Prep Baseball Report

Joliet Preseason ID: Preview


By: Diego Solares
Associate Scout, Staff Writer

On Sunday, February 27th, the PBR Illinois staff will travel to Rhino Baseball Academy in Shorewood, IL., to host the second annual Joliet Preseason ID. This event concludes our winter showcase schedule and is open to all 2022-to-2025 high school grads.

For more information on the Joliet Preseason ID, including how to register, click HERE. To see which players are headed our way this Sunday, click HERE.

EVENT HISTORY

Last year was the first time we ran this event and there were certainly some notable names in attendance.

It was here last winter where RHP Ashton Izzi (Oswego East, 2022; Wichita State) had a true breakout performance and vaulted himself onto the draft circuit for the 2022 class. The 6-foot-3, 175-pound then junior pumped his fastball in at 92-94 mph with lightning quick arm speed and provided quite the upside look to our scouts.

Ashton Izzi


This was also the first time we were introduced to RHP Ryan Anderson (Minooka, 2024), who eventually went on to represent Team Illinois at the PBR Future Games as an underclassman. Anderson remains one of the top prospects in the state’s current sophomore class and he put together an extremely impressive ‘pen at this showcase last year.

Ryan Anderson


2022 ROSTER PREVIEW

We’re looking forward to seeing some of the talent on this roster, as several players will be making their PBR event debuts on Sunday.

One name we’ve become increasingly familiar with over the years is SS Easton Harris (Washington Community, 2022; Parkland JC). Making the trip up from Central Illinois for this event, Harris is a high-end 6-foot-2, 180-pound athlete that’s ranked inside the top-35 prospects in the state’s senior class. He owns a fairly loud skill-set and we’re expecting to see an all-around explosive performance from him.

Easton Harris


Another name-to-know senior on this roster is uncommitted RHP Alex Willey (Normal West, 2022). The 6-foot-5, 225-pound Willey was up to 85 mph this past summer at LakePoint and we’ve heard reports of his velocity climbing a few ticks this off-season.

1B Jude Allen (Providence Catholic, 2023) is a strong, physical right-handed hitter with advanced bat strength for his age with feel to hit as well. RHP Owen Hobbs (Champaign Central, 2023) stands at a highly projectable 6-foot-5, 170-pounds and we’re interested in seeing the progress he’s made this off-season. RHP Christopher McCormack (Naperville Central, 2023) and INF Will Pavlick (Oswego, 2023) both made positive impressions on our staff at the Rhino Scout Day in September. McCormack is a long, lanky 6-foot-1, 160-pound upside athlete with a low-80s fastball and feel for an above-average 12/6 curveball at 66-68 mph. Pavlick showed well in multiple facets at that event, working line drives to all fields in BP with a smooth up-the-middle glove to pair.

Will Pavlick


Sunday will be the first time our staff will see C/RHP Blaine Williams (Tremont, 2025) in-person, as he’s a name we’ve heard positive things about this off-season. The 5-foot-11, 165-pound freshman attended the Canes Scout Weekend in October and displayed well advanced arm strength for his age, reaching an 80 mph max from behind the plate while running his fastball up to 81 mph on the mound, too.

Blaine Williams

CHECK-IN PROCESS

Because of the high number of prospects set to attend Saturday's event, it is imperative that you read our adjusted showcase itinerary below, which will allow our staff to swiftly and efficiently educate and evaluate the players set to attend.

Additionally, in an effort to continue and develop contactless check-in strategies, upon arrival, players will scan a QR Code with their smartphone 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.

ITINERARY 

+ Check-in Times: (Times Subject To Change)

  • All Position Players: 8:30 am

  • All Pitchers-only: 12:30 pm

  • Catchers will stay for both sessions.

MORE EVENT DETAILS

Click here to learn more about our tech partners that have enhanced our players showcase experience. Partners like TrackMan, Blast Motion, and Vizual Edge 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. Wear baseball clothes; assigned and numbered PBR jerseys will be provided.

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