Prep Baseball Report

Central Illinois Open: Positional Analysis


By: Illinois Scouting Staff

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 POSITION PLAYERS

no. 1 Liam Arsich OF / RHP / Lincoln-Way Central, IL / 2025

Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-3, 160-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, minimal leg lift and stride, twitchy. Twitchy hands with upside, loose, short, level, and direct path, controls his levers with juice to the pull-side. 66 mph bat speed with  G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 86 mph. 328’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 90 mph. Short tight arm swing, high 3/4 finish with arm speed out front.
Defense: Light on his feet, steady hands, clean release and shuffles through exchange.
Run: 6.68 runner in the 60. 

no. 2 Eli Craft C / 2B / Monticello , IL / 2025

Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-1, 175-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall start, balanced lower half, rhythmic hand load, short stride.  Long and uphill bat path, looks to elevate, favors the pull-side.  66 mph bat speed with 8 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 85.5 mph. 326’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph.  Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.04-2.12 pop times. Agile behind the dish, quick first step.
Run: 7.57 runner in the 60. 

no. 3 Cooper Eggert RHP / OF / Providence Catholic, IL / 2025

Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-1, 180-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Quiet start, balanced setup, smooth load, strides short and in rhythm.  Fast athletic hands with strength, short bat path with leverage out front, gap-to-gap feel, ball jumps off the barrel.  71.1 mph bat speed with 13 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 96 max exit velocity, averaged 87.4 mph. 346’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 84 mph. Short and loose arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Easy actions, gets behind the baseball, steady hands and clean release.
Run: 7.07 runner in the 60. 

no. 4 Eli Olson OF / RHP / Jacksonville Routt, IL / 2025

Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-3, 175-pounds.
Hit: SH. Stock setup, smooth load back, medium leg lift into medium stride. Short and flat path, can barrel the ball at times, up the middle/pull-side approach.  mph bat speed with  G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 96 max exit velocity, averaged 83.5 mph. 344’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 82 mph. Long arm swing finishes out of a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Active feet, easy actions, steady hands and clean release.
Run: 6.78 runner in the 60. 

no. 5 Kolin Adams OF / LHP / Mount Carmel, IL / 2025

Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-10, 174-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, athletic lower half, active hands work into a fluid bat tip load, toe-tap trigger. Strong hands with bat speed, level bat path, barrel stays in the zone, ball jumps at impact.  64.1 mph bat speed with 6 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 87 max exit velocity, averaged 79.7 mph. 290’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 85 mph. Short arm swing finishes from a high 3/4 slot, throws played with some carry to the plate.
Defense: Steady actions, clean footwork, gets behind the baseball, soft hands and clean exchange.
Run: 7.02 runner in the 60. 

no. 6 Luke Martin 3B / RHP / Mt. Pulalski, IL / 2026

Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 5-8, 180-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wider setup, small up/down leg lift. Strong hands, physical with bat speed, long through the zone, hard off the barrel to the pull-side.  69.6 mph bat speed with 10 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 84.5 mph. 327’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph.  Short arm action, 3/4 finish.
Defense: Easy actions, fields from the ground up, soft hands and clean release.
Run: 7.85 runner in the 60. 

no. 7 Aiden Lauritzen OF / RHP / St Anthony , IL / 2026

Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-0, 172-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Narrow setup, short stride.  Short, uphill path, above-average bat speed, lifted tendencies to the pull side with intent. 64.7 mph bat speed with 17 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 86.7 mph. 353’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 83 mph. Short compact arm stroke, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Aggressive to the baseball, plays with pace, steady hands and gains ground through release.
Run: 7.45 runner in the 60. 

no. 8 Chance Payne 1B / LHP / Mt. Pulaski , IL / 2025

Positional Profile: 1B/LHP
Body: 6-1, 180-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Tall setup, front foot starts closed, bat tip load, rotates well out of load.  Strong hands with ease, level path with leverage out front, elevated to the pull-side throughout.  64.6 mph bat speed with 9 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 83.7 mph. 345’ max distance.
Arm: LH. INF - 78 mph.  Short arm path, draws back and finishes out of a clean 3/4 slot.
Defense: Light on his feet, steady hands, feel around the bag and clean release.
Run: 7.33 runner in the 60. 

no. 9 Brooks Neuhoff 3B / OF / IMG Academy, FL / 2024

Positional Profile: 3B/OF
Body: 6-0, 175-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, small leg lift into long stride. Short swing, flat path, power to the pull-side, all fields. 71.1 mph bat speed with 16 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 97 max exit velocity, averaged 91 mph. 355’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 85 mph. OF - 83 mph. Short, quick arm action, plays strong out of a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays with some bounce pre-pitch, hands work deep, two-hand funnel.
Run: 7.33 runner in the 60. 

no 10 Colbie Glenn OF / RHP / Lincoln Community, IL / 2024

Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-11, 180-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, small leg lift, medium stride length. Strong hands, aggressive out of load, long and level path, ball jumps off the barrel to the pull-side.   75.4 mph bat speed with 16 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 99 max exit velocity, averaged 88.7 mph. 312’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 84 mph. Long arm swing with some wrap on the backside, finishes from an over-the-top slot.
Defense: Proper routes, easy actions at times, quick release.
Run: 6.93 runner in the 60. 

no. 11 Braden Arrenholz LHP / OF / Delavan, IL / 2025

Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 5-11, 160-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Tall stance, fluid bat tip load, short stride.  Loose easy hands, simple, short direct bat path, works uphill at times, line drives to all fields.  63.3 mph bat speed with 7 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 76.2 mph. 288’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 79 mph. Full arm swing, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Easy actions, plays with body control, soft hands and clean release.
Run: 7.78 runner in the 60. 

no. 12 Riley Hendren OF / Normal Community , IL / 2024

Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wider setup, stock, minimal up/down leg lift. Athletic hands, short to the baseball.  66.7 mph bat speed with 18 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 83.4 mph. 310’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 84 mph. Full long arm swing, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Quick, active feet, plays with pace, attacks the baseball at times.
Run: 6.79 runner in the 60. 

no. 13 Lance Weitekamp 1B / OF / Morrisonville, IL / 2024

Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 6-1, 185-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Stock setup, short leg lift into up/down stride. Simple, Short to the baseball, level barrel through the zone. Backspins to the pull-side, ball jumps at impact.  64.9 mph bat speed with 17 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 83.5 mph. 315’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 68 mph.  Short arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Light on his feet, feel around the bag, steady hands.
Run: 7.39 runner in the 60. 

no. 14 Camden Fenton OF / 2B / Pontiac, IL / 2025

Positional Profile: OF/2B
Body: 5-10, 156-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, small up/down leg lift. Direct and on top of the baseball, athletic out of load with line drive feel. 65.8 mph bat speed with 9 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 83 max exit velocity, averaged 73.5 mph. 276’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 78 mph. Arm plays with some length on the backside, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Easy footwork, plays light on his feet, steady hands and gains ground through release at times.
Run: 6.97 runner in the 60.

no. 15 Christian Chignoli OF / 2B / Joliet West, IL / 2024

Positional Profile: OF/2B
Body: 5-10, 155-pounds.
Hit: SH. Athletic look, balanced setup, smooth bat tip load, short stride with balance through contact.  Athletic hands, short and level through the zone, line drive feel, simple and repeatable swing, stayed in rhythm throughout.  63.2 mph bat speed with 6 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 80.1 mph. 262’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 76 mph. Long arm swing, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Active, quick feet, proper routes and clean release.
Run: 6.94 runner in the 60. 

no. 16 Zach Spidle C / 3B / Bloomington , IL / 2024

Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-0, 150-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Athletic look, balanced setup, subtle hand load, minimal stride.  Simple path to contact, level through the zone, long at times, covered the plate, sprayed to all fields.  64.6 mph bat speed with 15 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 85 max exit velocity, averaged 81.3 mph. 267’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 88 mph. Short and compact arm draw, high 3/4 finish, loose, played with carry and accurate to target.
Defense: Gets behind the baseball, steady hands, clean release.
Run: 6.96 runner in the 60.

no. 17 Bryce Murphy RHP / 3B / Glenwood, IL / 2024

Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-3, 190-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Crouched setup, slightly open, medium stride. Short and direct at times, slightly uphill path, pull-side approach. 67.2 mph bat speed with 10 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 81.7 mph. 342’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph.  Short compact arm stroke, high 3/4 finish.
Defense: Secures the baseball into body, plays under control on the move.
Run: 7.31 runner in the 60. 

no. 18 Luke McClure OF / LHP / Champaign Central , IL / 2025

Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, stacks onto his backside, bat starts over back shoulder and tips up slightly at load, subtle stride. Long bat path with leverage out front, looks to the pull-side.  65.1 mph bat speed with 11 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 83.1 mph. 342’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 81 mph. Arm draws down out the glove and finishes from an over the top slot.
Defense: Light on his feet, attacks the baseball at times, steady hands and gains ground through release.
Run: 6.73 runner in the 60. 

no. 19 Tyler Cribbett 2B / SS / Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley, IL / 2024

Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-10, 185-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Wide base, bat tip load, minimal stride.  Strong hands, short and simple swing, gets on top of the baseball, on the barrel throughout.  68.1 mph bat speed with 13 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 82.7 mph. 339’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph.  Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Corner infield profile, steady actions, sure hands, clean double play turn.
Run: 7.48 runner in the 60. 

t20 Dillon Steelman 3B / RHP / Stark County, IL / 2025

Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 5-10, 170-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, small leg lift into medium stride. Easy, athletic hands, uphill path to contact, backspins to the pull-side.  57.8 mph bat speed with 11 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 87 max exit velocity, averaged 79.2 mph. 288’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph.  Short arm action, high 3/4 slot, athletic, plays well on the move.
Defense: Active feet, plays light on his feet at times, sure handed and secures through release.
Run: 7.75 runner in the 60. 

t20 Aj Arrivi SS / 2B / Lemont, IL / 2025

Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-9, 160-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall, narrow setup, slightly open stance, small leg lift into stride. Quick hands, short and uphill path, worked gap-to-gap.  72.2 mph bat speed with 12 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 80.6 mph. 287’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph.  Short, clean arm action, multiple slot release.
Defense: Active feet, plays with pace, soft, confident hands and clean release.
Run: 7.49 runner in the 60. 

t20 Samuel McArthur RHP / OF / Champaign Central, IL / 2024

Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-2, 180-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall, narrow setup, medium leg lift, medium stride. Short, easy path, slightly uphill, all fields approach. 67.6 mph bat speed with 14 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 83.5 mph. 281’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 89 mph. Long arm path finishes from a loose 3/4 slot.
Defense: Active feet, gains ground, steady hands and clean, quick release.
Run: 7.23 runner in the 60. 

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Tyce Beckman, Normal Community (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-10, 160-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall start, active hands pre-pitch that slot back at load, quick leg kick trigger.  Some hand twitch, short and direct bat path, works out front.  68.7 mph bat speed with 9 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 85 max exit velocity, averaged 70.5 mph. 282’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph.  Compact arm, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.20-2.36 pop times. Quick, clean transfer, works in-line, clean block.
Run: 7.62 runner in the 60. 

Caleb Chamberlain, Glenwood (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 5-11, 170-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Narrow, tall setup, medium leg lift, long stride. Rotates well out of load, level through the zone with leverage out front, on the barrel at times to the pull-side, backspun that way.  73.5 mph bat speed with 19 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 79.2 mph. 325’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph.  Short arm window, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two-hand gather, works out front.
Run: 7.53 runner in the 60. 

Noah Convery, Carlinville (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-2, 208-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Tall start with some knee bend, open base, hands slot down, strides short.  Level bat path, elevates to the pull-side.  63.9 mph bat speed with 8 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 78.5 mph. 313’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 71 mph.  Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Secures the baseball, plays through at times, steady hands.
Run: 7.76 runner in the 60. 

Landyn Corbin, Normal Community (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-7, 132-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wider setup, small leg lift, short stride. Direct, flat path, pull-side approach. 67.9 mph bat speed with 14 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 83 max exit velocity, averaged 76.6 mph. 313’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph.  Short loose arm action, high 3/4 finish.
Defense: Active feet, fundamentally sound, sure handed, clean release, advanced body control play.
Run: 7.45 runner in the 60. 

Caleb Edwards, Tremont (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 3B/SS
Body: 5-11, 160-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Slight lower half bend, high back elbow, quick toe-tap trigger.  Long path to contact, pull-side approach.  64.5 mph bat speed with 15 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 83 max exit velocity, averaged 77.3 mph. 288’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. OF - 80 mph. Full, clean arm circle, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Active, clean footwork, steady hands, clean release and smooth double play turn.
Run: 7.76 runner in the 60. 

Brayden Elliott, Gibson City (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-1, 185-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, medium leg lift with little stride. Short to the ball, slightly uphill path, line drives to the pull-side/up the middle. 68 mph bat speed with 13 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 83.1 mph. 324’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph.  Short tight arm window, loose 3/4 finish, easy.
Defense: Easy actions, plays from the ground up, sure hands, clean release.
Run: 7.58 runner in the 60. 

Ashton Ertz, Payson Seymour (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-9, 160-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Crouched setup, open front foot, vertical barrel set, strides short.  Strong hands, short bat path, direct to the baseball, ball jumps off the barrel to the pull-side.  68.7 mph bat speed with 15 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 85.8 mph. 350’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 70 mph. Short draw out the hand, tight window, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays through in rhythm, confident hands, clean release.
Run: 7.42 runner in the 60. 

Nolan Esquivel, Mount Carmel (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-4, 100-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, toe-tap trigger, medium stride. Short, flat path, all fields approach. 51.7 mph bat speed with 7 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 68 max exit velocity, averaged 55.9 mph. 184’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 61 mph.  Short arm action, over-the-top slot, quick release.
Defense: Plays low to the ground, active feet, fundamentally sound, sure hands.
Run: 8.60 runner in the 60. 

Cade Farquer, Williamsfield (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 1B/3B
Body: 6-3, 215-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Tall start, hands load back in rhythm, short stride.  Strong hands, short and uphill to contact, pull-side approach.  65.7 mph bat speed with 10 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 87 max exit velocity, averaged 81.4 mph. 314’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 69 mph.  Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Clean hands, fields in rhythm, steady hands.
Run: 8.26 runner in the 60. 

Emmanuel Gomez, Harvest  Christian Academy (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: 3B/1B
Body: 5-6, 208-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, open stance, up/down leg lift. Uphill path with quickness, can barrel.  64.8 mph bat speed with 7 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 87 max exit velocity, averaged 79.6 mph. 313’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 64 mph.  Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays low to the ground, hands play from low to high, length in exchange at times.
Run: 8.38 runner in the 60. 

Aldo Gonzalez, Stagg (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: 3B
Body: 6-1, 180-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall, narrow setup, minimal up/down leg lift. Direct path, physical build, all fields approach. 62.4 mph bat speed with 9 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 82 max exit velocity, averaged 73 mph. 309’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 68 mph.  Short arm stroke, over-the-top finish, dropped to a 3/4 slot on the move.
Defense: Fields in the center of his body, clean release on the move.
Run: 7.60 runner in the 60. 

Landon Gray, Dunlap (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-11, 150-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, small leg lift into short stride. Quick, short path, slightly uphill, power to the pull-side. 64.4 mph bat speed with 16 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 78.3 mph. 313’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 79 mph. Arm plays with some reach on the backside, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Light footwork, easy range and quick release.
Run: 7.26 runner in the 60. 

Sam Griggs, IVC (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 5-11, 160-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, no leg lift, short stride. Direct, quick swing, flat path, pull-side approach. 66.2 mph bat speed with 20 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 78.3 mph. 270’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 64 mph.  Short arm circle finishes out of an over the top slot.
Defense: Active feet, plays low to the ground, steady hands, length through exchange.
Run: 7.18 runner in the 60. 

Mason Guarnieri, Henry-Senachwine (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-7, 145-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, back load, long closed stride.  Flat bat path with quickness. 61.5 mph bat speed with 8 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 78 max exit velocity, averaged 73.5 mph. 272’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 75 mph. Long arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Active, quick feet, attacks the baseball at times, athletic actions.
Run: 7.14 runner in the 60. 

Levi Hoagland, A-C Central (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-2, 155-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, small leg lift, up/down. Long bat path.  61 mph bat speed with 7 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 77.7 mph. 303’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph.  Arm plays with some length on the backside, works out of a high 3/4 slot, quick release.
Defense: Easy actions, steady hands, clean release and plays through the baseball at times.
Run: 7.88 runner in the 60. 

Boston Katz, Heyworth (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-11, 160-pounds.
Hit: SH. Tall, narrow setup, high up/down leg lift. Flat path, uphill at time, direct. 59 mph bat speed with 9 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 80 max exit velocity, averaged 74.8 mph. 286’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 68 mph.  Short arm stroke, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Active feet, plays from the ground up, steady hands and packs through exchange.
Run: 7.63 runner in the 60. 

Keenan Krysh, Cary-Grove (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-10, 175-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, narrow base, bat tips at load, lead leg hovers to footstrike.  Short bat path, uphill angle.  67.7 mph bat speed with 6 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 86.8 mph. 325’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph.  Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 1.95-2.07 pop times. Works quick, on the bag consistently, clean and quick transfer, steady blocker.
Run: 7.49 runner in the 60.

Braden Mehn, Normal University (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-7, 140-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, active hands with a barrel tip load, short stride.  Flat bat path that favored the pull-side, ball jumps off the barrel.  66.3 mph bat speed with 14 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 81.5 mph. 299’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 79 mph. Full arm circle, quick, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Flashed light, bouncy feet, steady hands.
Run: 6.96 runner in the 60.  

Thomas Mickels, Peoria Notre Dame (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-0, 155-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Crouched setup, small leg lift into short stride. Some hand twitch, flat through the zone, gap-to-gap feel.  66.3 mph bat speed with 15 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 82.1 mph. 297’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 79 mph. Long arm path, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Active feet, plays with pace, steady hands and clean release.
Run: 7.67 runner in the 60. 

Tanner Nolin, Normal West (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-1, 145-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Balanced wide setup, short stride. Flat swing, stays through the hitting zone and line drive, whole field approach. 58.4 mph bat speed with 4 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 77 max exit velocity, averaged 66.2 mph. 246’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 70 mph.  Long arm path works out of a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady hands, plays through the baseball and winds up through release.
Run: 8.26 runner in the 60. 

Brody Phillips, Arcola (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: SS/C
Body: 5-10, 145-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, bat wrap load, minimal stride.  Long bat path out of load, flat and gets on top of the baseball.  67 mph bat speed with 10 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 85 max exit velocity, averaged 78.1 mph. 307’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. INF - 79 mph.  Short tight arm window, high 3/4 slot, some carry.
Defense: 2.10-2.26 pop times. INF: Steady actions, plays from the ground up, sure handed and winds up through exchange at times. C: Quick first, works quick, clean transfer, on-line.
Run: 7.06 runner in the 60. 

Kyle Popovich, Mahomet-Seymour (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 5-11, 140-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Active pre-pitch, tall start, barrel tip load, short stride.  Long flat bat path.  60.1 mph bat speed with 6 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 77 max exit velocity, averaged 69.3 mph. 248’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 73 mph. Long arm action with some reach out the glove, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Attacks the baseball at times, fields in rhythm and gains ground through release.
Run: 7.42 runner in the 60. 

Evan Reed, Bloomington (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-11, 180-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Slight crouch, open stance, minimal leg lift. Long path, level through the zone, repeats, on the barrel to the pull-side, feel to backspin that way.  63.6 mph bat speed with 16 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 83.6 mph. 308’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph.  Slight arm wrap, high 3/4 finish.
Defense: Plays from the ground up, secures into body through release, maintains body control on the move.
Run: 7.21 runner in the 60. 

Dominic Ricconi, El Paso-Gridley (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-0, 180-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, active hands slot back at load, minimal stride.  Short and direct bat path, works on top of the baseball, sprayed throughout.  61 mph bat speed with 10 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 85 max exit velocity, averaged 77.8 mph. 296’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 68 mph.  Short action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.25-2.36 pop times. Clean transfer, works on-line, one-hop throws to bag.
Run: 7.51 runner in the 60. 

Owen Rigg, Augusta Southeastern (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-10, 175-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Narrow setup, slightly open, small leg lift, long stride. Strong hands, level barrel, pull-side approach.  60.8 mph bat speed with 10 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 79.4 mph. 276’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph.  Compact, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.11-2.20 pop times. Clean transfer, throws on the bag.
Run: 8.00 runner in the 60. 

Pierson Rivera, Bloomington (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: SS/1B
Body: 5-10, 165-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, leg lift coil, minimal stride. Uphill path, direct at times, up the middle/pull-side. 63.7 mph bat speed with 9 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 83 max exit velocity, averaged 70 mph. 287’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 69 mph.  Short athletic arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Clean release, secures the baseball into the body.
Run: 7.69 runner in the 60. 

Ethan Scott, Dunlap (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-10, 140-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall start with some knee bend, active hands pre-pitch, bat wraps as hands load, strides short.  Long and level bat path.  60.3 mph bat speed with 6 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 82 max exit velocity, averaged 78.9 mph. 280’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph.  Compact arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.26-2.47 pop times. Clean transfer, works in-line, one-hop throws on bag.
Run: 8.01 runner in the 60. 

Brady Sears, Bloomington Central Catholic (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-10, 155-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Narrow setup, open stance, small leg lift, minimal stride. Short to the ball, flat path, can be uphill at times, up the middle/pull-side. 65.3 mph bat speed with 8 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 77 mph. 261’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 72 mph.  Short arm action, low 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady defender, maintained body control on the move, clean release.
Run: 7.70 runner in the 60. 

Nick Shelsta, Warrensburg-Latham (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 5-10, 185-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Tall stance with balance, simple back load, short in-line stride.  Simple, short to the baseball, flat and gets on top, line drive feel, worked the middle of the field consistently.  66.5 mph bat speed with 11 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 81.4 mph. 316’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 65 mph.  Short arm stroke, 3/4 finish.
Defense: Secures the baseball into body, clean release.
Run: 7.37 runner in the 60. 

Mitchell Silver, El Paso-Gridley (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: 1B/LHP
Body: 5-8, 120-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Open, narrow setup, stride works back to square. Long swing, level through the zone, sits into backside, elevated contact at times. 58.4 mph bat speed with 9 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 79 max exit velocity, averaged 68.6 mph. 243’ max distance.
Arm: LH. INF - 72 mph.  Arm plays with some length on the backside, finished out of a 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays with pace, active feet, plays through the baseball and soft hands.
Run: 7.87 runner in the 60. 

Rowan Stec, Lincoln-Way East (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: 2B/OF
Body: 6-0, 170-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Crouched setup, medium up/down leg lift. Uphill path.  53.9 mph bat speed with 9 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 74 max exit velocity, averaged 68.2 mph. 266’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 64 mph.  Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays from the ground up, quick release.
Run: 7.71 runner in the 60. 

Noah Steiner, Paxton Buckley Loda (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-3, 175-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, minimal leg lift into short stride. Strong hands, long and uphill through the zone.  65.5 mph bat speed with 9 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 83.2 mph. 333’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 71 mph.  Short arm draw, over the top slot.
Defense: Long strides, feet work around the baseball, glove plays out front and low to the ground, inward funnel.
Run: 7.71 runner in the 60. 

Tyler Surber, Pawnee (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 1B/3B
Body: 6-2, 200-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall, narrow setup, slightly open, small leg lift into long stride. Easy swing, short to the ball, slightly uphill path, all fields. 62.6 mph bat speed with 5 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 81 max exit velocity, averaged 76.6 mph. 293’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 71 mph.  Short tight arm window, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady hands, clean release.
Run: 7.85 runner in the 60. 

Alek Terlecki, Glenwood (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 6-1, 180-pounds.
Hit: SH. Wide base, open setup, barrel tips as hands load back, short stride.  Strong hands, gets on top of the baseball, long bat path.  65.9 mph bat speed with 15 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 75.1 mph. 311’ max distance.
Arm: LH. INF - 71 mph.  Tight arm draw, 3/4 finish.
Defense: Active feet, steady hands, body control around the bag.
Run: 7.18 runner in the 60. 

Ryan Theile, Normal Community (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-2, 180-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wider setup, crouched stance, small leg lift back. Short, flat path, middle/pull-side approach. 70 mph bat speed with 17 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 86.9 mph. 318’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph.  Quick, strong arm, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.10-2.19 pop times. Quick first step, agile with athleticism, clean and quick transfer, throws on bag, soft blocker.
Run: 7.61 runner in the 60. 

Gavin Van Kanegan, Normal Community (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-7, 150-pounds.
Hit: SH. Tall setup, active hands slot down at load, toe-tap trigger.  Long and uphill path, backspun to the pull-side from the right side.  63.4 mph bat speed with 10 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 77.9 mph. 348’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 78 mph. Long arm swing, over-the-top finish.
Defense: Gets behind the baseball, steady hands and stays directional playing through the baseball.
Run: 7.43 runner in the 60. 

Mason Vandegraft, El Paso Gridley (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-11, 145-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, slightly open, small leg lift with minimal stride. Flat path with some length, gets on top of the baseball.  69.2 mph bat speed with 20 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 82.7 mph. 208’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 78 mph. Long arm swing, high 3/4 finish.
Defense: Proper routes, plays through the baseball, steady hands.
Run: 7.29 runner in the 60. 

William Walsh, Mount Carmel (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-0, 197-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, smooth bat wrap load, short stride.  Strong physical hands, short and uphill out of load, pull-side approach, swings with intent, looks to elevate.  68.5 mph bat speed with 11 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 84.3 mph. 289’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph.  Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.29-2.36 pop times. Clean transfer, throws on the bag consistently, steady blocker.
Run: 8.19 runner in the 60. 

Bradyn Whitehead, Normal West (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-9, 140-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, minimal leg lift, long stride. Short to the ball, stays in the zone, line drives to pull-side/middle when on the barrel. 67 mph bat speed with 17 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 85 max exit velocity, averaged 79.3 mph. 318’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. INF - 72 mph.  INF: Loose arm plays from a low 3/4 slot. C: Quick, compact arm, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.01-2.11 pop times. INF: Active hands, attacks the hop, confident hands, clean release. C: Quick first step, athletic actions, clean transfer, works in-line, athletic blocker.
Run: 7.02 runner in the 60. 

Daniel Wilson, Peoria Notre Dame (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-4, 199-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wider setup, weight starts back, small leg lift into short stride. Long and uphill path.  60.2 mph bat speed with 7 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 87 max exit velocity, averaged 78.5 mph. 331’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 73 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot
Defense: Directional routes, secures the baseball.
Run: 7.50 runner in the 60. 

Carson Wort, Pawnee (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-9, 165-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall start, narrow base, hands work back in rhythm, short stride.  Quick athletic hands, level bat path, gap-to-gap feel and on the barrel, repeats.  68.3 mph bat speed with 22 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 82.9 mph. 324’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. INF - 73 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 1.97-2.19 pop times. INF: Steady hands, shuffles through release, plays under control on the move. C: Works quick, aggressive out of the crouch, quick, clean transfer, on the bag, soft blocker.
Run: 7.48 runner in the 60. 

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