Class of 2021 Showcase: Statistical Analysis
October 16, 2019
On Oct. 13, the PBR Illinois staff hosted its annual Class of 2021 Showcase at The MAX in McCook, Ill., an event open to all high school juniors. There were approximately 70 prospects in attendance, and just about all of whom came through uncommitted. Yesterday, we published our rapid analysis from Sunday inside our Quick Hits post, a collection of notes regarding the best things we saw at The MAX from these juniors. Today, it’s all about dissecting the measured data captured at the showcase. We’re outlining the statistical leaders from each of the event’s stations and displaying them below.
Keep an eye out in the coming weeks for videos from this event to be posted, followed shortly by position-by-position analysis from the showcase. For now, here’s our Statistical Analysis.
MAX FASTBALL VELOCITY
Not so coincidentally, the lone committed prospect at the event, the Hawaii-bound LHP Cory Ronan (Routt Catholic), topped the fastball charts with an 88 mph high. That’s three ticks higher than he was just three months back at the All-State Games. From Warren, RHP Michael Rivera was up to 87 mph while Plainfield East’s RHP Gavin Schmitt was up to 86 mph. Both are athletic righties who project well.
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Max FB |
1 | Cory Ronan | IL | Routt Catholic | 2021 | LHP | 88 mph |
2 | Michael Rivera | IL | Warren | 2021 | RHP | 87 mph |
3 | Gavin Schmitt | IL | Plainfield East | 2021 | RHP | 86 mph |
4 | Jack Stellano | IL | Reed Custer | 2021 | LHP | 85 mph |
^ | Drew Burkholder | IL | Eastland | 2021 | RHP | 85 mph |
5 | Dane McDonald | IL | Stagg | 2021 | RHP | 84 mph |
^ | Ryan Risch | IL | Warren Township | 2021 | C | 84 mph |
TOP 60-YARD DASH
Quinn Willard (Cornerstone Christian Academy) came away from August’s Central Illinois Open as one of the top outfielders in attendance, and he similarly athletic and quick-footed at The MAX, where he ran the quickest 60-yard dash of the day. Johnsburg’s Joey Hagen is a left/left prospect with two-way upside, and his athleticism is evident in his 60 mark. Hagen actually tied INF Nicholas Mulvihill (Hinsdale Central), another follow junior at the event, and Jaden Salazar (Fremd), Rivera, and Danny D’Arrigo (Loyola Academy) weren’t far off.
Rank
Name
State
School
Class
Pos
60-yard
1
Quinn Willard
IL
Cornerstone Christian Academy
2021
OF
6.76
2
Nicholas Mulvihill
IL
Hinsdale Central
2021
2B
6.93
^
Joey Hagen
IL
Johnsburg
2021
OF
6.93
3
Jaden Salazar
IL
Fremd
2021
OF
6.94
4
Michael Rivera
IL
Warren
2021
RHP
6.95
5
Danny D'Arrigo
IL
Loyola Academy
2021
OF
6.96
TOP EXIT VELOCITY
Yorkville’s Kyle Mack demonstrated some of the top overall bat strength on Sunday and it showed at the exit velocity station. Kyle Hayes (St. Charles East) was only a tick behind Mack’s mark. These two are both physical and imposing forces inside the right-handed batter’s box. The aforementioned Willard impressed in this department, too, finishing third on this leaderboard.
Rank
Name
State
School
Class
Pos
Exit Velo
1
Kyle Mack
IL
Yorkville
2021
2B
97
2
Kyle Hayes
IL
St. Charles East
2021
1B
96
3
Quinn Willard
IL
Cornerstone Christian Academy
2021
OF
95
4
Darryl Loyd III
IL
Morgan Park
2021
1B
93
^
Chris Akers
IN
North Posey
2021
C
93
5
Joshua Kendall
IL
Andrew
2021
SS
92
6
Nick Zappia
MI
Detroit Catholic Central
2021
3B
91
^
Wilken Benjamin III
IL
Mundelein
2021
OF
91
TOP INFIELD VELOCITY
The same arm strength that works on the mound played just fine for Rivera on the infield. He topped this chart, too. Warren teammate Ryan Risch finished a tick behind him here and also had a solid all-around day.
Rank
Name
State
School
Class
Pos
INF Velo
1
Michael Rivera
IL
Warren
2021
RHP
86
2
Ryan Risch
IL
Warren Township
2021
C
85
3
Jaylon Nauden
IL
Marian Catholic
2021
SS
82
^
Jake Tapia
IL
Belvidere North
2021
2B
82
4
Kyle Mack
IL
Yorkville
2021
2B
81
OUTFIELD VELOCITY
Another top-of-the-chart finish for Willard had him tied for the high mark of the outfield velo board with Julian Jimenez (Romeoville). Jimenez himself is a highly interesting left-handed-hitting prospect with a projectable frame.
Rank
Name
State
School
Class
Pos
OF Velo
1
Julian Jimenez
IL
Romeoville
2021
OF
85
^
Quinn Willard
IL
Cornerstone Christian Academy
2021
OF
85
2
Joey Hagen
IL
Johnsburg
2021
OF
84
3
Brian Wrenn
IL
Geneva Community
2021
OF
83
4
Wilken Benjamin III
IL
Mundelein
2021
OF
82
^
Douglas Burson
IL
Yorkville
2021
OF
82
^
Justin Waddell
IL
Lockport
2021
OF
82
CATCHER VELOCITY
Hayes’ physicality fits right in behind the plate, where he reached 79 mph from out of the crouch. As the No. 65-ranked prospect in the state, and the No. 12-ranked backstop, Hayes only helped his stock on Sunday. Lyons Township’s Noah Jouras is another ranked prospect in the state’s junior class and he topped at 76 mph.
Rank
Name
State
School
Class
Pos
C Velo
1
Kyle Hayes
IL
St. Charles East
2021
1B
79
2
Noah Jouras
IL
Lyons Township
2021
C
76
3
Liam Rossi
IL
Lincoln-Way Central
2021
C
75
4
Hunter Hrycyk
IL
Bolingbrook
2021
C
74
5
Travis Lutz
IL
Limestone
2021
C
73
^
Samual Wysokinski
IL
Grayslake North
2021
C
73
CATCHER POP TIMES
Once again, Hayes led the way inside this category, averaging the lowest pops of the group. From Elmwood Park, Chris Akers showcased a quick, clean release and finished right behind Hayes.
Rank
Name
State
School
Class
Pos
Pop Time
1
Kyle Hayes
IL
St. Charles East
2021
1B
2.00-2.18
2
Chris Akers
IN
North Posey
2021
C
2.09-2.18
3
Travis Lutz
IL
Limestone
2021
C
2.10-2.28
4
Hunter Hrycyk
IL
Bolingbrook
2021
C
2.18-2.32
5
Kyle Williams
IL
West Aurora
2021
C
2.19-2.30
CLICK HERE for a complete look at the stats.
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