Starting back in 2004 as an Illinois-only event, the Super 60 has blossomed into the premier scouting event for senior draft prospects leading into the spring season, drawing players from all around the country and even beyond US borders. With the growing reach and popularity of the event, it has only become harder for Illinois products to fill its roster. However, this past year’s event saw four Illinois residents take the stage, two of which went on to be selected in this past summer’s MLB Draft. 

We posted a Statistical Analysis following the event which further proved how well the Illinois prospects performed, as their names were littered throughout the list. Today, we’ll be taking a look at each of the four Illinois participants and what made their days so special.  

Super 60

It's fair to say that RHP Blake Wolters (Mahomet Seymour) put together one of the more impressive showings in Super 60 history, and his performance certainly helped catapult himself up draft boards as he went on to be selected in the second round (44th overall) this past July.  

Wolters was an exciting addition to the roster, as we had heard rumblings about his fastball creeping into the mid-90s that winter. No one, likely except for Wolters, could have expected what was going to happen that day as he set a Super 60 fastball record with 97.7 mph on consecutive pitches. A former basketball standout who at the time recently switched his focus to baseball, Wolters has a physical 6-foot-4, 215-pound frame with all sorts of athleticism and upside. He creates plenty of extension out front from a ¾ slot, creating his aforementioned fastball that played with carry and roughly 2350 rpm on average, never dipping below 95 mph throughout his ‘pen. His slider also showed tremendous upside, playing firm at 82-84 mph with over 2700 rpm while holding the potential of a wipeout pitch in the future.  

Wolters’ makeup, arm talent and upside make him an exciting prospect that now lies in the Kansas City Royals system, and he’ll be a fun one to watch climb up the ranks in his professional career.  

One of the main draws of the event, and also the youngest player in the 2023 class, OF/3B George Wolkow (Downers Grove North) certainly looked as advertised throughout the workout, eventually going on to be selected in the seventh round (209 overall) in July. He immediately catches the eye, listed at a hulking 6-foot-7, 237-pounds with lean strength and broad shoulders, while still looking to have room for added physicality in the future. He started his day by cruising to a 6.75 in the 60 with long/athletic strides, good enough for ninth best in attendance. He also posted a 10-yard split of 1.65, which was tied for fifth best in the event.  

His round of batting practice is where we really saw Wolkow shine, delivering the furthest ball hit on the day at 410’ to go along with a 101.8 mph max EV, ninth best on the day. Due to his long limbs, Wolkow makes a clear effort to stay compact and consistent with his hands, creating easy lag through the zone with the ability to lift the ball with backspin and seemingly effortless power.  

Wolkow took his defensive reps both at third base and from the outfield, putting his electric arm on display as he reached up to 89 mph (T2 in-event) on the INF and 92 mph (T5 in-event) from the OF.

Now in the Chicago White Sox system, Wolkow has the unique opportunity to climb the ranks of his hometown team. 

The lone catcher in attendance from Illinois, Colin Barczi (Naperville Central) made his presence felt throughout the workout in multiple ways. Physically built at 6-foot-2, 205-pounds with round shoulders and evenly proportioned strength throughout, Barczi created a plethora of hard elevated contact throughout his round of BP. The right-handed hitter uses his strength to his advantage throughout his operation, using the ground throughout his load to coil and generate an explosive barrel through the zone, averaging 93.6 mph for his EV throughout his rounds and reaching up to 102.5 mph, fifth best in-event. He creates plenty of bat-speed in his swing as well, averaging 75.3 mph which slotted him at No. 11 out of the group.  

Though he’s listed as a primary catcher, he has plenty of defensive versatility which is backed up by his 6.90 in the 60-yard dash. He has a plus arm, reaching up to 86 mph from the chute (second best in-event), and he also reached as low as 1.86 for his pop-time, which was third best. 

Now on campus at Vanderbilt, Barczi will look to make an impact for the Commodores early on in his collegiate career. With the amount of raw tools he possesses, he will be an ultra-intriguing draft prospect as he continues to progress throughout the years. 

One of the later additions to the Super 60 roster thanks to his standout showing at the ProCase, INF Cal Sefcik (Marist) certainly left his mark on the event. Likely considered a sleeper at the start of the event, we can guarantee that no one was sleeping when Sefcik was taking his rounds of BP, as he led the entire roster with a max EV of 107.1 mph while averaging 101.9 mph. He wore out the middle of the field with backspin line-drives, staying in the zone a long time with notable bat-speed (74.9 mph avg; No. 14 in event) and quick hands (24.8 mph avg).  

His round of defense was also impressive, showing off range to both sides of his glove with quick/steady hands and an athletic double play turn. He then went on to lead the event in max infield velocity, topping out at 90 mph across the diamond. Also a 6.90 runner in the 60, Sefcik looks to have the ability to remain on the infield in the long term. 

Now on campus at Indiana University, Sefcik will be an exciting player to watch for the Hoosiers throughout his collegiate career, and he’ll look to be yet another Super 60 alum to make it to pro ball when it's all said and done. 

 

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