Illinois State Games: 2026 Infielder Analysis
October 24, 2023
By: Illinois Scouting Staff
On August 8th and 9th the PBR Illinois team hosted the second-annual Illinois State Games at the Rantoul Family Sports Complex in Rantoul, IL. This invite-only event was for all high school classes (2024-27), and gave our staff a chance to get a look at 300+ prospects at the end of the summer. The event featured 16 teams, a position player showcase, and a three-game guarantee per player.
The list below is a combination of a player's showcase performance, along with their in-game performance from the event.
For a closer look at the showcase details and the technologies we have on-site to assist our in-person evaluation for all in attendance, click here. Today we begin to conclude the analysis of the event with a look at all of the 2026 infield prospects from the event.
Nehemiah Torres (Glenbrook North) is one infielder to note who just missed the cut below. The long, loose-limbed sophomore is a natural infield defender with fluid actions and should stick on the left-side of the diamond moving forward. Torres, who ran a 7.28, has upside to all parts of his game.
Read on below for a look at all of the 2026 infielders from the event.
TOP 2026 INFIELD PROSPECTS
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No. 1 Ethan Bass SS / RHP / Glenbrook North, IL / 2026
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-2, 160-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Athletic, stock base, knee-knock trigger into forward move, repeats in rhythm. Quick, direct ball, above-average bat speed, athletic hands, on the barrel with easy pop, aggressive swings. Finished game play 1-for-2 with a double and two RBIs. 71.8 mph bat speed with 13 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 101 max exit velocity, averaged 90 mph. 363’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 90 mph. Athletic arm action, plays quick with ease, changes slots comfortably.
Defense: Fluid, athletic actions, fields ball to body, clean, smooth transfer. Moves well to both sides, clean double play turn.
Run: 6.87 runner in the 60.
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No. 2 TJ McQuillan 3B / OF / Mount Carmel, IL / 2026
Positional Profile: 3B/OF
Body: 6-1, 210-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Slight crouch, slightly open, narrow stance, simple, balanced load, gets square with longer stride. Ultra-physical presence in the box for his age. Creates advanced bat speed and thump off the barrel to all fields. 77.6 mph bat speed with 27 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 101 max exit velocity, averaged 92.7 mph. 392’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 83 mph. Longer arm action, some quickness out front, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two-hand gather out front, clean actions, fluid footwork, moved well on the run.
Run: 7.01 runner in the 60.
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No. 3 Joey Ireland SS / 2B / Mount Carmel, IL / 2026
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 6-1, 155-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Slightly open stance, leg-lift trigger, gains ground, repeats in rhythm. Easy, controlled with intent, direct at times, slightly uphill, on the barrel, all fields. 67.4 mph bat speed with 8 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 84.4 mph. 340’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 85 mph. Shorter arm with intent, over the top slot.
Defense: Soft, fluid hands, clean transfer, clear feel for the position, plays with rhythm.
Run: 6.66 runner in the 60.
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No. 4 Hunter Baugh SS / RHP / Edwardsville , IL / 2026
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-10, 140-pounds. High-waisted, well-proportioned frame with plenty more physical development to come.
Hit: RHH. Open stance, leg-lift trigger, up/down stride. Fluid, easy swing, slightly uphill at times, consistent line drive contact, accurate barrel. Finished game play 4-for-6 with a triple, two RBIs, three runs scored and a walk.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 80.5 mph. 311’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 85 mph. Long, quick arm out of a 3/4 slot.
Defense: Athletic, soft hands, plays through the ball with timing, feel for the position.
Run: 7.40 runner in the 60.
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No. 5 Jory Crocker SS / 3B / Willowbrook, IL / 2026
Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 6-1, 170-pounds. Wide-shouldered, high-waisted projectable frame. Long, loose-levers.
Hit: RHH. Relaxed, stock setup, leg-lift trigger. Simple approach, short path, flat at times, on the barrel throughout, accurate.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 80 mph. 327’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 85 mph. Longer arm path, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Soft hands, fluid actions, long/athletic strides, covers ground.
Run: 6.88 runner in the 60.
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No. 6 Daniel Coyle 3B / OF / St. Laurence, IL / 2026
Positional Profile: 3B/OF
Body: 5-9, 150-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Slight crouch, open stance, leg-kick trigger with longer stride. Fluid swing, athletic hands, flat path that lines balls to all fields. Finished game play 4-for-8 with an RBI and two runs scored.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 84.5 mph. 317’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. Longer arm path with acceleration out front, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady hands, two-hand gather out front, clean transfer, fluid footwork.
Run: 7.65 runner in the 60.
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No. 7 Alec Novotney SS / RHP / Marquette Academy, IL / 2026
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-10, 150-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Upright setup, toe-tap trigger, short stride, repeats. Simple approach, quick, direct swing with slightly uphill path, consistent line drives, accurate.
Power: 87 max exit velocity, averaged 77.3 mph. 303’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Quick-to-release at times, short, quick arm, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Athletic, fluid actions, soft hands, secures into the body.
Run: 7.18 runner in the 60.
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No. 8 Sammy Atkinson 2B / SS / Providence Catholic, IL / 2026
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-8, 165-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, deliberate forward move, small stride. Direct swing, consistent, simple, barreled the ball at times, mostly middle/pull-side. 69.5 mph bat speed with 23 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 77.7 mph. 331’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. Shorter arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two-hand gather out front, quick hands, clean transfer.
Run: 6.90 runner in the 60.
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No. 9 Easton Newman SS / OF / Deerfield, IL / 2026
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 5-10, 155-pounds. Lean strength; athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Wide, open stance, fluid load, knee knock trigger. Athletic hands, creates bat speed and whip at times. Stayed on the barrel throughout his round.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 77.2 mph. 321’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 84 mph. OF - 86 mph. Long draw out of the glove, plays quick out of a 3/4 slot. Showed the ability to throw from multiple platforms when needed on the infield.
Defense: INF: Athletic overall actions and confident sequence into release; sure-handed. OF: Bouncy, athletic footwork, plays with pace and athleticism. Attacks the baseball and plays through in rhythm. Soft, confident hands.
Run: 6.94 runner in the 60.
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No. 10 Kamrin Jenkins SS / RHP / Oswego, IL / 2026
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Upright setup, leg-lift trigger, shorter stride, lands quiet. Controlled, simple, uphill path, stays balanced through contact. 69.9 mph bat speed with 6 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 73.9 mph. 331’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. Quick to release, short, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two-hand gather out front, sure-handed, easy range to glove side, clean transfer.
Run: 7.19 runner in the 60.
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No. 11 Brett Tucker SS / RHP / Lemont, IL / 2026
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-0, 160-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, up and down trigger that gains ground. Long swing path, quickness at times. 72.8 mph bat speed with 13 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 73.6 mph. 337’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 84 mph. Longer arm action, quick, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady actions, two-hand gather out front, secures into the body.
Run: 7.38 runner in the 60.
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No. 12 Jailen Veliz SS / 2B / Yorkville , IL / 2026
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-10, 155-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Sits into legs, open setup, gains ground. Quick, direct path, aggressive, barrels to the pull-side/up the middle. 64.1 mph bat speed with 17 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 85 max exit velocity, averaged 78.8 mph. 265’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Longer arm path, quick, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Athletic, fluid footwork, plays low to the ground, two-hand gather out front.
Run: 7.08 runner in the 60.
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No. 13 Isaac Wendler 1B / RHP / Father McGivney, IL / 2026
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-1, 195-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide stance, no stride, high hands. Controlled, simple approach, easy power to the pull-side, on-time and controlled through swing. 67.8 mph bat speed with 12 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 89.4 mph. 358’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. Clean, easy arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady hands, fields ball to body, clean transfer.
Run: 7.14 runner in the 60.
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No. 14 Joe Kelly 3B / RHP / Loyola Academy , IL / 2026
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-0, 175-pounds. Physical, well-proportioned.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, high leg kick into forward move. Aggressive and intentful swing, quick bat, direct to the ball, accurate barrel.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 90.1 mph. 337’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 83 mph. Short, compact arm, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady actions, active footwork, clean transfer.
Run: 8.16 runner in the 60.
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T15 Cory Les SS / 3B / St. Laurence, IL / 2026
Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 6-0, 190-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Wide stance, no stride, minimal load. Simple, quiet swing, creates above-average speed, stays flat through the zone. Line-drive, whole field approach and works on top of the baseball. 69.9 mph bat speed with 18 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 98 max exit velocity, averaged 90.6 mph. 309’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 86 mph. Quick, short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two-hand gather out front, clean transfer.
Run: 7.09 runner in the 60.
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T15 Kyle Ziebell SS / 2B / Harvest Christian, IL / 2026
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-10, 152-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Narrow stance, leg-lift trigger, medium stride length. Quick, flat swing, aggressive, line drives to the pull-side at times. 67.2 mph bat speed with 6 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 87 max exit velocity, averaged 79.8 mph. 292’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. Short, quick arm with intent, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Active footwork, sure-handed, fields ball to body, quick-to-release.
Run: 7.17 runner in the 60.
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BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)
Anthony Chavez, Mount Carmel (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: 1B/LHP
Body: 6-3, 190-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Slightly crouched setup, upright with slight open stance, toe-tap stride. Controlled, fluid swing with slightly uphill swing with easy power to the pull-side, stays balanced. 67.9 mph bat speed with 27 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 98 max exit velocity, averaged 91.7 mph. 310’ max distance.
Arm: LH. INF - 80 mph. Longer arm path, quick, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two-hand gather out front, steady hands, controls ball to body, athletic actions.
Run: 7.48 runner in the 60.
Tre Cole, Champaign Central (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-1, 150-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Open stance, lower half coil, deliberate forward move. Athletic, easy and loose swing, athletic hands, slightly uphill, all fields. 62.7 mph bat speed with 7 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 84 max exit velocity, averaged 74.2 mph. 309’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Fluid actions, sure-handed, fields ball to body, athletic movements.
Run: 7.11 runner in the 60.
Luke Martin, Mt. Pulaski (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 5-8, 180-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, up and down leg lift trigger, gains ground. Simple, aggressive swing, slightly uphill at times, accurate barrel, middle/pull-side approach. 70.2 mph bat speed with 3 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 83.6 mph. 333’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Shorter arm action with quickness, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady hands, plays with rhythm, clean transfer, athletic actions.
Run: 7.84 runner in the 60.
Griffin Meeker, Tremont (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: 2B/RHP
Body: 6-1, 175-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide stance, toe-tap trigger, minimal stride. Controlled, slightly uphill path, consistent line drives, all fields approach, stays balanced through.
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 77 mph. 317’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Long, over the top arm path.
Defense: Two-hand gather out front, clean transfer, fluid footwork.
Run: 7.11 runner in the 60.
Brandon Pelz, Bartlett (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Open stance, knee knock trigger, high hands. Short to the ball, flat path, accurate barrel.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 81.7 mph. 331’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 86 mph.
Defense: Two-hand gather out front, clean transfer.
Run: 7.57 runner in the 60.
Zach Rubin, Antioch (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide stance, toe-tap trigger, minimal stride. Simple approach, short and quick to the ball, uphill at times, controlled, all fields approach.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 85.5 mph. 339’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Longer arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Fluid actions, steady hands, fields ball to body, clean transfer. Moves well to both sides, clean double play.
Run: 6.86 runner in the 60.
Jackson Rudolph, Wauconda (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: 3B
Body: 6-1, 215-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, toe-tap trigger, gains ground, repeats. Direct, flat path, consistent line drives back up the middle, accurate barrel, easy. 69.3 mph bat speed with 5 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 81 mph. 318’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two-hand gather, controls ball to body, clean transfer, clean double play turn.
Run: 7.66 runner in the 60.
Nehemiah Torres, Glenbrook North (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 6-0, 160-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide open setup, leg lift trigger, gains ground. Aggressive swing, loose, minimal effort, all fields approach. 60 mph bat speed with 8 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 74.6 mph. 313’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 84 mph. Loose and whippy arm action. Accurate, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Active feet, sure-handed, two-hand gather, quick trigger out of glove.
Run: 7.28 runner in the 60.
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