Prep Baseball Report

Preseason All-State Underclass: Outfield Analysis


By: Illinois Scouting Staff

On Feb. 25, the PBR Illinois staff hosted the Preseason All-State: Underclass showcase at The MAX in McCook, Ill., featuring many of the state’s top players inside both the 2025 and 2026 classes. This event helped our staff gain a clearer picture of the on-the-rise underclassmen in Illinois and who needs to be followed closely this spring and beyond. 

To view the event’s landing page, roster, and stats collected, click here

We began the positional analysis with a look at the catchers. Today we take a look at all of the outfielders. We also ranked some of the top 2025 outfielders, as well as 2026s from their performance from that day.

Read on below for a look at all of the outfielders from the day.

TOP 2025 OUTFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Joey Arend, St Charles East (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 6-0, 160-pounds. Athletic build with room for continued physical development.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, slight leg kick trigger, fluid overall look and swing. Loose, athletic hands, intent and present bat speed; stays on-plane, works gap-to-gap with developing bat strength.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 86.5 mph. 329’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 89 mph. Loose 3/4 arm action throws flash carry and were accurate to the target.
Defense: Bouncy feet, ranges with ease, steady hands, plays through in rhythm and directionally. Athletic outfield actions.
Run: 7.11 runner in the 60. 

2. Timmy Leark, Oak Park River Forest (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-10, 155-pounds. Athletic frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup with minimal movement and slight leg kick Highly-repeatable, flat swing, stays through the zone, was all over the barrel throughout.
Power: 98 max exit velocity, averaged 87.5 mph. 328’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 89 mph. Loose from high 3/4 slot with life and carry to target.  Ball jumps out of his hand.
Defense: Active footwork through the ball, soft hands, athletic actions.
Run: 7.18 runner in the 60. 

3. Henry Murray, Lane Tech (IL), 2025; Boston College commit.
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-10, 175-pounds. Strength in the lower half.
Hit: SH. Balanced slightly crouched setup with a slight leg kick and minimal hand load. Controlled aggression, present bat speed, stays through the zone with big leverage and jump off the barrel to the pull-side; from the right side, similar bat speed, more of a level path but created the same kind of impact from the barrel.
Power: 99 max exit velocity, averaged 93.1 mph. 370’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 82 mph. Long deliberate arm action from a 3/4 slot.  Throws are accurate and on target.
Defense: Steady actions, one-hand gather to the side of his body.
Run: 7.27 runner in the 60. 

4. Brady Schallmoser, Downers Grove North (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-0, 180-pounds. Athletic, broad-shouldered build with developing strength.
Hit: LHH. Relaxed setup, calm and comfortable in the box, quiet pre-pitch rhythm. Fluid, athletic, repeatable swing, stays on-plane, on balance and on the barrel back up the middle of the field. Natural loft through the zone.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 85.1 mph. 326’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 77 mph. High 3/4 slot throws are accurate on the bag.
Defense: Athletic feet, played with pace and conviction, confident hands, plays through the ball in rhythm.
Run: 7.64 runner in the 60. 

5. Kolin Adams, Mount Carmel (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-9, 171-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup with a toe tap trigger, minimal hand load. Easy swing, repeats, quick hands, mature whole field approach, balanced finish.
Power: 85 max exit velocity, averaged 77.8 mph. 220’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 88 mph. Quick arm action with life and carry on throws.  Fluid arm action.
Defense: Athletic actions, plays aggressively through the ball, active feet through the ball, confident hands.
Run: 7.06 runner in the 60. 

5. Ryan Dabe, Huntley (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-1, 180-pounds. Strong, athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Weight slightly on backside, minimal leg kick and hand load. Strong, intentful to the zone, syncs up barreled contact consistently. Present bat speed and bat strength, shows feel for the barrel.
Power: 97 max exit velocity, averaged 90.3 mph. 329’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 90 mph. Easy life and carry on throws. Loose arm, jumps out of hand. Accurate on target.
Defense: Active feet, plays through the ball with intent, steady hands.
Run: 7.29 runner in the 60. 

TOP 2026 OUTFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Patrick Connors, Hinsdale Central (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: OF/2B
Body: 5-10, 160-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall, balanced setup, short stride and hand load. Simple swing, fast bat, advanced feel for the barrel, repeats and worked to the middle/pull-side of the field.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 83.9 mph. 265’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. OF - 84 mph. Short arm action, quick out front, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Athletic through the ball, confident hands in the outfield. clean release.. INF: two-hand gather out front.
Run: 7.00 runner in the 60. 

2. Logan Fernandez, Jones College Prep (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-0, 165-pounds. Athletic frame with developing strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, short stride, minimal hand load. Loose, athletic swings, works uphill, lift through contact, favoring his pull-side.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 79.3 mph. 259’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 83 mph. Firm arm action, throws flashed carry.
Defense: Athletic actions, active feet, confident hands, plays through the ball with intent.
Run: 6.78 runner in the 60. 

3. Jaxson Crancer, Normal West (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: CF
Body: 5-9, 170-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, smooth load with toe tap trigger. Athletic swings; naturally strong. Balanced throughout, direct and short to the baseball, present twitch and bat speed for age, repeats and creates leverage at times.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 78.5 mph. 262’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 76 mph. Loose arm action, plays clean out of the hand and on target.
Defense: Active bouncy defender, plays through in rhythm, natural outfield actions and clean release.
Run: 7.09 runner in the 60. 

3. Frank Costabile, Stevenson (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-7, 150-pounds. Well-proportioned frame with strength.
Hit: RHH. Tall, open setup, short leg kick trigger. Advanced bat/hand speed; short path to the zone. Works off a level plane; particularly strong for his age.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 85.3 mph. 344’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 93 mph. Loose arm action, high 3/4 slot. Easy arm action.  Life and carry on throws.
Defense: Two-hand gather out front, plays through the ball with intent.
Run: 7.02 runner in the 60. 

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Hayden Bernreuter, Wesclin (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-10, 185-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, leg kick and hand pump trigger. Fluid, strong hands, level path, creates bat speed and jump off the barrel.
Power: 96 max exit velocity, averaged 89.1 mph. 270’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 87 mph. Loose arm some accuracy and carry on throws.  3/4 slot
Defense: Deliberate footwork to the ball, steady hands.
Run: 7.51 runner in the 60. 

Brady Carroll, St Francis College Prep (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-9, 160-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Tall, balanced stance, minimal load. Short, direct path, line-drive pull-side approach.
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 72 mph. 74’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 78 mph. High 3/4 slot, quick arm action.  Throws played accurately.
Defense: Deliberate actions through the ball, one-hand gather to the side of his body.
Run: 7.31 runner in the 60. 

Braden Deverman, Normal University (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-2, 175-pounds. High-waisted, athletic frame with developing strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, minimal load and short leg-lift stride. Lets the ball travel, simple, repeatable swing, stays on the barrel, and uses the whole field.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 82.4 mph. 305’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 88 mph. High 3/4 slot, loose arm, flashed life, accurate on target.
Defense: Active footwork to the ball, deliberate through exchange, steady hands.
Run:  runner in the 60. 

James Dooman, Glenbrook South (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-10, 180-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup with smooth load, short stride. Swings with controlled aggression, long through the zone, natural lift at times, pull-side lifted approach
Power: 95 max exit velocity, averaged 89.7 mph. 322’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 82 mph. Loose arm action with some carry on throws.
Defense: Plays through the ball with athleticism and intent.
Run: 7.28 runner in the 60. 

Carter Johnson, Wheaton North (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds. Lean, athletic build.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, slightly crouched setup, short controlled stride. Compact, level swing, on the barrel, mature whole field approach.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 84.5 mph. 329’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 80 mph. Long arm action. Throws are accurate on bag
Defense: Deliberate actions and feet through the ball, steady hands.
Run: 7.20 runner in the 60. 

Ian Kelly, Huntley (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-9, 145-pounds. Lean, athletic build, plenty of room for continued physical development.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, narrow stance, slight knee lift trigger, fluid load. Level path, intentful swing, line-drive approach and was on time, working the middle of the field.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 81.9 mph. 266’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 79 mph. Loose athletic arm action, high 3/4 slot.  Throws were consistently on target.
Defense: Gets behind the baseball, deliberate actions, plays through with intent, steady hands.
Run: 7.49 runner in the 60. 

Joseph Kelly, Loyola Academy (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-11, 175-pounds. Athletic build with strength.
Hit: RHH. Tall, balanced setup,big leg-kick trigger. Swings with  controlled intent, length through the zone,occasional uphill loft with some innate strength.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 84.8 mph. 288’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 81 mph. Loose arm action, 3/4 slot and throws flashed carry.
Defense: Deliberate actions, soft hands through the ball.
Run: 7.76 runner in the 60. 

Haiden Lajcin, Mount Carmel  (IN), 2026
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-11, 140-pounds. Lean, high-waisted frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, high hands, smooth load. Loose swings with some athleticism; can manipulate the barrel. Works the middle of the field.
Power: 83 max exit velocity, averaged 78 mph. 249’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 82 mph. Athletic arm action from a high 3/4 slot. 
Defense: Plays fast and attacks the baseball, long strided and plays through with intent. Soft hands.
Run: 7.22 runner in the 60. 

Cole Latimer, Dekalb (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-3, 185-pounds. Long, loose-bodied build with plenty of room for continued physical development.
Hit: RHH. Tall, upright setup, narrow base, toe tap load. Long path, favors right-center gap, uphill finish. Flashed looseness and strength in his hands.
Power: 87 max exit velocity, averaged 82 mph. 260’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 85 mph. Long, loose arm action from an over the top slot.  Throws played accurately.
Defense: Deliberate actions, steady hands and gains ground through release.
Run: 7.65 runner in the 60. 

Connor Lund, South Elgin (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-10, 181-pounds. Strong, compact frame.
Hit: RHH. Weight slightly on backside, crouched setup, minimal leg kick and hand load Simple, repeatable swing, level through the zone, loose hands, bat speed present.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 87.5 mph. 255’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 84 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot and throws were on target.
Defense: Bouncy footwork, steady hands, secures the baseball through release.
Run: 6.82 runner in the 60. 

Easton Newman, Deerfield (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 5-9, 147-pounds. Twitchy, athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, leg kick trigger, fluid load. Fluid, athletic swing, loose, quick hands, length through the zone, line-drive approach.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 75.1 mph. 168’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 84 mph. OF - 86 mph. Quick arm action.  Loose with life and carry. 
Defense: Active feet, athletic through the ball, plays through in-stride with confident hands. INF: Athletic actions, soft hands, plays with some timing through the ball .
Run: 7.19 runner in the 60. 

Jackson Newton, Dunlap (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-11, 155-pounds. Lean, athletic frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, minimal hand movement, slight leg kick trigger. Fluid, loose swing, level through the zone, middle of the field approach.
Power: 84 max exit velocity, averaged 75.5 mph. 289’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 82 mph. Long, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot and throws flashed carry.
Defense: Athletic actions, clean quick footwork, plays through the baseball in rhythm, steady hands.
Run: 7.62 runner in the 60. 

Caleb Powell, Evanston (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 5-11, 170-pounds. Strong frame.
Hit: LHH. Tall, balanced stance, slight knee lift, big hand load. Strong hands, uphill path, elevates contact to all fields.
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 79.1 mph. 228’ max distance.
Arm: LH. INF - 80 mph. OF - 82 mph. Long, loose arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Deliberate actions, one-hand gather, secures and shuffles through release.
Run: 7.49 runner in the 60. 

Gavin Powels, Downers Grove South (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-2, 200-pounds. Physical, mature build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, minimal pre-pitch movement and balanced finish. Creates simple bat speed that works with natural strength in hands/wrists. Uphill through contact, middle of the field approach.
Power: 95 max exit velocity, averaged 86.1 mph. 336’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 86 mph. Athletic arm action. Winds up through release. Throws flashed carry.
Defense: Plays low to the ground, through the ball in-stride, glove works out front.
Run: 6.96 runner in the 60. 

Greyson Rathgeb, Edwardsville (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-1, 170-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, calm demeanor, smooth load and controlled leg-lift trigger. Balanced swings through finish; easy, repeats, loose hands.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 85.4 mph. 321’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 88 mph. Athletic arm action with a high 3/4 slot. Loose with life and carry on throws
Defense: Highly athletic feet, plays with a bounce and pace to his game. Natural outfield actions, plays through the ball with intent and in rhythm.
Run: 7.39 runner in the 60. 

Paddy Roth, St. Patrick (IL), 2026; Illinois commit.
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-2, 185-pounds. Athletic, high-waisted, loose-levered frame with developing strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, short stride and quiet load. Simple, strong swing; advanced strength through contact. Natural loft while working the middle of the field. Stays compact.
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 89.4 mph. 287’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 88 mph. High 3/4 slot, easy arm action, loose, quick arm; throws have life and carry to target.
Defense: Deliberate actions, gets behind the baseball, steady hands, directional release.
Run: 7.73 runner in the 60. 

Quinn Schambow, Libertyville (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-0, 190-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance with weight slightly on back leg, short stride with quiet hand load. Easy, strong hands, long path, uphill tendencies and sprayed contact to all fields.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 91.2 mph. 259’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 83 mph. OF - 92 mph. Easy life and carry, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Took reps behind the plate and from the outfield. As a catcher, balanced base, athletic feet that line up with the bag. Glove starts out front over the plate, soft hands, clean transfer. Worked on one knee in bullpens, quiet receiver. From the outfield, plays through the ball, steady actions.
Run: 7.05 runner in the 60. 

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