On August 6th and 7th, the Prep Baseball Illinois Staff hosted the Illinois State Games at the Rantoul Family Sports Complex in Rantoul, IL. This is the second year we have run this event, and it continues to gain traction as the largest and most competitive showcase in the state. There were 363 players that made the trip to Rantoul, ranging from the 2025-2027 classes, and there were just under 80 colleges of all levels in attendance to scout the event. 

Today we are beginning our post-event rollout, where we will break down each player that was in attendance, starting with the class of 2025 catchers. 

Below, you will find scouting reports on every single senior catcher that was in attendance along with a Top-15 ranking of the top performances of the event, taking into account both the workout and gameplay. 

One player that just missed out on the Top-15 was Augustana commit Peyton Ablin (Lincoln-Way Central). The right-handed hitter put up some of the better BLAST metrics in the entire event, averaging 24.2 mph for his hand-speed, 76 mph for his bat-speed and 19 Gs for his rotational acceleration. Ablin then carried over his success in the workout into gameplay, where he finished 4-for-6 across three games.

TOP CATCHING PROSPECTS

1. Enzo Infelise, Providence Catholic (IL), 2025 Cincinnati
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-2, 229-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall, open setup, small leg lift with short stride. Direct, quick path, above-average bat-to-ball, all fields approach. 74.3 mph bat speed with 16 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 102 max exit velocity, averaged 94.4 mph. 356’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 81 mph. INF - 88 mph. Quick action, long arm swing, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 1.87-1.95 pop times. INF: Steady hands that work out front, deliberate footwork. C: Quick mover, upright upper body, low transfer.
Run: 7.51 runner in the 60. 

2. Zach Bava, Naperville North (IL), 2025 Illinois State
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-8, 175-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Crouched stance, short stride, aggressive lower-half. Strong hands, direct swing, mostly flat path, pull-side/middle of the field approach. 79 mph bat speed with 17 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 96 max exit velocity, averaged 88.4 mph. 364’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. 3/4 slot, fluid action.
Defense: 1.93-2.03 pop times. Squatted stance, deep lower half stance, quick jab step footwork, efficient transfer.
Run: 7.00 runner in the 60. 

3. Eli Craft, Monticello (IL), 2025 John A. Logan JC
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 6-0, 186-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Athletic, even setup, leg lift trigger. Level path, looks to stay in the middle of the field, elevates. 69.3 mph bat speed with 11 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 85.6 mph. 350’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Short and to the ear, high 3/4 slot, played the bounce consistently.
Defense: 2.00-2.09 pop times. One knee down stance, efficient jab step footwork, athletic/quiet mover, clean/quick transfers.
Run: 7.47 runner in the 60. 

4. Chase Niemeyer, Marion (IL), 2025 John A. Logan JC
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-10, 186.5-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, toe-tap stride, creates separation. Flat path, occasional jump off the barrel, fly ball contact middle/pull-side. 75.2 mph bat speed with 6 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 82.1 mph. 348’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. 3/4 slot, clean action.
Defense: 1.96-2.01 pop times. Squatted stance, gloveside falloff, long replace step footwork.
Run: 7.30 runner in the 60. 

5. Blaine Williams, Tremont (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-11, 177.8-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wider setup, minimal leg lift and load. Twitchy, direct hands, stays flat through the zone, some bat speed. 68.2 mph bat speed with 26 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 96 max exit velocity, averaged 82.6 mph. 277’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 85 mph. 3/4 slot, quick/loose action.
Defense: 2.00-2.08 pop times. Jab step footwork, squatted stance, glove-side pull off, efficient transfer.
Run: 6.70 runner in the 60. 

6. Lawson Alwan, Peoria Notre Dame (IL), 2025 Rock Valley JC
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 5-9, 187.8-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Athletic stance, medium leg kick, minimal stride. Strong hands that stay at shoulder height, steep path to zone, slightly uphill path through the zone, pull-side approach. 65.1 mph bat speed with 11 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 84.4 mph. 318’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. 3/4 slot, fluid arm action.
Defense: 2.02-2.12 pop times. Squatted stance, quick, clean glove-to-hand transfer,  athletic mover.
Run: 6.99 runner in the 60. 

7. Collin Roche, Nazareth Academy (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-2, 184-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, small leg lift back, long stride. Stays direct to the ball, quick swing, works the pull-side of the field. 67.7 mph bat speed with 5 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 98 max exit velocity, averaged 92.3 mph. 377’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 80 mph. 3/4 slot, loose/quick action.
Defense: 2.14-2.16 pop times. Squatted stance, twitchy mover, replace step footwork.
Run: 6.86 runner in the 60.

8. Zach Pomatto, Joliet Catholic (IL), 2025 Northern Kentucky
Positional Profile: C/C
Body: 6-0, 218-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Wider setup, small leg lift with minimal stride. Strong hands, short bat path, slightly uphill, has easy power to the pull-side. 72.8 mph bat speed with 17 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 97 max exit velocity, averaged 90.9 mph. 356’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 80 mph. 3/4 slot, quick/athletic action.
Defense: 1.94-2.06 pop times. Squatted stance, replace step footwork, strong lower half drive.
Run: 7.19 runner in the 60. 

9. Alex Kiefer, Mount Vernon (IL), 2025 Kaskaskia JC
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-9, 200.4-pounds.
Hit: SH. LH: Wider stance, no stride, minimal movement. RH: Balanced, slightly crouched setup, minimal hands load, short stride, strong lower-half. LH: Hands work direct to the ball with a mostly flat path, works pull-side/middle of the field. RH. Tight turns, direct path, leverages the baseball outfront, feel to elevate, on the barrel. 65.1 mph bat speed with 7 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 95 max exit velocity, averaged 81.1 mph. 362’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 80 mph. Compact arm action, quick, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 1.87-2.03 pop times. Athletic, quick, clean transfer, quick first step, throws work in-line.
Run: 7.22 runner in the 60. 

10. Jake Bentivenga, New Trier (IL), 2025 Rochester
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-11, 181.9-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced open setup, quiet hands load, stride works back to even, linear lower-half. Flat path with extension through contact, strong hands. 77.9 mph bat speed with 17 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 96 max exit velocity, averaged 90.4 mph. 352’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Compact, clean arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 1.94-2.06 pop times. Efficient jab step footwork, squatted stance, upright upper half, athletic mover.
Run: 7.23 runner in the 60.

11. Ty Heimbuch, St. Charles North (IL), 2025 North Central
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 6-0, 173.9-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, knee-knock trigger, hits off front side. Flat path, hard contact to the middle of the field, line drive round. 65.5 mph bat speed with 11 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 96 max exit velocity, averaged 89.7 mph. 333’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. 3/4 slot, athletic/fluid action.
Defense: 2.07-2.19 pop times. Squatted stance, athletic mover, gains ground under control, upright upper body, quick jab step footwork.
Run: 7.44 runner in the 60. 

12. Robby Pursel, Andrew (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-1, 190-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, simple, leg-lift trigger that gains ground. Flat path, hard line drive contact, middle/oppo approach, feel to hit. 71 mph bat speed with 17 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 96 max exit velocity, averaged 87.8 mph. 289’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. 3/4 slot, loose action.
Defense: 2.12-2.21 pop times. One knee down stance, replace step footwork.
Run: 7.21 runner in the 60. 

13. Derek Kubek, Oswego East (IL), 2025 Purdue University-Northwest
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-0, 200.4-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Taller stance, shoulder-width base, medium leg lift and stride. Loose hands that stay high, easy swing, uphill path, looks to elevate the ball to the pull-side. 70.5 mph bat speed with 11 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 87.8 mph. 315’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. 3/4 slot, quick moving upper body, gets out front early.
Defense: 1.94-2.02 pop times. Squatted stance, weight favors glove side, replace jab step.
Run: 7.63 runner in the 60. 

14. AJ Foley, Lake Zurich (IL), 2025 McHenry County JC
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-1, 188.9-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall, narrow setup, knee-knock leg lift, short stride. Loose, quick hands, slightly uphill path, worked the pull-side throughout. 61.3 mph bat speed with 6 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 81.9 mph. 303’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. 3/4 slot, fluid action.
Defense: 2.03-2.14 pop times. One knee down stance, jab step footwork, quick transfer.
Run: 7.27 runner in the 60. 

15. Ryan Lee, Niles West (IL), 2025 McKendree University
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-0, 229-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Open crouched setup, quiet hands load, stride works back to even, utilizes lower-half. Compact, pull-side approach with extra leverage, flashed feel for the barrel. 71.2 mph bat speed with 13 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 86.4 mph. 357’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. INF - 84 mph. 3/4 slot, loose/fluid action, drops slot on DP turn.
Defense: 2.01-2.03 pop times. INF: Two-hand gather that works our front, shuffles through the ball with intent, has some range laterally. C: One knee down stance, strong back foot push off, replace step footwork, clean transfers.
Run: 7.79 runner in the 60. 

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Peyton Ablin, Lincoln-Way Central (IL), 2025 Augustana College
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-8, 177-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Standard and balanced setup, minimal leg lift and stride. Twitchy hands and swing, short path, works uphill, pull-side approach. 72.5 mph bat speed with 21 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 96 max exit velocity, averaged 91.1 mph. 342’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Compact arm action, works uphill, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.21-2.32 pop times. One-knee down stance, easy transfer and mover, works in-line.
Run: 7.32 runner in the 60. 

Cade Adrian, Harvest Christian Academy (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-1, 197-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall, open stance, medium stride and leg kick. Longer path, mostly flat through the zone, up the middle/pull-side approach. 68.5 mph bat speed with 14 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 98 max exit velocity, averaged 90.8 mph. 332’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. 3/4 slot, clean, short action.
Defense: 2.03-2.16 pop times. One knee down stance, quick/low, long replace step footwork.
Run: 7.28 runner in the 60. 

Cayden Arbour, Bradley-Bourbonnais (IL), 2025 South Suburban JC
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-0, 176-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Taller setup, medium leg lift with a medium stride. Short path to the ball, direct hands from a higher setup, downward-sloping swing path, all fields approach. 65.1 mph bat speed with 13 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 80.5 mph. 303’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Short 3/4, fluid action.
Defense: 2.07-2.19 pop times. One knee down stance, quick transfer, replace-step footwork.
Run: 7.54 runner in the 60. 

Keaton Davis, Marquette Academy (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-0, 190-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide stance, knee-knock stride that gains ground. Level path, intentful, creates leverage, elevates. 69.9 mph bat speed with 12 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 83.2 mph. 300’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Compact, quick arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.07-2.09 pop times. Some bounce, clean and easy transfer, works in-line on throws.
Run: 7.39 runner in the 60. 

Peter Ensign, Barrington (IL), 2025 Taylor University
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-7, 146.8-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, short leg-kick trigger, quiet hands load, linear lower-half. Loose wrists, handsy, adjustable, flat path with extension. 60.9 mph bat speed with 13 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 76.4 mph. 333’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. 3/4 slot, quick mover.
Defense: 1.97-2.00 pop times. One knee down stance, quick/efficient jab step, quick transfer.
Run: 6.99 runner in the 60. 

Ethan Flores, MARMION ACADEMY (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 5-11, 221-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide stance, no leg lift or stride, major weight transfer to back side. Strong, high hands, lots of movement in lower half, slightly uphill and direct path, power to the pull-side. 72.3 mph bat speed with 18 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 100 max exit velocity, averaged 93.5 mph. 340’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Compact arm path, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.06-2.21 pop times. Steady hands, quick transfer, body works in-line.
Run: 7.28 runner in the 60. 

Alec Gunderson, St Ignatius (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: SS/C
Body: 5-11, 171.5-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced closed setup, stride stays closed, quiet hands load, utilizes lower-half. Flat path through the baseball, easy, elevates to all fields. 69.5 mph bat speed with 7 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 85.9 mph. 341’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. INF - 87 mph. Long/winding arm swing, over the top slot, quick mover, athletic action.
Defense: 2.01-2.06 pop times. INF: Sure-handed actions, two-hands work out front and secure the ball into his body, quick first step. C: Clean mover, squatted and one knee down stance, replace step footwork (heel click), efficient footwork.
Run: 7.41 runner in the 60. 

Zach Haahn, East Peoria (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 5-8, 198.4-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wider setup, slightly crouched stance, minimal leg lift into longer stride. Quick, twitchy hands, slightly uphill path, has power to the middle/pull-side of the field. 67.6 mph bat speed with 9 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 83.5 mph. 351’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. 3/4 slot, quick action.
Defense: 1.95-2.03 pop times. Squatted stance, get over front foot, replace step footwork, glove side falloff, efficient transfer.
Run: 7.40 runner in the 60. 

Vincent Ippolito, Willowbrook High School (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-8, 207-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, toe-tap trigger, some rhythm. Intentful, hard level swing, looks to elevate to the middle/pull-side. 70.5 mph bat speed with 10 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 86.3 mph. 352’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.01-2.06 pop times. Squatted stance, efficient transfer, shuffle steps on throws. Soft blocker.
Run: 7.62 runner in the 60. 

Ben Jarnecke, Fenwick (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: OF/C
Body: 5-11, 170.6-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, toe tap, long stride. Hands are direct when in sync with lower half, level-slightly upward sloping path, looks to keep it on a line, hard contact pull-side. 63.2 mph bat speed with 15 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 79.5 mph. 301’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 80 mph. OF - 83 mph. OF: Low 3/4 slot, works through throw. C: Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.08-2.28 pop times. OF: One-hand gather out front, shuffle step on throws to home. C: Squatted stance, works around the plate on throws, in-line throws to bag.
Run: 7.14 runner in the 60. 

Alex Karlovitz, Wheaton North (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-9, 173.1-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Squatted, open stance sitting in backside, big leg kick, medium stride, gains ground. Active hands that stay at shoulder height, hands stay moving into a level path, pull-side approach. 70.8 mph bat speed with 11 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 80.4 mph. 301’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. INF - 74 mph. Short arm path, low 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.00-2.18 pop times. INF: Active footwork, deliberate actions with a two-hand gather that works out front. C: Squatted stance, works quick, clean gather and transfer.
Run: 7.73 runner in the 60. 

Gavin Kleist, Limestone Community High School (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-9, 199-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Strong, sturdy base, minimal leg lift and stride. Strong hands, stays direct to the ball, uphill path, looks to elevate the ball to the pull-side. 71.7 mph bat speed with 16 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 88 mph. 315’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Short arm path, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.06-2.22 pop times. Crouched stance, clean transfer, easy mover, works in-line.
Run: 7.98 runner in the 60. 

Rylan Pheifer, Iroquois West (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-8, 163-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wider stance, toe-tap trigger, minimal stride. Short, direct bat path, flat path through the zone, all fields approach. 65.8 mph bat speed with 15 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 87 max exit velocity, averaged 83.8 mph. 311’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Compact arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: 2.00-2.00 pop times. One-knee down stance, quick first step, clean transfer.
Run: 7.15 runner in the 60. 

Michael Toole, Geneva (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-0, 200-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Upright narrow setup, slight leg lift, long stride gains ground, utilizes lower-half. Active and high hands out in front, steep into a flatter path through the zone, flashed feel for the barrel, leverage out front. 68 mph bat speed with 10 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 80.7 mph. 351’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Long arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.14-2.26 pop times. Squatted stance, clean and easy action, simple transfer.
Run: 7.53 runner in the 60.

Enrique Villanueva, St. Laurence (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-9, 204.2-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Open, wide setup, works back to center, leg-lift trigger. Level path, uses the whole field, hard contact pull-side. 68 mph bat speed with 11 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 89.1 mph. 262’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 81 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 1.88-2.01 pop times. Squatted stance, efficient jab step footwork, gains ground, quick transfer.
Run: 7.64 runner in the 60. 

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