On Saturday, February 24th, our staff hosted the Preseason All-State: Upperclass event at The MAX in McCook, IL. This event was host to just over 130 of the top 2025 grads from around the state, and gave our staff one final look at these prospects before the spring season began. 

Today, we begin our post-event rollout from the event with a look at each and every catcher from the day.

Addison Latko (DePaul College Prep) was the lone 2026 grad in attendance, and he fit right in with the older crowd. He took a loud round of BP, reaching up to 99 mph for his max EV with an average of just under 95 mph. He also showed well defensively, reaching as low a 1.98 for his pop-time with a max velocity of 77 mph to second. 

A couple strong right-handed hitters to note from the event are Kaleb Navarro (De La Salle) and Carter Lennington (Minooka). 

Navarro stands in at a physical 6-foot-2, 207-pounds, and he creates easy power off his bat with a max EV of 97 mph, averaging 91 mph. He also displayed the second strongest arm on the day from the chute, topping out at 82 mph with a pop-time as low as 1.97. 

Lennington has a lean and projectable frame, standing in at 6-foot, 190-pounds, and he put together a loud round of BP as well; reaching up to 99 mph for his max EV. He’s also a quality defender, reaching as low as 2.00 for his pop-time with a max velocity of 77 mph.

Top Catching Prospects 

1. Enzo Infelise, Providence Catholic (IL), 2025 Oklahoma
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-2, 215-pounds. Strong, physically imposing frame.
Hit: RHH. Upright, relaxed setup, hands start high, short toe-tap stride, hands load back, strong lower half. Direct, quick path with easy power, slightly uphill path, consistent line drives. 74.7 mph bat speed with 11 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 101 max exit velocity, averaged 98.4 mph. 313’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 83 mph. INF - 90 mph. INF: Short, compact arm with quickness, high 3/4 slot. C: Short, compact arm action, over the top slot. Above-average arm strength.
Defense: 1.86-1.91 pop times. INF: Plays low and athletic, moves well for size, soft hands. C: One-knee setup, flexible, athletic setup, quick, easy mover, clean transfer. Soft blocker.
Run: 7.43 runner in the 60. 

2. Zach Bava, Naperville North (IL), 2025 Illinois State
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-8, 175.6-pounds. Strong, sturdy frame with present muscle throughout.
Hit: LHH. Crouched, closed setup. Some rhythm in the hands pre-pitch, hands load back, closed finish, strong lower half. Short, direct bat path, athletic, loose hands with above-average bat speed, flat path, all fields approach. 71.1 mph bat speed with 16 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 100 max exit velocity, averaged 88 mph. 301’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Short, compact arm action, over the top slot. Accurate throws.
Defense: 2.00-2.10 pop times. Starts low, works quick, clean transfer, steady hands. Soft blocker.
Run: 7.16 runner in the 60. 

3. Noah Brandt, Somonauk (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-10, 170-pounds. Sturdy frame with present strength throughout.
Hit: LHH. Upright, tall setup, minimal hands load, step-back stride, aggressive lower half. Loose, whippy hands, slightly uphill path at times, looks to elevate the ball with hard contact. Easy, controlled swing. 69.5 mph bat speed with 16 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 95 max exit velocity, averaged 87.5 mph. 334’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 81 mph. Compact arm path, quick arm, over the top slot.
Defense: 1.88-2.01 pop times. Easy, athletic mover, clean/quick transfer, works in-line, throws on the bag. Clean, soft blocker.
Run: 7.31 runner in the 60. 

4. Benjamin Mitchell, Harvest Christian (IL), 2025; Bellarmine University commit
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-1, 200.2-pounds. Well-proportioned frame with present strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Upright, open setup, some rhythm in the hands pre-pitch, hands load back onto backside, short leg kick trigger, linear lower half. Strong hands, easy effort with a flat path, looks to stay on top of the ball, on the barrel with lifted contact up the middle. 78.1 mph bat speed with 17 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 102 max exit velocity, averaged 96 mph. 310’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph. Over the top, works with some effort, slightly uphill, played accurately on the bag. Playable arm.
Defense: 1.95-2.00 pop times. Starts low, quick, controlled transfer, works in-line, throws on bag. Soft blocker.
Run: 7.18 runner in the 60. 

5. Eli Craft, Monticello  (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 6-1, 173.1-pounds. Sturdy, well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Controlled load and stride, repeats, gains ground.  Easy operation, loose hands with an uphill path, intent to lift up the middle. 60.6 mph bat speed with 11 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 82.8 mph. 292’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Short, compact path, 3/4 slot, some carry.
Defense: 2.11-2.18 pop times. Flexible one-knee setup, clean and easy actions, quick transfer, works in-line on throws. Quality receiving actions, soft blocker.
Run: 7.51 runner in the 60.

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Lawson Alwan, Peoria Notre Dame (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 5-11, 186.3-pounds. Sturdy frame with some present strength.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, slightly closed setup. Hands load back with slight barrel tip, short leg kick stride with coil, linear lower half. Strong hands, slightly uphill path, works middle/away. 69.3 mph bat speed with 9 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 82.9 mph. 277’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Average arm path, clean transfer, showed accuracy.
Defense: 2.01-2.11 pop times. Flexible one-knee setup, works up through the baseball. Quick out of the crouch, quick and clean transfers, shuffles feet towards target, repeatable glove approach.
Run: 7.08 runner in the 60. 

Cayden Arbour, Bradley Bourbonnais  (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-1, 185.2-pounds. Sturdy frame with some present strength throughout.
Hit: LHH. Tall, open setup. Quiet hands load, short leg lift stride works back to even, aggressive lower half. Loose, easy swing with a slightly uphill path, accurate barrel, consistent up the middle/opposite field. 68 mph bat speed with 10 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 83 max exit velocity, averaged 71.5 mph. 260’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. Short arm action, over the top slot.
Defense: 2.33-2.36 pop times. Clean transfers, feet work toward target, tall finish.
Run: 7.85 runner in the 60. 

Jake Bentivenga, New Trier (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-0, 185-pounds. Sturdy frame with present muscle throughout.
Hit: RHH. Slightly crouched setup, small leg lift with weight shift back, minimal stride. Loose, easy hands, uphill path, intent to lift the baseball. 78.6 mph bat speed with 25 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 97 max exit velocity, averaged 84.7 mph. 355’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Compact arm path, high 3/4 slot. Quick transfer.
Defense: 2.03-2.09 pop times. One-knee setup, comfortable receiving actions. Gets tall out of the crouch, compact some.
Run: 7.57 runner in the 60. 

AJ Foley, Lake Zurich (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-1, 185.2-pounds. Athletic, sturdy frame.
Hit: RHH. Crouched setup, movement in the hands pre-pitch, short leg kick load into backside, utilizes lower half. Loose hands, uphill path, worked consistently up the middle, used the whole field. 68.3 mph bat speed with 4 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 87 max exit velocity, averaged 83.5 mph. 300’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. Short arm action, quick clean release.
Defense: 1.93-2.08 pop times. Flexible one-knee setup, comfortable framer. Clean transfers, feet work towards target, upright finish.

Vincent Ippolito, Willowbrook  (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-10, 201.5-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Taller setup, short, quick leg lift with long stride. Strong hands, flat path, stays through the zone with intent to keep the ball on a line, elevates at times up the middle.  70.1 mph bat speed with 9 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 87.2 mph. 319’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Short arm action, quick out of the glove.
Defense: 2.04-2.16 pop times. Throws with intent out of the crouch, feet work toward target.
Run: 8.04 runner in the 60. 

Derek Kubek, Oswego East (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 6-0, 200-pounds. Athletic frame with some present strength throughout.
Hit: LHH. Upright setup, hands load back, short stride, strong lower half. Loose swing, uphill path path, looks to elevate the baseball to the pull-side. 70 mph bat speed with 6 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 85.1 mph. 295’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Short arm path, over the top arm.
Defense: 2.10-2.33 pop times. Comfortable one-knee setup, comfortable framer. Gets tall out of the crouch, average footwork.
Run: 7.76 runner in the 60. 

Addison Latko, DePaul College Prep (IL), 2026; Illinois commit
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-10, 157.4-pounds. Athletic, strong frame.
Hit: RHH. Upright setup, hands load back, medium leg kick stride, strong lower half. Fluid, easy swing, hands stay direct with a mostly flat path, all fields approach. 77 mph bat speed with 22 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 99 max exit velocity, averaged 94.7 mph. 335’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Short, quick arm path, over the top slot.
Defense: 1.98-2.10 pop times. One-knee setup, flexible with athletic actions, clean and quick transfer, works in-line. Clean, soft block, quality receiver.
Run: 7.23 runner in the 60. 

Carter Lennington, Minooka  (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-1, 188.7-pounds. Strong frame with present lower-half strength.
Hit: RHH. Tall, narrow setup, medium leg lift into medium stride length. Quick hands, flat path, intent to lift up the middle, creates extension through the zone. 78.8 mph bat speed with 19 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 99 max exit velocity, averaged 87.4 mph. 363’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Over the top slot, occasional carry.
Defense: 2.00-2.15 pop times. One-knee setup, apparent flexibility. Steady receiver. Quick and intentful out of the crouch, works in-line.
Run: 7.16 runner in the 60. 

Freddie Matvias, Walter Payton College Prep (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-1, 188-pounds. Athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Slightly crouched, open setup. Minimal pre-pitch movement, short knee-knock stride, aggressive lower half. Loose wrists, flat path, stays through the hitting zone with some extension. 71.6 mph bat speed with 14 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 97 max exit velocity, averaged 91.9 mph. 336’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 81 mph. OF - 87 mph. C: Over the top slot, some length on back side. OF: Compact, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 1.88-2.05 pop times. C: Flexible one-knee setup, comfortable framing actions. Quick actions out of the crouch, clean transfers, feet work toward the target. OF: Flows to the ball, shuffle crow hop towards target.
Run: 7.34 runner in the 60. 

Kaleb Navarro, De La Salle (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-4, 191.1-pounds. Lean, athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, small, toe-tap leg lift, long stride. Uphill path, looks to stay on top of the ball, intent to lift to pull-side. 74.7 mph bat speed with 25 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 97 max exit velocity, averaged 91 mph. 345’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 82 mph. Compact arm action, over the top slot, quick arm path.
Defense: 1.97-2.08 pop times. One-knee setup, steady receiver, quick mover, controlled transfer. Soft blocker.
Run: 7.09 runner in the 60. 

Collin Roche, Nazareth Academy  (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-2, 180-pounds. Lean, well-proportioned.
Hit: RHH. Upright, slightly crouched setup, minimal pre-pitch movement in the hands, short leg kick stride, linear lower half. Loose hands, flat path, ease in the swing, uses the whole field. 71.2 mph bat speed with 6 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 82.2 mph. 304’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 80 mph. High 3/4 slot, above-average arm strength. Some length in transition.
Defense: 1.97-2.03 pop times. Flexible one-knee setup, comfortable receiving actions. Athletic out of the crouch, shuffles feet towards target.
Run: 7.01 runner in the 60. 

Carson Stevens, Neuqua Valley (IL), 2025; Wabash Valley JC commit
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-3, 201.9-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide, upright setup. Quiet hands load, short leg lift trigger, aggressive lower half. Longer path with extension through the zone, uphill path, looks to elevate the baseball to the pull-side. 68.3 mph bat speed with 10 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 95 max exit velocity, averaged 86.9 mph. 363’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. High 3/4 slot, throws with some effort.
Defense: 2.10-2.18 pop times. Deliberate footwork out of the crouch, quick and clean transfers, feet work toward target.
Run: 7.46 runner in the 60. 

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