The Fox River Open was held on Monday, June 11, at The MAX in McCook. Nearly 50 prospects from all high school classes participated in a pro-style workout in front of the Illinois scouting staff. On Monday we began the rollout of the event with a look at the catchers in attendance followed by infielder and outfielders.

Today, pitcher’s get their turn in the spotlight. 2019s Nikolas Panico and Logan Romasanta separated themselves at the top with their physical physiques and powerful arms. While Dane Edwards, Christian Webb, and Jacob May are each projectable in their own right. Below we ranked the top five pitchers and rolled-out the best of the rest.

Top Pitching Prospects

1. Nikolas Panico, C/RHP, Kaneland, 2019
6-foot-3, 225-pound, physically-built, strong upper and lower halves, two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, weight starts back, short toe-tap stride, maintains balance. Power hitter with pull-side tendency, uphill barrel bath, gains extension through the zone, present bat speed, 93 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.46 laser-timed 60. Defensively, short, over-the-top slot, soft hands, clean on exchanges, 78 mph out of the crouch, pop times ranged between 2.16-2.24. On the mound, long, loose arm action, gets out front, high ¾ slot. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands square, finishes in an athletic position. Fastball, mostly straight, 83-86. Curveball, 11/5 shape, thrown with intent, has depth, tight spin, feel for, 70-73. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, sinking action, 76-78. Split-finger, late tumble, located, 69-73.

2. Logan Romasanta, C/RHP, South Elgin, 2019
6-foot-1, 235-pound, physical two-way prospect. On the mound, stretch-only, short, quick arm action, high ¾ slot, regular effort. Momentum works down the mound toward home, lands square, finishes walking down the mound. Fastball, slight sink, 83-85, touched 86. Curveball, 11/5 shape, late action, thrown with near fastball arm speed, glove-side feel, 69-71. Offensively, tall setup, wrap load, leg kick timing-trigger. Long, uphill barrel path, power hitter with pull-side tendency, 92 mph exit velocity. Defensively, long arm action, high ¾ slot, 77 mph out of the crouch, pop times ranged 2.12-2.19. Ran a 7.78 laser-timed 60.

3. Dane Edwards, 1B/RHP, Rockridge, 2021
6-foot-3, 200-pound, large frame, lower half strength, right handed hitting first baseman. Offensively, balanced tall setup, slight drop load, short stride, small leg kick, maintains balance. Uphill barrel path, line drive swing, extension through baseball, power potential, exit velocity of 86 off tee. Defensively, throws 75-mph across infield, short arm action, high ¾ release. Ran 7.63 in the 60. On the mound stays closed throughout, athletic landing positioning. Fastball sits in lower part of zone, between 79-80 mph. Curveball has a 11/5 shape with good depth, consistent arm speed, feel for pitch, between 61-64 mph. Change-up thrown in lower part of zone, out pitch, sits between 69-74 mph.  

4. Christian Webb, 1B/RHP, Yorkville, 2020.
6-foot-4, 205-pound, lanky, right handed hitting first baseman. Offensively, balanced tall setup, short  stride, backload, exit velocity of 82 off the tee. Level bat path, long, uphill finish, line drive swing. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ delivery, throws 75-mph across infield. Runs 7.79 in the 60. On the mound, engages lower half, athletic landing, finishes out front, long over the top release. Fastball commanded in lower part of zone, touching 83 mph, sat between 80-82. Curveball flashed bite, 11/5 shape, outer third, 66-67 mph. Change-up showed sink, similar arm action to fastball, 76-77 mph. Knuckleball displayed downward movement, 74-78 mph.  

5. Jacob May, RHP, Dundee-Crown, 2022
6-foot-1, 150-pound, lanky, athletically-built right-handed pitcher, lean projectable frame. Short, clean arm action, high ¾ slot, regular effort. Tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm, works on-line, slight cross-body, lands square. Fastball, throws two versions, one from high ¾ another from low ¾ slot. High ¾ fastball features run and sink, sat 75-77, topped out at 78. Low ¾ fastball has running action, 73-77. Curveball, 11/5 shape, feel for, thrown with fastball arm speed, sharp break, 65-67.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Constantino Alivia, C/RHP, Carmel Catholic, 2019
6-foot, 165-pound lanky two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, open setup, smooth load, short stride, maintains balance. Gap-to-gap hitter with effort, fluid rhythm, present bat speed, 83 mph exit velocity. Defensively, short arm action, over-the-top slot, quick footwork, 76 mph out of the crouch, pop times ranged 2.26-2.34. Ran a 7.29 laser-timed 60. On the mound, long arm action, high ¾ slot, regular effort. Drop and drive delivery, works on-line, lands closed. Fastball, slight run, 76-78. Slider, 10/4 shape, near fastball arm speed, 68-71. Knuckleball, tumble at-times, 64-68.

Joshua Belgrave, RHP, Cary-Grove, 2019
6-foot-2, 165-pound, lanky, athletic right-handed pitcher. Loose arm action, short on the back-side, gets out front quickly, over-the-top slot. Tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm, works on-line, lands square, finishes with a short cross over. Fastball, gets on top, tilt, 79-81. Curveball, shape varied between 12/6 and 11/5, thrown with near fastball arm speed, commanded, 65-68. Changeup, boring action, kept down in the zone, 71-74.

Charles Bien, INF/RHP, Grayslake Central, 2022
5-foot-11, 180-pound, athletic, right handed hitting infielder, pitcher. Offensively, tall balance setup, small leg kick, short stride, smooth load, maintains balance throughout. Short level bat path, barrel drags through zone, line drive approach, uphill finish, 76-mph exit velocity off tee. Defensively, long loose arm action, ¾ arm slot, repeatable hand placement, 71-mph across the infield. Ran 8.0 in the 60. On the mound, drop down delivery, ¾ arm slot, lands square, stays in line. Fastball had run, lower quadrants of strike zone, sat between 70-74 mph, touching 75. Slider used as put away pitch, gradual action on outer third of plate, sat between 63-66 mph. Change-up showed depth, consistently sat lower part of zone, had fade, sat between 62-66 mph.      

Keegan Brandt, OF/LHP, Conant, 2019
5-foot-11, 185-pound, athletic build, projectable, left handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, slightly opened, balanced stance, small leg kick, short stride, hip coil, engaged lower half, balanced finish. Short path to the baseball, above average bat speed, 82-mph off the tee, line drive hitter approach, power potential, fluid rhythm. Ran a 7.43 in the 60. Defensively, showed a clean exchange, repeatable footwork, plays through baseball, aggressive momentum through target. Short, clean arm action, over the top release, carry on throws, 75-mph from outfield. On the mound, high over the top release, short arm action, high leg kick, lands out front. Fastball thrown for strikes, low in zone, sat between 72-75 mph. Curveball comes from 1/7 slot, put away pitch, sat between 63-64 mph.

Hunter Eastham, INF/RHP, Beecher, 2019
6-foot, 165-pound, long, athletic build, right-handed hitting infielder. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth load, short toe-tap stride, above average balance. Stays short to ball, quiet hands, level bat path, late uphill finish, sprays baseball. Exit velocity of 80 mph off tee. Defensively, short quick arm action, high ¾ arm slot, 71 mph across infield. Quick clean exchange, repeatable footwork, athletic fielding position. Ran 7.59 in 60. On the mound, stayed tall throughout, high leg kick, square landing, out front, athletic positioning. Fastball had slight sink, run, sat between 72-74 mph. Curveball 12/6 slot, slows arm speed down, thrown for strikes, sat between 60-62 mph. Change-up displayed slight sink, lower third of strike zone, 63-66 mph.      

Luke Fiantago, INF/RHP, Prairie Ride, 2019
5-foot-8, 160-pound, right handed hitting infielder and pitcher. Offensively, crouched balanced set up, smooth load, short stride, utilizes lower half. Above average bat speed, short bat path, line drive approach, fluid rhythm, 84 exit velocity off tee. Defensively, quick fluid footwork, ranges to both sides, natural infield actions, soft hands, plays through the baseball, clean exchange. Long loose arm action, high ¾ release, 85 mph across infield. 7.04 runner in the 60. Right-handed pitcher, crouched setup, finishes out front, athletic position, maintains high ¾ delivery. Fastball showed slight run, topped at 78-mph, sat between 75-77. Curveball showed gradual downward action, 11/5 shape, sat between 66-67 mph. Change-up displayed sink, same arm action as fastball, good feel, 70-73 mph.

Joe Fox, RHP, New Trier, 2019
6-foot-5, 210-pounds, extra-large frame, wide shoulders, thick base, right-handed pitcher. Long arm action, short stab on the back-side, ¾ slot, regular effort. Tall and fall delivery, momentum works towards home, lands square, finishes athletically. Fastball, run action, can be heavy at-times, kept around zone, sat 80-81. Curveball, 11/5 shape, gradual break, some feel for, 64-68. Changeup, fade action, located, 70-73.

Carson Harvey, LHP, Plainfield South, 2019
6-foot, 210-pound, left-handed pitcher. Works out of a high ¾ slot, short arm action, regular effort. Drop and drive delivery, smooth rhythm, momentum works on-line, lands square. Fastball, slight run, commanded, sat 77-78, touched 80. Curveball, 1/7 shape, near fastball arm speed, located, 61-63. Changeup, maintains close to fastball arm speed, 62-64.  

Mick Howlett, LHP, St. Charles North, 2021
6-foot-2, 220-pound, left-handed pitcher. Works out of a ¾ window, short arm action, some effort. Drop and drive delivery, works on-line, lands square, finishes spinning off towards third base. Fastball, commanded, mostly straight, flashed run, 71-74, touched 76. Curveball, 1/7 shape, gradual break, 55-58. Changeup, mostly straight, 61-63.

Clayton McKinstry, OF/RHP, Grant Park, 2021
5-foot-11, 155-pound, long, lanky, right handed hitting outfielder. Offensively, tall setup, slight bend in knees, short stride, short to baseball. Short, level barrel path, 78-mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, Long arm action, high ¾ arm slot, plays through baseball, routine route to baseball, 66-mph from outfield. Ran 7.15 in the 60. On the mound, high leg kick, lands open,  athletic finish. Long arm action, high ¾ release. Fastball sits between 63-65 mph, slight run, sits in lower part of zone. Change-up showed slight sink, fade, arm speed near fastball. Sat between 57-59 mph.

Ulysses Munoz, INF/RHP, Romeoville, 2021
6-foot-2, 175-pound, projectable athletic, wide shouldered, right handed hitting infielder. Hits from open, balanced setup, high leg kick, hip coil, short stride, consistent balance throughout. Short bat path, barrel stays in zone throughout swing, extension through ball, uphill finish, line drive gap-gap approach, exit velocity of 75-mph off tee. Defensively, impressive first step, fluid footwork, athletic fielding position, clean exchange, above average hands for age level. Short arm action, high ¾ arm slot, quick release, throws 74-mph across infield. Ran 8.07 in the 60. On the mound, quick delivery, high leg kick, over top delivery, athletic fielding finish. Fastball showed good command, strikes, 74-77 mph, touched 78. Curveball had good feel, 11/5 shape, showed some depth, 66-71 mph. Change-up displayed good sink, consistent arm action, side spin, sat between 66-70 mph.

Christopher Rafford, OF/RHP, Prairie Ridger, 2019
5-foot-11, 175 pound, lanky, right handed hitting outfielder. Impressed with speed, running 6.64 in the 60, an event best time. Hits from a tall balanced setup, short stride, backload, maintains balance throughout. Displayed a level bat path, extension through ball, exit velocity of 78-mph off the tee. Defensively, displayed consistent footwork, played through baseball, above average hands, followed through on throws. Long arm action, ¾ arm slot, quick out of hand, 68-mph from outfield. On the mound, high separation with hands, hitch in motion, arm whips from side, low ¾ release in delivery. Fastball has natural run, sits between 66-67 mph. Slider comes from 10/4 slot, outer half, 60-63 mph. Change-up similar arm speed to fastball, fades to lower third of zone, can be thrown for strike, sits between, 63-65 mph.

Baylor Rowell, INF/RHP, Lake Zurich, 2022
5-foot-10, 150-pound, lanky projectable, left handed hitting infielder. Offensively, wide closed setup, crouched, short stride, back load, maintains balance. Short bat path, top hand action, stays inside baseball, pull tendencies, consistent rhythm, 77-mph exit velocity off tee. Defensively, athletic body placement, loose long arm action, high ¾ slot, 69-mph across the infield. Was a 7.37 runner in the 60. As a pitcher, quick arm action,  ¾ delivery, finishes over front side, athletic fielding position, repeatable. Fastball sits between 72-73 mph with sink. Curveball 11/5 action, gradual downward movement, thrown for strikes, between 61-64 mph. Change-up displayed run, lower third location, between 66-68 mph.

Collin Ryan, INF/RHP, Hampshire, 2021
5-foot-10, 150-pound, athletic, right handed hitting infielder. Offensively, balanced setup, leg kick, drop load, short stride, maintains balance. Middle of the field approach, stays inside baseball, level swing path, extension through baseball, fluid rhythm, exit velocity of 70-mph off tee. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ slot, throws 71-mph across infield. Ran 8.07 in the 60. On the mound, fluid linear delivery, remains in high ¾ slot, out front finish. Fastball showed slight run, thrown for strikes, sat between 69-71 mph. Curveball 12/6 shape, strikes, 58-59 mph. Change-up sat between 63-65. Knuckleball sat in lower thirds of zone, between 59-61 mph.     

Dylan Schick, RHP, Batavia, 2019
6-foot-2, 165-pound, lanky, right-handed pitcher. Long arm action, short stab on the back-side, high ¾ slot, regular effort. Tall and fall delivery, pitches with some rhythm, works on-line, lands square. Fastball, mostly straight, some sink and run at-times, sat 77-80, topped 81. Curveball, shape varied between 11/5 and 12/6, flashed depth and bite, 68-70. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, fade action, 71-74.

Jake Shoudis, RHP, Lemont, 2019
6-foot-3, 185-pound, lanky right-handed pitcher. Long arm action, slot varies between high ¾ and ¾, regular effort. Tall and fall delivery, pitches with some rhythm, works on-line, lands square. Fastball, slight run, 76-77, touching 78. Curveball, 11/5 shape, early break, near fastball arm speed, located in the zone, 59-62. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, cutting action, 61-63.  

Nicholas Sladek, INF/LHP, Hampshire, 2019
6-foot, 175-pound, well-proportioned, athletically-built, left-handed hitting infielder. 7.29 runner in the 60, laser-timed. At the plate, open setup, loads hands and long, leg-kick stride. Uphill bat path and 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, at first base, steady hands, clean transfer. Arm works short and quick, throws clocked at 77 mph across the diamond. On the mound, left-handed pitcher, works from the stretch only, regular effort throughout. Short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, flashed arm-side-run, thrown for strikes, 76-78 mph, touched 79. Curveball works 1/7, gradual action, 62-67 mph.

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