Normal Community is off to a hot start this spring, already boasting a 4-0 record heading into the second week of IHSA action. There’s no shortage of arms in the Ironmen’s stable, which is a major factor to why we have them slotted at No. 20 in our initial Power 25 rankings, and RHP Brady Bengtson (2024) showed this past weekend just how deep Normal’s staff really is. In two games this past week, Bengtson combined for seven innings with 14 strikeouts, only walking one and allowing just one hit.  

The right-hander’s most impressive outing came on Saturday afternoon against a quality Belleville East club in a 2-0 victory, where he finished the day going five innings without allowing a hit, striking out 11 and walking just one. He was in complete control the entire game, recording the first nine outs of the game via the strikeout.  

From Belleville East:

RHP Brady Bengtson (@NCIronBaseball, 2024; @PBR_Uncommitted) has looked the part so far, striking out six through 2 IP.

Creates a tough angle, working his FB 84-86 mph with sink.

Going to a short 10/4 SL at 72-73 and downer CB at 68 mph. #MEKOC24 pic.twitter.com/4vAehCL0UD

— Prep Baseball Illinois (@PrepBaseballIL) March 16, 2024

His first outing of the week came in a 12-1 victory over Pekin on Wednesday, where he notched the win with two innings, one hit, no walks and three strikeouts.

An uncommitted senior, Bengtson boasts an intriguing 6-foot-6, 214-pound frame with long limbs and plenty of room to add on strength. He initially stood out to our scouting staff over this past summer on our tournament circuit, eventually earning an invite to the Illinois State Games where he impressed once again. The right-hander gives an extremely tough look for opposing hitters, working from a low release with a deceptive angle to create a fastball in the 84-86 mph range that has hard running action to the arm-side. He’ll go to two different breaking balls to garner swing and miss, with the first being a short lateral slider in the low-70s paired with a downer curveball in the upper-60s. 

Bengtson helps make up one of the better 1-2 punches in the state, and he’s a name that certainly should be on people’s radar. 

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