On June 8, the PBR Illinois team hosted players ranging from the classes of 2023 through 2025 at The MAX facility in McCook for its Underclass Trials - North showcase.

As the Illinois scout team began to break down a lot of the talent being seen for the first time, there were a lot of takeaways. This event previewed what the northern part of the state has to look forward to in years to come.

More players will be showcased about their performance at the event further down the road, but for now, check out the Quick Hits from the Underclass Trials - North.

QUICK HITS

PITCHERS

+ With a lot of these young arms beginning to take their form, there was a breakout performance from RHP Colin Miller (Hampshire, 2023). The 6-foot-2, 170-pound, right-hander’s long, athletic frame has physically developed since his last PBR event in 2020. With an effortless delivery, he showed a quick, loose arm action providing easy velocity in the strike zone. The fastball topped out at 89.16 mph, sitting 86-88. He showed an 11/5 breaking ball at 69-73 mph with a sharp action, as well as a straight change in the mid-70s. Miller emerged as a follow in the 2023 class thanks to his easy, live arm and upside frame. 

+ RHP Maksymilian Pierga (Barrington, 2023) made a statement at his first ever appearance at a PBR event. Pierga immediately catches your attention with his 6-foot-5, 225-pound, extra-large, strong frame. The uncommitted sophomore has advanced arm strength for his age, running his fastball up to 90.44 mph, the firmest of the day. The curveball is thrown aggressively and with intent at 74-76 mph. The curveball works off an 11/5 plane with a max spin rate of 2,206 rpm, the highest of the event. He also showed a sinking changeup at 81-83 mph. Power-armed uncommitted sophomore to follow moving forward. 

+ RHP/C Henry Stried (Zion-Benton) worked out as a two-way player where his 77 mph arm from behind the plate played even better on the mound. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound, strong-bodied, sophomore pounded the zone with his 83-84 mph fastball. The offspeed is still inconsistent but played with better feel out of the stretch. 

POSITION PLAYERS

+ OF Tyler Martini (Stevenson, 2024) has a highly-advanced, projectable 6-foot-4, 190-pound frame. Martini, a right-handed hitter, has a short, direct swing, was consistently on the barrel and worked with a gap-to-gap approach. His above-average barrel control allowed for him to record the best average exit velocity of the day at 84.10 mph off the bat. Defensively, he worked out at first base and in the outfield. Showed long, athletic strides in the outfield, topping at 83 mph.

+ C Quinn Schambow (Libertyville, 2025) had one of the top performances on the day, regardless of class. He impressed with advanced actions for a 2025 catcher, including a pop time as low as 2.05, thanks to his quick feet and lively arm. Schambow topped at 75 mph from the crouch, a well-above average arm for his age. Offensively, the right-handed hitter has a simple, efficient swing with natural lift and makes hard contact to all fields. Schambow has the makings to be a high-follow in the 2025 class moving forward.  

+ SS/3B Carter Storti (Lemont, 2023) worked out on the infield as well as the mound. At the plate, right-handed hitter, smooth pre-pitch actions and a direct swing path resulted in a bunch of hard line-drive contact during BP.  On the infield, he showed athletic actions and enough arm strength to stick on the left-side of the diamond; throws topped at 83 mph across. Storti also got on the mound and consistently filled up the strike zone with a low 80’s fastball and flashed a changeup with late sink and fade action.

+ 3B/SS Isaac Sobieszczyk (Willowbrook, 2023) has an athletic physical presence with his 6-foot-2, 191-pound frame.  Built like a third baseman, he showed natural actions on the infield, fluid footwork, soft hands as well as an athletic arm action that can play from multiple slots. Sobieszczyk plays through the baseball in rhythm and topped at 83 mph across the diamond.  At the plate, the right-handed hitter uses a wide, athletic setup that gives him a simple, repeatable swing.  His round of BP featured a gap-to-gap approach with some pull-side tendencies.

+ C Danny Kilmer (IMG Academy, FL, 2023) continues to show a polished left-handed bat every time we get our eyes on him. Kilmer has an athletic, confident look in the box, stays short to the ball and long through the zone while consistently making hard contact to the big part of the diamond. The swing works with ease and fluidity throughout. Follow left-handed hitter in the 2023 class. 

+ OF Cole Kardatzke (Downers Grove South, 2023) put together one of the better stat lines of the event. The 6-foot, 170-pound, athletically-built right-handed hitter ran an event-best 6.87 laser-timed 60, was 82 mph from the outfield and registered the top exit velocity from the event with a max of 95 mph during BP. Kardatzke creates sneaky jump off the barrel while staying short and simple to the ball. 

+ INF Ryan Dabe (Huntley, 2025) is an athletic right-handed hitter to follow in the 2025 class. The 6-foot-1, 160-pound, lean 2025 registered the second-best exit velocity from the event at 90 mph, well-above average for his age. Dabe works short and uphill through the zone with pull-side tendencies.

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