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Chicago Preseason I.D.: Preview

February 19, 2020
By Illinois Staff

In 2019, we ventured out to the Pullman Community Center to host the inaugural Chicago Preseason I.D. event. On Sunday, we’re headed back to put on the second annual showcase and there are already 60 prospects set to join us, and registration is still open for high school-aged players.

In just a year’s time, 22 of the players who attended last year’s showcase have since committed to play at the next level, including C Emmanuel Scott (St. Ignatius, 2021; Xavier commit) and SS Kevin Coe Jr. (Whitney Young, 2020; Eastern Kentucky). The two are both ranked inside the top-40 of their respective grad classes.

To view this year’s most up-to-date roster, click here.

RHP Nick Gianikos (Notre Dame, 2020; Heartland CC) was among the top arms to make it out to last year’s showcase and he’s actually headed back our way on Saturday, too. At this event last year, Gianikos’ loose and live arm helped him sit 86-88 mph. His lanky 6-foot-3 frame complements his present stuff while raising his ceiling, so we’re looking forward to an updated viewing.

Nick Gianikos (2/23/19)

Lake Park 3B Giacomo Fanizza (uncommitted) was invited to our Preseason All-State event earlier this month, a showcase for select juniors, where he swung a physical right-handed bat that created consistent hard contact. He also ran a 7.00 flat in the 60-yard dash, underscoring the athleticism he brings to the diamond, too.

A pair of prospects from Mundelein are also worth knowing ahead of time: uncommitted juniors OF/RHP Wilken Benjamin III and C Cristian Santiago. Benjamin III is a projectable, two-way prospect who we recently saw at our Preseason All-State event. Santiago has solid actions from behind the plate who also swings a short, compact right-handed bat on an incline.

ITINERARY

  • Check-in for Position Players: 8:20 to 8:40 a.m.

    • Offensive Evaluations (exit velo, mechanical analysis, batting practice)

    • Defensive Evaluations (arm strength, mobility, positional reps)

  • Check-in for Pitchers only: noon to 12:20 p.m.

    • Bullpen Sessions (15-pitch session, mechanical analysis)

    • Catcher Evaluations (evaluating receiving/blocking skills)

  • Catchers will stay for both sessions.

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