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PBR Junior Future Games: Team Illinois' Takeaways

August 19, 2021
By Peter Hamot and Kevin Coe
Illinois Scouting Staff

On July 28 to Aug. 1, the Prep Baseball Report scouting staff collaborated to host the 2021 PBR Junior Future Games at the LakePoint Sports Complex in Emerson, Ga. This annual event consists of the top incoming freshman from each respective Prep Baseball Report state that participates and pits them against each other in tournament-style format.

Team Illinois had two 2025 teams who participated in the event.  Team 1 finished with a 3-1 record and Team 2 finished with a 2-2 record.  Both teams included some of the top 2025 players from around the state.  Here are some highlights from the weekend.  

JFG Takeaways: 

14U Team Illinois (1)

Incoming freshman OF Ezra Essex (Marion Catholic, 2025) already profiles as a true center-fielder at the next level. The 5-foot-7 140-pound Essex is an impressive athlete, and looks to have even more room to develop in the future. As a 6.69 laser-timed 60 runner, Essex has plus speed for his age to go along with athletic/natural outfield actions. During tournament play, he showcased the ability to read balls off the bat with a quick first-step and accurate routes, while also showcasing the ability to cut off balls deep in the outfield gaps. Essex is a cut and dry top of the order bat with a short/repeatable swing, loose hands, quick barrel, line-drive approach, lightning quick first step out of the box and the ability to lay down bunts for hits. Once Essex gets on the basepaths he is always looking to take the extra base and cause trouble for the opposing team, too, showcasing a small ball approach to the game that is extremely enjoyable to watch. 

UTL/RHP DaMaurion Butler (De La Salle Institute, 2025) proved to be one of the most versatile players at the event; seeing time on the infield, outfield and the mound. In the field, Butler possesses quick/athletic feet, smooth hands, easy range and a clean release with an arm that plays true from multiple positions, giving him the ability to play virtually anywhere. Butler came in relief during pool play and pounded the zone with a fastball that ran up to 79 mph, capping off his ability to play multiple positions. Butler is a true top of the order bat, seeing most of his time in the tournament from the two-hole in the order. The right-handed hitting Butler brought a confident approach to the lineup with the ability to rope line-drives all over the yard. Truly a weapon on the basepaths, Butler was always looking to swipe the extra bag and put himself in scoring position. The highlight of the tournament for Butler came in game one when he delivered a walk-off single over the second baseman to give Illinois the opening game victory.

Arguably the best pitching performance for Team Illinois came from RHP Bernabe Astorga III (Eisenhower, 2025). The right-hander tossed a no-hitter in the third and final game of pool play in addition to a scoreless inning the day before. Astorga used a mid-70s fastball to attack the zone and get ahead of hitters early, along with a curveball/changeup mix to keep hitters off-balance later in the count. With a low-effort delivery, Astorga produces easy velocity that should see an increase as he continues to mature/develop. 

C Quinn Schambow (Libertyville, 2025) was a big-winner at the event showing the ability to be a legit back-stop with power-hitting potential. Schambow is the definition of a reliable catcher as a sure-handed receiver that also showed athleticism out of the crouch paired with a strong arm. Schambow showcased his arm on multiple occasions, cutting down attempted base-stealers with a pop-time clocked as low a 2.03 and also on the mound where he was up to 81 mph. The right-handed hitter saw most of his time from the four-hole in the lineup, profiling as a middle of the order bat at the next-level. Hard hit balls from Schambow were the norm during this event, continually finding barrels with impressive exit velocity. 
Quinn Schambow

One of the highest upsides at the event belongs to RHP/1B Brady Rosenkranz (Stevenson, 2025). The 6-foot-3 185-pound right-hander has all the makings of a high-level pitcher; long-limbs, clean arm, minimal effort and he already has a feel for multiple pitches. Rosenkranz mowed down a tough Missouri lineup with a fastball that reached 80 mph, on top of a curveball/changeup mix that he can throw in any count. Rosenkranz should continue to gain velocity as he matures and adds on strength in the future. As only an incoming freshman, he has a legit chance to see time on varsity this coming season for the Patriots.

Brady Rosenkranz

C Brandon Stinson (Kenwood Academy, 2025) was another legit backstop on this squad. The 5-foot-11 170-pound Stinson possesses smooth hands behind the plate that work to frame pitches in and around the zone while also being a willing blocker of balls in the dirt. Stinson flashed a pop time as low as 2.12 to make would-be base stealers think twice about running on him. The Illinois product also saw time at third base, carrying over his smooth hands from behind the plate to the hot corner. Stinson possesses a loose, athletic swing at the plate, on top of his defensive abilities, with barrel control and easy exit velocity from a line-drive approach. 

UTL Charles Meister (Hersey, 2025) bounced around the diamond as a utility type that wielded a potent right-handed stroke, too. Meister saw time behind the plate, shortstop, third base, first base, left field and on the mound. The 5-foot-11 170-pound Meister has a smooth, repeatable swing with noteworthy juice off the barrel. Meister was the game one starter for pool play on the mound and competed well against a talented Arkansas lineup. The right-hander featured a fastball that topped out at 83 mph on top of a sharp 11/5 breaking ball in the 69-72 mph range. Behind the plate, Meister has soft hands that work under the baseball, while his arm also plays true with quick/athletic feet producing a pop time as low as 2.06. Meister’s versatility allows multiple routes for success at the next level.

RHP/3B Gael Urbieta (Loyola Academy, 2025) established himself as a reliable starting pitcher with corner infield abilities. The right-hander tossed four strong innings against a solid New Jersey club on the last day of the tournament, running his fastball up to 80 mph which he paired with a sharp 11/5 breaking ball and changeup with fastball arm-speed. Urbieta took the ball and led Illinois to their third win of the tournament to help the squad finish with a 3-1 overall record. At third base, Urbieta moves well for his size and also features smooth hands with a strong arm across the diamond. The right-handed bat profiles in the middle of the order, featuring a repeatable swing, loose arms, strong hands and an ability to backspin on the ball. 

One of the most projectable and athletic players in the event was OF Lance Moon (Brother Rice, 2025). A twitchy 5-foot-7, 140-pound athlete, Moon profiles in the outfield at the next level with athletic feet, accurate reads off the bat, and an accurate throwing arm. From an offensive standpoint, Moon stays short to the baseball, maintaining a level plane through contact and working to all fields. Like so many others on Team Illinois, Moon was a menace on the bases, stealing any chance he got with athletic jumps and quality dirt ball reads.

To say RHP/OF Ryan Dabe (Huntley; 2025) was a weapon for Team Illinois is an understatement. Dabe came out of the ‘pen for Illinois in game one and proceeded to shut down a potent Arkansas lineup for three innings to help seal the game one victory. Dabe came out of the pen once again in the final game of the tournament, tossing a clean three-up, three-down inning to seal the win. It's a low effort operation with a quality fastball-slider combo that was uncomfortable for opposing hitters. The 6-foot-1, 160-pound Dabe also saw time in the outfield and at second base, where he showed athletic actions and feel for both positions. The right-handed bat delivered multiple clutch hits throughout the tournament, with an athletic swing and a level path, maintaining balance through contact.

INF Karlos Otero (2025) showcased legit middle infield skills over the course of the tournament. He's a twitchy athlete with quick feet, athletic actions, easy range to both sides and a strong arm that produced accurate throws from multiple slots. Otero profiles as a top of the order bat in the years to come with quick hands and a patient approach at the plate.

MIF/OF Tyler Rwakatare-Trapp (Lane Tech, 2025) established himself as yet another legit athlete on the Team Illinois roster. Seeing time both in the outfield and middle-infield, Rwakatare-Trapp’s athleticism easily transferred to both positions. The right-handed bat was responsible for igniting some key moments for the Team Illinois offense, both with the bat and stealing bases. He can be a weapon capable of bouncing around the diamond.

14U Team Illinois (2)

1B/LHP Conor Essenburg showed out as one of the top prospects to represent Team Illinois, regardless of age or class. He's a lanky, long-levered 6-foot, 155-pound athlete with a smooth right-handed stroke that creates leverage to generate power. There's potential for Essenburg to be a polished, all-fields power threat as he continues to mature. Essenburg showed well at first base during the workout portion and throughout the tournament, profiling as an asset there in the long run. Perhaps his most apt ability is on the mound, where he looks the part of a high-end prospect in the state's 2025 class. It's a loose left-handed arm with advanced arm speed for his age. He spotted up a two-seam fastball on both sides of the plate and he landed his curveball for strikes, too.

Conor Essenburg

INF Jackson Natanek (Brother Rice, 2025) cemented himself as high-level up-the-middle defender down in LakePoint. He ranges effortlessly to both sides with quick feet and an accurate, athletic arm that can play from multiple angles. His sure-handed glove was a staple for Team Illinois all tournament long, making all the routine plays look relatively easy. He showed off his skill-set by making a sliding back hand play in the hole on a hard hit ball that was thought to be a base hit. He stopped the ball quickly and rose to his feet and fired a strike to first completing a highly advanced play. His approach at the plate is noteworthy and advanced for someone his age, with a short, direct swing to contact. Natanek has the potential to be a complete, all-around player that can impact the game in multiple areas.

Jackson Natanek

INF/RHP Jack Wheeler (Morris, 2025) is yet another promising two-way prospect that donned the Team Illinois jersey throughout the tournament. He's a thin, long-levered 6-foot-3, 165-pound athlete with wiry strength attached. He swings a loose right-handed bat with an innate ease for staying on plane, generating backspin through contact. Defensively, Wheeler is light on his feet and covers plenty of ground with his long, athletic strides. His arm plays accurate to his target from a loose, athletic slot and produces carry across the diamond. That arm talent translates to the mound, where he was up to 81 mph with his fastball, sitting at 78-80 mph throughout. He can spin a sharp breaking ball off an 11/5 plane in the low-70s as well, throwing it with plenty of intent and at arm speed.

Jack Wheeler

LHP/OF Talan Hull (Galva, 2025) is a big-bodied 6-foot-2, 195-pound southpaw who throws a heavy downhill fastball that works around the strike zone, topping at 80 mph during the tourney. Hull also ripped off several sharp mid-to-high-60s breaking balls that spun off a 1/7 plane. There's plenty of raw power inside his left-handed stroke too, as we saw him flash capable of driving the baseball with authority.

Talan Hull

C/INF Jaden Fauske (Nazareth, 2025) made his third appearance at the Junior Future Games this year, as the left-handed hitting utility man looks the part as a top prospect in the state's incoming freshman class. He's a wiry 6-foot, 155-pound athlete with plenty of room to continue growing and fill out his frame. He, like several other members of Team Illinois, is an advanced offensive threat with advanced zone awareness and plenty of comfort when it comes to handling the barrel. There's certainly middle-of-the-order potential with Fauske. His best asset right now, however, may be his glove, as he's shown flashes of high-level defense at two up-the-middle positions. How he presents the baseball and the all-around ease that Fauske works with behind the plate are certainly advanced, comfortably captaining the Team Illinois pitching staff in his time back there. He also took an impressive round of infield defense on the workout day, floating around the dirt like a natural. Fauske also hopped on the mound later in the tournament and topped at 80 mph with his fastball, flashing arm-side sink and feel for the zone.

Jaden Fauske

CIF Enzo Infelize (Providence Catholic, 2025) showed advanced offensive capabilities throughout the weekend as a key piece to this lineup. He boasts bat strength and barrel awareness inside his right-handed stroke, flashing pull-side power during gameplay with several extra-base hits. Against Mid Atlantic, Infelize hit a foul ball well beyond the left field fence, showcasing the type of pop he has that way. He's a sure-handed defender on the corners as well that topped at 82 mph across the diamond at Wednesday's workout.

INF Phillip Thigpen (Kenwood, 2025) is an athletic prospect that performed well in multiple spots for Team Illinois. He started at second base and turned two double plays with a quick exchange and release at the bag, with above-average range to pair. There's top-of-the-order type upside with Thigpen, as he's capable of setting the table offensively at the plate. He understands the strike zone and drew several walks. His athleticism makes him a menace on the bases, swiping multiple bags when he reached base.

OF Derrion Howard (Leo, 2025) has an athletic 6-foot-1, 140-pound frame that projects to add strength. He ran a 7.08 in the 60-yard dash, amongst the fastest of the pod, and his athleticism translates into the batter's box, too. Howard's loose levers allow him to whip the barrel through the zone, maintaining balance throughout with quick hands. He worked gap-to-gap and consistently barreled up line drives to all fields. He showed well in the outfield as well, gliding to the baseball and covering plenty of ground.

C Tyler Humphrey (Washington Community, 2025) popped as another follow name after a strong showing at LakePoint. He's a strong 5-foot-11, 160-pound athlete with bat speed that stays short to contact from the right-handed batter's box. His feel to handle the barrel and use the entire field is an impressive part of his offensive game. Humphrey's carrying asset right now, however, may be his glove. He projects to be a staple behind the dish with soft hands and above-average arm strength, working quick to the bag. That arm strength translated when he hopped on the mound and topped at 81 mph with his fastball.  

C John McAuliffe (Marist, 2025) is an advanced athlete for his age with a quality left-handed stroke, advanced above his age offensively. He worked on the barrel throughout the weekend and showed comfortable feel for the gaps. McAuliffe showed soft hands and a short, quick arm that works from a high 3/4 slot behind the plate. He projects to be a high-end left-handed hitter.

RHP/3B AJ Putty (Huntley, 2025) projects as a high-follow name on the mound, one that could be of impact for the Red Raiders early on in his prep career. He's a strong, physical 6-foot-3, 200-pound athlete that was up to 80 mph at LakePoint with feel for a sharp breaking ball, too. There's plenty of upside in Putty's offensive game too, as he oozes raw power within a potent right-handed stroke. He recorded the hardest hit ball of the Junior Future Games IL/WI workout pod, barreling one up at 96 mph.

INF/RHP Derrick Holmes (Brother Rice, 2025) looked the part as a quality two-way performer for Team Illinois (2) throughout the tournament. He's a quick-twitch 5-foot-10, 150-pound athlete that showed well at the plate, peppering line drives across the field with a short, level swing. Holmes served as an asset on the bases for Team Illinois, consistently taking quality jumps and swiping bags with ease. Defensively, his athleticism allows him to make tough plays look easy, with quick feet and present arm strength to pair. On the mound you can see his competitive spirit, challenging hitters with his fastball and breaking ball combo. His fastball topped at 77 mph, flashing natural sinking action from a lower release angle, while his curveball played with more lateral sweeping action in the low-to-mid-60s.

Derrick Holmes

13U Team Illinois

Illinois also had one team at the 13U level as well. 12 2026 graduates formed Team Illinois, who finished the week going 1-3. Their lone win was a 9-7 victory over Team Missouri/Kansas in their second game of the event. See more on the 13U roster below. 

NAME
 POSITION HEIGHT WEIGHT
Jaxson Crancer OF 5-5 135lbs 2026
Max Heineman C 5-7 145lbs 2026
Dominic Infelise 3B 5-11 170lbs 2026
Joey Ireland SS 5-9 120lbs 2026
Kamrin Jenkins SS 5-9 135lbs 2026
Dylan Kassab C 5-7 145lbs 2026
Haiden Lajcin OF 5-8 120lbs 2026
Callaghan O'Connor SS 6-3 175lbs 2026
Jason Phillips 3B 6-0 185lbs 2026
Drew Stevens SS 5-3 120lbs 2026
Pancho Vazquez C 5-7 155lbs 2026
Jaylen Ware 2B 5-8 130lbs 2026


MORE

CLICK HERE for a look at all of the position player stats from the Illinois Workout Day. 

CLICK HERE for a look at all the pitching velocities from Team Illinois and all other prospects at the Junior Future Games.

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