Week 3 Games
April 7, 2022
The Illinois Scout Blog provides insider information and scouting notes from the PBR Scouting Staff during the season. This running blog will feature information on underclass prospects, unsigned seniors, draft prospects, and anything else that is notable. We will provide a wide range of information, including player evaluations, velocities, pop times, home to first times, and more. Simply put, the Illinois Scout Blog is loaded with information …
McHenry at No. 7 Mundelein - 4/1/2022
By Diego Solares & Andy Sroka
Illinois Scout
Ryan Geraghty, RHP, Mundelein, 2023
Wichita State commit. Durable 6-foot-1, 190-pound frame. Former PBR Future Games participant, ranked inside the top-20 in the Illinois’ junior class. Started at home against McHenry on a cold afternoon. Quiet tempo and rhythm on the mound, coils into the backside and shows the front hip before engaging downhill in a simple, controlled manner. Maintains direction to target, athletic finish. Easy, low-effort operation for the most part, did reach back for some at times. Loose arm path finishes out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 89-93 mph, touched 94 mph; held velocity throughout his entire outing and was up to 93 mph in the fifth inning. Most effective down in the zone, induced several weak ground balls with some late sinking action to it. Slider appeared to be the separator in this look. Threw it with more confidence and conviction than we had seen in the past, turning to it often in two-strike counts as the game went on. Played at 76-80 mph with sharp, late swing-and-miss action off a 10/4 plane. Still developing a complete feel for the pitch, but the improvements made throughout the off-season are noteworthy. Did flash an above-average changeup with hard tumbling action in warmups, didn’t throw it in the game. Finished with five strikeouts through five no-hit innings, generating an abundance of weak contact throughout. Looks the part of an upper-tier pitching prospect in the Midwest that should garner some professional attention this summer and into next spring if the velocity boost remains.
Ryan Geraghty
Daniel Pacella, 1B/OF, Mundelein, 2022
Illinois State commit. Physically imposing 6-foot-3, 230-pound frame, has added strength in the lower half since our last look. Currently ranked 12th overall in the state’s senior class and 260th nationally; owns some of the loudest raw power in the entire state. Started in right field and hit in the three-hole for the Mustangs. Quiet and collected presence in the batter’s box, minimal extra movement, loads in rhythm and stays balanced through contact. Jumped all over a fastball in his third at-bat and launched it over the right field fence for a no-doubt home run. Looks every bit the part of a true middle-of-the-order thumper at the collegiate level that could be an impact-type bat for Illinois State early on in his career.
Daniel Pacella
Caden Morton, RHP, Mundelein, 2022
Unsigned Senior. Strong, sturdy 6-foot-2, 204-pound frame. Entered the game in the sixth inning and tossed two scoreless innings, securing Mundelein’s win and a no-hitter. Featured a sinking fastball at 82-84 mph, touching 85 mph, that was thrown down in the zone for strikes. Confidence to land a low-70s breaking ball for strikes throughout his outing, particularly to get ahead in counts.
Downers Grove North vs Plainfield East - 4/1/2022
By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director
Jimmy Janicki, C, Downers Grove North, 2024
Uncommitted. 6-foot-3, 205-pound, strong-bodied, right-handed hitting catcher. Caught and hit in the five-hole for a talented lineup. Finished 1-for-2 with a walk and double to the right field wall that led to an early Trojans lead. Tall, upright setup, slightly unorthodox look. Gets foot down on time and has long, strong levers with easy jump off the barrel. Easy overall effort, direct path and creates leverage. Defensively, above-average, fundamentally sound receiver, quiet actions with strong wrists and receptive hands. Comfortable and willing blocker, deadened the ball multiple times right out front, made it look easy. Clean and efficient out of the crouch, accurate arm from a high ¾ slot. Flashed a sub 2.0 in game pop time. High ceiling 2024 catching prospect.
Ean Czech, SS, Downers Grove North, 2023
Texas commit. 6-foot-4, 210-pound, physical, athletic build, fills out the uniform. Hit lead off and played shortstop. Took an impressive round of I/O. Showed some of the top infield actions and hands in the class. Highly-athletic, confident actions, advanced glove presentation and trust. Fluid rhythm, comfortable and in control on the move, athletic double play turns. Arm plays long and from a high ¾ slot. Offensively, finished 0-for-4. Took a number of intentful, aggressive swings. Present bat speed, direct swing. High-level 2023 infielder with upside to all parts of his game.
Ryan Dennison, RHP, Downers Grove North, 2023
5-foot-10, 155-pound, right-handed pitcher. Started on the mound and took a no-hitter into the fourth inning. Finished with five strikeouts, three hits and three runs allowed in five innings of work. Repeated his delivery well, working in line with home plate. Arm plays from an over-the-top slot. Did not walk a batter while throwing a high-volume of strikes. Fastball sat in the upper-70’s and he went to an 11/5 curveball at 64-65 mph as his go-to secondary offering.
Brady Louck, LHP, Plainfield East, 2023
Notre Dame commit. 5-foot-10, 170-pound, left-handed pitcher. One of the top arms in the state and Midwest. Was instrumental in last year’s 4A State Championship run with his work on the mound and with his bat. Started on the mound and hit in the two-hole for Plainfield East. Competitive demeanor and look on the mound. Was pitching with a purpose throughout. Seemed like a playoff game type of mentality and look from Louck. Showcased his swing-and-miss stuff that we have become accustomed to seeing for some time now. Struck out nine in 3.1 innings pitched, scattering four hits, two runs and walked three. Arm works quick from a low ¾ slot. Slight deception in delivery, fastball seems to jump out of the hand and get on hitters in a hurry, sat 88-90 mph throughout. All kinds of arm-side-life and sink. Ability to control it to both sides of the plate. Not afraid to work to the glove side against right-handed hitters, especially with two strikes. Supreme confidence in his slurvy breaking ball. Thrown with arm speed and intent at 70-72 mph. Big sweeping action, sharp spin, has late bite, especially when he stays on top. Went to the breaking ball any time he wanted. Showed a changeup at 81 mph. Impressive showing for one of the top prospects in the state.
Brady Louck
Christian Mitchelle, RHP/SS, Plainfield East, 2022
Central Michigan commit. 6-foot, 185-pound, wide-shouldered, strong, athletic build. One of the top two-way talents in the state. Started at shortstop and hit in the three-hole but did his best work in this game on the mound. Came on in relief and picked up a two-inning save.