On Monday, February 19, the Prep Baseball Illinois staff hosted the Lockport Preseason ID at Bo Jackson's Elite Sports in Lockport, Illinois. Perennially one of our largest events, this year's event was host to nearly 170 prospects from around the state, giving our staff an in-depth look at a number of talented players before the spring season took off. 

Today, we start our post-event content with a look at all of the catchers from the event, including a top-10 ranking of who our staff thought showed the best on the day. 

TOP CATCHING PROSPECTS

1. Luca Agne, Plainfield North (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-5, 131-pounds. Athletic build.
Hit: SH. Balanced, athletic setup, hangs foot with a high leg-kick into a long stride, balanced throughout.  LH: Slightly uphill bat path, extension through contact, line drive approach to all fields. RH: Uphill path, hands are direct to the ball, works line drives to the middle and opposite fields. 67.3 mph bat speed with 15 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 77 mph. 306’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. INF - 81 mph. C: Short, quick arm action, 3/4 arm slot. INF: Short, compact arm action, 3/4 release with some armspeed out front.
Defense: 2.01-2.11 pop times. INF: Smooth transfer, plus movements, handles the ball well. C: Comfortable one-knee setup, Works up through the baseball, loose-wristed.
Run: 7.30 runner in the 60. 

2. Jacob Newman, Lincoln-Way East (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-0, 178-pounds. High-waisted, athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, controlled stride, simple load, utilizes lower-half. Flat bat path with extension out front, natural lift on the ball, middle of the field approach. 69.9 mph bat speed with 13 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 86.2 mph. 324’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 release. Accurate throws.
Defense: 2.01-2.11 pop times. One-knee setup, comfortable actions in the crouch. Quick out of the crouch, quick transfers, feet work online.
Run: 7.40 runner in the 60. 

3. Jacob Szpiganowicz, Conant (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-0, 175-pounds. Athletic build with some present strength.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, balanced, controlled leg lift into a medium stride, relaxed hands with some rhythm. On-plane, hands stay on top of the ball, pull-side approach.  71.6 mph bat speed with 11 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 97 max exit velocity, averaged 78.9 mph. 284’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. OF - 78 mph. C: Short, quick arm action, 3/4 slot. OF: Shorter, compact arm action, 3/4 release.
Defense: 2.04-2.10 pop times. C: Active in the crouch, soft and willing blocker. Quick out of the crouch with a quick transfer, feet work online with target. OF: Clean footwork, one hand gather out front.
Run: 6.98 runner in the 60.

4. Andrew Satunas, Lockport (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-8, 160.3-pounds. Sturdy build with some present upper body muscle.
Hit: LHH. Simple, controlled stride, strong lower-half. Short, direct bat path. Loud contact to the pull side with natural lift at times.  74.5 mph bat speed with 7 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 80.1 mph. 309’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Quick, compact arm action, high 3/4 slot with armspeed out front. Throws play strong around the bag.
Defense: 2.05-2.16 pop times. Flexible one-knee setup, comfortable receiver, willing and soft blocker. Quick and clean transfers, athletic out of the crouch, feet work online.
Run: 7.86 runner in the 60. 

5. Jack Kaplan, Loyola Academy (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-8, 164-pounds. Well-proportioned.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, toe-taps into a short and quick stride, hands work low into path. Level bat path with uphill finish, swings with intent to lift the ball. Pull-side to middle of the field contact. 63.4 mph bat speed with 14 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 84 max exit velocity, averaged 73.2 mph. 281’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. OF - 85 mph. C: Compact arm action, high 3/4 slot. Some present arm strength. OF: Quick arm action, high 3/4 arm slot with some armspeed out front.
Defense: 2.05-2.24 pop times. C: Flexible one-knee setup, natural receiving actions, works up through the baseball. Some athleticism out of the crouch. OF: Has some range laterally, plays through the ball.
Run: 7.91 runner in the 60. 

6. Christopher Miller, Lockport (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-9, 175-pounds. Strong build with present strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, quick toe-tap stride, short and simple, aggressive lower-half. Flat bat path with extension out front, line drive contact to the middle of the field.  74.8 mph bat speed with 17 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 77.3 mph. 347’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Short, compact arm action, 3/4 release. Throws flash carry to the bag.
Defense: 2.04-2.19 pop times. Steady receiver. Quick feet out of the crouch, feet work online, quick transfers. Soft blocker.
Run: 7.23 runner in the 60. 

7. Robby Pursel, Andrew (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-0, 183-pounds. Strong and athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Narrow base, open setup, works back to even with a long stride, linear lower-half. Longer, flat path with extension out front, hard contact to the middle part of the field. 73.1 mph bat speed with 20 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 83.1 mph. 327’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Short, whippy arm action, high 3/4 release. Throws have some carry to them at times, accurate.
Defense: 2.06-2.11 pop times. One-knee setup, reliable receiver. Some athleticism out of the crouch, quick transfers.
Run: 7.10 runner in the 60. 

8. Blake Jenner, Providence Catholic (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-9, 176-pounds. Sturdy frame with some present strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Wide, balanced setup, rocks weight back before moving into a medium stride, quiet hands.  Quick and slightly uphill bat path, creates extension out front, pull-side approach. 63.7 mph bat speed with 15 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 85.5 mph. 279’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Compact, quick arm action, 3/4 arm slot, accurate around the bag.
Defense: 2.08-2.17 pop times. One-knee setup, reliable receiver. Flexible in the crouch, quick transfers.
Run: 7.12 runner in the 60. 

9. Easton Ruby, Oswego  (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-1, 201-pounds. Sturdy build with present strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, works back to even, medium/quick stride, linear lower-half. Direct, level bat path with intent to lift. Pull-side approach.  80.3 mph bat speed with 8 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 97 max exit velocity, averaged 89.1 mph. 349’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. Compact arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.26-2.39 pop times. Comfortable one-knee setup, keeps a low target. Steady transfers, feet work toward target.
Run: 7.26 runner in the 60. 

T10. Justin Canvin, Oak Lawn Comm  (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-7, 159-pounds. Well-proportioned.
Hit: RHH. Wide, balanced setup, open front foot, works back to even with a short and simple stride, looks to stay short to the ball.  Flat, direct bat path. Line drive approach. 65.5 mph bat speed with 15 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 82.4 mph. 235’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Short, quick arm action, 3/4 release. Throws flash carry.
Defense: 2.04-2.10 pop times. Flexible one-knee setup, works up through the baseball, agile in the crouch. Quick transfers, feet work inline with the bag.
Run: 7.17 runner in the 60. 

T10. Brady Dunnett, Oswego (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: SS/C
Body: 5-4, 130-pounds. High-waisted.
Hit: LHH. Wide setup, short/quick stride, gains ground to the mound, hands create extension at footstrike.  Uphill bat path, long through the zone, uses the middle part of the field.  mph bat speed with G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power:  max exit velocity, averaged  mph. ’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 68 mph. INF - 75 mph. INF: Short and quick from multiple angles. C: Compact, high 3/4 release.
Defense: 2.20-2.34 pop times. INF: Stays low, quality actions, quick transfer. C: One-knee setup, works up through the baseball, willing blocker. Clean transfers, feet work inline with the bag.
Run: 8.07 runner in the 60. 

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Peyton Ablin, Lincoln-Way Central  (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-8, 174-pounds. Muscular build with present strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, short and quick stride, hands start low and work up in stride, looks to stay short to the ball.  Quick and direct bat path, swings with intent. Hard contact to the pull-side. 77.7 mph bat speed with 18 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 97 max exit velocity, averaged 88.1 mph. 341’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Compact arm action, high 3/4 arm slot. Throws are accurate around the bag, flashes carry.
Defense: 2.06-2.19 pop times. Flexible one-knee setup, works up through the baseball. Clean transfers, feet work in-line.
Run: 7.09 runner in the 60. 

Micah Buikema, Chicago Christian (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-11, 197-pounds. Strong, sturdy frame.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, open front foot, toe-taps and works back to even with a medium stride, looks to stay short to the ball. Level, direct bat path, line drive approach to the pull-side mostly. 67.2 mph bat speed with 9 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 84 max exit velocity, averaged 74.3 mph. 298’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. INF - 75 mph. INF: Short, quick arm action, low 3/4 release. C: Short, whippy arm action, low 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: 2.18-2.30 pop times. INF: Glove plays out front, smooth transfer, moves laterally with athleticism. C: One-knee setup, comfortable framing actions. Steady transfers, works in-line towards target.
Run: 8.15 runner in the 60. 

Alexander Burke, Oak Park-River Forest (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-5, 132-pounds. Proportional, has room to fill out.
Hit: RHH. RH: Balanced setup, toe-tap stride, hand load down towards the center of the body, aggressive lower half. LH: Balanced closed setup, toe-tap stride, hands rock back slightly, linear lower half. RH: Level path, direct to the ball, works line drives to the middle of the field. LH: Long slightly uphill bat path with intent to lift the ball. Middle to pull-side approach. 60 mph bat speed with 11 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 81 max exit velocity, averaged 68.6 mph. 266’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 66 mph. INF - 76 mph. INF: Short arm action, low 3/4 arm slot. C: Short arm action, high 3/4 release.
Defense: 2.19-2.36 pop times. INF: Smooth glove, easy movements, quick transfer. C: Quick transfer, feet work in-line.
Run: 8.02 runner in the 60. 

Zach Corse, Lemont  (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-7, 167-pounds. Proportional, some present strength in the lower half.
Hit: RHH. Narrow setup, weight on the outside of his feet, short lift-and-place type stride, some hand waggle for timing.  Level bat path, opposite field approach. 68.2 mph bat speed with 12 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 84 max exit velocity, averaged 71.2 mph. 246’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Short, compact arm action, 3/4 release. Mostly accurate throws.
Defense: 2.11-2.25 pop times. Comfortable one-knee setup, works up through the ball, comfortable framer. Steady transfers, works inline.
Run: 7.78 runner in the 60. 

Declan DeMent, Providence Catholic (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: OF/C
Body: 5-8, 147-pounds. Proportional.
Hit: RHH. Wide, crouched setup, balanced, lift and place type stride, hands start high and work down into path.  Flat bat path, short to the ball, line drive approach to the middle and opposite field. 73.6 mph bat speed with 27 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 84.5 mph. 307’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. OF - 77 mph. OF: Shorter arm path, 3/4 slot. C: Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: 2.35-2.50 pop times. OF: Quick first step, clean footwork, range to both sides. C: Flexible in the crouch, works up through the ball, comfortable framer. Steady transfers.
Run: 7.13 runner in the 60. 

Jack Drozda, Lemont Twp  (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-8, 145-pounds. Athletic.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, high leg-kick, long stride, utilizes lower half. Short, level bat path with intent to lift the ball. Opposite field contact. 66.9 mph bat speed with 9 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 78 max exit velocity, averaged 69.4 mph. 262’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot. Throws have occasional carry, and are accurate around the bag.
Defense: 2.13-2.14 pop times. Flexible one-knee setup, advanced actions, clean receiver. Willing and agile blocker. Quick transfers, works inline.
Run: 7.24 runner in the 60. 

Tommy Elia, Lincoln-Way Central (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-5, 160-pounds. Well-proportioned, sturdy.
Hit: LHH. Wide setup, minimal stride, repeats, hands drop slightly into footstrike.  Short bat path, opposite field approach. 59.5 mph bat speed with 9 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 77 max exit velocity, averaged 73.2 mph. 246’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 66 mph. INF - 70 mph. INF: Short, 3/4 release. C: Short arm action, low 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: 2.29-2.48 pop times. INF: Stays low and has calculated movements. C: One-knee setup, steady receiver, willing blocker. Steady transfer, works inline.
Run: 8.17 runner in the 60. 

Maximus Hetlet, Glenbard West (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-10, 195-pounds. Sturdy, proportional frame.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, bowed front foot that works into a short and repeatable stride, quiet hands.  Level bat path, creates extension out front, works line drives to the middle and pull-side parts of the field. 68.5 mph bat speed with 19 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 84.5 mph. 308’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Short, compact arm action, 3/4 arm slot. Mostly accurate throws.
Defense: 2.07-2.25 pop times. Steady receiver. Quick feet out of the crouch, feet work online, quick transfers. Soft blocker.
Run: 7.53 runner in the 60.

Ian Hickling, Lincoln-Way East (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-10, 160-pounds. Proportional frame.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, short and simple stride, repeats, hands create extension at footstrike.  Flat bat path, stays in the zone, uses all fields approach.  68.6 mph bat speed with 13 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 85.3 mph. 272’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Compact arm action, high 3/4 release.
Defense: 2.10-2.28 pop times. Flexible one-knee setup, steady receiver. Athletic out of the crouch, clean transfers, feet work online.
Run: 7.63 runner in the 60. 

Jack Ingram, Lincoln-Way East (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-3, 164-pounds. Long-levered, has room to fill out the frame.
Hit: RHH. Open, upright setup relaxed hands. Flat, direct bat path. Middle of the field approach. 63.5 mph bat speed with 9 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 77.6 mph. 305’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Short, quick arm action, 3/4 release. Accurate.
Defense: 2.03-2.11 pop times. One-knee setup, comfortable receiver. Some athleticism out of the crouch, clean transfers, feet work online.
Run: 7.37 runner in the 60. 

Nate Kolder, Hampshire  (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-8, 154-pounds. Sturdy, proportional frame with some present strength.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, weight on the outside of his knees, gains ground with a long stride.  Flat bat path, works uphill at times, extension out front, pull-side approach. 66.8 mph bat speed with 19 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 78.8 mph. 296’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. INF - 74 mph. C: Quick, short arm action, low 3/4 release. INF: Short arm path, low 3/4 release.
Defense: 2.07-2.18 pop times. C: One-knee setup with athleticism in the crouch, willing blocker. Quick out of the crouch with quick transfers. INF: Steady hands, feet work inline toward target, two-hand gather out front.
Run: 7.92 runner in the 60. 

Angelo Lundeen, Lyons Township (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-7, 184.5-pounds. Sturdy build with some present strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, minimal stride, rhythmic hands load, linear lower-half. Level bat path, gets extension through the zone, middle to opposite field approach. 69.7 mph bat speed with 15 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 81.8 mph. 317’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 release.
Defense: 2.11-2.17 pop times. Flexible one-knee setup, natural receiving actions, soft blocker. Quick out of the crouch, quick transfers.
Run: 8.08 runner in the 60. 

Steve Martin, Joliet Catholic (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-10, 165-pounds. Proportional with some present upper half strength.
Hit: RHH. Wide, balanced setup, lift and place type stride, hands create some separation at footstrike.  Flat bat path, direct to the ball, line drive approach to the middle part of the field. 75.3 mph bat speed with 17 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 77.1 mph. 288’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Compact arm action, 3/4 release.
Defense: 2.16-2.25 pop times. One-knee setup, reliable receiver. Some athleticism out of the crouch, quick transfers.
Run: 7.07 runner in the 60.

Cole Miller, Hoopeston Area (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-0, 184-pounds. Broad-shouldered, has some present strength throughout frame.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, short and simple stride, repeats, relaxed hands.  Short, level bat path. Middle to pull-side approach. 62.9 mph bat speed with 10 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 83 max exit velocity, averaged 77.3 mph. 281’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. Quick arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, accurate.
Defense: 2.12-2.22 pop times. One-knee setup, steady receiver, willing blocker. Quick out of the crouch, clean transfers.
Run: 7.23 runner in the 60. 

Peter Novak, Lockport (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-11, 187-pounds. Proportional with room to fill out.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, wide setup, medium stride. Level bat path, uses the middle part of the field. 65.6 mph bat speed with 10 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 79 max exit velocity, averaged 67.8 mph. 266’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 65 mph. Compact arm action, low 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: 2.48-2.68 pop times. Steady receiver. Steady transfers, feet work online.
Run: 8.77 runner in the 60. 

Cody Ray, Plainfield East  (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-8, 182-pounds. Well-proportioned.
Hit: RHH. Narrow, open setup, works back to even with a medium stride, hands stay short to the ball.  Level bat path with intent to lift, opposite field approach. 60.2 mph bat speed with 9 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 87 max exit velocity, averaged 75.8 mph. 289’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: 2.11-2.30 pop times. One-knee setup, steady receiver. Some athleticism out of the crouch, feet work online.
Run: 7.38 runner in the 60. 

Matthew Staniszewski, Lincoln-Way West (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 5-11, 188-pounds. Proportional.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, toe-taps into a short stride, hands create extension at footstrike. Long bat path with extension out front, opposite field approach.  64.6 mph bat speed with 6 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 81 max exit velocity, averaged 76.2 mph. 161’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 68 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 arm slot. Accurate.
Defense: 2.30-2.40 pop times. Flexible in the crouch, works up through the baseball, natural receiving actions. Some athleticism out of the crouch.
Run: 7.91 runner in the 60. 

Aiden Thompson, Andrew (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-0, 151-pounds. Long-levered, with room to fill out the frame.
Hit: RHH. Narrow setup, long stride, relaxed hands.  Level bat path, middle of the field approach. 64.8 mph bat speed with 12 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 85 max exit velocity, averaged 71.2 mph. 225’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Short, whippy arm action, 3/4 release.
Defense: 2.17-2.32 pop times. One-knee setup, works up through the baseball. Some athleticism out of the crouch, feet work toward target.
Run: 7.37 runner in the 60. 

Joey Wyroba, Andrew (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 5-8, 204-pounds. Sturdy, proportional frame.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, high hands, leg lift trigger. Flat path, rotational at times through the zone, uses the whole field.   mph bat speed with  G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 73 max exit velocity, averaged 62.4 mph. 180’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 61 mph. INF - 64 mph. C: Short arm action, 3/4 arm slot. INF: Short arm action, high 3/4 release.
Defense: 2.50-2.60 pop times. C: Steady transfers, feet work toward target. INF: Clean glove round, two-hand gather out front.
Run: 8.34 runner in the 60.

For a look at the entire event page, click HERE. 

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