Chicagoland Open: Preview
August 18, 2021
On Sunday, August 22, the PBR Illinois scouting staff will host the ninth annual Chicagoland Open at Triton College in River Grove, IL. This event is open to all current high school graduating classes and serves as an opportunity for our staff to get an up-to-date look, or a first glance, of those in attendance.
For a look at the event’s most up-to-date roster, click here. Registration remains open, and for sign-up information, click here.
EVENT HISTORY
There have been 204 players who have committed to play college baseball that attended this event since it’s inauguration in 2013.
The 2018 roster was a memorable one, as it was the first time we saw RHP Julius Sanchez (LaSalle Peru, 2022; Illinois) in a showcase setting. LHP Shane Curtin (Mount Carmel, 2022; Creighton) and RHP Tom Egan (Mount Carmel, 2021; Iowa Western CC) were in attendance as well, both of them eventually representing Team Illinois at the PBR Future Games.
MIF Cody Hultink (Pennfield, MI, 2021; Michigan commit), RHP Ryan Smith (Nazareth Academy, 2021; Illinois-Chicago), LHP Mason Sweeney (Fishers, IN, 2021; Akron) and RHP DJ Morand (Loyola Academy, 2021; Xavier) were all in attendance back in 2019, eventually committing to their respective Division I schools afterwards. It was also the first time we saw INF/RHP Angel Jimenez (Taft, 2024), who’s a follow name inside the state’s incoming sophomore class.
Last year’s roster was a talented bunch, led by RHP Josh McDevitt (Effingham) - a nationally ranked 2023 graduate that recently committed to Missouri. RHP Nick Drtina (Nazareth Academy, 2024) was in attendance last year and recently committed to Louisville as well. RHP Meade Johnson (Mattoon, 2021; Heartland CC) and RHP Richie Snider (Springfield, 2021; Illinois-Springfield) entered this event as uncommitted incoming seniors, committing shortly after. This was also our first introduction to INF Derrick Holmes (Brother Rice, 2025), who was a member of Team Illinois at the Junior Future Games a few weeks ago.
ROSTER PREVIEW
We’re eager to see plenty of new faces at Sunday's event, as this year’s roster is littered with names we haven’t seen up-close quite yet.
Set to attend this Sunday, however, is left-handed hitting INF James Novakovic (New Trier, 2024), a follow name in the state’s incoming sophomore class. Novakovic popped up a few years ago at the Junior Future Games with Team Illinois and has impressed our staff since then each time we’ve seen him.
ITINERARY
POSITION GROUPS
+ All Position Players Check-in: 8:45 AM
+ All Pitchers-only Check-in: 12:15 PM
MORE EVENT DETAILS
Click here to learn more about our tech partners that have enhanced our players showcase experience. Partners like TrackMan and Blast Motion have helped both our in-event evaluation process, as well the compilation of our post-event scouting reports – and they're also a tool for our players to learn more about their measured and collected data, that can be applied to improve upon their game.
Finally, masks are strongly encouraged during non-baseball activity. We will facilitate a contact-less check-in. Staff will wear masks throughout the event. Hand sanitizer stations will be accessible. Wear baseball clothes; assigned and numbered PBR jerseys will be provided.
CHECK-IN PROCESS
In an effort to continue and develop a simplified, contactless check-in process, upon arrival, players will scan a QR Code with their smart phone camera that will lead them to a Google Form. On that Form, players will enter their name (matching the spelling on their PBR profile) and hit submit. Upon submission, players will be prompted to click a link that will direct them to their jersey color and number, located next to their registered name. From there, players will be instructed to the area where they’ll pick up their designated jersey color and number.
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