Prep Baseball Report

Illinois 2024 Top Prospect Games: Pitcher Analysis


By Illinois Staff

On Aug. 22, the PBR Illinois team hosted the first event of its kind: the 2024 Top Prospect Games. In an attempt to gather the state’s best incoming freshmen in one place, the staff invited over 50 of Illinois’ rising Class of 2024 prospects to participate in the showcase.

We opened our analysis of this event by reporting on the day’s highlights inside of this Quick Hits post, published just a couple days following the showcase. Later that week, we examined the event’s measured data that we gathered inside this Statistical Analysis. We began the positional analysis of the event with a look at the catchers, outfielders, and infielders, and we’re examining the pitchers today.

At the top, a high-follow arm from York, RHP Ryan Sloan, who generates live arm speed in a highly athletic, efficient delivery that helps him project big on top of presently impressive stuff. Sloan’s lanky levers, listed at 6-foot-1, 170 pounds, add to that high level of projection, too, and he broke out as a freshman to key in on as he continues to develop through his prep career.

RHP Henry Brummel (Pontiac Township) earned our attention on more than occasion this year, as he closed out the summer and fall on a high note. It all started here, at his PBR debut event, where he used his upside 6-foot-2 stature well to sit in the low-80s with a feel to locate. He separated himself from his peers with the early feel he demonstrated in his curveball and changeup, rounding out a follow three-pitch mix, and an overall easy, advanced feel to pitch.

Read the full scouting reports on the aforementioned names below, as well as the rest of the pitchers from the event.

TOP PITCHING PROSPECTS

1. Ryan Sloan, York (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/INF; A highly projectable freshman with a live arm.
Body: 6-1, 170-pounds. Long-limbed athletic build with plenty of room for added strength.
Delivery: Tall start, side steps to deep coil balance point, hip turn, shoulders closed. Drops and drives down mound with shoulders still closed, good momentum to foot plant. Square, athletic landing; works with controlled, aggressive effort.
Arm Action: RH. Long, clean swing to 3/4 slot; generates live arm speed. Demonstrates big elbow flexion at foot plant. Long stride, extension (5.32 feet, on average), helps decrease average release height (4.36 feet).
FB: T83, 81-82 mph. Flashed some carry through the zone; averaged 16.2 inches of horizontal break. Action tended to be late run/sink.
SL: 69-70 mph. Works off a 10/4 plane; short action, tight break. Thrown at arm speed with a feel to locate. Projects well as a future out-pitch.
CH: 73-75 mph. Slight deceleration; fade/run action. 

2. Henry Brummel, Pontiac Township (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/SS; Another on-the-rise freshman in the state.
Body: 6-2, 165-pounds. Highly-advanced frame for his age. Loose long-limbs, high-waisted with plenty of room for continued physical development.
Delivery: Tall start, simple side rock to tall balance point, high knee tuck; slight hip turn, shoulders closed. Easy, regular stride down mound, on line, shoulders level. Low effort, athletic finish squared to target.
Arm Action: RH. High draw, compact and clean arm circle to high 3/4 slot; quick and loose. Averaged the highest release height at the event (6.26 feet).
FB: T82, 80-82 mph. Low-spin with steady run/sink; an average of 15.8 inches of horizontal break. Action flashed late, with a feel to locate.
CB: 68-68 mph. 11/5 shape, depth with action that flashed above-average horizontal break.
CH: 72-75 mph. Mostly maintains arm speed; demonstrated large, late vertical drop.

3. Jackson Ugo, Andrew (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: LHP; Three-pitch mix with a quick and clean arm, creating noteworthy upside.
Body: 6-0, 150-pounds. Thin, high-waisted build.
Delivery: Tall/fall type delivery, athletic balance point, rotates well with a fluid hip turn that he rides downhill to an open-toed landing. Low-effort involved.
Arm Action: LH. Short and quick arm stroke, high 3/4 slot; clean, loose, and especially easy.
FB: T78, 76-77 mph. Generates notable arm-side action; topped -20.8 inches of horizontal break.
CB: 67-69 mph. Tighter 2/8 shape with some slurve-like traits; showed the early ability to spin and locate it. Generated good horizontal action at an above-average spin rate for his age (2,051 rpm on average).
CH: 71-71 mph. Fastball arm speed, plays with sink/run. More feel to spot it.

4. Cole Crafton, Lincoln-Way West (IL), 2024 Louisville commit.
Positional Profile: INF/RHP; High-ceiling two-way player who is already among the top freshmen in the state.
Body: 6-2, 175-pounds. Highly-athletic frame. Lean, defined muscle. Room for added strength moving forward.
Delivery: Straddles the rubber, slow tempo rock to knee tuck and hip turn at athletic balance point. Brief high front, working on line, shorter stride to closed landing. Effort through finish, momentum carries him off to the first base side.
Arm Action: RH. Compact, clean arm action from a high 3/4 slot; quick, loose.
FB: T84, 82-83 mph. Showed only fastball at this event. Generates advanced carry for age and velocity; 17.7 Induced Vertical Break on average, per TrackMan. Steady run, averaged 10.8 inches of horizontal break. 

5. Angel Jimenez, Taft (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: C/RHP; Emerged this year as a high-follow two-way freshman; struck out a pair in his inning of work.
Body: 5-8, 152-pounds. Compact build, strength in lower half.
Delivery: Wide, staggered base from the middle of the rubber; simple side step in rhythm to level knee lift with hip turn, shoulders closed at balance point. Smooth stride down mound, shoulders stay closed. Lands softly, slightly closed, efficient through release. Simple, low effort through athletic finish.
Arm Action: RH. Long, clean, fluid arm action to a 3/4 slot; easy arm speed.
FB: T83, 81-83 mph. Low-spin, consistent run; feel for strikes. Averaged spin rate of 1,745 rpm; 12.4 inches of average horizontal break.
CB: 64-66 mph. Flashes depth, 11/5 shape; gradual action, but projects.
CH: 72-73 mph. Maintains arm speed; arm-side run/fade, feel to locate.
KN: 64-68 mph. A feel to limit spin without demonstrably altering arm speed; feel to locate.

6. Jonah Weathers, Marian Catholic (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-0, 150-pounds. Long-limbed, athletic build with plenty of room for continued physical development.
Delivery: Stretch-only; level knee lift into deep coil/tuck at balance point, shoulders closed. Works on line, long stride with level shoulders, lands square. Athletic finish, momentum carries him to home.
Arm Action: RH. Short draw, long and clean swing to high 3/4 slot; quick arm speed, looseness.
FB: T82, 78-80 mph. Generates advanced carry through the zone; averaged 19.0 inches of Induced Vertical Break, per TrackMan, with a 22.0-inch high. True four-seam type.
CB: 61-63 mph. 11/5 shape; raw feel for spin, gradual action.
CH: 66-67 mph. Thrown at arm speed, featuring run/fade; matches arm action to increase deception.

7. A.J. Davis, Morton (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-3, 160-pounds. Upside frame; long, lanky levers.
Delivery: Squared start working from the middle of the rubber; quick pace, side step to tall balance point, high knee lift hip turn, slight shoulder dip/close. Drops and drives down the mound with good momentum, shoulders mostly level, works on line though opens a little early and lands in an open position. Athleticism in controlled finish.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm circle; loose, quick arm speed from a 3/4 slot.
FB: T80, 77-79 mph. Generated some of the event's highest average horizontal action (17.1 inches). Flashed hard through the zone, strikes. Projects to induce ground balls.
CB: 63-63 mph. 11/5 shape with good depth, flashed late, thrown with the feel to locate under the zone.
CH: 69-69 mph. Slight deceleration with similar, large arm-side run. 

8. Charlie Vercruysse, Normal University (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-1, 150-pounds. Highly-athletic, high-waisted frame.
Delivery: Stretch-only; high knee tuck balance point, slight coil. Tall/fall down mound, on line, square landing, tall finish in control.
Arm Action: RH. Shorter arm circle, 3/4 slot; quick, loose arm action.
FB: T82, 77-79 mph. Mostly straight, slight tail; low-spin type (averaged 1,809 rpm).
CH: 70-73 mph. Mostly maintains arm speed; generates some late arm-side run/fade. 

9. David Cox, Nazareth Academy (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-2, 170-pounds. High-waisted, long-limbed, upside frame.
Delivery: Slow side step to low knee lift, big hip turn balance point. Strides down mound with shoulders closed, lands in a closed position, creating some crossfire.
Arm Action: RH. Compact arm action, loose to a high 3/4 slot; crossfire creates some deception.
FB: T79, 75-77 mph. Averaged 18.2 inches of horizontal break with a 22.6 high; hard, late action that sneaks up on hitters.
CH: 72-75 mph. Mostly maintains arm speed; action is similar to fastball with hard, late run/sink. 

10. Luke Weber, Highland Park (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 5-8, 140-pounds. Lean build.
Delivery: Smooth drop/drive type delivery, athletic posture at balance point, front heel faces upward prior to extending downhill. Front foot lands slightly closed, athletic finish through release.
Arm Action: RH. Long and whippy arm circle, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T78, 75-77 mph. Clean and loose out the hand. Heavy horizontal action, maxed 19.5 inches of horizontal movement, per TrackMan.
CB: 66-66 mph. Sweepish 10/4 shape, lower average release height than fastball. 
CH: 68-68 mph.

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Timothy Allison, St. Laurence (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 5-8, 145-pounds. Average, lean build.
Delivery: Simple tall/fall type delivery, shoulders stay level to footstrike, lands in line to target and finishes towards third base.
Arm Action: LH. Short arm stroke, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T71, 68-70 mph. Advanced vertical movement for age; averaged 18.9 inches of Induced Vertical Break. Flashed arm-side run and sink.
CB: 60-61 mph. 1/7 shape, breaks early into the zone. Curls wrist some, elevated arm slot. 

Benjamin Alvarez, Yorkville (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-0, 195-pounds. Extra-large, physical frame for his age.
Delivery: Slow tempo side step to level balance point. Drives down the mound with shoulders closed, leg swings out to square, toe-closed landing.
Arm Action: RH. Long draw with hook, loose to high 3/4 slot.
FB: T79, 75-78 mph. Four-seam type, straight.
CB: 65-67 mph. 11/5 shape with big depth; gradual action.
CH: 69-69 mph. Somewhat maintains arm speed; features arm-side run/sink.

Liam Arnold, Palatine (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds. Athletically-built.
Delivery: Long side step, rocks into high knee lift at balance point, slight hip turn and coil. Drives down mound on line with long stride, level shoulders; squared, toe-open landing. Stride helps create good extension (averaged 5.67 feet).
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose arm action from high 3/4 slot.
FB: T80, 76-77 mph. Mostly straight, low spin at an average rate of 1,775 rpm.
CB: 66-69 mph. 11/5 shape with more horizontal action; flashed depth, breaks early.
CH: 66-66 mph. Slight deceleration with above-average vertical break; straight.

Matthew Cabrales, Fremd (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 5-10, 150-pounds. Athletic, lean build.
Delivery: Stretch only, tall/fall type delivery, shoulders stay level, lead leg hitch to an open toe at foot strike, square landing.
Arm Action: LH. Short/compact arm stroke, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T74, 71-73 mph. Plays straight, flashed arm-side run. Above-average carry; averaged 18.5 inches of Induced Vertical Break.
CB: 61-62 mph. Low-spin 1/7 shape, gradual action. 
CH: 65-65 mph. Decelerates arm action, works down in the zone. 

Anthony Cantelo, St Rita (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-2, 200-pounds. Large build.
Delivery: Tall/fall type delivery, upright at balance point, short stride downhill, weight transfer lands out front at footstrike.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action with an elevated wrist, 3/4 arm slot.
FB: T75, 74-75 mph. Sinker type, plays best down in the zone.
SL: 68-71 mph. 11/5 shape, tight spin with slight break.
CH: 70-71 mph. Features heavy run and fade.  

Conrad Charpentier, Routt (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 5-11, 147-pounds. Lean, high-waisted frame.
Delivery: Tall/fall type delivery, high leg kick to an upright posture at balance point, elevated front side, lands square and stays in line to target. Steady rhythm throughout, repeats well.
Arm Action: LH. Long arm swing with some wrap in the back, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T71, 69-70 mph. Slight arm-side action and sink at times, strikes.
CB: 55-59 mph. Higher 1/7 shape with some depth, gradual action. 
CH: 59-63 mph. Fastball arm speed, flashed sink.

Justyn Hart, Marian Catholic (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 1B/LHP
Body: 6-0, 207-pounds. Strong, physical, wide-shouldered build.
Delivery: Simple to tuck and coiled balance point with hip turn. Works on line, high front side, lands square, maintains balance through smooth landing and athletic finish.
Arm Action: LH. Long, loose, and quick arm action from a high 3/4 slot; clean and easy.
FB: T79, 78-79 mph. Generates carry through the zone, at a 17.0-inch average Induced Vertical Break. Slight arm-side run at an average spin rate of 1,915 rpm.
SL: 66-68 mph. Raw feel for spin; acts more curveball-like.

Jack LoConte, Andrew (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-10, 145-pounds. Wiry build.
Delivery: Rhythmic drop/drive type delivery, high leg kick into an athletic balance point, closed front side, moves well downhill with efficient lower-half movement patterns.
Arm Action: LH. Short and loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T77, 73-75 mph. Comes out clean with some deception, flashed late arm-side run and sink. 
SL: 65-68 mph. Lower-spin, 1/7 shape; gradual action.

Beau McBride, New Trier (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 6-1, 175-pounds. Strong, wide-shouldered build.
Delivery: Stretch-only; level knee lift to even balance point. Strides down mound with shoulders closed, lands in a slightly closed position, athletic finish.
Arm Action: LH. Long arm circle, hides it some, loose from high 3/4 slot.
FB: T78, 75-77 mph. Averaged the most horizontal break of the event (-18.5 inches).
CB: 65-67 mph. Shorter 1/7 type; still learning the feel to spin.
CH: 66-70 mph. Mostly maintains arm speed; similar big run/sink.

Jackson McCarey, New Trier (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/3B
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds. Live-bodied, athletic build.
Delivery: Tempo'd tall/fall type delivery, quick lead leg swing downhill from balance point, advanced extension to footstrike for age. Aggressive open-toed landing, falls towards first base side through release.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, slightly elevated 3/4 release height.
FB: T73, 69-72 mph. Steady two-seam action with run and sink.
CH: 65-65 mph. Fastball arm speed with a relatively similar release height. Flashed sink.

Owen Micklinghoff, McHenry (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds. Athletic, high-waisted frame.
Delivery: Slow rock to tall balance point, high knee lift. Drops and drives on line to target, shoulders slightly closed. Lands square, toe-closed, efficient through finish.
Arm Action: RH. Compact arm circle, shorter action, from high 3/4 slot.
FB: T78, 75-76 mph. Above-average carry through the zone, at an average of 15.6 inches of Induced Vertical Break; also features steady arm-side run.
CB: 60-62 mph. 11/5 shape, breaks early, but shows a feel to spin.

Nate Nazos, Batavia (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: INF/RHP
Body: 5-6, 130-pounds. Wiry frame with plenty of room for continued physical development.
Delivery: Methodical drop/drive type delivery, heavy sit into back leg, front hip leads downhill to create momentum. Closed-toe landing at footstrike, stays in line with an athletic finish. Mixed up timing during gameplay.
Arm Action: RH. Long and loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T72, 70-72 mph. Primarily played straight, did flash arm-side run.
CB: 61-62 mph. Loose wrist and clean out the hand, 11/5 shape with depth. Advanced feel to spin for age, averaged 2,210 RPM. 
CH: 68-68 mph. Used sparingly, plays with arm-side run. 

James Novakovic, New Trier (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-0, 156-pounds. Athletic build.
Delivery: Simple tall/fall type delivery with some tempo, level shoulders, works in line to target and lands square.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T77, 75-76 mph. Two-seam/sinker type pitch, showed both run and sink.
CB: 64-66 mph. 12/6 shape with sharp, late break in his ‘pen. 

Landen Patton, Sangamon Valley/Tri City (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 1B/LHP
Body: 5-8, 159-pounds. Well-proportioned build.
Delivery: Slight drop/drive type delivery, high front side stays strong throughout, lead leg swing to an open-toed landing, downward follow through release. Hides the ball some.
Arm Action: LH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T74, 72-73 mph. High front side helps hide the ball some. Four-seam type with some cut, strikes.
CB: 57-57 mph. 1/7 shape with depth, gradual action with advanced vertical break. Averaged 2,152 rpm. 
CH: 70-70 mph. Used sparingly. 

Trey Schilling, Lincoln (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: INF/RHP
Body: 5-9, 165-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Delivery: Slight drop/drive type delivery, athletic posture at balance point, some extension downhill to footstrike, strong lead leg block. Works in line to target, square landing with an athletic finish.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm circle, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T76, 75-76 mph. Four-seam type, plays straight. Does occasionally cut and run it. Heavy fastball sequence in gameplay.
CH: 64-64 mph. Near fastball arm speed and slot, flashed sink. 

Braylon Singer, Williamsville (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 5-11, 170-pounds. Average build with strength in lower half.
Delivery: Simple tall/fall type delivery, hips open up prior to footstrike, lands square and works in line.
Arm Action: LH. Shorter arm circle, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T73, 71-73 mph. Four-seam type; showed only fastball at this event. 

Mitchel Stanton, Marian Catholic (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-0, 184-pounds. Present strength and physicality in frame.
Delivery: Tall/fall type delivery, level shoulders, closed-toe landing, downward follow through.
Arm Action: RH. Compact arm action with some point in the back, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T76, 73-74 mph. Heavy, low-spin sinker type with sink.
CB: 65-67 mph. Spins off a tight 11/5 plane. 
CH: 69-71 mph. Near fastball arm speed, efficient velocity average to heater with run.

Paul Svanascini, Northridge Prep (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-10, 170-pounds. Tall, quiet setup, minimal load and long stride.
Delivery: Pre-set windup; steps back into high knee and hip turn, athletic balance point. Long, smooth stride down the mound; balanced, athletic finish.
Arm Action: RH. Long draw, loose arm action to a 3/4 slot.
FB: T79, 78-78 mph. Consistent arm-side run, at an average of 15.8 inches. Low average release height of 4.66 feet.
CB: 71-71 mph. Gradual 11/5 shape; flashed a feel to spot under the zone.
CH: 70-72 mph. Slight deceleration with arm-side run/fade.

Tomas Valincius, Lockport (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 5-6, 160-pounds. Sturdy lower half.
Delivery: Tall/fall type delivery, upright posture at balance point, lead leg swings to a short downhill stride, lands square, athletic finish through release.
Arm Action: LH. Short and loose arm stroke, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T77, 74-76 mph. Comes out clean with some carry. Flashed late arm-side action, strikes.
CB: 67-67 mph. 1/7 shape, early break and landed low in the zone. Thrown with intent.
CH: 70-70 mph. Near fastball arm speed, flashed fade low-and-away.

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