On Sunday, February 4th, the Prep Baseball Illinois staff traveled to The MAX in McCook, IL, to host the annual Unsigned Senior Showcase, an event that featured 25+ uncommitted 2024s. Those in attendance participated in a pro-style workout in front of our staff, collecting unrivaled measurables through the help of our state-of-the-art tech partners and in-person evaluations from our scouting staff. 

For all of the statistics from this event, click HERE. To see a list of those that attended, click HERE, and you’ll find all of our content from the event HERE. 

Recently, we rolled out all of our position player scouting reports from this event, which you can find HERE. Today, we’re wrapping up this year’s Unsigned Senior Showcase by turning to the mound and rolling out our pitcher evaluations from the day, which you can find below. 

TOP PITCHING PROSPECTS

1. Nick Jukovich, Glenbrook North (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-3, 210-pounds.
Delivery: Favors third base side of rubber, gathers over rubber with balanced hip tilt and back hip load, lands across body creating cross fire deception to the hitter, dynamic with lower body through release with a high leg swing finish with balance and good direction to the plate.
Arm Action: RH. Long out of the glove in the back, transitions into a high 3/4 slot.
FB: T87, 84-86 mph. Leverages fastball with downhill angle, slight cutting action, some life and finish through the zone.  T2445, 2351 average rpm.
CB: 69-71 mph. Short quick, 11/5 shape and break, can land and get below for chase.  T2349, 2311 average rpm.
CH: 78-79 mph. Plays with running action, flashed feel to glove-side.  T2129, 2093 average rpm.

2. Kevin O'Connor, DePaul College Prep (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 6-1, 200-pounds.
Delivery: Uptempo, short leg lift with slight tuck, tall/fall delivery that works in-line down the mound.
Arm Action: LH. Short arm action, arm plays with acceleration out front.
FB: T86, 85-86 mph. Plays with life out of the hand, has some arm-side run, throws to both sides of the plate. T2314, 2231 average rpm.
CB: 72-73 mph. Knuckle-curve, 1/8 shape, plays at the bottom of the zone, thrown with confidence. T2508, 2419 average rpm.
SL: 74-78 mph. Tight, 2/7 shape, plays at the bottom of the zone at times. T2750, 2565 average rpm.
CH: 80-82 mph. Plays with fade low in the zone, thrown with intent. T2218, 2087 average rpm.

T3. Jacob Younan, Taft (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-0, 190-pounds. Strong and sturdy build with good proportions.
Delivery: Starts middle of rubber, fluid tempo, medium leg lift with balance over the rubber, kicks out into in-line land with good direction to home, finishes with medium leg swing finish towards home with quiet head and balanced finish.
Arm Action: RH. Long out of the glove into a clean high 3/4 release.
FB: T86, 83-85 mph. Leverages ball downhill with ability to get pitch to spots.  T2164, 2056 average rpm.
SL: 74-76 mph. Thrown with fastball intent, shorter 10/4 shape, kept down and to the glove side.  T2142, 2111 average rpm.
CH: 77-78 mph. Finishes through pitch with fastball intent, shows late fade and depth at the plate, can land and get below.  T1938, 1898 average rpm.

T3. Clayton Cawley, Metamora (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-2, 170-pounds.
Delivery: Third base side, rhythmic tempo, high leg kick with balance over the rubber, lands in-line to home, medium leg swing finish with balance through home plate, repeats.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose arm swing, clean path into an over-the-top release.
FB: T86, 84-86 mph. Life through the zone with ride, plays at the top of the zone.  T2248, 2207 average rpm.
SL: 75-77 mph. 10/4 shape, gradual break, some feel for the zone.  T2327, 2210 average rpm.
CH: 79-81 mph. Deceptive arm-speed, slight fade to arm-side.  T1881, 1761 average rpm. 

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Danny Basalone, Bolingbrook (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: LHP
Body: 6-0, 214-pounds.
Delivery: Stretch-only, slight dip into back leg, rides down the mound with drop/drive lower-half, strides in-line.
Arm Action: LH. Long, loose arm swing, submarine release.
FB: T80, 77-80 mph. Plays with heavy, natural sinking action.  T2048, 2021 average rpm.
SL: 71-72 mph. Lateral sweep with lateness to break, can land in zone and expand for chase.  T2076, 2021 average rpm.
CH: 69-72 mph. Plays with fade and depth at the plate, sells pitch.  T1438, 1396 average rpm. 

Anthony Dinkel, Montini Catholic (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-2, 205-pounds.
Delivery: Stretch-only, simple, high leg lift, drop/drive, repeats.
Arm Action: RH. Loose, compact arm action.
FB: T79, 78-79 mph. 4-seam actions, throws for strikes, has some arm-side run to it at times. T2035, 1928 average rpm.
CB: 67-69 mph. Short wrinkle, 11/5 action.  T1899, 1824 average rpm.
CH: 70-71 mph. Mostly straight actions, similar profile to the fastball, developing. T1457, 1306 average rpm.

Pete Zimmerman, Maine South (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-2, 195-pounds.
Delivery: Stretch-only, high leg lift into drop/drive.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm circle, arm speed out front.
FB: T86, 85-86 mph. Has life out of the hand, 4-seam actions, plays up in the zone. T2367, 2266 average rpm.
CB: 70-71 mph. Knuckle-curve, 10/4 action with depth, tight. T2072, 1950 average rpm.
CH: 82-83 mph. Plays with depth, throws for strikes. T2126, 2046 average rpm. 

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