O'Hare Preseason ID: Preview

February 9, 2024
By: Pete Hamot
Assistant Director, Illinois & Wisconsin

On Sunday, February 11, the Prep Baseball Illinois staff will travel to Bo Jackson's Elite Sports Dome in Bensenville, IL to host the fourth annual O'Hare Preseason ID. This event is one of the largest we hold in the state, and it consistently provides our staff an in-depth look at some of the top players in the surrounding area and beyond before the spring season kicks off.

For a closer look at the showcase details and the technologies we'll have on-site to assist our in-person evaluation for all in attendance, click here. For a complete look at those registered to attend this event, view the most up-to-date version of the roster by clicking here.

EVENT HISTORY

This is the fourth year we will be hosting this event, and each year it has provided us an in-depth look at promiment players who've later gone on to receive invitations to select events. Among the players in attendance at this event in 2023, there are already 30 commitments among them, and there's certainly more on the way.

One of the top left-handed hitters in the state, and currently the No. 12 ranked player in Illinois, CIF Cash Campbell (Montini, 2024; Iowa commit) put his loud left-handed swing on display last year. Campbell led the entire event in exit velocity, recording a max of 98.7 mph with little perceived effort and a mature/confident presence.

(Cash Campbell - 2/12/23)

OF/RHP Ryan Harris (Stevenson, 2026) opened some eyes last year at this event, both as a position player and on the mound. Currently ranked No. 21 in the state, the 6-foot-2, 190-pound R/R prospect put up an impressive 95.7 max exit velocity to go along with a 353' max distance. He has premier arm strength, which he showed by reaching up to 90 mph from the outfield and 88 mph on the mound.

(Ryan Harris - 2/12/23)

The first time we laid eyes on LHP/OF Brayden Mazzacano (Schaumburg, 2024; Illinois commit) in a showcase was at this very event a year ago, and it was well worth the wait. A premier athlete on both sides of the ball, Mazzacano put on a show on BP with his max EV of 98.3 mph and event-leading max distance of 384'. A smooth defender in the outfield with the arm to pair (T89 mph), he showed no hiccups translating his arm-strength over to the mound - working with a smooth operation and clear athletecism, the southpaw topped out at 89 mph to pair with a tight slider and fading changeup. Mazzacano would later earn invitations to the State Games in early August, as well as the ProCase this past January.

(Brayden Mazzacano - 1/31/24)

One player that took full advantage of this event and later earned an invite to the State Games is INF Jayden Patel (Lake Park, 2024; Parkland commit). The 6-foot-2, 170-pound left-handed hitter displayed a fluid and easy swing that stays on-plane, working uphill while remaining balanced with a peak EV of 96 mph. His defensive showing was one of the best on the day, with fluid actions and soft hands pairing with a clean transfer and loose/easy arm (T85 mph).

(Jayden Patel - 8/8/23)

One of the top overall athletes in attendance last year, OF Mason Phillips (Oak Park-River Forest, 2024) led the entire event with a 6.60 laser-timed 60. Throughout BP, Phillips impressed with his ability to stay balanced and see the ball deep, using his strong hands to spray line-drive contact to all fields. He also impressed on the defensive side, moving around with clear athletecism and a bounce to his step, utilizing fluid actions to play through the ball with intent.

(Mason Phillips - 2/12/23)

ROSTER Preview

This year's roster is already stacking up just like in years past.

C Zach Bava (Naperville North, 2025; Illinois State commit) and RHP Tucker King (Lyons Township, 2025) are a couple high-level prospects set to attend the event on Sunday, with both of these players representing Team Illinois at the Future Games this past summer.

Bava, a muscle-bound backstop with a motor that seemingly never shuts off, will certainly be one to keep an eye out for this Sunday. The left-handed hitter has done nothing but find barrels in front of our staff, whether it be at this very event a year ago, the Future Games, or even the State Games this past summer. His defense is also something to make note of, as he's a confident receiver of the baseball with strong hands that work to present the ball. He's recorded as low as a 1.89 for his best pop-time with a strong arm to pair (T78 mph), and he's an active/willing blocker that always works to keep the ball in front.

(Zach Bava - 7/26/23)

King will be the top uncommitted player in attendance on Sunday, currently coming in as the No. 12 ranked player in the state. Listed at a projecable 6-foot-4, 207-pounds, King was a standout performer from this event a year ago, eventually earning an invite to the Preseason All-State: Underclass as well as the Future Games. He has a noticeably loose arm and operation, helping him to create a fastball up to 91 mph with heavy running action. He has a dynamic duo of off-speed pitches, starting with his curveball that plays around 74-77 mph with over 2300 RPM and sharp, slurvy action. His changeup also looks to have the makings of an out-pitch, coming from a similar release window to his fastball at 80-81 mph with over 20" of run at times. King will be a must-see arm this coming Sunday.

(Tucker King - 7/26/23)

Staying on the topic of players that stood out from this event last year, OF Chase Petersen (Glenbrook North, 2025) will be making his way to Bensenville once again. Currently the No. 61 ranked player in the state, Petersen delivers a heavy barrel from the right side of the plate, producing exit velocities up to 100 mph with a max distance of over 360'. He's a noteworthy athlete, cruising to a 6.83 in the 60 in the past, and he also has shown an impressive arm from the outfield (T88 mph). His showing at this event last year landed him in Rantoul this past August for the State Games, where he once again impressed in multiple facets.

(Chase Petersen - 8/8/23)

One player we are extremely excited to get eyes on is RHP/3B Jeremy Thompson (Romeoville, 2026). A multiple-time standout on our tournament curcuit, Thompson is an impressive two-way prospect who's best days are still ahead of him. Listed at an athletic and projectable 6-foot-1, 185-pounds, the right-handed hitter has displayed well above-average bat-strength for his age in front of our staff, working with a loose operation that creates whip through the zone, routinely punishing balls to his pull-side with elevated contact. On the other side of the ball, Thompson has an easy, controlled delivery on the mound, working his fastball up to 84 mph with life through the zone in-game. To pair off the fastball, he'll go to a sweeping 10/4 slider in the low-70s to change up the pace.

(Jeremy Thompson - 9/23/23)

Event Check-in process

Because of the high number of prospects set to attend Saturday’s event, it is imperative that you read our showcase itinerary below, which will allow our staff to swiftly and efficiently educate and evaluate the players set to attend.

Additionally, in an effort to continue and develop contactless check-in strategies, upon arrival, players will scan a QR Code with their smart phone camera that will lead them to a Google Form. On that Form, players will enter their name (matching the spelling on their PBR profile) and hit submit. Upon submission, players will be prompted to click a link that will direct them to their jersey color and number, located next to their registered name.

Itinerary

Sunday, February 11, 2024

+ Check-in Times: (Subject to Change)

All Position Players: 8:45 am

Pitcher's Only: 9:45 am

*Times subject to change

More Event Details

Click here to learn more about our tech partners that have enhanced our players showcase experience. Partners like TrackMan, Vizual Edge, and Blast Motion have helped both our in-event evaluation process, as well the compilation of our post-event scouting reports – and they're also a tool for our players to learn more about their measured and collected data, that can be applied to improve upon their game.