Underclass Showcase: Preview Story
October 13, 2022
On Sunday, October 16th, the PBR Illinois staff will travel to The MAX in McCook, Illinois, to host the final event on our 2022 calendar - the Underclass Showcase. An annual staple towards the end of October, this event provides our staff one final look at underclassmen prior to the off-season beginning and, in year’s past, has proven to be one of the most talented events we run in the fall.
For more information about this event, including everything that PBR events offer, click HERE. To see an up-to-date roster, click HERE.
2022 ROSTER PREVIEW
Similar to year’s past, this group heading to The MAX on Sunday is fairly impressive.
Headlining this crop are two high-end committed prospects in their respective classes: INF/C Jaden Fauske (Nazareth Academy, 2025; Louisville) and INF Ethan Bass (Glenbrook North, 2026; Illinois). Fauske played a role in the Roadrunners’ 3A state championship as a freshman, and he’s an athletic left-handed bat with positional versatility that’s always intrigued our staff. Bass proved himself to be a high follow prospect in this class at The Rock earlier this year, riding that momentum into a loud summer while displaying a powerful right-handed swing with all sorts of upside.
There’s a few names to note ahead of this weekend. OF Ben Toft (New Trier, 2025) attended the Illinois State Games this past summer, running a 6.98 60 there and showing upside attached to a lean, projectable frame. OF Henry Murray (Lane Tech, 2025) slots inside the top-50 on our state 2025 rankings, and he’s a switch-hitter with juice from both sides of the plate.
Two southpaws, LHP Anthony Karbowski (Hampshire, 2025) and LHP David Leung (Hinsdale Central, 2025), are lean, upside follows with plenty of room for physical projection to come down the road. At 6-foot-4, 200-pounds, RHP/1B Keegan Luxem (Hersey, 2025) figures to be one of the more physical prospects in attendance. We’re also eager to see a handful of 2026 prospects headed to The MAX this weekend, as most of them will be making their PBR event debuts.
CHECK-IN TIMES
Position Players: 8:30-8:45 AM
Pitcher Onlys: 12:00 PM
ITINERARY
Event will conclude in the early afternoon hours. If you are not pitching, you are free to go after your position workout. Catchers must stay to help catch bullpens.
Registered Infielders, Outfielders, and/or Catchers
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Running Times (laser-timed 60-yard dash)
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Vizual Edge (vision testing)
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Offensive Evaluations
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Mechanical evaluation
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Live batting practice
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TrackMan ball flight analysis
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Blast Motion swing analysis
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Defensive Evaluations
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Arm strength
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Agility/range
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Positional analysis/profile
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Registered Pitchers & Catchers
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Pitching Evaluations
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15-20 pitch bullpen (fastball and secondary pitches from both windup and stretch)
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Mechanical evaluation
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ProPlayAI’s ‘PitchAI’ biomechanical analysis
- TrackMan pitch velocity, movement, spin analysis
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Catcher Evaluations (while receiving bullpen)
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Receiving/pitch presentation
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Blocking/mobility
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MORE EVENT DETAILS
Click here to learn more about our tech partners that have enhanced our players showcase experience. Partners like TrackMan, Blast Motion, Vizual Edge, and Swift Performance have helped both our in-event evaluation process, as well the compilation of our post-event scouting reports – and they're also a tool for our players to learn more about their measured and collected data, that can be applied to improve upon their game.
We will facilitate a contact-less check-in. Wear baseball clothes; assigned and numbered PBR jerseys will be provided.
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