Lockport Preseason I.D.: Preview

On Monday, Feb. 17 (President’s Day), the PBR Illinois staff is headed back to Bo Jackson’s Elite Sports Dome, in Lockport, the site of the annual Lockport Preseason I.D. showcase. Annually, this event is one of the most heavily attended on our showcase calendar, with over 170 prospects slated to join us on Monday already – and registration is still open.

For sign-up details, click here. For a look at the most up-to-date roster, click here.

Here’s some historical analysis from this Lockport showcase: Looking at last year’s roster, there are already 37 commitments among them and there are 109 commitments among the 2018 group. And it was at this event last year that unsigned (at the time) 2020s became must-follows ahead of the spring season. OF Jake Donahue (Plainfield Central) went on to commit to Central Michigan and RHP Scott Harper (Minooka) is headed to JUCO powerhouse Wabash Valley.

Looking at this year’s uncommitted juniors slated to attend, C Hunter Hrycyk (Bolingbrook) is a name to know ahead of time. He’s a solid backstop with a strong, aggressive right-handed bat. Lincoln-Way Central twins Matthew and Michael Maloney spent time on varsity for the Knights and are both ranked on the state’s 2021 board. Ryan O’Neil started at shortstop for perennial contender Providence Catholic and is ranked just outside the state’s top-75.

Ryan O'Neil (2/18/19)

Elsewhere on the 2021 board, Sandburg’s John-Michael Scamuci (uncommitted) spent some time on varsity as a sophomore last spring on the infield, but we’ve also seen him take some quality reps from behind the plate, too. His athleticism makes him a versatile defender and he’s a competitive at-bat from the right-handed box.

Keep an eye on junior lefty Michael Bernas from Brother Rice. In a couple different looks last year, he worked consistently in the upper-70s, pitching with poise and competitive offspeed. And fellow junior Mark Brannigan, from Marist, has an athletic, thin 6-foot-1 frame worth following and he uses it especially well to chase it down from center field.

Beyond the juniors set to attend, watch for sophomore middle infielder Brendan Som (Niles West; uncommitted). He’s an athlete with some looseness in his right-handed swing. And Wheaton Warrenville South righty Tommy Boba (2022; uncommitted) is a young arm to know ahead of time. We saw him back in October where he sat 80-82 mph, touching 83, so it’ll be interesting to see how the offseason went for him.

Tommy Boba (10/20/19)

Arguably the top prospect to get familiar with ahead of Monday’s showcase is a 2024 grad set to attend Montini Catholic next fall: INF Cash Campbell. He broke out at the Illiana Preseason I.D. showcase three weeks ago and projects as a high-end left-handed bat. Campbell swings aggressively and is able to generate plus contact to his pull-side with relative ease, especially for his age.

Cash Campbell (1/20/20)

ITINERARY

• Check-in for Position Players: 8:20 to 8:40 a.m.

  • Offensive Evaluations (exit velo, mechanical analysis, batting practice)

  • Defensive Evaluations (arm strength, mobility, positional reps)

• Check-in for Pitchers only: 9:00 a.m. to 9:10 a.m.

  • Bullpen Sessions (15-pitch session, mechanical analysis)

  • Catcher Evaluations (evaluating receiving/blocking skills)

• Catchers will stay for both sessions.

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