With the high school season in full gear, it's time for an update of the Illinois 2026 rankings. Taking into account performances from the fall, winter, and much of the spring, we gave the class of 2026 an update and expansion as we eye the end of the high school season and start the summer circuit.

There are sure to be plenty more high-level prospects surfacing over the next few years that will warrant updates moving forward, but for now, the updated Top-20 features the top prospects we have seen in the freshman class, to-date.

For now, let's review some of the notable prospects in the updated Top-20.

CLICK HERE for the full look at the updated 2026 Illinois rankings.

The top five in the class remain unchanged with RHP/INF Callaghan O’Connor (Bishop McNamara; Notre Dame) and SS/RHP Ethan Bass (Glenbrook North; Illinois) headlining the class. O’Connor, a 6-foot-6, 195-pound, long, lean, projectable right-hander is already proving he can dominate at the varsity level. So far this spring O’Connor has a 1.66 ERA with 42 strikeouts in 33.2 innings pitched. He features a fastball that is already climbing into the upper-80s with plenty more to come, along with a well-above average three-pitch mix. 

Bass was one of the top performers at the Preseason All-State: Underclass earlier this year and has parlayed that into an impressive spring for the current No. 19 team in the state. Bass has a knack for hard contact at the plate, is an athletic defender and has one of the top arms in the state on the mound with a mid-80s fastball and polished repertoire.

Ethan Bass (2/25/23)

CIF/OF TJ McQuillan (Mount Carmel; Louisville), INF Landon Thome (Nazareth; uncommitted) and SS Joey Ireland (Mount Carmel; Illinois) round out the top-five in the class. McQuillan and Thome are some of the top left-handed bats we have seen to-date in the class and Ireland has upside to all parts of his game and showed advanced infield actions and flat repeatable swing this winter at the Preseason All-State.

C Addison Latko (DePaul College Prep; Illinois) is the top newcomer, coming in at No. 6 on the updated list. Latko made his strongest impression at the winter Underclass. Here is what we had to say coming off the event. He has since parlayed it into a varsity spring where he has 10 extra base hits. 

"....left a lasting impression at his PBR event debut. The dynamic right-handed hitting catcher turned heads with an explosive, athletic round of BP that was all over the barrel with authority, twitch, bat control and power potential. The 5-foot-11, 165-pound freshman launched his furthest batted ball 349’ while registering a peak exit velocity of 98 mph with an average of 91.2 mph; all well above-average for someone his age. Latko not only impressed with the bat, but also behind the plate - sticking around to catch ‘pens for the older group and handling the plus velocity with ease. He was also impressive throughout his workout, reaching as low as 1.99 for his pop-time with a max velocity of 79 mph. High motor individual that has the tools to be one of the top prospects in the class if he keeps ascending."

Addison Latko (2/25/23)

Paddy Roth (Saint Patrick; Illinois), Anthony Eberlin (Edwardsville; TCU) and Gavin Swartz (Normal University; Indiana) are a trio of right-handed arms that are next in the top-10. All three have impacted their varsity squad this spring, pitch in the mid-to-upper 80s and are nowhere near their high ceilings. 

Here is what we had on Eberlin from a spring outing for Edwardsville:

5/10/23: TCU commit and one of the top arms in the Illinois’ 2026 class. Lanky, high-waisted 5-foot-10, 160-pound athlete with plenty of room for physical projection. Started on the mound for the Tigers in a tough matchup against Columbia. Quick upright worker, front hip creates forward momentum down the mound, decelerates quickly onto a firm lead leg, finishes towards the first base side. Still learning how to consistently control his body downhill. Short, compact, and tight arm path, finishes out of a loose high ¾ slot. Fastball backspun up in the zone with life at times, holding 84-86 mph throughout with more to come. Spun his curveball at 73-76 mph, flashed to land it for strikes, gradual action. A high-ceiling arm that should continue to trend upward as he physically matures and gains more control of his levers. 

Anthony Eberlin (5/10/23)

1B Brody Landgraf (Columbia; uncommitted) is a physical left-handed hitter who slots in at No. 10 in the recent update. Landgraf is currently hitting .337 with nine extra-base hits, 26 RBI and 24 runs as a freshman. Here is what we had on Landgraf from the spring:

5/10/23: Physical 6-foot-5, 200-pound athlete with a body capable of further filling out as he gets older. Left-handed bat that started at first base and hit in the six-hole for the Eagles. Generates easy bat and hand speed from the left side, staying flat and in the zone throughout. Found the barrel with authority twice in this look - a deep line out to the opposite field and a no-doubt line drive home run over the right field fence in a key situation. Runs well for his size, moves around the bag comfortably in I/O. Also played varsity basketball this winter as a freshman. A name-to-know prospect in the Illinois’ 2026 class. 

Brody Landgraf (5/10/23)

Looking outside the Top-10, two left-side of the infield prospects, Lucas Simulick (Joliet Catholic) and Daniel Coyle (St. Laurence), come in at No. 11 and No. 12, respectively. Both have been starting on varsity throughout the spring and are future top-of-the-order right-handed bats. 

Lucas Simulick (2/25/23)

Another name that jumps out on the updated list is LHP/OF Johnny O'Brien (Fremd), who comes in at No. 14 after an impressive two-way showing this winter. Here is what we had on O'Brien from the Aurora Preseason ID this winter: 

2/4/23....emerged as a high-follow, two-way freshman with upside to all parts of his game. The 6-foot, 165-pound, left/left prospect, who also plays quarterback is a fluid, easy mover with long, loose-levers and polish on the mound. O’Brien has an easy, fluid delivery, threw a high-volume of strikes and ran his fastball into the low-80s with -14.1 inches of horizontal movement. He separated himself with his secondary offerings, showing a well above-average curveball that has a chance to be a plus offering down the road. He landed the high-spinning (2422 average rpm) 67-68 curveball for strikes throughout with the ability to manipulate it and create more sweep for back-foot action to a right-handed hitter. His 72-74 mph changeup is also an above-average offering for his age and gives him a starter profile moving forward. On top of that, he impressed just as much as a position player, running a 7.38 60 while showing off all kinds of fluidity and rhythm in the left-handed batters box to pair with quality actions in the outfield and a strong arm (T83 mph). O’Brien is a name to know in the Illinois’ 2026 class.

Johnny O'Brien (2/4/23)

CLICK HERE for the full look at the updated 2026 Illinois rankings.

RELATED CONTENT