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PBRT The Rock Open 15/17U: Top Performers

June 7, 2023
PBRT Scouting Staff

We kicked off the summer tournament circuit this past weekend with the PBRT The Rock Open 15/17U. This event gave our scouting staff an in depth look at some of the top prospects from the state, as well as a couple surrounding states. Read on below to see which players stood out to our scouting staff from the event. 

Friday

Athletes HQ

INF/LHP Joe DuSell (St. Edward, 2025)
DuSell stood out while playing up two levels. A powerful bat that is able to drive baseballs in the air and also use the whole field. In his first game action of the weekend DuSell was able to reach base multiple times and hit an RBI double down the right field line. 

ARMY Generals 17U 

INF Keegan Dahmen (Monroe, 2024)
Dahman stood out as an unsigned senior this past weekend. A left-handed hitter, Dahmen went 1-for-2 with a two RBI triple to give his team the lead. Dahmen also showed discipline in the box, drawing two walks in game one of the weekend. 

Cangelosi Sparks Jaisingh 15U 

INF Adam Swanson (Ottawa Township, 2026)
Swanson stood out early and often on Friday at the plate, going 2-for-2 with a triple, walk, and four RBIs from the right side. He has a balanced setup with a short stride and loose hands that create a level bat path. Was on the barrel to both gaps. Someone to watch the rest of the weekend. 

INF Trey Webster (James Hart, 2026)
Batting out of the three-hole for the Sparks, Webster stood out with his play on both sides of the ball. At the plate, he went 1-for-2 with a walk and an RBI. On defense, he displayed smooth and rangy actions at the hot corner. 

C Donovan Philpott (Homewood, 2026)
Philpott was all over the ball at the plate in their matchup vs. Citius. The RHH went 3-for-3 with two RBIs and a stolen base. He also impressed with his athleticism behind the plate. Another bat to watch moving forward this weekend. 

Citius Illinois Navy 15U 

SS/CF Kyle Ziebell (Harvest Christian, 2026)
Going 4-for-9 with two doubles, a stolen base, and three RBIs out of the leadoff spot for Citius on Friday, Ziebell established himself as a guy to watch moving forward this weekend. Displayed a calm presence in the box, looking to do damage each at-bat. From the right side, has a slightly upright stance with a high leg lift trigger. Whippy hands that allow him to manipulate the barrel through the zone. Level bat path that produces natural lift. On defense, he was smooth with the glove at the shortstop position. Also showed off his range and athleticism in centerfield later in the day. Someone to keep an eye on as the weekend progresses.  

C Matt Keaty (Huntley, 2026)
Behind the dish, Keaty impressed with his ability to manage the game and his willingness to block for his pitchers. A vocal presence on the field as well. At the plate from the right side, he tallied two RBIs. 

RHP Aidan Gibbs (Huntley, 2026)
Gibbs came out of the ‘pen in game two for Citius tonight and impressed. Going 1.2 innings, giving up one hit, no runs and striking out four.

BennieBoys 15U 

OF Kendall Erdmann (Forreston, 2026)
Standout RHH in Game one, going 3-for-3 with a walk and an RBI out of the leadoff spot. Also displayed athleticism and range out in centerfield for BennieBoys. 

LHP James Versino (Guilford, 2026)
Versino impressed with his ability to create weak contact on the mound for BennieBoys. His final line from his start: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, and 2 K. 

C Logan Risch (Hononegah, 2025)
Went 2-for-3 with two RBIs at the plate in game one on Friday. Also impressed defensively behind the dish with his blocking and managing of the game. 

PTA Cardinal 17U 

RHP Tyler Conger (Waukesha South, 2024)
Conger, an unsigned senior, was impressive during his outing on the mound this weekend. Standing at an athletic 6-foot, 172-pound frame with room for added strength as he continues to mature into his frame. Coming in out of the ‘pen, Conger tossed 3.2 innings allowing no runs on two hits, three walks and striking out four batters. Conger pounded the zone with mostly two pitches, a fastball 83-85, T86 mph that he was able to locate to different parts of the zone and a 12/6 curveball that he is able to throw for strikes and induce swing-and-misses. 

OF Max Johnson (South Milwaukee, 2024)
Johnson is a toolsy prospect that showed off his all-around ability in game one of the weekend. A three sport athlete, Johnson excels in all parts of the game and at the plate he has a loose, athletic swing and is able to drive the baseball to the gaps where he is able to use his legs to take extra bases. Defensively Johnson plays an advanced center field where he easily diagnoses the baseball and takes the proper routes to the baseball.  

Saturday 

PTA 15U Cardinal 

SS Owen McLellan (Shorewood, 2026)
McLellan showed off his glove all weekend catching eyes with his advanced instincts. Soft hands and the ability to range to both forehand and back hand showed that defensive smoothness is a definite strength. At the plate, McLellan impressed with an athletic load as well as an on-plane, flexible swing. Bat-to-ball skills are advanced as well. A player to keep an eye on. 

Athletes HQ 17U 

INF Zane Pollack (Burlington Central, 2025)
Compact, proportionate frame. Lower body strength fuels a short and quick swing. Gets out of the box and runs well. Went 2-for-3 on Saturday with a triple and single. Ball pops off his bat. Plays with determined energy and is an encouraging teammate. 

Michiana Repetition 17U  

RHP Brayson Hurley (South Bend, IN, 2027)
Hurley impressed as a 2027 playing up a couple of years in the 17U division. Tall, athletic frame with natural strength. On the mound, mid-to-upper 70s with the fastball, topping at 79 mph. Also displayed a hard breaking ball that had depth and missed barrels. In 3.2 innings of relief, Hurley totaled five strikeouts and only gave up one hit en route to a win against ARMY Generals 17U. 

PTA Cardinal 17U 

C Peyton Ryback (Nathan Hale, 2024)
Across two looks, Ryback, an uncommitted senior was impressive on both sides of the ball. At the plate Ryback collected three hits, two of those going for doubles, across both games driving in four runs and showing the ability to impact the ball especially to the pullside. Defensively Ryback impressed behind the dish with his ability as a receiver and his ability to steal strikes on the outer part of the plate. 

RHP Kael Johns (Catholic Memorial, 2024)
In our nightcap Johns tossed a complete game shutout. Standing at 6-foot-2, 187-pounds Johns is a fluid mover down the mound with feel for the zone. Mostly relied on fastballs, 80-82 T84, in this look, Johns also spun a low-70s curveball that he was able to locate in the zone for strikes. 

Army Generals 17u 

LHP Zach Arnold (Freeport, 2024)
Loose, controlled delivery from a ¾ arm slot. Cutter was lively at 78-80 mph, T81 mph. Showed a sharp, late-moving curveball with considerable depth. Was able to work both pitches across the zone to both righties and lefties missing barrels all game. Final line: 7.0 IP 8 K 0 ER.  

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