Recruiting Roundup: Week of 11/8
November 8, 2024
With the end of the showcase season, fall baseball wrapped up, the World Series now behind us, we're heading into the true offseason. We throught it would be a good time to start up our weekly 'Recruiting Roundup' series, where we contiune to highlight the prospects that committed to a collegiate program during the week. Be on the lookout each Friday for this series, or follow along on our X platform (PrepBaseballIL) where we announce commitments each morning. This past week was a busy one for commitments, so let's begin.
Note: Player's are listed in alphabetical order by last name.
2025S
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Bo Anselmi RHP / Hersey, IL / 2025Rankings StateRank: 229 / POS: 64
MILWAUKEE SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING COMMIT RHP Bo Anselmi (Hersey, 2025) popped up as yet another talented arm that Hersey HS will have at its disposal this spring. Anselmi has a 6-foot, 212-pound frame with a strong lower half and above-average stuff. His fastball played with some carry through the zone and averaged 2407 rpm. He flashed a slider and curveball to go along with his four-pitch arsenal with his slider showing quality action and tight, short depth at 73-74 mph, T2514 rpm. Impressive PBR debut for the uncommitted junior. |
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Cameron Appenzeller LHP / OF / Glenwood, IL / 2025TENNESSEE COMMIT The No. 1 ranked player in Illinois' 2025 class has slowly proven himself to be one of the best left-handed pitchers in the nation. Appenzeller went a perfect 6-0 for Glenwood, pitching a total of 43 innings with 85 strikeouts and a 0.64 ERA. The South Carolina commit only allowed 18 hits on the year, acting as the ace of a Glenwood baseball squad who were 3A Regional Champs. Appenzeller has a bright future ahead of him as he continues to build a resume that leaves him as one of the more intriguing arms in the 2025 MLB Draft. This spring, Appenzeller has showcased a fluid, ultra-easy operation with an 88-91 mph fastball and mid-to-upper 70’s breaking ball that is more devastating everytime we see him. It has advanced feel all extremely late and sharp horizontal action. He also possesses a low-80s fading changeup that he does not need to go to very often. A name to know for the 2025 MLB Draft. |
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Gavin Awbrey 2B / SS / Alleman, IL / 2025Rankings StateRank: 230 / POS: 3
SOUTHEASTERN CC COMMIT INF Gavin Awbrey (Orion) continues to add strength to his 6-foot, 190-pound frame. The right-handed hitter showed well during game play, finishing the week 3-for-6 with a triple and two RBIs. He showed a direct path to the ball with a mostly flat stroke, barrelling balls to the pull-side. During the showcase he posted a max exit velocity of 91.8 mph, and he sent his farthest hit ball 358 feet. |
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Filippo Baratta OF / 2B / Lincoln-Way Central, IL / 2025Rankings StateRank: 82 / POS: 13
SOUTHWESTERN ILLINOIS JC COMMIT OF Filippo Baratta (Lincoln-Way Central) is an uncommitted outfielder to follow. A lean and athletic 5-foot-10, 157-pounds, Baratta showed well on both sides of the ball. Defensively, he has fluid movements and routes, giving a natural look in center field. The right-handed hitter looked comfortable against tough arms at the State Games - working quality at-bats and finding barrels. Baratta also looked the part on workout day; running a 6.65 60, posting a max vertical of 33”, reaching 86 mph on a crow hop, while also putting up a max exit velocity of 93.7 mph. |
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Joe Barkley 1B / OF / Neuqua Valley, IL / 2025Rankings StateRank: 255 / POS: 14
LAKE LAND JC COMMIT 1B Joe Barkley (Neuqua Valley) wielded one of the stronger right-handed swings in attendance, reaching up to 99 mph for his max EV in the workout with an average of 91.1 mph and max distance of 375’. He also put up some impressive BLAST numbers, with an average bat-speed of 73 mph and average hand-speed of 22.2 mph. He gets his A-swing off in-game while still being able to control the zone and sit back on spin. |
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Sean Campbell SS / RHP / Riverside Brookfield, IL / 2025NORTH CENTRAL COLLEGE COMMIT Uncommitted. Campbell stands in at a long 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, and showcased his two way abilities in a 9-0 victory for Windy City on Saturday. He took the mound in a six inning complete game shutout, only allowing three hits. He possessed a three pitch mix utilizing a fastball at 78-81, a curveball at 66-68 mph, and a changeup at 72-74 mph. At the plate, he crushed a pull-side ground rule double to deep left and showed loose hands. |
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Nolan Canfield RHP / 3B / Manteno, IL / 2025AURORA UNIVERSITY COMMIT |
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Landon Crone SS / 2B / Harvard, IL / 2025CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY COMMIT Positional Profile: SS/2B |
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Ben Dizillo RHP / OF / York, IL / 2025CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY COMMIT |
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Austin Grzywa OF / York, IL / 2025CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY COMMIT |
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Josh Gugora OF / 3B / Benet Academy, IL / 2025ILLINOIS WESLEYAN COMMIT OF Josh Gugora (Benet Academy, 2025) had a loud showing with the bat. The strong 5-foot-10, 170-pound right-handed hitter recorded the third-highest exit velocity for the event at 92.5 mph, paired with the second-highest average EV at 83.9 mph. |
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Cayden Haugh / OF / Huntley, IL / 2025JUDSON UNIVERSITY COMMIT |
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Madden Johnson RHP / SS / Mattoon, IL / 2025Rankings StateRank: 107 / POS: 35
LAKE LAND JC COMMIT INF/RHP Madden Johnson (Mattoon) is a two-way prospect that should be on a lot of schools’ radars. Listed at 6-foot, 153-pounds, Johnson has all sorts of room left to fill out his frame. He impressed all weekend at the plate, working on the barrel numerous times for extra bases; displaying a flat swing that stays through the zone with the intent to keep the ball on a line to all fields. On the mound, the right-hander is a loose/athletic mover with a whippy arm, creating a fastball up to 87 mph to pair with a sharp curveball with depth at 75-77 mph, attacking the zone with both offerings. |
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Max Kalish LHP / OF / Maryville Christian, IL / 2025COLLEGE OF DUPAGE COMMIT |
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Connor Kehoe RHP / OF / Conant, IL / 2025BENEDICTINE UNIVERSITY COMMIT Kehoe showed well on the mound Saturday, showing a fastball that sat 78-81 mph and was paired with a 67-69 mph curveball. The right-handed pitcher showed explosive actions on the mound and repeated it well from a high 3/4s arm slot. An athletic 5-foot-9, 142 pounds, the rising senior still has a lot of room for strength gains, which would compliment his present toolset. |
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Patrick Kennedy RHP / C / Champaign Central, IL / 2025LAKE LAND JC COMMIT RHP Patrick Kennedy (Champaign Central) is an intriguing uncommitted arm from the event. An athletic 6-foot, 181-pound frame with more to come, Kennedy showed easy, loose actions on the mound with a clean arm to pair. His fastball was up to 81.7 mph, playing mostly straight, and he also mixed in a slider at 70-72 mph with short, horizontal break. He attacked the zone with strikes throughout his two innings, tallying two strikeouts and one earned run. |
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Nick Konopiots OF / RHP / Downers Grove North, IL / 2025COLLEGE OF DUPAGE COMMIT |
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Angelo Lundeen C / 3B / Lyons Township, IL / 2025JOLIET JC COMMIT Positional Profile: C/3B |
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Ethan Moore SS / 2B / Oak Park-River Forest, IL / 2025TENNESSEE COMMIT Moore is a dynamic switch-hitter with feel to hit and power from both sides of the plate. From the left side, Moore has high hands with a wide base, using a lengthy stride straight toward the pitcher. It’s a very direct path with notable bat speed that enabled him to hit the ball hard, reaching 96.7 mph off the bat. In the right-handed box it’s more controlled movement, working into a strong loaded position with quality timing. Moore showcased his speed, as the Illinois native was one of just four players to run a sub-7.00 60-yard dash (6.92). Defensively, Moore showed quality actions with the feet, soft hands and quick lateral movement. His arm worked from multiple angles with accuracy, reaching 89 mph across the infielder. |
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Max Oswald 3B / 2B / Waterloo, IL / 2025ST. CHARLES CC COMMIT |
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Callum Paisley / Rolling Meadows, IL / 2025LAKE LAND JC COMMIT |
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Francis Panko C / OF / Cary-Grove, IL / 2025MESA CC COMMIT Positional Profile: C/OF |
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Gavin Persson C / Plainfield North, IL / 2025WISCONSIN-OSHKOSH COMMIT |
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Ryne Rhodes / Marissa, IL / 2025LEWIS & CLARK CC COMMIT |
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Tyler Rudd RHP / RHP / Edwardsville, IL / 2025ILLINOIS WESLEYAN COMMIT |
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Kaden Siltman OF / Pekin Community, IL / 2025EUREKA COLLEGE COMMIT Positional Profile: OF |
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Matthew Steinberg RHP / 1B / St. Charles East, IL / 2025Rankings StateRank: 233 / POS: 65
MANHATTAN COMMIT RHP Matthew Steinberg (St. Charles East, 2025) is a 6-foot-3, 183-pound athletic mover to know from the event. From a quick, ¾ slot, his fastball sat 85-86 mph with some occasional ride through the zone. His curveball played at 65-67 mph with an average of -23.4” of horizontal movement, while his slider played in the zone 75% of the time at 71-77 mph. |
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Carson Young RHP / C / Antioch, IL / 2025BETHEL UNIVERSITY COMMIT Positional Profile: RHP/C |
2026S
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TJ McQuillan 3B / OF / Mount Carmel, IL / 2026WAKE FOREST COMMIT Currently ranked No. 2 in the state, No. 102 nationally. 6-foot, 223-pound frame, strong, barrel-chested, wide shoulders with strength throughout and a trim waist. Premier left-handed hitter in the state, finished the day 3-for-4 with a double, three RBIs and a run scored. Advanced approach and presence in the box, clear plan of attack and, showed the ability to cover the entire plate with ease. Relaxed setup with a simple load, hands rock back slightly and work on-plate through the zone with easy bat-speed. His damage was done as a DH in this look but he took a strong round of IO third base, boasting steady hands with feel for the position and a strong arm. High-profile 2026 to follow closely. |
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Drew Stevens C / 3B / Normal Community, IL / 2026VALPARAISO COMMIT C Drew Stevens (Normal Community) stands in a strong 5-foot-11, 183-pound frame. His right-handed bat showed well in-game, going 2-for-5 with a double, walk and a stolen base. He posted a loud 96.6 mph max exit velocity during the showcase, averaging 85.8 mph throughout his round of batting practice. His defensive numbers are slowly ticking up, posting a 2.02 pop time at this event, including a 77 mph catcher velocity on his best ball down to second base. |