On Jan. 20, staff representing both PBR Illinois and PBR Indiana were on hand at the Ho-Chunk Sports and Expo Center in Chicago Heights, Ill., to evaluate close to the 80 prospects who made it out to our Illiana Preseason I.D. showcase.

We began our event coverage shortly after the event with our Quick Hits post and a Statistical Analysis. This week, we’ve been rolling out position-by-position analysis from this event that started with the day’s catchers, outfielders, and has led us to the infielders, which we’ll dissect today. 

A prospect not yet in high school managed to burst through this group all the way to the top of the rankings below, which is a substantial feat. Cash Campbell will be a Montini Catholic freshman in the fall but he’s established himself as a 2024 grad to know ahead of time. Elsewhere, junior Shane Baumgarten (Wheaton Academy) is among the top uncommitted prospects in the state, ranked inside the top-50 of the class. Check out his scouting report below to learn more.

Continue reading below for reports on each and every infielder from the showcase. Remember to check back tomorrow and rest of the week for reports on the day’s pitchers, as well as a ranking of the best overall prospects who participated at the annual Illiana I.D.

TOP INFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Cash Campbell, Montini Catholic (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP One of the top left-handed bats we have seen to date in the Illinois' 2024 class.
Body: 6-foot, 180-pounds. Proportional strength.
Hit: LHH. Open setup, smooth pre-pitch load, short stride and balanced finish. Aggressive swing, quick hands, fluid rhythm, short, level bat path with a gap-to-gap approach. Consistent hard contact working gap-to-gap.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ball jumped off the bat. Projectable power bat.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, accurate throws played with carry at times.
Defense: Steady hands, funnels into the body at times and plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.67 runner in the 60. 

2. Shane Baumgarten, Wheaton Academy (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: SS/RHP Advanced infield defender with strength in the bat.
Body: 6-foot, 185-pounds. Athletic, proportional strength.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, pre pitch load back, short stride Quick hands, smooth rhythm, short, level bat path with a gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 96 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 86 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, throws played accurate and stayed true.
Defense: Advanced actions, soft hands, fluid footwork on the move, quick exchanges and plays athletically through the baseball.
Run: 6.79 runner in the 60. 

3. Nick Gehrke, Minooka (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 6-foot, 165-pounds. Wiry, athletic
Hit: LHH. Open setup, smooth pre pitch load, short stride. Fluid rhythm, loose hands, level bat path with a line-drive approach.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Long, loose arm action, 3/4 arm slot, throws played with carry across the diamond.
Defense: Soft hands, fluid footwork, clean exchanges, and plays athletically through the baseball.
Run: 7.7 runner in the 60. 

4. Ferdinand Centeno, Chicago Hope Academy (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-foot-9, 145-pounds. Athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, leg kick stride. Swings with intent, long, uphill bat path with a pull side approach and present bat speed.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 85 mph. Short, quick arm action, 3/4 arm slot, displayed ability to throw from multiple angles, throws played with carry across the diamond.
Defense: Soft hands, quick footwork and exchanges and plays athletically through the baseball.
Run: 6.95 runner in the 60. 

5. Blaze Cano, Hanover Central (IN), 2021
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-foot-7, 132-pounds. Wiry frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall, open setup, leg kick stride. Repeatable swing, level bat path, line-drive approach.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 86 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, throws played accurate and with carry.
Defense: Soft hands, smooth footwork and plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.29 runner in the 60. 

6. Mario Ferri, Addison Trail (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-foot-8, 150-pounds. Athletically-built.
Hit: RHH. Tall, open setup, short stride. Simple swing, short, level bat path with a linge-drive approach.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 87 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, accurate throws with carry.
Defense: Fluid footwork, sure-handed, clean exchanges and plays through the baseball.
Run: 6.95 runner in the 60. 

7. Justin Janowski, Providence Catholic (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: 3B/1B
Body: 6-foot-2, 190-pounds. Wide shouldered, athletic frame
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, short stride. Simple swing, highly-repeatable, quick hands, fluid rhythm, short, level bat path with a gap-to-gap approach. Consistent hard contact.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Short, clean arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Reliable hands, fields into body at times. Fundamentally sound back-hand play.
Run: 7.5 runner in the 60. 

8. Ulysses Munoz, Romeoville (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-foot-2, 175-pounds. Wiry, athletic
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, pre pitch load, leg kick stride. Fluid rhythm, long, uphill bat path with a gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 84 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, accurate throws played with carry.
Defense: Soft hands, smooth footwork, clean exchanges and played athletically through the baseball.
Run: 7.66 runner in the 60. 

9. Lorenzo Rios, Joliet Catholic (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-foot-10, 165-pounds. Athletic frame.
Hit: LHH. Tall, open setup, short, leg-kick stride. Quick hands, aggressive swings, short, level bat path, line-drive middle of the field approach.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Showed ability to make consistent hard contact.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. INF - 73 mph. Short arm action, low 3/4 arm slot, accurate throws.
Defense: On the infield, soft hands, fluid footwork, and plays athletic. Behind the plate, quick footwork and clean exchanges.
Run: 7.88 runner in the 60. 

10. Easton Harris, Washington (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 5-foot-10, 160-pounds. Athletic frame
Hit: RHH. Open setup, leg kick stride Simple, repeatable swing, quick hands, short, level bat path with a line-drive approach.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, flashed ability to throw from multiple angles, throws played accurate with carry.
Defense: Sure-handed, fluid footwork, quick, clean exchanges, and plays athletically through the baseball.
Run: 7.27 runner in the 60.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Daniel Baumgartner, St. Laurence (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-foot-3, 190-pounds. Athletic frame
Hit: RHH. Wide, balanced setup, short stride. Repeatable swing, long, uphill bat path with a line-drive approach.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 71 mph. Long arm action, over the top arm slot, throws played accurately.
Defense: Soft hands, fluid footwork, clean exchanges and plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.16 runner in the 60. 

James Blokell, Lyons Township (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-foot-1, 160-pounds. Wiry, athletic
Hit: LHH. Open setup, short, toe-tap stride Smooth rhythm, quick hands, short, level bat path with a line-drive approach.
Power: 77 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Long arm action, over the top arm slot, accurate throws played true.
Defense: Sure-handed, quick footwork, clean exchanges and plays athletically through the baseball.
Run: 7.5 runner in the 60.  

Luke Brabham, Nazareth Academy (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 6-foot-2, 155-pounds. Wiry, athletic build
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, pre pitch load, no stride. Smooth rhythm, quick hands, short, level bat path with a gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Long arm action, 3/4 arm slot, accurate throws played with carry.
Defense: Smooth hands, fluid footwork, clean transfers and plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.29 runner in the 60. 

Mark DeCicco, Crystal Lake South (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/2B
Body: 6-foot-2, 160-pounds. Wiry frame
Hit: RHH. Open setup, pre pitch load, leg kick stride Fluid rhythm, long, slightly uphill bat path with a gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 70 mph. Long arm action, over the top arm slot, throws played accurate.
Defense: Fluid footwork, clean exchanges and hands play close to body.
Run: 7.9 runner in the 60. 

Jack Donovan, Hanover Central (IN), 2024
Positional Profile: 1B/LHP
Body: 5-foot-9, 140-pounds. Wiry, athletic frame
Hit: LHH. Slightly closed, balanced setup, short stride Fluid rhythm, short, uphill bat path with a pull side approach.
Power: 70 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. INF - 68 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, accurate throws with carry.
Defense: Soft hands, smooth footwork, clean exchanges and plays athletically through the baseball.
Run: 8.2 runner in the 60. 

Mikey Gentile, St. Laurence (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-foot-10, 155-pounds. Wiry, athletic build
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, short, reverse toe-tap stride. Long, slightly uphill bat path and a line-drive approach.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. Long, loose arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Sure-handed, fluid footwork, clean exchanges and plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.12 runner in the 60. 

Joseph Gonzalez, Von Steuben (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-foot-7, 130-pounds. Athletic frame
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, pre pitch load, short stride. Fluid rhythm, uphill bat path and a gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 71 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, showed ability to throw from multiple angles.
Defense: Soft hands, quick footwork and clean exchanges.
Run: 7.65 runner in the 60. 

Tommy Haggerty, Homewood-Flossmoor (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-foot, 155-pounds. Wiry, athletic frame
Hit: RHH. Tall, open setup, smooth load, short stride. Simple swing, quick hands, uphill bat path with a pull side approach.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, throws were accurate with carry.
Defense: Sure-handed, smooth footwork, clean exchanges and plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.47 runner in the 60. 

Kevin Hall Jr, Munster (IN), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 5-foot-5, 130-pounds. Athletic build
Hit: LHH. Crouched setup, hands load back pre pitch, leg kick stride. Fluid rhythm, long, uphill bat path with a line-drive approach.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 67 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, throws played with accuracy.
Defense: Sure-handed, fluid footwork, and clean exchanges.
Run: 7.81 runner in the 60. 

Aidan Hamerlinck, Pleasant Plains (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 157-pounds. Wiry, athletic
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, pre pitch load, short, toe-tap stride. Long, uphill bat path, quick hands and a line-drive approach.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, throws played accurate across the diamond.
Defense: Fluid footwork and clean exchanges.
Run: 7.52 runner in the 60. 

Gilberto Hernandez, Maine West (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: 1B/3B
Body: 6-foot, 235-pounds. Proportional strength
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, long stride. Simple swing, short, uphill bat path with a gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Short, clean arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Sure-handed, fluid footwork and clean exchanges.
Run: 7.6 runner in the 60. 

Peter Hernandez III, New Trier (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-foot-3, 120-pounds. Small, lean frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall, narrow setup, even stride and simple swing. Minimal wasted movement, handsy swing, level bat path.
Power: 71 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 66 mph. Long arm action from a 3/4 slot.
Defense: Charges the baseball, plays through, clean release.
Run: 8.06 runner in the 60. 

Brenden James, Conant (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 5-foot-10, 160-pounds. Athletic build
Hit: RHH. Wide, balanced setup, short stride Fluid rhythm, short, uphill bat path with an opposite field approach.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 70 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Sure-handed and fluid footwork.
Run: 7.32 runner in the 60. 

Zak Keegan, Lincoln-Way East (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-foot-8, 145-pounds. Wiry
Hit: RHH. Narrow, open setup, leg kick stride. Long, uphill bat path with a pull side approach.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Sure-handed, fluid footwork, clean exchanges and plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.57 runner in the 60. 

G. Oliver Lopeztello, St. Patrick (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-foot-6, 120-pounds. Wiry
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, short stride. Long, uphill bat path with a pull side approach.
Power: 74 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, throws played with accuracy.
Defense: Sure-handed, quick exchanges and hands play close to body.
Run: 7.72 runner in the 60. 

Colin Mason, Merrillville (IN), 2022
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-foot-9, 175-pounds. Athletic build
Hit: S/R. Tall, open setup, smooth load, short stride Aggressive swings, long, level bat path with a gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot
Defense: Plays through the baseball, reliable hands, clean/quick release on the infield.
Run: 7.65 runner in the 60. 

Cayleb Mendoza, Munster (IN), 2021
Positional Profile: 3B/C
Body: 5-foot-8, 175-pounds. Strong lower half.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, pre-pitch load and short stride. Simple swing, level bat path, line-drive approach.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 64 mph. INF - 67 mph. Short arm action, low 3/4 slot and throws played accurate.
Defense: On the infield hands played steady, clean release. Behind the plate, minimal wasted movement, clean transfer.
Run: 7.86 runner in the 60. 

Zack Millsap, Crete-Monee (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 174-pounds. Athletic build
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, short stride Fluid rhythm, uphill bat path with a pull side approach.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 84 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, throws played with accuracy
Defense: Sure-handed, fluid footwork and plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.52 runner in the 60. 

Dylan Modjeski, T.F. South (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-foot-8, 145-pounds. Athletic frame
Hit: RHH. Tall, open setup, long stride. Long, level bat path, fluid rhythm and a line-drive approach.
Power: 75 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 69 mph. Short arm action, over the top arm slot, throws played with some accuracy.
Defense: Quick footwork and clean exchanges.
Run: 7.63 runner in the 60. 

Blake Neyhart, Lake Central (IN), 2021
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 6-foot, 175-pounds. Strong, athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, wide setup, short stride and minimal load. Simple, quiet swing, stays short to the ball, loose hands at times and gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. Short, easy arm action from a low 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady hands, plays into the body at times, clean release.
Run: 7.13 runner in the 60. 

Finn O'Meara, Nazareth Academy (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 145-pounds. Athletic build
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, short, toe-tap stride Simple swing, fluid rhythm, long, uphill bat path with a gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, throws played accurate.
Defense: Sure-handed, smooth footwork, clean exchanges, fields the baseball out front of body and plays through the ball.
Run: 7.5 runner in the 60. 

Conor Pangburn, Lake Central (IN), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 6-foot-1, 160-pounds. Wiry frame
Hit: RHH. Wide, balanced setup, short, toe-tap stride Repeatable swing, long, level bat path with a line-drive approach.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Long arm action, 3/4 arm slot, throws played accurate across the diamond.
Defense: Sure-handed, fluid footwork and clean exchanges.
Run: 7.5 runner in the 60. 

Jayden Rhyne, Highland (IN), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-foot-9, 165-pounds. Strong, athletic build
Hit: RHH. Closed setup, leg kick stride. Simple swing, short, level bat path with a gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. Short arm action, over the top arm slot.
Defense: Soft hands and clean exchanges.
Run: 7.6 runner in the 60. 

Cameron Rizzo, Evanston Township (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/SS
Body: 5-foot-8, 138-pounds. Athletic frame
Hit: RHH. Tall, balanced setup, pre pitch load back, short stride. Simple swing, short, level bat path with a line drive approach.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 71 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot
Defense: Soft hands, fluid footwork and plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.42 runner in the 60. 

Richard Robinson, Homewood-Flossmoor (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-foot, 155-pounds. Athletic
Hit: RHH. Open setup, leg kick stride. Simple swing, short, level bat path, fluid rhythm, line-drive approach.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. OF - 77 mph. Long, loose arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, throws showed carry.
Defense: In the Outfield, smooth footwork, clean exchanges and plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.23 runner in the 60.

Aramis Miso Salmeron, Lakeview (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-foot, 180-pounds. Well-proportioned, strong build.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, smooth load, leg-lift timing trigger. Utilizes lower half, flat bat path and line-drive, pull-side approach.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Arm works short and from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady hands, fields into body and length through exchange.
Run: 8.03 runner in the 60. 

Spencer Sharp, Homewood-Flossmoor (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-foot-11, 165-pounds. Strong lower-half
Hit: RHH. Open setup, short stride Balanced swing, short, uphill bat path with a gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 75 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, throws played with accuracy.
Defense: Sure-handed, fluid footwork, clean exchanges and plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.46 runner in the 60. 

Joshua Sutker, Brother Rice (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 5-foot-9, 160-pounds. Strong lower half.
Hit: LHH. Open setup, leg kick stride. Fluid rhythm, short, level bat path with a pull side approach.
Power: 76 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. INF - 75 mph. Long arm action, 3/4 arm slot, throws played with accuracy
Defense: Sure-handed, fluid footwork and clean exchanges.
Run: 8.57 runner in the 60. 

Arnoldo Velazquez Jr., Lockport (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 5-foot-9, 174-pounds. Athletic, strong lower half.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, short stride Simple swing, fluid rhythm, short, uphill bat path with a line-drive approach.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Smooth hands, fluid footwork, clean transfer, and plays from the ground up.
Run: 7.21 runner in the 60. 

Jacob White, Mount Carmel (IN), 2022
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-foot, 190-pounds. Proportional strength
Hit: LHH. Slightly open, balanced setup, leg kick stride Fluid rhythm, short, level bat path with a pull side approach.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 74 mph. Long, loose arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, throws played accurate across the diamond.
Defense: Sure-handed, fluid footwork and clean exchanges.
Run: 7.72 runner in the 60. 

Derrick Wiening, Munster (IN), 2021
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-foot-8, 155-pounds. Athletic, muscular frame.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, short, leg kick stride. Simple swing, long, uphill bat path with a pull side approach.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, accurate throws with carry.
Defense: Fluid footwork, clean exchanges, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.11 runner in the 60. 

Brooks Wilkinson, Morton (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-foot-1, 260-pounds. Proportional strength
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, short stride. Long, uphill bat path with a pull side approach.
Power: 91 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, throws played accurate with carry.
Defense: Sure-handed, fluid footwork and clean exchanges.
Run: 8.04 runner in the 60. 

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