One of the biggest winners on the Prep Baseball circuit this past summer was undoubtably C Zach Bava (Naperville North, 2025). Initially standing out to our staff at the O'Hare Preseason ID this past February, Bava eventually earned an invite to the Future Games, and his performance is one that our staff will remember for years to come. The backstop took the Future Games by storm and used it as a launching pad, leaving the event as one of Team Illinois' biggest winners; initially standing out during the workout where he pummelled baseballs with a max EV of 96.2 mph, averaging 91.4 mph while also delivering the furthest ball hit out of the Illinois group (377'). He wasted no time impressing throughout gameplay, going a perfect 3-for-3 against Team Pennsylvania where he had a double, RBI, three runs scored and a stolen base. When it was all said and done, Bava finished the week at a 5-for-9 clip with a double, two RBIs and four runs scored. Much of the same was shown at the State Games, as he continued to find barrels throughout the event. Defensively, Bava has clean catch/throw operation with steady hands and a strong arm (T78 mph), creating a pop-time as low as 1.89 seconds. His motor is another intangible that makes him an intriguing prospect, never taking a play off and proving to be highly competetive time and time again. 

We recently had the chance to talk to Bava about his recruitment process, what all went into his decision to commit to Illinois State, and more. 

Our Q&A

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?

Zach: What I was looking for was a program that really had a family atmosphere and a coaching staff that truly cares about their players. 

P: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?

Z: The distance didn’t play a factor, I was willing to go anywhere no matter how far from home. 

P: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Where did the school you committed to first see you play? 

Z: The recruitment process started for me during the summer and some of the summer tournaments is where ISU saw me first. It really heated up fully after Future Games. 

P: What do you like most about the program you chose, and what were the key factors in making your decision? 

Z: What I like about ISU is the coaching staff truly cares about the players and have a plan everyday to help the players succeed whether that be on or off the field. There is a plan to help a player develop and be the best possible player they can. 

P: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision? 

Z: I was very interested in playing in the Big 10, but also UIC was on my short list along with ISU.  

P: Who is the best player you have faced in your state? What about them makes for a tough opponent?

Z: The best player I have faced is C Enzo Infelise (Providence Catholic, 2025; Oklahoma commit) because he can make plays behind the plate and also can hit any pitch. He is a guy that you don’t want to play against. 

P: At what point in your career did you realize you were a college-caliber player and became serious about taking your game to the next level? 

Z: I realized during my 16u summer that I truly had a chance to be a D1 athlete. 

P: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are? 

Z: Find the weight room. It is the most important aspect on why I made a huge improvement from freshman to sophomore year.

P: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point? 

Z: My Grand Slam in the final game of the series vs Dekalb. 

P: Preview your high school team's season for us. How do you feel your team will be? 

Z: I feel like our team will be good. We have one of the best and deepest pitching staffs. 

P: How did the Future Games and/or the Illinois State Games affect your recruitment process? Did you receive more attention following the event(s)? 

Z: The Future Games and State Games played a huge role because it is where schools saw me and where ISU saw me play against some of the best competition in the country. 

P: If you could steal any tool or quality from another player in the state, what would it be and who would it be from? 

Z: The speed of OF Luke McClure (Champaign Central, 2025; Wright State commit).  

P: Who is the next talented young player to keep an eye on out of your high school or travel program? 

Z: Max Steele (Naperville North, 2026) he is a lefty arm who can shove on the mound and has a very good bat. 

P: Did Prep Baseball assist in your recruiting? Whether it be through a showcase, tournament coverage, tweets, etc?  

Z: Prep Baseball truly helped significantly in my process because the showcases and specifically Future Games helped schools see me. Without PBR I wouldn’t have this great opportunity to go to ISU. 

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