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 third 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. 

Below, you will find scouting reports on every single sophomore and junior catcher that was in attendance along with a Top-10 ranking of the top juniors, taking into account both the workout and gameplay. 

Jacob Szpiganowicz (Conant) and Trey Webster (Brother Rice) are two physical right-handed bats that should be followed moving forward and just missed the top-10 2026 list below. Szpiganowicz was a contributor for Conant, who finished 4A State Runner-Up in 2024 and continued to show his offensive prowess at the event. During BP he averaged 89.9 mph off the bat, his furthest batted ball traveled 349’ and he finished gameplay 3-for-6 with a home run, RBI, run scored and a walk. 

Webster has soft hands, presents pitches behind the plate and has a polished gap-to-gap approach at the plate. Webster finished gameplay 3-for-7 with two doubles, two RBIs, a run scored and a stolen base.

There were also four 2027 catchers in attendance at the event with their scouting reports listed at the bottom of the 2026s below. Shane Torres (Waubonsie) and Keegan Seipp (O’Fallon) continued to establish themselves as advanced left-handed hitting backstops to follow closely in the class.

Top 2026 Catching Prospects 

1. Adam Swanson, Ottawa Township (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-10, 181-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Upright slightly narrow setup, quiet hands load, quiet short stride, linear lower-half. Quick hands, direct path through the baseball, flat, leverages the baseball. 74.1 mph bat speed with 18 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 95 max exit velocity, averaged 89.7 mph. 353’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 81 mph. 3/4 slot, athletic/fluid action.
Defense: 1.89-2.02 pop times. Squatted stance, replace step footwork, gains ground under control, quick transfer.
Run: 6.66 runner in the 60. 

2. Ryan Duncheon Jr., East Peoria (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-1, 191-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, rhythmic hands load, utilizes lower-half, short stride. Pull-side approach with extra leverage, simple, repeats. Finished game play 2-for-6 with two doubles. 70.8 mph bat speed with 8 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 86.2 mph. 338’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. INF - 87 mph. Loose arm action, 3/4 slot, athletic mover.
Defense: 1.87-1.95 pop times. C: Squatted stance, uphill tilt, athletic mover, quick first step. INF: Steady gather, fields ball to body, athletic mover, clean double play turn.
Run: 7.32 runner in the 60.

3. Maxx Grieme, Taylorville (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-10, 191-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall, narrow setup, toe-tap stride. Hands are direct to the ball, twitchy, bat speed through the zone, looks to elevate the baseball to all fields. 62.7 mph bat speed with 14 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 84.2 mph. 334’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. 3/4 slot, loose action.
Defense: 1.95-2.03 pop times. Squatted stance, quick jab step footwork, gains ground efficiently, quick/low transfer.
Run: 7.59 runner in the 60. 

4. Caleb Hornbrook, Normal University (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-10, 193-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Even, crouched setup, medium leg lift into long stride. Level path, direct, hard line drive contact pull-side. 71 mph bat speed with 6 G’s of rotational acceleration. Finished gameplay 3-for-4 with a double, run scored and a walk.
Power: 97 max exit velocity, averaged 90 mph. 350’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Compact, quick arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.02-2.06 pop times. Squatted and one-knee down stance, gains ground efficiently, quick first step, work on a line. Soft blocker.
Run: 7.26 runner in the 60. 

5. Drew Stevens, Normal Community (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-11, 183-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall, narrow setup, small leg lift into long stride. Quick, strong hands to the ball, works slightly uphill, easy power to the pull-side. 71.1 mph bat speed with 11 G’s of rotational acceleration. Finished gameplay 2-for-6 with a double, walk and a stolen base.
Power: 97 max exit velocity, averaged 85.8 mph. 309’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. 3/4 slot, athletic action.
Defense: 2.02-2.22 pop times. Squatted stance, quick mover, gains ground efficiently.
Run: 7.53 runner in the 60. 

6. Nolan Kendall, Andrew (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-10, 148.6-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Wide, slightly crouched stance, small up/down leg lift. Twitchy, flat path through the zone, works all fields. 68.2 mph bat speed with 27 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 87.2 mph. 340’ max distance. Finished gameplay 2-for-5 with an RBI, run scored and a walk.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Compact arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: 2.09-2.15 pop times. Squatted stance, clean transfer, gains ground to target.
Run: 7.18 runner in the 60. 

7. Mario Medina, Mount Carmel (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-8, 181.2-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, works back to even, leg-lift trigger. Flat path, easy juice, creates leverage, consistent hard line drive contact middle/pull-side. 63.4 mph bat speed with 13 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 85.3 mph. 328’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. 3/4 slot, loose action.
Defense: 2.00-2.02 pop times. Fluid mover, squatted stance, jab step footwork, efficient transfer.
Run: 7.54 runner in the 60. 

8. Peter Corthinos, Maine South (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-6, 158-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Upright, slightly open setup, quiet hands load, short leg-kick trigger, aggressive lower-half. Flat, direct path, with extension, pull-side contact, feel for the barrel. 69.7 mph bat speed with 17 G’s of rotational acceleration. Finished gameplay 2-for-6 with two doubles, an RBI, run scored, a walk and a stolen base.
Power: 95 max exit velocity, averaged 87.5 mph. 328’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Compact, quick arm, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.06-2.19 pop times. Squatted stance, long footwork, gains ground.
Run: 7.42 runner in the 60. 

9. Nick Sichel, New Trier (IL), 2026 Richmond
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-11, 187.6-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall, narrow setup, small leg lift into medium stride. Loose, easy swing, path works uphill, pull-side approach. 70.2 mph bat speed with 20 G’s of rotational acceleration. Finished gameplay 2-for-6 with two doubles, an RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base.
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 88 mph. 340’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph. Loose, quick arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.06-2.10 pop times. Squatted stance, quick transfer.
Run: 7.91 runner in the 60. 

10. Andrew Satunas, Lockport (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-9, 178-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Standard setup, easy, fluid movement. Easy, loose swing, slightly uphill path, bat speed through the zone, pull-side/middle. 67.4 mph bat speed with 8 G’s of rotational acceleration. Finished gameplay 3-for-7 with two RBIs and a stolen base.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 84.5 mph. 313’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Compact arm action, quick, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.06-2.14 pop times. Starts higher in his stance, clean and quick transfer, works quick on throws to second. Soft blocker.
Run: 7.90 runner in the 60. 

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY) 

Asher Cantu, O'Fallon (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-4, 206-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Wide, slightly crouched stance, no leg lift or stride. Simple approach, direct to the ball, uphill path. 73.1 mph bat speed with 15 G’s of rotational acceleration. Finished gameplay 2-for-4 with a triple, double, two RBIs, a walk and a stolen base.
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 79.6 mph. 288’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. Compact arm path, over-the-top slot.
Defense: 2.12-2.22 pop times. Crouched stance, clean transfer, easy mover, body works in-line.
Run: 7.33 runner in the 60. 

Tim Flanagan, St. Patrick (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-0, 203-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Crouched, wider stance, slightly open setup, small leg lift back to event. Simple approach, direct to the ball, slightly uphill path, middle/pull-side approach. 65.9 mph bat speed with 15 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 86.7 mph. 342’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Compact arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.00-2.07 pop times. Quick first step, works around the plate, accurate throws to the bag. Soft blocker.
Run: 8.10 runner in the 60. 

Will Haley, St Joseph-Ogden (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-8, 158.5-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Taller setup, slight crouch, minimal leg lift and stride. Athletic hands, slightly uphill path, works the middle/pull-side of the field. 68.4 mph bat speed with 12 G’s of rotational acceleration. Finished gameplay 2-for-6 with two stolen bases.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 81.7 mph. 330’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 68 mph. OF - 76 mph. Compact arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.22-2.30 pop times. One-hand side gather, quick transfer into hand.
Run: 6.90 runner in the 60. 

Brayden Henry, Unity (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-8, 144-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall, narrow setup, minimal leg lift, long stride. Flat path, athletic, uses the middle of the field. 67.9 mph bat speed with 11 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 83.5 mph. 328’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. Compact arm path, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.00-2.14 pop times. One knee down stance, replace step footwork, gains ground efficiently, quick transfer.
Run: 6.87 runner in the 60. 

Brady Klepfer, Huntley (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-0, 176-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Upright setup, leg kick load onto backside, aggressive lower-half. Intent, on the barrel, up the middle, some feel for elevate. 72.3 mph bat speed with 8 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 81.5 mph. 311’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph. Compact, quick arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.01-2.08 pop times. Stays low in the crouch, steady hands, quick first step, clean/quick glove-to-hand, soft blocker.
Run: 7.07 runner in the 60. 

Josh Midanek, Highland Park (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-10, 153-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide, open setup, deliberate stride, some rhythm. Level path, looks to lift the ball, middle/pull-side approach. 66.6 mph bat speed with 10 G’s of rotational acceleration. Finished gameplay 2-for-6 with a double, RBI, two walks and a stolen base.
Power: 84 max exit velocity, averaged 73.8 mph. 281’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. Compact arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: 2.01-2.06 pop times. Squatted stance, jab-step footwork, efficient out in front transfer, quick actions.
Run: 7.08 runner in the 60. 

Alexi Phillips, DePaul College Prep (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-10, 160-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Rhythm, even setup, knee-knock trigger, repeats. Slightly uphill path, looks to elevate, pull-side approach. 70.3 mph bat speed with 14 G’s of rotational acceleration. Finished gameplay 3-for-5 with a double, two RBIs, two runs scored and two walks.
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 82.6 mph. 305’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Compact, quick arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 1.95-2.07 pop times. Slight crouched setup, clean, quick transfer, first quick step, soft blocker.
Run: 8.13 runner in the 60. 

Jacob Szpiganowicz, Conant (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-11, 179.7-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Athletic, crouched setup, high leg lift into short stride. Loose, easy load, strong hands, has easy power up the middle/pull-side. 69.6 mph bat speed with 8 G’s of rotational acceleration. Finished gameplay 3-for-6 with a home run, RBI, run scored and a walk.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 89.9 mph. 349’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. OF - 79 mph. High 3/4 slot, full arc, extension, some carry through throw.
Defense: 2.12-2.21 pop times. OF: One-hand side gather, picks ball from glove low, works through throw, aggressive shuffles. C: One knee-down stance, low transfer, replace step footwork.
Run: 7.20 runner in the 60. 

James Tatroe, Prairie Ridge (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-11, 172.4-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, small leg lift into short stride. Loose, easy swing, uphill path, some easy power to the pull-side. 63.9 mph bat speed with 3 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 85.5 mph. 329’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Compact arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.10-2.18 pop times. Clean, easy transfer, quick first step, plays with some bounce, soft block.
Run: 7.99 runner in the 60. 

Trey Webster, Brother Rice (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-8, 194.9-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Slightly crouched setup, small leg lift with minimal stride. Easy, controlled swing, slightly uphill path, works the middle/pull-side of the field. 66.5 mph bat speed with 10 G’s of rotational acceleration. Finished gameplay 3-for-7 with two doubles, two RBIs, a run scored and a stolen base.
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 81.7 mph. 346’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. Compact arm action, lower slot.
Defense: 2.08-2.15 pop times. Squatted stance, efficient jab step footwork, low but quick transfer, works quick.
Run: 7.08 runner in the 60. 

2027 CATCHERS (Listed Alphabetically) 

Beau Breyman, Freeburg (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-10, 178-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Simple, high leg kick, rides it out, gains ground. Intentful, creates leverage, level path, looks to elevate, hard contact middle/pull-side. 70.4 mph bat speed with 22 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 84.1 mph. 350’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Arm goes straight to ear, over-the-top slot.
Defense: 2.09-2.20 pop times. Squatted stance, easy mover, clean transfer, soft blocker.
Run: 7.68 runner in the 60. 

Keegan Seipp, O'Fallon (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-1, 210.8-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Wider setup, slight crouch, small leg lift, minimal stride. Simple, direct approach, uphill path, looks to elevate the ball. 77.7 mph bat speed with 14 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 96 max exit velocity, averaged 90.6 mph. 342’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. Clean, quick arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.22-2.27 pop times. Crouched, clean transfer, quick first step, accurate throws, works in-line. Soft blocker, steady hands.
Run: 7.65 runner in the 60. 

John Timmons, Champaign Central (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-11, 148-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall, narrow stance, small leg lift and stride. Short, quick hands, slightly uphill path, works all fields. 63.6 mph bat speed with 14 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 74.8 mph. 282’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Compact arm path, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.01-2.06 pop times. One-knee down stance, clean, quick transfer, works in-line on throws.
Run: 7.20 runner in the 60. 

Shane Torres, Waubonsie Valley (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-10, 187.8-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Wider, athletic setup, medium leg lift into controlled stride. Works short to the ball, slightly uphill path, aggressive swing with control, well-hit ball to all fields. 65.5 mph bat speed with 17 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 80.9 mph. 284’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. 3/4 slot, loose action.
Defense: 2.02-2.15 pop times. One knee down stance, replace step, gets over front foot early, quick transfer.
Run: 7.12 runner in the 60. 

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