an advanced athlete, underscored by his 6.69 time in the 60-yard dash. The 6-foot-2 right-handed hitter generates substantial bat strength, and his max exit velocity of 103.6 mph led this event.

Committed to South Carolina, Ryan Bakes (Huntley, 2023) also comfortably showed as one of the top catchers in the entire region for some time now. He takes a simple, easy swing from the right side that allows for his inherent, advanced strength to create a powerful batted-ball profile. Defensively, he has quick, mobile actions from the crouch, attached to noteworthy arm strength, measured at an 83 mph high to second at this event.

McHenry sophomore Cooper Cohn (uncommitted) is one of the area’s top two-way players, and he continues to trend that way. Cohn reached an 85 mph best from the chute to lead all catchers, and his quick right-handed swing works gap-to-gap efficiently, and he took one of this event’s best rounds of batting practice. He also sat 86-87 mph from the mound later in this event, further proving his high-follow two-way status.

Brother Rice’s Bryce Nevils (2023; uncommitted) is another top-ranked member of the state’s sophomore class, and looked like a natural behind the plate while receiving some of the showcase’s top pitchers.

For full reports on this group, continue reading below.

TOP CATCHer PROSPECTS

1. Colin Barczi, Naperville Central (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-2, 200-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall, narrow setup, slightly open, smooth load, toe-tap trigger. Aggressive, strong swing, advanced bat speed with an average of 75.1 MPH (led the event), intent to do damage on every swing, consistent contact on barrel, gap-to-gap approach with line drives.
Power: 103.59 max exit velocity, averaged 92.65 mph. 320’ max distance. Best max exit velocity during BP at event.
Arm: RH. C - 83 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, throws carry.
Defense: 2.00-2.11 pop times. Sticks pitches while receiving, soft hands, clean exchanges, quick feet, advanced block.
Run: 6.69 runner in the 60. Advanced runner.

2. Ryan Bakes, Huntley (IL), 2023; South Carolina commit.
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-9, 187-pounds. Strong frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, athletic setup, smooth load, short stride, easy pre-pitch actions. Short swing, quick bat speed with average of 70.3 MPH, path works uphill, balanced throughout, gap-to-gap approach, consistent hard contact, line drives.
Power: 98.74 max exit velocity, averaged 89.02 mph. 318’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 83 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot, throws carry.
Defense: 1.95-2.04 pop times. Quick transfer/release,  solid receiver, kills ball on blocks.
Run: 6.70 runner in the 60. Advanced runner.

3. Cooper Cohn, McHenry (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-10, 165-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, smooth load, toe-tap, short stride, advanced pre-pitch actions. Short swing, advanced bat speed with an average of 70.2 MPH, barrel control, consistent hard contact, gap-to-gap approach, line drives, advanced round of BP.
Power: 96.28 max exit velocity, averaged 92.24 mph. 325’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 85 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot, advanced arm strength.
Defense: 1.94-2.07 pop times. Soft hands, easy receiver, fluid feet, clean exchanges, athletic behind plate.
Run: 7.27 runner in the 60. 

4. Bryce Nevils, Brother Rice (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-0, 188-pounds. Strong, athletic build with thick lower half.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, smooth load, leg kick, hands load, balanced throughout. Short swing, direct path, average bat speed of 69.7 MPH, gap-to-gap approach, line drives.
Power: 92.42 max exit velocity, averaged 80.69 mph. 250’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: 2.00-2.08 pop times. Advanced hands, fluid feet, clean exchanges, shows athleticism.
Run: 7.14 runner in the 60. 

5. Eric DeCosta, Wheaton Warrenville South (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: C/3B. One of the top right-handed bats we have seen in the 2024 class.
Body: 6-3, 195-pounds. Highly-projectable, long-limbed frame.
Hit: SH. Tall, open setup, short stride. Fluid swing works efficiently uphill. advanced bat speed with an average of 71.1 MPH, works inside the ball, consistently used middle of the field, hard contact, line drives.
Power: 94.99 max exit velocity, averaged 90.05 mph. 329’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. INF - 76 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: 2.13-2.20 pop times. Catcher: quick exchange/feet. Infield: steady hands, plays with proper direction, flashes body control.
Run: 7.44 runner in the 60. 

6. Johnny Wendling, St. Laurence (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-11, 200-pounds. Strong build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, short stride, simple pre-pitch actions. Strong swing, path works uphill, average bat speed of 68.2 MPH, consistent hard contact, barrel control, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 94.73 max exit velocity, averaged 87.58 mph. 321’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, throws flash carry.
Defense: 2.05-2.11 pop times. Provides a low target, solid receiver, clean exchanges.
Run: 7.52 runner in the 60. 

7. Andy Roman, Wheaton Academy (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-2, 195-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall, balanced setup, short stride. Aggressive swing, average bat speed of 73.3 MPH, path works uphill, intent to make contact out front, pull-side power approach.
Power: 97.56 max exit velocity, averaged 84.75 mph. 350’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. INF - 87 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: 2.00-2.07 pop times. Catcher: steady hands when receiving, quick transfer/feet, advanced block. Infield: fields from a wide base with two hands, flashed ability to spin on double plays.
Run: 7.55 runner in the 60. 

8. Savion Flowers, Kenwood (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 3B/OF
Body: 6-1, 170-pounds. Athletic frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, quiet load, leg lift, short stride, smooth pre-pitch actions. Short, polished swing, flat, level bat path, barrel control, used the entire field in advanced round of BP, line drives.
Power: 92.79 max exit velocity, averaged 85.77 mph. 316’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. INF - 85 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, throws flash carry.
Defense: 2.08-2.19 pop times. Catcher: clean exchanges, fluid feet. Infield: active feet, shows athleticism, steady hands, plays through ball with proper direction, advanced body control.
Run: 7.33 runner in the 60. 

9. AJ Malzone, St. Rita (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-10, 170-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, slightly open setup, leg kick, short stride, easy pre-pitch actions. Creates bat speed with an average of 73.6 MPH, whippy swing, path works uphill, consistent hard contact.
Power: 96.54 max exit velocity, averaged 86.76 mph. 353’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: 2.05-2.20 pop times. Steady receiving actions, can work from multiple stances, clean exchanges, quick feet.
Run: 7.24 runner in the 60. 

T-10. Henry Wolfe, New Trier (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-2, 180-pounds. Strong build.
Hit: RHH. Tall, open setup, short stride. average bat speed of 70.1 MPH, uphill bat path, drove the ball through the middle of the field, gap-to-gap approach
Power: 94.12 max exit velocity, averaged 83.85 mph. 351’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 82 mph. Short, quick arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, throws carry with accuracy.
Defense: 2.01-2.09 pop times. Solid hands when receiving, quick transfer/feet, athletic behind the plate.
Run: 6.81 runner in the 60. Advanced runner.

T-10. Tyler Stack, Oswego (IL), 2023; Xavier commit.
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-3, 190-pounds. Long, athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, slightly open, leg lift, short stride. Short swing, path works uphill, stays inside the baseball, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 80.94 mph. 285’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: 2.03-2.08 pop times. Easy receiving actions from one knee, quick feet, clean exchanges.
Run: 6.99 runner in the 60. Above average runner.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Damon Brena, Niles West (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-10, 175-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Athletic setup, leg kick, short stride. Short swing, creates whip and looks to make contact out front, flashes barrel control average bat speed of 68.3 MPH.
Power: 90.93 max exit velocity, averaged 80.02 mph. 316’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, throws flash accuracy.
Defense: 2.09-2.15 pop times. Steady hands, advanced exchange, clean release, fluid feet.
Run: 7.86 runner in the 60. 

Noah Caceres, Reavis (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-10, 180-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Tall, narrow setup, slightly open smooth load, leg lift trigger, long stride, easy pre-pitch actions. Short, fluid swing, direct path, works inside the baseball.
Power: 87.47 max exit velocity, averaged 81.08 mph. 252’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, accurate throws.
Defense: 2.08-2.14 pop times. Provides a low target receiving from one knee, clean exchanges.
Run: 7.38 runner in the 60. 

Joshua Gutierrez, St. Ignatius (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, sligh open setup, short stride, simple pre-pitch actions. Short swing, direct bat path, works inside the baseball, gap-to-gap approach, line drives.
Power: 89.53 max exit velocity, averaged 74.94 mph. 278’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: 2.23-2.33 pop times. Steady receiver from one knee, clean exchanges, advanced block.
Run: 8.31 runner in the 60. 

Kyle Hartmann, Sycamore (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-8, 155-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, leg kick, long stride. Aggressive swing, average bat speed of 69.5 MPH, path works uphill.
Power: 88.63 max exit velocity, averaged 78.76 mph. 270’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: 2.06-2.21 pop times. Steady receiver, low, athletic setup, clean exchanges, advanced block.
Run: 8.19 runner in the 60. 

Sean Kempf, Crystal Lake Central (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-9, 150-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, short stride. Short swing, level bat path, works inside the baseball, line drives at times.
Power: 87.85 max exit velocity, averaged 75.04 mph. 228’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: 2.25-2.36 pop times. Easy receiving actions, clean exchanges, proper direction.
Run: 7.66 runner in the 60.

Danny Kilmer, IMG Academy (FL), 2023
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-2, 180-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, athletic setup, slightly open, small leg kick, short stride. Fluid swing, average bat speed of 69.9 MPH, path works uphill, peak hand speed of 24.6 MPH, works inside the ball, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 87.19 max exit velocity, averaged 66.01 mph. 271’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot
Defense: 2.26-2.33 pop times. Solid receiver, low target from one knee, athletic behind plate, quick feet, clean exchange.

Nicholas Lacson, Barrington (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-1, 185-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, toe tap, short stride. Short, direct swing, level bat path, line drives, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 86.07 max exit velocity, averaged 76.58 mph. 269’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, accurate throws.
Defense: 2.07-2.15 pop times. Quick, clean exchange, fluid feet.
Run: 7.31 runner in the 60. 

Jack Rozmus, York (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-11, 168-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, leg kick, short stride, balanced throughout. Level bat path, average bat speed of 66.6 MPH, gap-to-gap approach, ability to hit line drives.
Power: 88.75 max exit velocity, averaged 76.28 mph. 279’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot, accurate throws.
Defense: 2.00-2.12 pop times. Quick feet/exchange, clean release.
Run: 7.12 runner in the 60. 

Joey Russo, Mount Carmel (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-0, 215-pounds. Strong lower half.
Hit: RHH. Tall, open setup, short stride, simple pre-pitch actions. Aggressive, strong swing, average bat speed of 71.3 MPH, stays short to the ball, path works uphill, consistent hard contact, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 96.11 max exit velocity, averaged 88.29 mph. 327’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, accurate throws.
Defense: 2.19-2.32 pop times. Steady receiving actions, clean exchanges.
Run: 7.70 runner in the 60. 

Angel Tapia Jr., Oak Lawn (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-10, 180-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, quiet load, small leg lift, short stride, easy pre-pitch actions. Level bat path, stays flat through zone, barrel control, gap-to-gap approach, line drives.
Power: 89.23 max exit velocity, averaged 81.11 mph. 286’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: 1.97-2.06 pop times. Strong hands, sticks pitches, quick exchange/feet.
Run: 7.74 runner in the 60. 

Kaleb Wilkey, Lincoln-Way West (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-10, 185-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, leg lift, short stride, easy pre-pitch actions. Short swing, direct path, stays inside the baseball, opposite field approach, line drives.
Power: 88.59 max exit velocity, averaged 80.19 mph. 228’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: 2.10-2.18 pop times. Flashes athleticism behind the plate, advanced block, quick exchange/release.
Run: 7.38 runner in the 60. 

Nolan Zurawski, Minooka (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-1, 180-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, leg lift, short stride. Path works efficiently uphill, fluid swing, stays inside the baseball, gap-to-gap approach, line drives.
Power: 90.8 max exit velocity, averaged 84.46 mph. 307’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: 2.06-2.22 pop times. Steady receiver, advanced actions behind plate, quick transfer/release, advanced block.
Run: 7.23 runner in the 60. 

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