Central Illinois Open: Pitcher Analysis
September 28, 2023
On Tuesday, July 18th the PBR Illinois team hosted the Central Illinois Open at The Corn Crib in Normal, IL. This open event was for all high school classes (2024-27), and gave our staff a chance to get a look at 70+ uncommitted prospects at the start of the summer.
For a closer look at the showcase details and the technologies we have on-site to assist our in-person evaluation for all in attendance, click here. Today we conclude the analysis of the event with a look at all of the position players from the event.
TOP PITCHING PROSPECTS
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Samuel McArthur RHP / OF / Champaign Central, IL / 2024Rankings StateRank: 82 / POS: 28
Illinois Commit.
Positional Profile: OF/RHP |
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Cooper Eggert RHP / OF / Providence Catholic, IL / 2025Rankings StateRank: 52 / POS: 11
Positional Profile: RHP/OF |
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Joseph Stewart RHP / 3B / Mattoon, IL / 2025Rankings StateRank: 51 / POS: 10
Positional Profile: RHP/3B |
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Mason Orton LHP / OF / Mahomet-Seymour, IL / 2025Rankings StateRank: 87 / POS: 10
Positional Profile: LHP/OF |
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Chance Payne 1B / LHP / Mt. Pulaski , IL / 2025Positional Profile: 1B/LHP |
BEST THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)
Caden Addis, Prairie Central (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 6-4, 205-pounds.
Delivery: Simple, small leg lift, tall/fall delivery, repeatable.
Arm Action: LH. Fluid and easy, 3/4 slot.
FB: T79, 75-79 mph. Armside run. T2034, 1859 average rpm.
CB: 69-70 mph. Gradual, slurve action at times, lands. T2039, 1920 average rpm.
CH: 75-76 mph. Some fade to the armside. T1925, 1841 average rpm.
Braden Arrenholz, Delavan (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 5-11, 160-pounds.
Delivery: Deliberate, easy mover, medium leg lift, tall/fall delivery.
Arm Action: LH. Long, loose arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T79, 76-78 mph. Has some sink to it, comes out of the hand easy. T1880, 1772 average rpm.
CB: 64-66 mph. Knuckle-curve, varied break, 11/5 shape. T2116, 2068 average rpm.
CH: 67-72 mph. Has tumble to it, throws for strikes, out-pitch potential. T2045, 1761 average rpm.
John Baltz, Joliet Catholic (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-1, 198-pounds.
Delivery: Uptempo, big rocker step back, high leg lift into tall/fall delivery.
Arm Action: RH. Long, 3/4 slot.
FB: T80, 79-80 mph. Sinker action. T1899, 1815 average rpm.
CB: 69-70 mph. Sweeping action, sharp, 10/4 shape, lands armside. T2175, 2136 average rpm.
CH: 75-76 mph. Lands, fade and depth to the pitch. T1692, 1589 average rpm.
Tyce Beckman, Normal Community (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-10, 160-pounds.
Delivery: Simple delivery, medium leg lift, tall/fall delivery, works in-line.
Arm Action: RH. Long in the back, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T77, 72-76 mph. Mostly straight, some carry. T2001, 1929 average rpm.
CB: 61-65 mph. Short break, plays with some movement. T2116, 2022 average rpm.
CH: 69-70 mph. Similar profile to the fastball. T1502, 1371 average rpm.
Samuel Beirne, Normal West (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-1, 175-pounds.
Delivery: High leg lift, drop/drive delivery, works on-line.
Arm Action: RH. Loose, long arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T82, 80-82 mph. Some carry with armside run. T2062, 1986 average rpm.
CB: 70-72 mph. 11/5 shape, short action. T1813, 1516 average rpm.
SL: 70-73 mph. Plays similar to the curveball, short break. T2002, 1871 average rpm.
CH: 72-74 mph. Fade to the armside, quality arm action. T1772, 1685 average rpm.
CUT: 73-76 mph. Some horizontal movement, lands.
Caleb Chamberlain, Glenwood (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 5-11, 170-pounds.
Delivery: Uptempo delivery, high leg lift, tall/fall delivery, lands in-line.
Arm Action: RH. Compact, quick arm, 3/4 slot.
FB: T81, 78-81 mph. Mostly straight action. T2032, 1937 average rpm.
CB: 65-66 mph. 11/5 action, quality movement, can land. T2132, 2072 average rpm.
CH: 70-71 mph. Kills spin, fade and depth, can land. T1818, 1660 average rpm.
Landyn Corbin, Normal Community, 2026
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-7, 132-pounds.
Delivery: High leg lift, up tempo after balance point, drop/drive delivery, lands in-line.
Arm Action: RH. Loose, quick arm, 3/4 slot.
FB: T80, 78-79 mph. Mostly straight, creates some run. T2018, 1894 average rpm.
CB: 60-62 mph. 11/5 shape, can land, big break, quality spin. T2377, 2278 average rpm.
CH: 68-69 mph. Feel for pitch, can land, deceleration. T1540, 1493 average rpm.
Brayden Elliott, Gibson City (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-1, 185-pounds.
Delivery: Simple, repeatable delivery, high leg lift into drop/drive delivery, toe lands slightly closed at footstrike.
Arm Action: RH. Long, clean arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T79, 76-78 mph. Plays with some cutting actions. T1950, 1811 average rpm.
SL: 67-70 mph. 10/4 sharp, sweeping shape, feel for pitch, lands. T2335, 2250 average rpm.
CH: 71-73 mph. Plays with some fade to the armside, feel. T1240, 1187 average rpm.
Carson Fuiten, Lincoln (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-1, 190-pounds.
Delivery: Stretch-only delivery, high leg lift with some tuck, tall/fall delivery.
Arm Action: RH. Compact, 3/4 slot.
FB: T72, 71-72 mph. Mostly straight actions. T1604, 1463 average rpm.
CB: 57-60 mph. 11/5 shape, gradual, lands at the bottom of the zone. T1721, 1679 average rpm.
CH: 65-66 mph. Fading action with deceleration. T1210, 1129 average rpm.
Eli Giganti, University (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-0, 170-pounds.
Delivery: Moves athletically, medium leg lift, lands in-line towards home.
Arm Action: RH. Short, 3/4 slot.
FB: T83, 80-82 mph. Plays with rise through the zone. T2236, 2175 average rpm.
SL: 68-71 mph. Plays better out of the stretch, 11/5 shape. T2031, 1978 average rpm.
CH: 74-76 mph. Circle-change, similar profile to the fastball, developing pitch. T1864, 1794 average rpm.
Drake Giovacchini, Huntley (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 6-3, 165-pounds.
Delivery: Stretch-only, medium leg lift with tuck, short stride, in-line.
Arm Action: LH. Short, high 3/4.
FB: T71, 68-71 mph. Cutting action to it, locates well to the glove side. T1621, 1584 average rpm.
CB: 54-57 mph. Gradual, developing pitch. T1440, 1388 average rpm.
SL: 57-59 mph. Short action, similar to curveball. T1660, 1595 average rpm.
CH: 57-59 mph. Circle-change, spikes, developing pitch. T1310, 1167 average rpm.
CUT: 57-59 mph. Similar profile to the curveball.
Haden Giovacchini, Huntley (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 6-3, 163-pounds.
Delivery: Stretch-only, medium leg lift with tuck, tall/fall delivery, works in-line, short stride.
Arm Action: RH. Long, 3/4 slot.
FB: T71, 65-70 mph. Mostly straight actions. T1756, 1554 average rpm.
CB: 61-62 mph. 12/6 actions. T1780, 1769 average rpm.
SL: 58-60 mph. Similar profile as curveball. T1784, 1726 average rpm.
CH: 57-59 mph. Some fading actions. T1354, 1215 average rpm.
CUT: 58-59 mph. Similar profile to the fastball, developing pitch.
Landon Gray, Dunlap (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-11, 150-pounds.
Delivery: Uptempo delivery, high leg lift with tuck, tall/fall delivery, toe lands slightly closed.
Arm Action: RH. Compact, quick arm, 3/4 slot.
FB: T77, 76-77 mph. Mostly straight actions, can land. T1813, 1778 average rpm.
SL: 64-68 mph. Horizontal actions at times, developing. T1899, 1835 average rpm.
CH: 69-72 mph. Maintains FB arm speed, slight deceleration. T1875, 1805 average rpm.
Levi Hoagland, A-C Central (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-2, 155-pounds.
Delivery: Repeatable, medium leg lift, tall/fall delivery, toe lands closed at footstrike.
Arm Action: RH. Easy, clean, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T81, 76-79 mph. Mostly 4-seam action, throws for strikes. T2278, 2201 average rpm.
CB: 68-72 mph. Varied shape, 11/5 mostly, flashes out-pitch potential. T1947, 1854 average rpm.
CH: 72-73 mph. Some fade to the arm side, similar profile to the fastball, developing pitch. T1816, 1665 average rpm.
Boston Katz, Heyworth, 2026
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-11, 160-pounds.
Delivery: Simple delivery, medium leg kick, moves athletically downhill.
Arm Action: RH. Short, efficient, 3/4 slot.
FB: T76, 72-75 mph. Has some cut to it, throws for strikes. T1987, 1917 average rpm.
CB: 58-62 mph. 11/5 shape, lands, plays down in the zone. T2164, 2058 average rpm.
SL: 59-63 mph. Throws for strikes, locates well to the glove side. T2170, 2096 average rpm.
CUT: 71-75 mph. Has depth to it, located well to both sides of the plate.
Aiden Lauritzen, St Anthony, 2026
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-0, 172-pounds.
Delivery: Simple delivery, repeats, high leg lift, drop/drive delivery, lands in-line.
Arm Action: LH. Short, quick, 3/4 slot.
FB: T79, 76-79 mph. Cutting action, throws for strikes. T1675, 1528 average rpm.
CB: 62-65 mph. 11/5 shape, plays down in the zone. T1621, 1591 average rpm.
CH: 62-64 mph. Mostly straight, flashes arm-side fade, developing pitch. T961, 906 average rpm.
Miles Leman, Morton (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-9, 130-pounds.
Delivery: Medium leg lift, tall/fall delivery, foot lands open at footstrike.
Arm Action: RH. Compact arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T78, 78-78 mph. Carry on 4-seam, some sink on 2-seam. T2080, 2024 average rpm.
CB: 71-74 mph. Short break, 11/5 shape. T2242, 2181 average rpm.
CH: 75-77 mph. Fade to the armside, maintains same arm action as FB. T2029, 1949 average rpm.
Braden Mehn, Normal University (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-7, 140-pounds.
Delivery: Stretch-only, quick mover.
Arm Action: LH. Short arm, quick out front, 3/4 slot.
FB: T77, 75-76 mph. Armside run, throws for strikes. T1790, 1661 average rpm.
CB: 66-67 mph. 11/5 shape, plays down in the zone, out-pitch potential. T2179, 2122 average rpm.
CH: 72-74 mph. Throws for strikes down in the zone, some arm-side run to it at times. T1435, 1392 average rpm.
Thomas Mickels, Peoria Notre Dame (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-0, 155-pounds.
Delivery: Sidesaddle delivery, high leg kick.
Arm Action: RH. Long, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T79, 76-78 mph. Has some ride up in the zone, throws for strikes. T2059, 1989 average rpm.
CB: 60-63 mph. Knuckle-curve, 11/5 shape, lands. T1464, 1380 average rpm.
SL: 69-71 mph. Gradual break, developing pitch. T1788, 1756 average rpm.
CH: 66-67 mph. Circle-change, has varied movement, developing pitch. T1769, 1638 average rpm.
Bryce Murphy, Glenwood (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-3, 190-pounds.
Delivery: Athletic actions, high leg lift with tuck, drop/drive delivery, foot lands slightly closed.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose and clean arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T79, 76-79 mph. Mostly straight action, some cut. T1971, 1889 average rpm.
CB: 63-65 mph. 11/5 shape, short action. T1661, 1596 average rpm.
CH: 70-73 mph. Fade and depth, can land. T1702, 1547 average rpm.
Brooks Neuhoff, IMG Academy (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 3B/OF
Body: 6-0, 175-pounds.
Delivery: Medium leg lift, drop/drive delivery, lands in-line.
Arm Action: RH. Compact arm, 3/4 slot.
FB: T80, 76-80 mph. Plays with sink and fade actions. T2095, 2004 average rpm.
CB: 67-70 mph. 11/5 action, short wrinkle, can land at times. T1963, 1877 average rpm.
SL: 70-72 mph. Short action, horizontal. T1930, 1829 average rpm.
CH: 70-73 mph. Slows down arm slightly, kills spin, fade and depth. T1578, 1492 average rpm.
Tanner Nolin, Normal West (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-1, 145-pounds.
Delivery: Simple delivery, repeats.
Arm Action: RH. Long, 3/4 slot.
FB: T72, 70-72 mph. Throws with intent, has some cutting action to it. T1618, 1516 average rpm.
CB: 60-61 mph. 11/5 shape, downer action. T2018, 1950 average rpm.
SL: 60-62 mph. 10/4 shape, gradual, lands, developing pitch. T2088, 2009 average rpm.
CH: 65-66 mph. Similar profile to the fastball, developing pitch. T1782, 1704 average rpm.
Brody Phillips, Arcola (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: SS/C
Body: 5-10, 145-pounds.
Delivery: Simple delivery, repeats, works downhill.
Arm Action: RH. Long, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T78, 76-78 mph. 4-seam action, has ride up through the zone, throws for strikes. T1732, 1640 average rpm.
CB: 60-63 mph. 12/6 action, plays at the bottom of the zone, flashes out-pitch potential. T1562, 1496 average rpm.
CH: 67-68 mph. Similar profile to the fastball, lands, developing pitch. T1441, 1315 average rpm.
Kyle Popovich, Mahomet-Seymour (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 5-11, 140-pounds.
Delivery: Simple delivery, repeats, high leg kick.
Arm Action: LH. Short, 3/4 slot.
FB: T74, 73-74 mph. Has some sink to it, throws for strikes, controls it to both sides of the plate. T1855, 1656 average rpm.
CB: 59-62 mph. Varied shape, developing pitch. T1870, 1847 average rpm.
SL: 61-62 mph. 2/8 shape, has depth to it, plays down in the zone, best of the offspeed. T1900, 1876 average rpm.
CH: 63-65 mph. Shows arm-side fade, some downer action at times. T1343, 1242 average rpm.
Evan Reed, Bloomington (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-11, 180-pounds.
Delivery: Athletic, repeatable delivery, high leg lift with coil, tall/fall delivery, works on-line.
Arm Action: RH. Loose, clean arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T78, 74-77 mph. Mostly straight action. T2046, 1913 average rpm.
CB: 68-70 mph. 11/5 action, can land, short wrinkle. T2161, 2134 average rpm.
CH: 70-72 mph. Mostly straight pitch, vertical movement. T1372, 1253 average rpm.
Jack Roessler, Waterloo (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-3, 200-pounds.
Delivery: Stretch-only, high leg lift, works downhill.
Arm Action: RH. Long, high 3/4, some arm speed out front.
FB: T81, 78-80 mph. Four-seam, some ride through the zone, plays up in the zone. T2220, 2166 average rpm.
SL: 67-69 mph. 10/4 shape, hard bite, out-pitch characteristics. T2167, 2114 average rpm.
CH: 72-74 mph. Circle-change, similar profile to the fastball, developing pitch. T2035, 1926 average rpm.
Tanner Rogers, Monmouth United (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 6-1, 170-pounds.
Delivery: Stretch-only, high leg lift, accelerates downhill.
Arm Action: LH. Fluid, long, high 3/4.
FB: T82, 80-81 mph. Some sink to it, throws for strikes. T2136, 2053 average rpm.
CB: 66-67 mph. 12/6 shape, shows some feel. T1991, 1838 average rpm.
SL: 68-69 mph. More vertical action to it, 11/5 shape, lands, out-pitch potential. T2006, 1914 average rpm.
KN: 69-71 mph. Downer action at times, developing pitch.
Luke Scherrman, Wheaton-Warrenville South (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: LHP
Body: 5-11, 155-pounds.
Delivery: Quiet delivery, medium leg lift with tuck, drop/drive delivery.
Arm Action: LH. Long, 3/4 slot.
FB: T80, 79-80 mph. Some 2-seam action to it. T1936, 1835 average rpm.
CB: 70-71 mph. Varied shape, lands, developing pitch. T1728, 1627 average rpm.
CH: 70-71 mph. Circle-change, downer action to the armside. T1334, 1257 average rpm.
Nick Shelsta, Warrensburg-Latham (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 5-10, 185-pounds.
Delivery: Simple delivery, small leg lift, short stride, foot lands closed, segmented
Arm Action: RH. Compact, 3/4 slot.
FB: T74, 70-72 mph. Mostly straight actions, generic four-seam. T1900, 1730 average rpm.
CB: 59-61 mph. 12/6 shape, can land. T1956, 1899 average rpm.
SL: 63-64 mph. 11/5 shape with quality movement. T2048, 1949 average rpm.
CH: 67-68 mph. Similar profile to fastball, slight decel. T1347, 1249 average rpm.
Mitchell Silver, EPG (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: 1B/LHP
Body: 5-8, 120-pounds.
Delivery: Stretch-only, medium leg lift, tall/fall delivery, works in-line.
Arm Action: LH. Short arm, 3/4 slot.
FB: T72, 70-72 mph. Armside run to the pitch. T1834, 1756 average rpm.
CB: 63-64 mph. 1/7 shape, more bite than SL. T1606, 1552 average rpm.
SL: 65-67 mph. Some horizontal actions, developing. T1593, 1511 average rpm.
Dillon Steelman, Stark County (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 5-10, 170-pounds.
Delivery: Simple delivery, uptempo, medium leg lift with tuck, tall/fall delivery.
Arm Action: RH. Full circle arm, 3/4 slot.
FB: T81, 73-78 mph. Mostly straight actions. T1990, 1895 average rpm.
CB: 65-67 mph. 12/6 shape, can land at times. T1997, 1928 average rpm.
SL: 64-66 mph. Gradual, horizontal break. T1956, 1867 average rpm.
CH: 67-70 mph. Developing feel. T1521, 1334 average rpm.
Noah Steiner, Paxton Buckley Loda (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-3, 175-pounds.
Delivery: Easy, repeatable delivery, medium leg lift with coil, drop/drive delivery, foot lands open at footstrike.
Arm Action: RH. Compact arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T74, 73-74 mph. Mostly straight actions, mixed in two-seam with some run. T1742, 1647 average rpm.
CB: 58-60 mph. 12/6 action, plays at the bottom half of the zone. T1585, 1360 average rpm.
CH: 71-71 mph. Run on the pitch, kills spin. T1548, 1485 average rpm.
Mason Vandegraft, El Paso Gridley (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-11, 145-pounds.
Delivery: High leg lift, tall/fall delivery, toe lands closed at footstrike.
Arm Action: RH. Full arm circle, quick, 3/4 slot.
FB: T82, 79-81 mph. Mostly straight actions. T2319, 2208 average rpm.
CB: 68-69 mph. 10/4 shape, can land. T2123, 2011 average rpm.
SL: 68-70 mph. Plays with more horizontal action. T2101, 2038 average rpm.
CH: 69-71 mph. Fading action, keeps armspeed. T1807, 1739 average rpm.
Gavin Van Kanegan, Normal Community (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-7, 150-pounds.
Delivery: Simple delivery, medium leg lift, tall/fall delivery, lands open at footstrike.
Arm Action: RH. Long action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T79, 75-79 mph. Mostly straight actions. T1800, 1714 average rpm.
SL: 64-67 mph. 11/5 shape, lands at the bottom of the zone. T2015, 1972 average rpm.
CH: 68-70 mph. Fade and depth to the pitch. T1399, 1319 average rpm.
Daniel Wilson, Peoria Notre Dame (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-4, 199-pounds.
Delivery: Simple delivery with acceleration at release.
Arm Action: RH. Short, 3/4 slot.
FB: T79, 77-79 mph. Has some life to it out of the hand, 4-seam with ride through the zone. T1998, 1959 average rpm.
CB: 62-64 mph. 11/5 shape, flashes out-pitch characteristics. T1627, 1571 average rpm.
CH: 66-67 mph. Similar profile to the fastball, developing pitch. T1659, 1560 average rpm.
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