On Thursday, May 23rd, the Prep Baseball Illinois staff traveled to Triton College in River Grove, Illinois to host the Illinois Rising Stars Games. The event hosted roughly 20 players from across the state and allowed our staff to get a closer look at these players to kick off the summer circuit.

These early Rising Stars events also serve as key identifiers for future invite-only events, including the Prep Baseball Junior Future Games.

Read on below for a look at all the prospects from the event.

ALL PROSPECTS (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Tyson Arbour, Bradley-Bourbonnais (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-7, 130-pounds. Well-proportioned frame with present strength in the lower-half.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, short step-back stride, hands load back, linear lower-half. Quick, strong hands, works to stay on top of the ball.
Power: 83 max exit velocity, averaged 68.3 mph. 226’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 76 mph. Clean arm circle, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays with timing through the ball, sure-handed.
Run: 7.19 runner in the 60.

Positional Profile: RHP
Delivery: Stretch only, medium leg-lift, tall/fall lower-half, works in-line with the plate.
Arm Action: RH. Medium arm circle, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T73, 71-73 mph. 2S: Plays with arm-side run. 4S: Mostly straight actions. Ocassional cut. T1782, 1522 average rpm.

Kale Bacus, Normal Community (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: 3B/SS
Body: 5-8, 130-pounds. Well-proportioned, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced slightly crouched setup, short stride, shifts weight onto back leg, utilizes lower-half. Loose, handsy swing, flat path with a whippy barrel.
Power: 83 max exit velocity, averaged 78.4 mph. 280’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 74 mph. 3/4 release, plays with some life and on the move.
Defense: Plays low and through the ball with timing, active footwork, secures the ball into the body, confident hands.
Run: 7.33 runner in the 60.

Positional Profile: RHP
Delivery: Controlled, medium leg lift, slight drop/drive lower-half, works in-line.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose arm circle, high 3/4 release.
FB: T75, 73-75 mph. Mostly straight actions, late life through the zone. T1788, 1655 average rpm.
SL: 59-59 mph. 10/4 action, gradual action. T1888, 1888 average rpm.

Jay Baird, Hinsdale Central (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-2, 150-pounds. Trim, long-limbed frame.
Hit: RHH. Upright setup, hands load back, short stride, utilizes lower-half. Quick hands, flat path, whole field approach.
Power: 87 max exit velocity, averaged 82.4 mph. 307’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 76 mph. Arm plays with accuracy, low 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady hands, long stride, works through the ball.
Run: 7.15 runner in the 60.

Positional Profile: RHP
Delivery: Slight coil into a medium leg lift, drop/drive, holds back knee bend, works in-line to the plate.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm swing in the back, 3/4 slot.
FB: T75, 71-73 mph. Plays with sink and deception. T1738, 1622 average rpm.
SL: 66-67 mph. Short wrinkle, some feel for the zone. T1556, 1556 average rpm.
CH: 66-66 mph. Downer action, plays at the bottom of the zone. T955, 955 average rpm.

Nolan Blackburn, Lincoln-Way West (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-8, 130-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Hit: LHH. Wide base, simple stride, gets foot down early. Works to stay inside the baseball and on top, upside swing, works to keep the ball on a line.
Power: 82 max exit velocity, averaged 75.9 mph. 243’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 73 mph. Plays with life, 3/4 release.
Defense: Long strides, sure-handed, one-hand gather out front, shuffle-step towards home, intentful.
Run: 7.62 runner in the 60.

Positional Profile: LHP
Delivery: Shorter leg-lift into balance point, tall/fall, works in-line.
Arm Action: LH. Longer draw out of the glove, loose action, compact finish. Over the top slot.
FB: T71, 69-70 mph. Mostly straight actions. T1770, 1598 average rpm.
CB: 60-65 mph. Gradual 12/6 shape. T1845, 1716 average rpm.
CH: 71-71 mph. Mostly straight actions, developing. T1745, 1738 average rpm.

Wesley Bogda, Crystal Lake South (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: 3B
Body: 6-3, 175-pounds. High-waisted, long-levered frame with room to fill out.
Hit: LHH. Wide base, short stride, quiet hands load back, linear lower-half. Quick, strong hands, works to stay on top of the ball, keeps the ball on a line with a pull-side approach.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 82.7 mph. 312’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 72 mph. Plays with life out of the hand, short, 3/4 release.
Defense: Two-hand gather out front, clean transfers, shuffles towards target.
Run: 7.45 runner in the 60.

Positional Profile: RHP
Delivery: Coils into a high balance point, tall/fall lower-half, works in-line.
Arm Action: RH. Medium arm circle, 3/4 release.
FB: T75, 74-75 mph. Mostly straight actions. T1725, 1599 average rpm.
CH: 69-69 mph. Downer action. T1499, 1498 average rpm.

Michael Castelloni, William Fremd (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 5-8, 140-pounds. Athletic, high-waisted frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, medium leg kick stride with coil, linear lower-half. Loose, easy hands, stays through the zone with extension, whole field approach.
Power: 81 max exit velocity, averaged 77.5 mph. 270’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 72 mph. OF - 71 mph. OF: Short, high 3/4 slot. INF: Short, clean arm circle, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: OF: Sure-handed works through the ball, gathers the ball into body. INF: Soft two-hand gather out front, athletic actions, glove-pat transfer.
Run: 7.88 runner in the 60.

Carver Cohn, McHenry (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-7, 150-pounds. Athletic, lean frame.
Hit: SH. LH: Open setup, works back to even with a short stride. RH: Upright slightly open setup, short stride, linear lower-half. LH: Loose, easy hands, quick hands, balanced finish. RH: Loose, quick hands, level path creates natural loft on the ball, balanced finish.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 81.1 mph. 312’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 82 mph. Compact, quick, high 3/4 release.
Defense: Athletic footwork, athletic mover, clean actions, soft hands, short shuffle-step towards home, intentful.
Run: 7.12 runner in the 60.

Positional Profile: LHP
Delivery: Slight drop/drive lower-half, holds pre-bend in the leg, works in-line.
Arm Action: LH. Loose arm circle, 3/4 slot, acceleration out front.
FB: T83, 79-82 mph. Life out of the hand, arm-side run, ocassional sink. T2167, 1989 average rpm.
SL: 70-71 mph. Downer action, plays more vertically. T2251, 2183 average rpm.
CH: 75-77 mph. Maintains arm-speed, arm-side action. T1668, 1594 average rpm.

Kameron Cox, Montini Catholic (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-9, 160-pounds. Sturdy build with some present strength.
Hit: RHH. Open slightly crouched setup, quiet hands load, stride works back to even. Loose hands, short to the ball, level path, line drive approach, one-handed finish.
Power: 83 max exit velocity, averaged 79.1 mph. 284’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Quick release, plays with life and accuracy, loose, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Hands work out front with some rhythm, secures the ball into the body.
Run: 7.51 runner in the 60.

Alex Govoni, Loyola Academy (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: 3B
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, repeats, hangs foot into a medium stride. Loose, works flat, balanced finish.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 76.9 mph. 293’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Long draw out of the glove, clean, loose, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Confident hands, moves well laterally, calm and athletic actions.
Run: 7.09 runner in the 60.

Positional Profile: RHP
Delivery: Stretch only, high leg-lift, slight drop/drive, holds bend in back knee down the mound, works in-line.
Arm Action: RH. Shorter arm circle, hides the ball well, high 3/4 release.
FB: T80, 78-80 mph. Plays with four-seam action, life through the zone, slight run to the arm-side. T2060, 1966 average rpm.
CB: 67-67 mph. 11/5 shape with depth. T1830, 1695 average rpm.

Ethan Johnson, Lake Zurich (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: 1B
Body: 5-9, 145-pounds. Well-proportioned build with some present strength in the lower-half.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, short stride, shifts weight onto backside, utilzes lower-half. Uphill path, looks to lift the ball, loose hands.
Power: 74 max exit velocity, averaged 68.6 mph. 250’ max distance.
Arm: LH. INF - 75 mph. Clean, high 3/4 release.
Defense: Two-hand gather out front, secures into the body, glove-pat transfer.
Run: 7.78 runner in the 60.

Positional Profile: LHP
Delivery: Controlled tempo into a high leg-lift, drop/drive lower-half, works in-line.
Arm Action: LH. Short arm circle, 3/4 release with acceleration out front.
FB: T77, 76-77 mph. Plays with sink at the bottom of the zone. T1884, 1782 average rpm.
CB: 66-67 mph. 1/7 shape with depth through the zone. T2015, 1951 average rpm.

Gunnar Larner, Maroa-Forsyth (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 5-9, 175-pounds. Strong, sturdy frame.
Hit: RHH. Crouched wide setup, loads weight onto backside, aggressive lower-half. Strong hands, slightly uphill path, gets extension through the zone.
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 73.7 mph. 310’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. Short, quick, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.19-2.30 pop times. Steady transfers, intentful out of the crouch, feet work toward target.
Run: 7.90 runner in the 60.

Hunter Lockefeer, St Viator (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-9, 138-pounds. High-waisted, trim frame.
Hit: LHH. Narrow, athletic base, knee-knocks into a long stride. Stays through the ball, can use the whole field, flat path with extension through impact.
Power: 85 max exit velocity, averaged 78.7 mph. 298’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 67 mph. Short, quick, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.19-2.32 pop times. Steady hands, clean transfers, athletic out of the crouch, feet work inline.
Run: 7.57 runner in the 60.

Ryne Peterson, Providence Catholic (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: 3B/1B
Body: 5-9, 145-pounds. High-waisted frame with room to fill.
Hit: RHH. Upright setup, quiet hands, short stride, linear lower-half. Loose, slightly uphill path, looks to lift the ball, one-handed finish, middle/oppo approach.
Power: 84 max exit velocity, averaged 78 mph. 298’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 66 mph. Longer draw out of the glove, loose, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two-hand gather out front, secures the ball into body, shuffles towards target.
Run: 7.74 runner in the 60.

Peter Pignatiello, Benet Academy (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 5-11, 150-pounds. Long-levered, trim frame.
Hit: LHH. Wide base, simple stride, linear lower-half. Flat path, quiet hands into load, stays flat through the zone.
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 78.9 mph. 263’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 74 mph. Short, low 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays low to the ground, athletic actions, gets around the ball, soft two-hand gather out front.
Run: 7.65 runner in the 60.

Positional Profile: RHP
Delivery: Controlled delivery, holds pre-bend in the back knee, works in-line down the mound, highly athletic, moves well.
Arm Action: RH. High 3/4 slot, shorter arm circle in the back, clean.
FB: T79, 77-78 mph. Mostly straight actions, has some sink. T1926, 1811 average rpm.
CB: 68-70 mph. Gradual 12/6 shape. Flashes depth. T1695, 1610 average rpm.

John Rose, Latin School of Chicago (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-8, 140-pounds. High-waisted, athletic build.
Hit: SH. Narrow, athletic base, gains ground into stride. Loose hands, flat path, balanced finish.
Power: 82 max exit velocity, averaged 71.6 mph. 241’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 65 mph. Short to the ear, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.15-2.28 pop times. Quick transfers, athletic actions, feet work inline.
Run: 7.77 runner in the 60.

Ethan Sehmer, Lakes Community (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 5-9, 140-pounds. High-waisted build with some present strength in the lower-half.
Hit: RHH. Wider base, loads weight onto backside with step-back stride, utilizes lower-half. Flat path, strong hands, gets extension through the zone.
Power: 80 max exit velocity, averaged 70.1 mph. 250’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Clear life out of the hand, 3/4 release.
Defense: Two-hand gather out front, secures the ball into the body, steady hands.
Run: 7.82 runner in the 60.

Positional Profile: RHP
Delivery: Stretch-only. Medium leg-lift, slight drop/drive lower-half.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose arm action. 3/4 slot.
FB: T81, 79-81 mph. Clean out of the hand, 4-seam action, has some tilt. T2233, 2098 average rpm.
CB: 61-62 mph. Gradual 12/6 action, flashes depth. T2027, 1906 average rpm.

Lucas Sloan, Olympia (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-11, 155-pounds. Mature frame with present strength in the lower-half.
Hit: RHH. Crouched setup, short leg kick trigger, utilizes lower-half. Strong hands, level path, some intent to lift the ball.
Power: 84 max exit velocity, averaged 75.8 mph. 297’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Whippy, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.19-2.34 pop times. Soft hands, clean receiver, steady transfers, feet work inline.
Run: 7.70 runner in the 60.

Positional Profile: RHP
Delivery: Controlled delivery, tall/fall, works in-line, loose and easy.
Arm Action: RH. High 3/4 release, clean arm-circle in the back.
FB: T82, 78-81 mph. 2-seam characteristics with occasional arm-side run, flashes sink. T2135, 2003 average rpm.
SL: 74-75 mph. Gradual action, 11/5 shape. T1941, 1934 average rpm.
CH: 76-76 mph. Kills spin, arm-side action. T1364, 1364 average rpm.

Julian Stump, DePaul College Prep (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-10, 135-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Closed off, wide base, short stride, utilizes lower-half. Flat path, gets extension through the zone.
Power: 85 max exit velocity, averaged 75.6 mph. 274’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 64 mph. Whippy, high 3/4 release.
Defense: 2.34-2.45 pop times. Quick, clean transfers, athletic out of the crouch, feet work inline.
Run: 7.87 runner in the 60.

Positional Profile: RHP
Delivery: Simple, easy delivery, slight drop/drive, works in-ine.
Arm Action: RH. 3/4 release, medium arm circle, clean path.
FB: T73, 69-72 mph. Occasional cutting action, mostly straight actions. T2016, 1859 average rpm.
CB: 64-66 mph. 10/4 action. T1942, 1920 average rpm.

Davis Venters, Mt Zion (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-10, 140-pounds. High-waisted, athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, shifts weight onto backside, short stride, aggressive lower-half. Flat path, gets extension through the zone.
Power: 79 max exit velocity, averaged 74.8 mph. 265’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 72 mph. High 3/4 release with some life.
Defense: Two-hand gather out front, secures in the body, rhythm and timing.
Run: 8.16 runner in the 60.

Mark Williams, Naperville Central (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 5-10, 134-pounds. Athletic, high-waisted, trim frame with room to fill out.
Hit: SH. LH: Wide base, hangs foot into a medium stride. RH: Wider base, shifts weight onto back leg, short leg lift stride, linear lower-half. LH: Loose, balanced swing, flat path. RH: Works to stay on top of the ball, easy and balanced through impact.
Power: 82 max exit velocity, averaged 76.2 mph. 302’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. OF - 81 mph. OF: Plays with life, accurate, high 3/4 release. INF: Life out of the hand, plays with backspin, low 3/4 slot.
Defense: OF: Athletic mover, one-hand gather out front. INF: Active footwork, two-hand gather out front, secures the ball into body, moves well laterally.
Run: 7.40 runner in the 60.

Weston Wyzukovicz, Libertyville (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-8, 155-pounds. Athletic build with present strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, short stride, quiet hands load, strong lower-half. Strong hands, level path, worked line drives the other way.
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 77.8 mph. 281’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Short, quick, high 3/4 release.
Defense: 2.13-2.33 pop times. Quick transfers, athletic out of the crouch, intentful, feet work inline.
Run: 7.10 runner in the 60.

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