Chiacgo Preseason ID: Blast Motion Board
February 24, 2022
On Feb. 19, the PBR Illinois staff traveled to the Pullman Community Center in Chicago to host the Chicago Preseason ID. This event provided us an ample opportunity to check-in on some of the area’s top high school prospects and identify several new names to know as we prepare for the IHSA season, as well as future invite-only events on the PBR Illinois calendar, like Saturday’s Preseason All-State events.
Earlier this week we published Quick Hits highlighting the top prospects of the event by class. We also rolled out a Statistical Analysis, bringing you a quick statistical analysis of those that participated in the event. We then dove deep into the data, looking at the pitch metrics and batted ball numbers from this event inside our TrackMan Files piece.
Today, with the help of our Blast Motion sensors, we're analyzing the swing metrics measured on Saturday at this high-caliber showcase.
Hand Speed (Peak & Average)
| Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Hand Speed (max) |
| 1 | Richard Taylor | IL | Marian Catholic | 2025 | OF | 26.8 mph |
| 2 | Tyler Patterson | IL | Simeon | 2023 | RHP | 24.9 mph |
| 3 | William Hill | IL | Brooks | 2023 | OF | 24.5 mph |
| 4 | Mac Collins | MO | Blue Springs South | 2024 | RHP | 24.0 mph |
| 5 | Bernabe Astorga III | IL | Morgan Park | 2025 | SS | 23.8 mph |
| 6 | Luke Mejdrich | IL | Hampshire | 2024 | RHP | 23.7 mph |
Rank
Name
State
School
Class
Pos
Hand Speed (avg)
1
Richard Taylor
IL
Marian Catholic
2025
OF
24.9 mph
2
Tyler Patterson
IL
Simeon
2023
RHP
24.3 mph
3
William Hill
IL
Brooks
2023
OF
22.9 mph
4
Mac Collins
MO
Blue Springs South
2024
RHP
22.7 mph
5
Nicholas Rayyan
IL
Stevenson
2024
RHP
22.7 mph
Peak Hand Speed: The observed maximum speed as measured on the handle of the bat (measured six inches from the knob of the bat). Peak Hand Speed will occur prior to the moment of impact, very close to the commit time in the swing when the wrists unhinge.
Bat Speed (Average)
Rank
Name
State
School
Class
Pos
Bat Speed (avg)
1
Donyae Smith
IL
Gwendolyn Brooks
2022
3B
73.0 mph
2
William Hill
IL
Brooks
2023
OF
72.9 mph
3
Tyler Patterson
IL
Simeon
2023
RHP
72.7 mph
4
Brenden Beals
IL
Barrington
2023
SS
72.1 mph
5
Luke Mejdrich
IL
Hampshire
2024
RHP
72.1 mph
6
Shemar Harris
IL
Thornwood
2023
SS
72.1 mph
7
Jeremy Yanow
IL
Deerfield
2023
SS
71.6 mph
Bat Speed: The observed speed of the sweet spot of the bat at impact. The sweet spot of the bat is measured six inches from the tip of the bat.
Rotational Acceleration (Peak & Average)
Rank
Name
State
School
Class
Pos
Rot. Acc (max)
1
Mason Jarrett
IN
Munster
2025
OF
28.4 g
2
Donyae Smith
IL
Gwendolyn Brooks
2022
3B
24.6 g
3
Mac Collins
MO
Blue Springs South
2024
RHP
23.3 g
4
Nicholas Rayyan
IL
Stevenson
2024
RHP
23.0 g
5
Terrell Carpenter
IL
Thornwood
2024
OF
22.7 g
Rank
Name
State
School
Class
Pos
Rot. Acc (avg)
1
Mason Jarrett
IN
Munster
2025
OF
21.9 g
2
Terrell Carpenter
IL
Thornwood
2024
OF
20.4 g
3
Nicholas Rayyan
IL
Stevenson
2024
RHP
19.9 g
4
Mac Collins
MO
Blue Springs South
2024
RHP
19.4 g
5
Donyae Smith
IL
Gwendolyn Brooks
2022
3B
18.6 g
Body Rotation: A swing that has the appropriate relative contributions of body and bat rotations is an efficient and Powerful swing that maintains proper sequencing. An efficient baseball swing is one in which the body creates the initial movements, which is then transferred to the arms and out to the bat, thereby maximizing Bat Speed through this proximal-to-distal kinematic sequencing movement pattern.
+ For a complete look at each of the statistics measured at this showcase, CLICK HERE.