The Illinois Scout Blog provides insider information and scouting notes from the PBR Scouting Staff during the season. This running blog will feature information on underclass prospects, unsigned seniors, draft prospects, and anything else that is notable. We will provide a wide range of information, including player evaluations, velocities, pop times, home to first times, and more. Simply put, the Illinois Scout Blog is loaded with information …

No. 5 Joliet Catholic vs. No. 8 Minooka - 3/11/24

Lucas Grant, LHP, Joliet Catholic, 2025
Uncommitted, 6-foot, 185-pound frame, high waist with room to fill out. Impressed out of the ‘pen with three innings on one one run, two hits, two walks and six strikeouts. The southpaw cruised with his fastball in the 86-89 mph range, topping out at 90 mph on his best bullet, attacking hitters consistently with running action to his arm-side. To pair off the fastball he went to a slider in the 77-79 mph range, playing with late action and depth, consistently back-footing right-handers at the plate. High-follow arm that has made some significant strides since the summer.  

Good look at LHP Lucas Grant (2025; @PBR_Uncommitted) with @JCABaseball earlier today.

FB sat 87-89 mph early, topping out at 90 w/ ASR. Went to a BB in the upper-70s to back-foot RHH.

Competes and attacked the zone with FBs. pic.twitter.com/ZWSGMUrY9o

— Prep Baseball Illinois (@PrepBaseballIL) March 12, 2024

Jacob Gimbel, LHP, Joliet Catholic, 2024
Heartland commit, stands at a strong 5-foot-11, 195-pounds. The top-150 player in the state got the start on Opening Day for the Hill and was strong throughout his three innings of work. Gimbel maneuvered through trouble a couple times and was reliant on an 82-85 mph (T86) fastball that played with ride for swings and misses when he needed them. He flashed a 1/7-shaped curveball at times as well, that sat 72-73 mph. Gimbel got the win, allowing three hits, one walk, two unearned runs, and punching out five in his brief appearance. 

From JCA:

Brief but strong Opening Day start from LHP Jacob Gimbel (2024; @HCC_Hawks commit)

FB: 82-85 T86 w/ ASR. Generated whiffs early
BB: 72-73 w/ 1/7 action

5K in 3 IP pic.twitter.com/6zU8mRBHXA

— Prep Baseball Illinois (@PrepBaseballIL) March 11, 2024

Lucas Simulick, SS, Joliet Catholic, 2026
Uncommitted, currently ranked No. 15 in the state. 5-foot-9, 170-pounds, starting to add some strength to his frame still with plenty of room to add on more. Started at shortstop and impressed throughout the day with his glove; comfortable, confident actions, soft/quick hands that play with rhythm and timing synced with his footwork, really looks the part. The right-handed hitter has continued to make strides with the bat, recording a single to go along with an RBI and a run scored. The right-handed hitter has a minimal load both with his stride and his hands, staying short and flat to the ball and through the zone, getting the barrel to a fastball in the top of the zone for a single to the left-side. High-follow that continues to develop each year.