On Sunday, Aug. 21, the PBR Illinois team hosted the Chicagoland Open at the Triton College in River Grove, Ill. The open event featured close to 90 prospects from all high school classes (2023-2026), and gave our staff an ample look at a number of prospects to follow moving forward.

For a complete list of the player’s that attended this event, click HERE. 

In the week that followed this event, we produced post-event analysis that includes performance highlights inside of our Quick Hits story, a look at the traditional stats measured within our Statistical Analysis piece and some other measurable data inside our Data Dive.

Now, lets dive into some of the standout performers from the event.

A trio of 2025 infielders to keep an eye on moving forward were INF Peyton Panozzo (St. Rita), CIF Adam Bovinett (Collinsville) and CIF Rhett Ozment (Crystal Lake Central). Panozzo is a switch-hitter with an athletic, repeatable swing and feel for the barrel. Bovinett swings a loose, fluid left-handed bat that works with natural lift throughout. Ozment lets the ball travel, has strong athletic hands and was consistently on the barrel from the right-side of the plate. 

Another 2025 who took a noteworthy round of BP was 1B Caleb Powell (Evanston). Powell has an athletic, aggressive left-handed swing with natural lift.  

Two of the top overall prospects from the event were 2023 first basemen Ryne Crum (Springfield) and Chris Rogers (Grayslake Central). Crum led the event in average hand speed at 75.3 mph and was all over the barrel throughout his round of BP with his furthest batted ball traveling 356’. Rogers also showed juice, leading the event at 366’ off the bat and average hand speed of 25.2 mph. Even with that, Rogers projects even higher on the mound where his free-flowing quick arm topped at 87.5 mph from the left-side.

There were a number of intriguing 2024 infielders on the day. INF/RHP Ryan Rossi (Glenbrook North) showed wiry bat strength (T96.2 mph exit velocity) and looked the part on the mound as well.

1B Matthew Ruttkay, another Glenbrook North product, is an imposing figure at 6-foot-5, 250-pounds and he took a polished round of BP, showing control of his levers and easy bat strength.

2024s Sam Nigro (New Trier), Evan Olesker (New Trier) and Julian Cabanin (Notre Dame College Prep) took noteworthy rounds of BP and showed the potential to stick on the dirt moving forward. 

Matthew Carrano (St. Laurence, 2024) was mentioned in the catcher analysis, but he also profiles just as well at first base and swings a potent right-handed bat.

INFIELD PROSPECTS (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Ryan Block, Glenbrook North (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 5-9, 160-pounds. Athletic frame, round shoulders.
Hit: RHH. Confident balanced setup, toe-tap stride. Swings with controlled aggression and intent. Athletic hands, creates bat speed, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 73.1 mph. 281’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph.  Long arm circle, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Gets behind and around the baseball, flashes actions, steady hands and clean release.
Run: 7.46 runner in the 60. 

Adam Bovinett, Collinsville (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: 3B/1B
Body: 5-11, 200-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Open setup, quiet/smooth load and short stride. Fluid, athletic hands, long uphill path at times. Works gap-to-gap.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 83.2 mph. 325’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Strong arm, loose, life and some carry.
Defense: Worked out at first base and the left-side of the infield. Moves naturally around the first base bag, feel for the position, soft, confident hands.
Run: 7.99 runner in the 60. 

Julian Cabanin, Notre Dame College Prep (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 5-10, 160-pounds. Athletic frame with room to fill out.
Hit: RHH. Slightly crouched, wide setup, fluid load. Smooth swing, simple and quiet, loose hands, pull-side tendencies.
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 69.3 mph. 315’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph.  Quick arm played with carry at times across the diamond.
Defense: Athletic defender with feel for the infield. Advanced body control play. Steady hands.
Run: 7.71 runner in the 60. 

Matthew Carrano, St. Laurence (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-1, 215-pounds. Strong, physically advanced frame with broad shoulders.
Hit: RHH. Crouched, slightly open setup, short stride. Long swing, leverage to the pull-side, slight lift through the zone and strong hands.
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 88.2 mph. 336’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. INF - 76 mph.  Some life and carry, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Clean footwork, soft hands, clean exchange, loose deliberate actions.
Run: 7.86 runner in the 60. 

Ryne Crum, Springfield (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 1B/LHP
Body: 6-0, 270-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Narrow, tall setup, leg-lift trigger. Creates advanced strength and jump off the barrel. Repeated hard lifted contact to the pull-side.
Power: 98 max exit velocity, averaged 91.5 mph. 357’ max distance.
Arm: LH. INF - 77 mph.  Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Sure-hands, clean defender, feel for the bag.
Run: 8.11 runner in the 60. 

Ben Convey, Williamston  (MI), 2024
Positional Profile: 3B/1B
Body: 6-0, 195-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Crouched setup, leg-kick timing trigger. Simple swing, bat works uphill through the zone, stays on plane and lifts baseballs on the barrel.
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 82.4 mph. 335’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 74 mph.  Long arm circle, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Third base profile. Hands play low to the ground, clean release.
Run: 8.21 runner in the 60. 

Emmanuel Deoudes, IC Catholic Prep (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 5-9, 150-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Closed setup, fluid load and leg-kick trigger. Long path, uses the middle of the field, line-drive approach.
Power: 77 max exit velocity, averaged 70.7 mph. 210’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 67 mph.  Multiple arm angles, loose arm, accurate.
Defense: Soft hands, clean footwork, deliberate routes, clean exchange.
Run: 8.40 runner in the 60. 

Stephen Dillender II, Rock Island (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-9, 155-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, minimal load and long stride. Long path, controlled aggression, pull-side line-drive approach.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 84.5 mph. 313’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 69 mph.  Ability to throw from multiple slots.
Defense: Smooth double play turn, steady hands, feel for the infield.
Run: 7.56 runner in the 60. 

Declan Drumm, Oak Park River Forest (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-0, 160-pounds. Sloped shoulders with evenly proportioned weight.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, stride works back to even. Long path, uphill through the zone, lifted contact.
Power: 81 max exit velocity, averaged 69.9 mph. 278’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph.  Quick arm plays from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Comfortable on the move, sure-hands, feel for the infield and gains ground through release.
Run: 8.09 runner in the 60. 

Lucas Dubinsky, Glenbrook North (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 5-10, 180-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Closed setup, no load and short stride. Simple swing, strong hands and stays direct to the baseball with strength to the pull-side.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 81.1 mph. 259’ max distance.
Arm: LH. INF - 73 mph. OF - 70 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Aggressive to the baseball, quick feet, proper angles, clean hands.
Run: 7.88 runner in the 60. 

Brayden Fell, Stevenson (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: MIF/2B
Body: 5-8, 150-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall, narrow setup, sits into load and short stride. Loose hands, uphill path and easy effort throughout.
Power: 81 max exit velocity, averaged 72.8 mph. 253’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 68 mph.  Low 3/4 slot, accurate on the back, some carry.
Defense: Soft hands loose actions, some feel.
Run: 7.76 runner in the 60. 

Alex Galindo, LaSalle-Peru (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/2B
Body: 5-9, 148-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Quiet setup, minimal load and short stride. Quiet swing, highly-repeatable, loose, quick hands, all over the barrel with hard line-drive contact back up the middle. Polished round.
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 84.2 mph. 246’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 72 mph. OF - 74 mph. Long arm action, plays quick from an over-the-top slot.
Defense: Easy actions and footwork, plays light on his feet at times with length through release.
Run: 7.32 runner in the 60.

Christopher Gonzalo, Maine South (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 6-0, 170-pounds. Athletic build with round shoulders.
Hit: RHH. Tall, narrow setup, short stride. Quick, strong hands, uphill path and looks to lift the baseball with authority.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 84.7 mph. 324’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph.  Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays low to the ground, athletic feet, shows body control on the move and athletic double play turn.
Run: 7.68 runner in the 60. 

Michael Hultman, Andrew (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-1, 200-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, knee-knock stride and timing trigger. Quiet swing, long path, strong hands and ball jumped off the bat to the pull-side at times.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 88.6 mph. 342’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. INF - 72 mph.  Long arm swing, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays from the ground up, secures baseball into body, clean exchange on the infield.
Run: 7.97 runner in the 60. 

Ethan Kelby, Lemont (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-11, 140-pounds. Lean, high-waisted frame with room for added strength.
Hit: RHH. Slightly crouched setup, short stride. Quick hands, stays short to contact, uses the whole field.
Power: 82 max exit velocity, averaged 74.3 mph. 286’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph.  Low 3/4 arm slot accurate on bag.
Defense: Choppy footwork, soft hands, fields out front.
Run: 7.86 runner in the 60. 

Beck Kjeldbjerg, Warren Township (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: C/INF
Body: 6-1, 180-pounds. Evenly proportioned weight with room to fill out.
Hit: LHH. Tall, open setup, coiled load. Swings with controlled aggression, flashed bat speed, flashed strength and lift to the pull-side.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 81.5 mph. 305’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. INF - 80 mph.  Short arm action, firm over-the-top slot and plays with true-four seam carry.
Defense: Clean transfer, gains ground out of the crouch, soft hands, two-hand gather shuffle to release.
Run: 7.48 runner in the 60. 

Cooper Koslowski, Fraser  (MI), 2023
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-0, 155-pounds. Projectable build with room to fill out.
Hit: RHH. Upright setup, minimal pre-pitch actions and short stride. Long path, works uphill through the zone, pull-side tendencies.
Power: 85 max exit velocity, averaged 77.8 mph. 282’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. INF - 73 mph.  Short, clean arm action, multiple slots, comfortable throwing from low 3/4 slot.
Defense: Clean and easy infield actions. Steady hands.
Run: 8.60 runner in the 60. 

Timothy McCormick, Lyons Township (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 5-9, 140-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Tall setup, toe-tap stride. Natural lift through the zone, uses the whole field.
Power: 75 max exit velocity, averaged 63.9 mph. 229’ max distance.
Arm: LH. INF - 67 mph.  Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady defender at first base. Clean footwork and hands.
Run: 7.88 runner in the 60. 

Sam Nigro, New Trier (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-9, 155-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, short stride and minimal wasted movement. Athletic hands, stays on-plane, uphill through the zone and lifted gap-to-gap contact.
Power: 83 max exit velocity, averaged 76 mph. 301’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph.  High 3/4 slot, some life and carry.
Defense: Feel on the infield, clean fundamentally, loose actions.
Run: 7.53 runner in the 60. 

DeCarlos Nora III, Beloit Memorial  (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-7, 160-pounds. Strong lower-half.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, quiet load and leg-lift timing trigger. Long path, easy effort, uses the whole field.
Power: 77 max exit velocity, averaged 68.8 mph. 257’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 67 mph.  Low 3/4 slot, some life accurate on bag.
Defense: Soft hands, clean footwork, fields the ball out front.
Run: 8.00 runner in the 60. 

Evan Olesker, New Trier (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 6-0, 140-pounds. Projectable, lean/wiry frame.
Hit: RHH. Relaxed, slightly open setup, leg-lift trigger. Loose, quick hands, bat stays on plane, repeats and works gap-to-gap on the barrel.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 82 mph. 314’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph.  Low 3/4 slot, some life accurate on bag.
Defense: Soft hands, fields out front, clean footwork.
Run: 7.39 runner in the 60. 

Rhett Ozment, Crystal Lake Central (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: 3B/1B
Body: 6-2, 195-pounds. Strong, evenly proportioned strength, round shoulders with a developed lower-half.
Hit: RHH. Open, balanced setup, stride gets back to even. Compact swing, lets the ball travel and stays on balance. Strong, athletic hands, consistently on the barrel and a lot of hard contact.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 83.4 mph. 323’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph.  Multiple arm angles, loose, high 3/4 slot, some life and carry.
Defense: Soft hands, agile footwork, loose actions, confident.
Run: 8.14 runner in the 60. 

Peyton Panozzo, St. Rita of Cascia (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-8, 155-pounds.
Hit: SH. Confident, relaxed look in the box. Fluid rhythm and stride. Loose, athletic hands, uphill swing plane, repeatable with above-average feel for the barrel.
Power: 85 max exit velocity, averaged 78.1 mph. 307’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph.  Short arm action, high 3/4 slot. Plays accurate and flashed carry.
Defense: Athletic actions, natural on the move, smooth double play. Soft hands and clean glove-to-hand release.
Run: 8.09 runner in the 60. 

Caleb Powell, Evanston (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 5-10, 170-pounds. Athletic build with round shoulders.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, relaxed setup, leg-lift timing trigger. Athletic hands, long path, fluid rhythm throughout and natural lift through the zone.
Power: 87 max exit velocity, averaged 81.9 mph. 317’ max distance.
Arm: LH. INF - 72 mph.  Short arm action, low 3/4 slot.
Defense: Feel for the position, clean release and ability to make plays on the move.
Run: 7.73 runner in the 60. 

Chris Rogers, Grayslake Central (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 6-3, 185-pounds. Strong, athletic, well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, minimal pre-pitch actions. Controlled aggression, above-average bat speed, on the barrel with authority at times.
Power: 96 max exit velocity, averaged 89.1 mph. 366’ max distance.
Arm: LH. INF - 83 mph.  Life and carry, loose arm action, low 3/4 slot.
Defense: Soft hands, athletic actions, feel for the position.
Run: 7.48 runner in the 60. 

Ryan Rossi, Glenbrook North (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-2, 180-pounds. High-waisted, wiry frame, room for added strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, fluid load and stride. Loose hands, creates whip, stays flat through the zone, ball jumps off the barrel with backspin.
Power: 96 max exit velocity, averaged 84.5 mph. 342’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph.  Plays from a high 3/4 to over-the-top slot.
Defense: Steady actions and hands. Sure hands and comfortable on the move.
Run: 7.71 runner in the 60. 

Matthew Ruttkay, Glenbrook North (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-5, 250-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, minimal load and stride. Strong, loose hands, bat stays through the zone a long time, ball jumps off the barrel.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 83.3 mph. 327’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 74 mph.  3/4 slot, accurate on the bag.
Defense: Soft hands, clean footwork, fields the ball out front.
Run: 9.10 runner in the 60. 

Matt Spell, Brother Rice (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 5-9, 185-pounds. Compact, physical build, round shoulders with a developed lower-half.
Hit: RHH. Crouched setup, short stride. Compact swing, strong hands, lifted approach.
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 80.7 mph. 306’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph.  Strong arm, low 3/4 slot, some life.
Defense: Clean footwork, some feel for position, soft hands.
Run: 7.48 runner in the 60. 

Anthony Szwedo, Niles West (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-8, 135-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Tall setup, short stride, loads hands at footstrike. Flat swing, short direct swing, uses the whole field.
Power: 82 max exit velocity, averaged 71.6 mph. 248’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 64 mph.  Long arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady hands, clean release.
Run: 8.31 runner in the 60. 

Nicholas Tinajero, Fenton (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-3, 180-pounds. Athletic build, high waist with room for added strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, smooth load and heel raise stride. Quiet overall swing, stays inside the baseball at times, uses the whole field.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 73.8 mph. 228’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph.  Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady defender, clean hands, deliberate glove-to-hand exchange.
Run: 7.96 runner in the 60. 

Logan Tomlinson, Maine South (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 3B/1B
Body: 6-0, 200-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Relaxed setup, quiet pre-pitch actions. Strong athletic hands, fluid rhythm, feel for the barrel, and hard gap-to-gap contact.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 84.6 mph. 299’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 71 mph.  Short, high 3/4 slot, ability to throw from multiple arm angles.
Defense: Corner infield profile. Gets around the baseball and plays low to the ground, soft hands, clean gather to release.
Run: 7.94 runner in the 60. 

Tayden Washington, Plainfield East (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 6-0, 160-pounds. Lean, wiry frame with room to fill out.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, quiet rhythm and minimal pre-pitch actions. Quiet swing, athletic hands, flashed bat speed, length in path and was on the barrel to all fields.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 82.6 mph. 329’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph.  Ability to throw from multiple slots.
Defense: Fluid double play turn, quick feet, comfortable on the move, steady hands.
Run: 7.40 runner in the 60. 

Yuhki Yamada, Fremd (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 5-7, 145-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, leg-kick timing trigger. Simple swing, repeats line-drive contact.
Power: 84 max exit velocity, averaged 77.9 mph. 243’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. OF - 79 mph. Long arm action plays from a low 3/4 slot.
Defense: Quick footwork, comes and gets the baseball at times, plays through in rhythm.
Run: 6.93 runner in the 60. 

Billy Zitis, Maine South (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 6-0, 160-pounds. Wiry, high-waisted frame with room to add on strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, quiet load and long stride. Long-levers, long path, athletic hands at times and hard contact to both gaps.
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 79.2 mph. 295’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 74 mph.  High over the top slot, long arm action, some life and carry.
Defense: Feel for the position, loose actions, clean footwork.
Run: 7.63 runner in the 60. 

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