Illinois Prospects at the Super 60

January 30, 2020
By Andy Sroka & Drew Locascio
Illinois Staff

All throughout this month, PBR National Supervisor Nathan Rode has been spotlighting each and every one of the participating prospects set to take part in this year's illustrious Super 60 Pro Showcase at The MAX facility in McCook, Ill., on Sunday, Feb. 2.

The 18th annual Super 60 will feature 10 prospects from Illinois, representing each corner of the state of the state. All 10 are also representing the class of 2020 and are among the top talents within the Midwest, as well as the country.

Ben Hernandez RHP / De La Salle, IL / 2020

Hernandez represents the top-ranked in-state prospect of the bunch and is among, if not the, most exciting arms set to take the mound on Sunday. It was around this time last year that Hernandez exploded onto the national scene after an electric bullpen at a preseason PBR Illinois event. From there, Hernandez collected invitations to high-profile events throughout 2019. If that’s what he accomplished after last offseason, we’re eager to see just how productive this past offseason has been. The record for top fastball velocity in the Super 60’s history may be in jeopardy over the weekend.

Christian Knapczyk SS / 2B / Joliet Catholic , IL / 2020

As the No. 3-ranked prospect in the state, Knapczyk is one of the best middle infielders in the Midwest and, thus, the country. The Louisville commit has been one of the state’s best talents before he even stepped foot onto Joliet Catholic’s campus, and it’s all culminated into this senior season in which he’s beginning to force his way into a more national conversation. The best parts of his game are some that require multiple viewings: his baseball IQ is off the charts and his slick defense often makes the difficult look so routine it’s easy to overlook. Knapczyk also has an adept spray approach from the left side, but his advanced barrel control and situational awareness allow him to leverage balls a little easier than you might expect from someone listed at 5-foot-9, 150 pounds. He’s the type who can make a big splash in front of the right audience on Sunday.

Jack Payton C / Brother Rice, IL / 2020

The top-ranked catcher in the state, and among the best backstops in the country, is another Louisville-bound prospect headed to The MAX on Sunday. Payton is a special defender. The strength in his hands and forearms help him receive pitches with ease, corralling them from the edge of the strike zone back into it with ease. His athleticism from behind the plate also allows him to calmly stifle balls in the dirt and his arm strength is a weapon that wards off would-be base stealers. That same kind of strength allows Payton to backspin baseballs with lift and his knowledge as a receiver serves him well in the right-handed batter’s box, too.

Drake Westcott 1B / Edwardsville, IL / 2020

Westcott, another Louisville commit, has garnered attention and praise for his particularly pretty left-handed swing. It’s easy, loose and should be among the best pure power at the Super 60. Westcott’s athleticism continues to improve and he has turned himself into an asset at first base. He’s light-footed for a 6-foot-3, 217 pound prospect, and his soft hands should allow him to be a confident target for his fellow infielders. Westcott, recently named to the PBR Illinois All-Decade Team, has been a force in the middle of the Edwardsville lineup since his freshman season. Westcott will look to culminate his sensational high school career with a strong showing this Sunday as well as trying to win consecutive 4A state championships with the Tigers.

Jack Crowder RHP / Plainfield East, IL / 2020

From Plainfield East, Crowder was among the highest risers in the Midwest over 2019. Crowder continues to transform his 6-foot-4, 225-pound frame and wields one of the strongest arms in the state, which we have seen up to 94 mph, sitting 88-93. The Illinois commits arm works free and easy with seemingly much more in the tank and feel for three pitches. It could be easy to see Crowder walking away as one of the biggest winners from the Super 60 showcase.

Ben Wiegman RHP / Carmel Catholic, IL / 2020

Wiegman and Crowder draw some similarities, ranked back-to-back on the Illinois board as big right-handers with serious arm strength. Wiegman is yet another Louisville-bound athlete on this roster and spent a lot of time in 2019 pitching against the highest level of competition, making the national rounds. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound, broad-shouldered, barrel-chested, right-hander has shown an ability to hold his big velocity, 90-94 mph, for multiple innings and, also like Crowder, if he shows improved secondary, he will undoubtedly come out of the event on the rise. Wiegman is one of the many Illinois arms who could scare the Super 60 top fastball record.

Isaiah Jackson OF / RHP / Champaign Central, IL / 2020

The kind of athleticism Jackson is harboring is, simply put, rare. The long-levered 6-foot-5, 185-pound prospect will bring with him to The MAX and elite toolset. He’s a sub-6.70 runner, creates advanced exit velocity, and has been all the way up to 94 mph on the mound in the past. Reports have been surfacing that Jackson has ran his fastball into the mid-to-upper 90’s as of late and may have the liveliest arm in attendance. It is no secret, Jackson’s ability to harness and improve his secondary offerings will be one of the biggest things pro scouts will be looking for and could ultimately elevate the high-level talent up draft boards. Jackson will be the lone two-way prospect representing the state of Illinois on Sunday. Expect more wild, off-the-charts statistics from Jackson and we’ll see if another offseason of work helped his game coalesce.

Tre Hondras SS / OF / Homewood-Flossmoor, IL / 2020

Hondras is an all-around, versatile athlete who plays the game with an infectious enthusiasm and unconscious aggressiveness that should serve him well, whether that’s at Homewood-Flossmoor, Michigan, or beyond. Listed at a strong 6-foot, 180 pounds, Hondras is a competitive right-handed hitter with loose hands, that help create above-average jump from the barrel. Defensively, he’s capable of roaming center field – with the right kind of footspeed to chase it down – or he could cover up the middle of an infield. Either way, Hondras is fun to watch and you can expect more of the same on Sunday.

Connor Hincks SS / 2B / Benet, IL / 2020

The Virginia-committed middle infielder from Benet Academy has seen his game steadily take strides since his appearance at the Future Games in 2018. Hincks has a keen feel for the barrel, loose athletic hands and stays inside the baseball. Hincks has always stayed within himself with a confident, relaxed look in the box but added strength as of late has allowed the smooth-swinging, left-handed hitter, to drive balls with more authority as of late. Defensively, he is a natural infield defender, playing with ease, fluidity and soft, sure-hands. Hincks can play on the move with advanced body control and his arm plays accurately across the diamond. Left-handed hitting shortstops are always a high-commodity and Hincks is bound to make an impression on Sunday.

Josh Dima LHP / OF / Belleville West, IL / 2020

It was an impressive 2019 for Dima, a legitimate two-way, left/left athlete who rocketed onto radars. He committed to mid-major powerhouse Illinois State in April of last year and we got a first-hand look at the progress he made last October at the St. Louis Open. There, Dima cemented himself as a high-level prospect in the state, impressing in all facets of his game. Despite the impressive BP he took it was his arm that turned heads. Dima sat 87-90 mph on the mound and was an easy 93 mph from the outfield. With the kind of easy arm strength Dima possesses it is hard to deny his highest-ceiling will be on the mound; especially given the fact that he is left-handed. The ball jumps out of Dima’s hand and he also flashed two off-speed pitches with swing-and-miss potential. Dima should be one of the more under-the-radar names representing Illinois.