Prep Baseball Report

Fox River Open - Quick Hits


Jackson Dvorak
Area Scout

On June 15th, the Illinois scouting staff of Prep Baseball Report held an open event at Hoffer Field on the campus of Judson University in Elgin. This event featured players from the classes of 2022-2024.

Now, let’s take a look inside the talent that the Fox River Open had to offer with these Quick Hits.

  • The event got off to a strong start with sub-7 runners in the 60-yard dash. Jeremy Peddle (St. Ignatius, 2022) had the best time at the event running a 6.77. Blake Stempowksi (Geneva, 2022) ran the second-best time at 6.87, followed by a 6.98 from Brennan Luz (Joliet Catholic, 2022). The last sub-7 time of the day was run by Drew Bennett (Jacobs, 2022) at a 6.99. 

  • A physically advanced 2024, Colin Ryder (St. Charles North, 2024) stands 6-foot-5, 195-pounds with still the look of a freshman prospect. A right-handed hitting 1B, Ryder took an impressive round of BP, generating some loose bat speed out of a slight leg kick trigger. The right-handed hitter posted a max exit velocity of 91.79 mph. The left-handed 1B showed sound actions and comfortable footwork around the bag. 

  • C Henry Saul (Batavia, 2023) led the way in pop times ranging from 1.93-2.09. The right-handed hitting catcher flashed strength at the plate with an aggressive approach. C Preston Sewell (Belvidere North, 2022) was in the 2.03-2.13 range and showed easy barrel control at the plate during BP. 

  • INF Nolan Czako (Bishop McNamara, 2022) has a strong frame that grabs attention at 6-foot-2, 190-pounds. The right-handed hitting infielder took a consistent round of BP. Flashing strength to all fields, there was barrel control throughout. A short bat path to the ball allowed for a max exit velocity of 96.27 MPH. On the infield, the shortstop showed some easy actions and threw up to 81 mph.

  • INF Eric Gonzalez (Batavia, 2022) featured some strength in BP using the left-center field gap, as well as the middle of the field. The right-handed hitting infielder also had an exit velocity of 96.96 mph, and threw 82 mph across the infield, tied for the best velocity at the event.

  • The highest exit velocity of the day during BP was recorded by INF Owen Hensler (Central, 2022) at 100 mph. The right-handed hitter showed smooth pre-pitch actions as well as working inside the baseball at times. 

  • Outfielders Shea Gaffney (Glenbard North, 2022) and Charlie Saul (Batavia, 2022) both made their way onto the Trackman leaderboards. Gaffney had a max exit velocity of 95.20 mph, and an average of 87.19 mph. Saul had the best velocity from the outfield at 84 mph, and a max exit velocity of 93.26 mph. 

  • A pair of Huntley arms took the top performances on the mound. LHP Michael Vitellaro (Huntley, 2022) put together an impressively unique performance. A stretch only southpaw, he works from a ¾ to low ¾ slot and showed huge lateral separation between his fastball and breaking ball. His fastball sat 83-84 mph, touching 85 mph averaging nearly -20 inches of horizontal break. Conversely his breaking ball averaged 18 inches of horizontal break in the other direction with well above average feel and action.

  • From the other side of the rubber, RHP Cole Modrich (Huntley, 2022) also sat at 83-85 mph with well above average feel for the zone. He showed run on his fastball with a complimenting 11/5 curveball and potential swing and miss changeup with advanced action and the feel to locate down in the zone. 

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