O'Hare Preseason ID: Quick Hits
February 15, 2024
On Sunday, Feb. 11, the Prep Baseball Illinois staff traveled to the Bo Jackson Elite Sports Dome in Bensenville, Ill., to host the O'Hare Preseason ID - one of the largest showcases on our winter calendar. This event provided us an ample opportunity to check-in on some of the area’s high school prospects and identify several names as we prepare for the IHSA season, as well as future invite-only events on the Prep Baseball Illinois calendar.
Now, at the event’s conclusion, we continue our post-event content by highlighting some of the day’s standouts in this Quick Hits piece.
Continue reading to see which players stood out to our scouting staff on Sunday.
POSITION PLAYERS
+ C Zach Bava (Naperville North, 2025; Illinois State commit) is coming off a 2023 campaign to remember, earning an invite to the Future Games to represent Team Illinois and also representing the ProCase team at the Illinois State Games. He was the first hitter to go in the entire event and he got things off to a loud start, launching baseball to his pull-side with lifted contact while also showing the ability to stay through the ball the other way, reaching up to 101.5 mph for his max EV with a max distance of 372’. The left-handed hitter has a compact swing with controlled aggression, utilizing the ground through impact with strong hands through the zone. He also displayed premier bat-speed throughout his round, averaging 81.8 mph. Defensively, Bava has a quick/clean transfer, staying low and in-line to second to pair with a high over-the-top release, reaching as low as 1.93 for his best pop-time with a max velocity of 80 mph. Confident receiver of the baseball, flexible lower-half, looks to work under the ball and present pitches around the zone.
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— Prep Baseball Illinois (@PBRIllinois) February 14, 2024
C Zach Bava (Naperville North, 2025) showed well during his round of BP at this weekend's event.
◾️5-foot-8, 178-pounds
◾️101.5 mph max EV
◾️372' max distance
◾️81.8 mph avg. bat speed@RedbirdBaseball commit#OHareID pic.twitter.com/iKRizqm12I
+ OF Chase Petersen (Glenbrook North, 2025) was a winner at this event a year ago, and it was much of the same this time around. Currently ranked No. 61 in the state, Petersen impressed throughout his round with a loose and aggressive swing, staying through the baseball with extension out front and balance through impact. He used the whole field throughout his round with authority, maxing out at 97.2 mph for his EV and leading the entire event in max distance with 381’. From the outfield, Petersen is an easy mover with quick feet, displaying a one-hand gather through the ball before transitioning into a crow hop. His arm plays loose with a full arm circle into a ¾ release, topping out at 84 mph.
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— Prep Baseball Illinois (@PBRIllinois) February 14, 2024
OF Chase Petersen (Glenbrook North, 2025) is an athletic R/R @PBR_Uncommitted prospect:
◾️5-foot-10, 180-pounds
◾️97.2 mph max EV
◾️381' max distance
◾️84 mph OF velo#OHareID pic.twitter.com/llYBGSDyWl
+ SS Lucas Hovinen (Lake Zurich, 2027) made some waves on Sunday and will surely be a name to follow throughout his prep career. He has a projectable build at 6-foot, 170-pounds and he has much more in the tank physically. The right-handed hitter has a loose and fluid operation at the plate, staying through the ball with a flat path, displaying rhythm throughout his round with easy effort and a balanced finish. Defensively, Hovinen showed soft hands with athletic, fluid actions and quality footwork. He showed clean arm actions as well, and looks like he has the ability to stick up the middle moving forward. Upside prospect with his best days still ahead of him.
+ C Brandon Thomsen (St. Viator, 2026) has shown well numerous times in front of our staff, and his look on Sunday was no different. Sporting a lean and projectable 6-foot-1, 185-pound frame, Thomsen has started to add some muscle over the last year and there’s still room for plenty more. Currently ranked No. 35 in Illinois, he took one of the more impressive rounds of BP on the day; displaying a loose and controlled stroke from the right side, working with loose wrists into an uphill path with extension out front to create a max EV of 96.3 mph, averaging 91.1 mph with a max distance of 320’. Defensively, Thomsen has a quick/clean transfer, working low and through his target into a short, high ¾ release, producing a pop-time as low as 1.93 seconds with a max velocity of 75 mph. Soft, quiet hands work to present pitches around the zone, comfortable/confident receiver.
+ INF/OF Ryan Lisowski (York, 2025) is an uncommitted junior to know from Sunday’s event. Listed at 5-foot-11, 195-pounds, Lisowski has some present strength throughout his upper-half with broad shoulders, and there’s still plenty of room to add on muscle throughout his frame in the coming years. The right-handed hitter catches the eye with his hand-speed, averaging 21.9 mph according to BLAST, allowing him to create easy bat-speed through the zone as well (72.4 mph avg). He had a confident presence to him in the box, rocking his hands back before firing through with a flat path, creating extension out in front of the plate while using the whole field with authority, as he reached up to 97.6 mph for his max EV with an average of 93.7 mph. He also showed the ability to produce elevated contact to his pull-side, reaching up to 338’ for his max distance.
+ INF Noah Fitzgerald (Lyons Township, 2025) is another uncommitted junior that had a strong showing. He’s been a winner in the past, showing well defensively in previous looks, and he still boasts a confident look on the infield. Fitzgerald fielded the ball clean, and moved around the infield with ease and quickness, while showing a strong arm that played from multiple slots. He’s cleaned up his right-handed swing some since our last look, working with quieter hands into a loose, flat path with extension through the hitting zone, averaging 90.9 mph for his EV throughout his round with line-drives, and reaching up to 93.6 mph, keeping the ball on a line while staying on the barrel throughout.
+ 1B Dylan McCabe (St. Charles East, 2027) is an intriguing, upside left-handed hitter to follow moving forward. Listed at 5-foot-11, 140-pounds with all sorts of room to add on strength, McCabe has a loose, whippy swing with intent to lift to his pull-side, creating extension through impact, highly projectable swing and operation. On the infield, McCabe moves comfortably around the bag with fluid footwork and steady hands. High-ceiling prospect to follow throughout his prep career.
+ INF/OF Chase Williamson (Loyola Academy, 2026) is a physical 6-foot-3, 205-pound sophomore to know moving forward. Making a loud showing in his Prep Baseball showcase debut, the right-handed hitter has some pre-pitch rhythm, working into a flat path and line-drive approach with strong hands to create a max EV of 94.8 mph, maintaining balance through impact. There’s upside in his swing with some big power potential as he continues to add strength to his already physical frame. In the outfield, Williamson showed athletic actions with bounce in his step and range to both sides of his glove, reaching up to 81 mph from a crow hop. Appears comfortable around the bag at first base with steady hands and footwork.
+ OF Matthew Donnelly (Prospect, 2027) had a strong all-around showing from Sunday’s event. Listed at 5-foot-9, 170-pounds, Donnelly has some strength in his upper-half with round shoulders, paired with a developed lower-half. There’s some present athleticism, as displayed by his 7.04 in the 60. The right-handed hitter has a strong, compact swing, reaching up to 92.9 mph for his max EV. He has some present athleticism, cruising to a 7.00 in the 60 and also displaying quick, bouncy footwork in the outfield. He has a quality arm to pair, reaching up to 84 mph from a crow hop.
+ OF Cole Vander Velde (Evanston, 2025) looks to be an upside left-handed bat to follow from the event. Listed at 6-foot-4, 180-pounds, he has a lean, projectable build with plenty of room to add on muscle throughout his frame. At the plate, he has a loose, upside swing with a flat path that stays through the hitting zone, creating some extension through impact with a balanced finish, maxing out at 90.8 mph for his EV. He showed the ability to lift the ball to his pull-side, reaching up to 349’ for his max distance.
+ 1B Cal Hanson (Grayslake Central, 2025) is another left-handed hitter with a high ceiling from Sunday’s event. Listed at a wiry 6-foot-3, 180-pounds, Hanson has a lean/athletic build that still holds room for added development in the future. At the plate, Hanson showed some rhythm in his hands, rocking them back in-stride before firing through with an uphill path, displaying intent to lift to his pull-side with loose hands through the zone, reaching up to 91.8 mph for his max EV. Defensively, Hanson has fluid and smooth actions with comfortable footwork around the bag.
+ Staying on the topic of upside left-handed hitters, INF Ryan Lazewski (Fenwick, 2025) falls into that category as well. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound infielder has some room throughout his frame for added strength, and he’s already equipped with a high-waisted, athletic build. At the plate, Lazewski displayed loose hands throughout his operation with an uphill path, utilizing a pull-side approach and using his levers to help elevate the baseball, reaching up to 94.9 mph for his max EV. Lisowski showed athletic hands and fluid infield actions, moving well side-to-side with a clean arm action that touched 83 mph across the diamond.
+ INF Mateo Tristan (Plainfield North, 2025) gave our staff a strong showing on both sides of the ball. At the plate, the right-handed hitter has loose hands that work into a fluid, uphill path, showing some body control and balance through impact. Tristan showed fluid footwork and quick actions throughout the defensive portion of the workout, showing above-average range to both sides and a clean run-through play.
+ Recently making his debut in the Illinois 2026 rankings this past December, INF Jacob Conover (Wheaton Warrenville South, 2026) continued to look the part as an upside left-handed hitting sophomore within the state. He creates some whip through the zone with an average bat-speed of 69 mph, peaking at 77.9 mph, working mostly flat through the zone with direct hands to the ball, reaching up to 93 mph for his max EV. On the infield, Conover has athletic actions with a confident glove to pair.
+ CIF Ryan Lee (Niles West, 2025) displayed some power-potential from the right side of the plate in BP; utilizing a loose and easy uphill path to work lifted contact to his pull-side, reaching up to 94 mph for his max EV with a max distance of 331’. A confident glove on the dirt, Lee showed smooth, quick actions with fluid footwork and a quick arm to pair, topping out at 83 mph across the diamond. He also showed well behind the plate with a clean transfer, working in-line to second to create a pop-time as low as 2.01. Quiet, steady receiver of the baseball, looks to work under the ball and present pitches around the zone.
+ INF Lou Ratcliffe (Lyons Township, 2026) is an upside sophomore to know in the state. Listed at a lean and projectable 5-foot-11, 170-pounds, Ratcliffe started off his day by cruising to a 7.07 in the 60. At the plate, the right-handed hitter creates easy bat-speed with a flat path and some whip through the zone. He looks to keep the ball on a line, working the ball to the whole field while reaching up to 94.3 mph for his max EV. Defensively, Ratcliffe showed confident, soft hands with clean footwork throughout his round.
+ OF Edgar Santos (Downers Grove North, 2025) has added some noticeable strength to his 5-foot-9, 175-pound frame and it seems to have paid off, adding roughly seven mph to his max EV, now maxing out at 95.3 mph with a max distance of 336’. The right-handed hitter has an intentful swing that stays compact and through the baseball with a flat path, looking uphill at times on pitches up in the zone. He showed off his athleticism in the 60, cruising to a 6.75 to start the day. His athleticism easily translates to the outfield, displaying a quick first step and the ability to shift his body on the move with ease.
+ OF Christian Guzman (Niles West, 2025) is an athletic, uncommitted junior that impressed in a couple different ways over the weekend. Listed at 6-foot, 180-pounds with present strength and evenly proportioned weight throughout, the right-handed hitter worked on the barrel to his pull-side with loose hands and an uphill path, creating a max EV of 92.7 mph with a max distance of 332’. He has a calm and confident demeanor to him in the box, and also displayed the ability to repeat his strong swing. He’s an above-average athlete, recording a 6.90 in the 60 on a day that didn’t produce many quick times. Defensively, he has steady footwork and a quick first step laterally, helping him cut off balls destined for the gap.
+ INF/RHP Gabe Winkelman (Prairie Ridge, 2026) is a strong-bodied, 5-foot-10, 165-pounds with round shoulders and a developed lower-half, and he still has room to add on strength in the coming years. The right-handed hitter took an impressive round of BP, displaying strong hands through the zone with a flat path and repeatable operation, going mostly middle/pull-side throughout his round. Defensively, Winkelman showed patient, confident hands throughout his defensive round, as well as the ability to move with ease side-to-side. He has a quick arm that plays from multiple slots and topped out at 84 mph.
+ INF/C Alec Gunderson (St. Ignatius, 2025) had a strong showing on both sides of the ball. On the infield, he’s a sure-handed middle-infielder with athletic actions and a strong, quick arm across the diamond that played at 84 mph on his best bullet. He moves well laterally with a quick first step, and also appears comfortable on the move. At the plate, the right-handed hitter got rotational at times to his pull-side, but also showed the ability to stay through the ball up the middle of the field - also lifting the ball with authority with a max distance of 333’.
+ C Joey Gainer (St. Francis, 2025) was another prospect that had a strong showing both with the glove as well as the bat. At the plate, the right-handed hitter works direct to the ball with a loose and flat path, staying through the baseball and in the hitting zone for a long time, also reaching up to 91.9 mph for his max EV. Behind the plate, Gainer has a quick/clean transfer, working in-line with the plate with a short arm and over-the-top release to produce a pop-time as low as 1.97 seconds.
+ OF Andrew Lim (Niles West, 2025) displayed an impressive set of tools over the weekend. He stands in at a durable 6-foot-1, 185-pounds, still holding room to add on strength. He moves well for his size, cruising to a 7.06 in the 60, which is down nearly .30 seconds from the summer. He moves well defensively with bounce and a quick first step, also possessing steady hands. He has a well above-average arm, topping out at 90 mph from a crow hop. At the plate, the left-handed hitter flashed power to his pull-side with a max EV of 95.4 mph.
+ 1B Bryce Tencza (Providence Catholic, 2026) displayed some of the best bat-speed we have seen all winter, averaging 79.7 mph throughout his round while also averaging 22.8 mph for his hand-speed. He also displayed present strength to his pull-side, working his max EV up to 96.8 mph with a max distance of 334’. Defensively, Tencza showed the ability to secure the ball and work well on double play turns.
+ INF Eric Acevedo (Lane Tech, 2027) gave a strong first impression in his showcase debut. Listed at a lean and projectable 5-foot-8, 140-pounds, Acevedo has all sorts of room to add on strength as he continues to mature throughout the years. At the plate, the right-handed hitter has a loose and easy swing that maintains balance throughout, repeating with ease and using the whole field. Athletic and agile, Acevedo showed actions that play up the middle of the field, showing range to both sides with clean glove-work throughout.
+ INF/OF Tommy Abbatemarco (Barrington, 2026) impresses physically with his strong, 6-foot, 175-pound frame and athletic look. His numbers offensively match up with his appearance, as he reached up to 92.9 mph for his max EV while also boasting premier rotational acceleration with 23.4 G’s on average. There’s intent behind his swing, and he looked to favor his pull-side throughout his round. Defensively, he has athletic actions with a bounce to his step and quick feet from both the infield and outfield, possessing a strong arm from both respective spots (T86 mph OF; T81 mph INF).
+ INF Clay Lemmon (Evanston, 2025) is a 5-foot-11, 185-pound right-handed hitter that showed well throughout his round of BP. He has a balanced, relaxed setup before transitioning into a loose, flat path, becoming rotational at times but also showing the ability to stay through the ball up the middle of the field, reaching a max distance of 323’. On the infield, Lemmon displayed patient and soft hands that work out front.
+ C Ryan Costello (Barrington, 2026) is an athletic left-handed hitter to know from the event. There’s upside in his loose swing, staying on-plane with athletic movement patterns and creating extension through the baseball, using the whole field throughout his round.
+ OF Noah Delgado (Glenbrook North, 2025) showed off an impressive toolset over the weekend. Equipped with a strong-bodied, 6-foot, 200-pound frame, the left-handed hitter has an aggressive swing that created an EV as high as 96.7 mph with a 323’ max distance. He also showed well in the outfield, moving well for his size with fluid footwork and steady hands, reaching up to 90 mph from a crow hop. Also a 7.03 runner in the 60.
+ INF Kendall Wallece (Oak Park-River Forest, 2025) really looks the part with his 6-foot, 165-pound frame, and there’s still plenty of room for added strength throughout his athletic build. He’s an above-average athlete, cruising to a 6.97 in the 60, and his athleticism easily shows in the outfield with a bounce in his step. At the plate, the right-handed hitter has a flat path with quick/athletic hands, working the ball to the whole field with a max EV of 92 mph.
+ INF Nathan Moline (St. Charles East, 2026) is another high-ceiling underclassman for the Saints that showed well over the weekend. Listed at a highly projectable, 5-foot-10, 145-pounds, the right-handed hitter has a loose, flat path with ease in his operation, looking to lift the baseball up the middle of the field with a max EV just shy of 90 mph. He also provided some intrigue on the mound, working his fastball up to 81 mph with over 2300 RPM at times to pair with a sharp, 10/4 slider that he could dump in for strikes.
A couple juniors worth mentioning that put up impressive power metrics are INF Javier Rolon (Round Lake) and C Michael Toole (Geneva).
Rolon delivered the second-highest EV on the entire day at 99.3 mph with a max distance of 360’; working with controlled aggression into an uphill path and intent to lift to his pull-side. Toole also put up some impressive TrackMan numbers with a max EV of 96.7 mph and 326’ max distance.
TWO-WAYS
+ LHP/OF Joe DuSell (St. Edward, 2025) offered one of the more intriguing, yet raw ‘pens of Sunday’s event. Built at a strong 6-foot-1, 202-pounds, DuSell is a simple mover on the bump and creates some easy velocity from the left-side. His best fastball clocked in at 87.1 mph while sitting in the 85-87 mph range throughout his ‘pen and he also featured a hard running two-seamer in the same velocity band. As for off-speeds, Dusell’s curveball played with late 1/7 action with sharpness, and it was spun at well-above average rates, roughly 2,750 RPM on average. A tight mid-70s slider and a fading changeup rounded out his repertoire. On the other side of the ball, DuSell delivered the third hardest-hit ball of the day at 98.9 mph, averaging just under 90 mph throughout his round with a 328’ max distance. He has a long, athletic swing with loose hands, using the whole field throughout his round. He also showed well defensively, with clean actions and some quickness in his feet, reaching up to 89 mph from a crow hop as well. Above-average overall athlete with a 6.85 in the 60.
+ Currently ranked No. 19 in the state, RHP/ 3B Jeremy Thompson (Romeoville, 2026) provided our staff one of the more intriguing two-way looks on the entire day. On the mound, the right-hander has a controlled tempo into a high leg-lift, firing down the mound with a drop/drive lower-half while striding in-line. His fastball worked in the 82-84 mph range, playing with some carry through the zone and setting up a tight, 10/4 slider with sweep and some feel for the zone, 70-73 mph. His final offering was a splitter at 70-73 mph, thrown with intent and playing with late drop and the ability to locate. At the plate, the right-handed hitter has a strong, controlled swing that stays mostly flat through the zone and utilizes his lower-half through impact, helping to create a max EV of 95.3 mph, averaging 90.3 mph with a max distance of 346’. On the infield, Thompson boasts soft hands with fluid actions, playing with rhythm and timing while appearing comfortable to both sides of his glove - also reaching up to 81 mph across the diamond.
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— Prep Baseball Illinois (@PBRIllinois) February 14, 2024
RHP/3B Jeremy Thompson (Romeoville, 2026) is an intriguing two-way prospect from the #OHareID:
◾️6-foot-1, 185-pounds
◾️FB: 82-84 mph
◾️SL: 70-72 mph
◾️95.3 mph max EV
◾️346' max distance pic.twitter.com/Nz1LxZqeSl
PITCHERS
+ Recent Prep Baseball Future Games attendee, RHP Tucker King (Lyons Township, 2025) made for yet another high-end look during Sunday’s showcase. Built at a long 6-foot-4, 207-pounds with plenty more room to fill out, King is an easy and athletic mover downhill. He pairs it with a clean and loose arm action that produced the day’s top velocities. His hardest sinker of the day came in at 89.7 mph while playing with heavy life to his armside, over 15” on average. As for offspeeds, his slider showed some out-pitch potential during his ‘pen as it featured some sweep at times with nearly 2,300 RPM on average and he showed the ability to spot up to both sides of the plate. A changeup rounded out his three-pitch mix, as he effectively killed spin (1,763 RPM avg.) and featured late fade/depth while consistently throwing in the lower part of the zone. Overall, it was yet another productive showing from King and he continued to assert himself as one of the state’s top uncommitted talents heading into the spring.
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— Prep Baseball Illinois (@PBRIllinois) February 14, 2024
RHP Tucker King (Lyons Township, 2025) is a top-ranked @PBR_Uncommitted arm that showed well this weekend.
◾️6-foot-4, 207-pounds
◾️SNK: 88-89 mph, T89.7
◾️SL: 76-78 mph
◾️CH: 78-81 mph#OHareID pic.twitter.com/SWPm7TsPKm
+ RHP Mac McGarry (Nazareth Academy, 2025) came out of the event as one of the biggest winners. An uncommitted arm, McGarry opened his showcase with a statement, running an event-best 60 time (6.59) in an event featuring over 200 prospects. We saw McGarry at the same event last year, and he’s trending in the right direction, increasing his fastball velocity by four mph. He has a clean delivery on the mound with a quick arm, and his fastball sat 86-88 mph with some arm-side run. For his off-speed pitches he went to a slider and change-up, showing feel for both. His slider had a short, tight break at 77-79 mph, and his change-up sat 79-80 mph with slight fade. McGarry’s athleticism, movement on the mound, and continued velocity tick makes him a name-to-follow for this upcoming spring season.
?’???? ????????? ??: ??????????
— Prep Baseball Illinois (@PBRIllinois) February 14, 2024
RHP Mac McGarry (Nazareth, 2025) is an athletic arm, and his velo continues to tick up.
◾️6-foot-3, 185-pounds
◾️FB: 86-88 mph
◾️SL: 77-79 mph
◾️CH: 79-80 mph
◾️6.59 60 time (event best)#OHareID | @PBR_Uncommitted pic.twitter.com/d8z7qCCxjm
+ RHP Tommy Mitchell (Loyola, 2026) gave an upside look on the mound over the weekend. Listed at an athletic 6-foot, 170-pounds, the right-hander displayed a simple and tall delivery into balance point, working in-line with closed shoulders to his target. He has a long, loose arm swing that transitions into a high ¾ slot, creating a fastball in the 80-82 mph range with slight arm-side action. To pair off the fastball he went to a sharp 12/6 curveball and a tight slider, both playing in the low-70s. His final offering was a heavy-running changeup with deceptive arm-speed, kept beneath the zone at 76-77 mph.
+ RHP Will Graba (Fremd, 2026) showed well in his Prep Baseball showcase debut, delivering three quality offerings throughout his ‘pen. He has a controlled tempo into a tall balance point, working slightly closed down the mound with a square finish. His arm is easy and loose, delivering his offerings from a high ¾ slot. His fastball played in the 81-83 mph range with some carry and run traits through the zone, setting up a 10/4 curveball with depth at 64-66 mph. His final offering was a shorter slider at 68-71 mph, playing with gradual break but flashing tight action at times.
+ Ranked No. 144 in Illinois’ 2025 class, RHP Will Burke (Plainfield North) is another uncommitted arm that showed well at the Bo Dome on Sunday. A long-levered, wiry build at 6-foot-5, 170-pounds, Burke displayed a calm, controlled delivery with a quick arm. Sitting mostly 85-86 mph and touching 87 mph, his fastball had a max horizontal movement of 15 inches (avg. 11.2”). He mixed in two separate breaking balls; A curveball that sat in the mid-70s with a max of -17.7 inches of horizontal movement, and a slider that sat 72-73 mph with an average of -13.5 inches of horizontal movement. Continuing to show positive trends, Burke is a follow arm in the class.
+ Making his Prep Baseball event debut, LHP Henry Johnson (Glenbard West, 2025) stamped his name as one to know in the state’s junior class. A long, wiry build at 6-foot-5, 185-pounds, Johnson created all kinds of movement with his fastball and change-up. A loose, clean delivery with a quick arm out of a low ¾ slot, his fastball sat 81-84 mph, topping out at 84.8 mph, with -16.1 inches (avg.) of horizontal movement and 15.6 inches (avg.) of vertical movement, showing noticeable rise/run during the ‘pen. He maintained the same slot and arm speed as his fastball while throwing his change-up that sat 73-74 mph with -18.1 inches (avg.) of horizontal movement. He also mixed in a low-70s slider with a short, sweeping break. The levers, ease of delivery, quick arm, and movement on pitches makes Johnson an intriguing arm in the class.
+ LHP Owen Rog (DePaul College Prep, 2026) continues to look the part as an intriguing prospect in the state, currently coming in at No. 52 in Illinois. The southpaw has a highly projectable, 6-foot-1, 168-pound frame with lean levers and room to add on strength. He works with a simple, up-tempo delivery into a tall balance point, moving efficiently downhill with a quick arm that works directly to a high ¾ slot. His fastball jumps out of the hand at 84-85 mph with straight action, setting up a sharp 2/8 curveball that he shows confidence in, 68-71 mph. His final offering was a firm changeup with some arm-side life, playing around 71-73 mph. High-upside arm talent to know.
+ RHP Owyn Edwards (Oak-Park River Forest, 2026) stands in a wiry and projectable 6-foot-3, 165-pound frame. A loose, stretch-only delivery with a clean and quick arm, Edwards has the upside to develop into a collegiate arm. His fastball sat 80-82 mph with arm-side run, and he mixed in a slider that sat 68-70 mph with 11/5 shape. Arguably his best pitch was his change-up, which sat 74-75 mph with an average of 16 inches of horizontal movement (17.3” max HM), showing feel to locate the pitch in and out of the lower half of the zone. With continued strength and development, Edwards will be an arm to watch moving forward.
+ LHP Grayson Waters (Oak Park-River Forest, 2027) a wiry, 6-foot-3, 155-pound build, Waters impressed our staff on the mound with his controlled and easy delivery. His arm was clean with some quickness out front, helping him touch upper-70s with his fastball. Like most prospects his age, his off-speed pitches are still developing, but his change-up looked to be the better of the two, sitting 68-70 mph with an average of -17.4 inches of horizontal movement. Waters also mixed in a curveball that sat 63-64 mph.
+ RHP Matthew Devoy (Lemont, 2025) is another prospect that made some noise in his first showcase with us, and we think his best days are still very much ahead of him. Listed at an athletic 6-foot, 165-pounds, the right-hander worked exclusively out of the stretch with a drop/drive operation, working closed downhill into a long, loose arm path. He cruised with his fastball at 85-86 mph, thrown with intent and playing with short arm-side life. He went to a true sweeper to pair off the fastball, coming in around 76-77 mph with above-average feel and action, projecting as an out-pitch. His final offering was a changeup at 76-77 mph, decelerating slightly but running heavily to his arm-side.
+ LHP Maximos Bariball (Plainfield North, 2025) has shown well in-game in front of our staff in the past, and gave a similarly intriguing look on Sunday as well. The southpaw worked exclusively out of the stretch with fluid movement patterns into an efficient, quick arm from a low ¾ release. He impressed with a fastball up to 84 mph, cruising right around 83 mph throughout his ‘pen with arm-side life and jump out of the hand. His slider played with sweeping action at 68-72 mph, locating around the zone with confidence. He displayed developing feel for his changeup at 69-71 mph, but the offering has quality arm-side life and run.
+ LHP Jason Gumiela (St. Patrick, 2025) catches the eye immediately thanks to his 6-foot-4, 180-pound frame, and he put together one of the more impressive ‘pens on the day. The southpaw has a simple delivery into a high front side, working into a tall balance point before moving into a slightly closed landing. He has a long draw out of the glove into a short, over-the-top release. Gumiela worked his fastball in the 84-85 mph range, playing with some vertical carry and life through the zone. He showed developing feel in his 1/7 curveball, but there’s big-breaking depth, 69-71 mph. His final offering was a firm changeup with developing feel, 76-79 mph.
+ LHP Sean McNair (Deerfield, 2026) gave a polished look throughout his ‘pen, showing feel for all three of his pitches. The southpaw worked exclusively out of the stretch, controlling his leg lift into a tall/fall operation downhill, working well down the mound. His arm is clean with a full circle in the back, working quickly into an easy ¾ release. He impressed with a big fastball, topping out at 86 mph while cruising around 85 mph throughout the duration of his showing. To pair off the fastball he went to a 2/8 sweeping slider at 69-71 mph and straight splitter at 73-75 mph.
A trio of power arms that showed well on the day are RHP Bennett Levinson (Lane Tech, 2025), who topped out at 88.4 mph, RHP Danny Howard (St. Ignatius, 2026), who topped out at 86 mph, and RHP Jake Marocchi (Plainfield North, 2025), who topped out at 85.9 mph.
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