Released: PBR Illinois 2021 Winter Calendar

Today, Nov. 18, PBR Illinois has announced its 2021 showcase schedule for the upcoming winter circuit, slated to start on Jan. 31, 2021, in McHenry, leading up to the revised start of the IHSA baseball season.

If you’re curious to learn more about the Prep Baseball Report’s showcase structure, here’s an idea of what you can expect while attending and following a PBR showcase.

ABOUT PBR SHOWCASES

Since 2005, Prep Baseball Report’s mission has been to provide the most credible scouting and event platform to help players and recruiters alike. As baseball has evolved, so have we. 

PBR has recently partnered with global leaders in the baseball technology and analysis space to deliver an unparalleled in-event and post-event experience. Now, at events across the country, players will receive actionable data from their event performance, captured by industry-leading technologies, so they can elevate their game and get to the next level. Players will now receive actionable, post-event data from our industry-leading partners, including: TrackMan, Blast Motion, and Driveline. In addition, players’ PBR profiles will host edited video from their showcase performance, complete with a scouting report and verified event statistics.

Below, we’re briefly outlining each of the upcoming showcases on the 2021 calendar, eight of which are open to all high school-aged players (classes 2021 through 2024). Two of the others are events prospects can attend by invitation only, Preseason All-State and the Underclass Invitational, and the remaining is an event open exclusively for any uncommitted seniors in the state, Unsigned Senior Showcase.

Learn more about PBR Illinois' upcoming 2021 winter season below.

LOCKPORT PRESEASON I.D.

Bo Jackson’s Elite Sports (BJES) Dome in Lockport played host to its first PBR Illinois showcase in 2017 and it’s been a staple on our winter calendar since, blossoming into one of the largest annual events on the schedule. Over 200 players registered for last February’s event in Lockport and we’re expecting another huge turnout in 2021. Earlier in the year, it’s where we witnessed LHP Evan Clark (2021) for the first time, a prominent lefty in the class who has since transferred to IMG Academy in Florida and is currently uncommitted. RHP Tommy Boba (Wheaton Warrenville South, 2022) also helped himself earn an invitation to the PBR Future Games with his performance here, and he’s currently committed to Cincinnati.

Click here to register for the Lockport Preseason I.D.

UNSIGNED SENIOR SHOWCASE

Unlike most of the other showcases on the calendar, this event is exclusive to all high school seniors (Class of 2021) in the state still seeking opportunities to play at the next level. Traditionally, this showcase is heavily attended by college recruiters, and we welcomed 30 coaches to The MAX in McCook last January for this event. Of the 30 players who attended the 2020 event, at least 16 are currently playing at the next level.

Click here to register for the 2021 Unsigned Senior Showcase.

PEORIA PRESEASON I.D.

In 2018, our staff made its first trip to the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria to host this now perennial event. This Central Illinois staple typically brings about over 70 of the region’s up-and-coming players, and generally helps us learn of a few new uncommitted seniors, as well as some of the area’s brightest underclassmen. Moline’s Sam Monroe (2020), now at Southeastern CC, made a strong first impression here, as did SS/RHP Nolan McMasters (Chatham Glenwood, 2022) and SS Bryer Arview (Civic Memorial, 2023).

Click here to register for the Peoria Preseason I.D.

AURORA PRESEASON I.D.

2020 was our first time hosting an event at Aurora’s Sports Zone dome, and over 140 prospects made it out to the inaugural showcase. Here, we got a late look at huge RHP Mason Kottmeyer (Kaneland, 2020), who commited to Michigan State soon after the event. Several more players turned heads here, like Northwestern recruit RHP Jacob Schram (Naperville North), RHP Matthew Cruise (Seneca, 2022; uncommitted), and SS Ryan Niedzwiedz (West Aurora, 2023; uncommitted).

Click here to register for the Aurora Preseason I.D.

CHICAGO PRESEASON I.D.

This will be the third straight year we’re hosting a preseason event at the still-new Pullman Community Center in the south Chicago neighborhood. Over 80 prospects joined us at this event last February, giving us an ample look at some of the Chicago area’s top talent, like Team Illinois member OF Brandon Rogers (Brother Rice, 2022; Oklahoma), Illinois State commit SS Shai Robinson (Homewood Flossmoor, 2022), and C/INF Kyree Alexander (Thornwood, 2022; uncommitted).

Click here to register for the Chicago Preseason I.D.

O’HARE PRESEASON I.D.

The area’s latest BJES Dome is officially up and running as of this fall in Bensenville, and we’ve made our plans to help christen the facility by hosting this brand new event: the O’Hare Preseason I.D. Join us for our first-ever O’Hare I.D. on the northwest side of Chicago.

Click here to register for the O’Hare Preseason I.D.

PRESEASON ALL-STATE

Each winter, the PBR Illinois staff sets aside the time to invite the best players within the state’s junior class to this exclusive, top-shelf showcase: Preseason All-State. Perennially, this event helps further highlight the quality of the top prospects preparing to embark on their final summers as prep players. And while many of the players head to the event committed, even more can be classified as the best uncommitted juniors on the state’s market. Next year, this premium event will be held at the BJES Dome in Lockport, where the state’s best 2022 players will gather.

To request your invitation to Preseason All-State, click here.

UNDERCLASS INVITATIONAL

The second invite-only event on our winter slate, Underclass Invitational, will also be held at the BJES Dome in Lockport. This is one of the most important events on the PBR Illinois calendar every year, as it helps us identify rising freshmen and sophomores in the state, providing early insight into players to later invite to high-profile summer events, like the PBR Future Games. Early next year, the top prospects representing the state’s 2023 and 2024 classes will meet at this preseason event in Lockport.

To request your invitation to Underclass Invitational, click here.

JOLIET PRESEASON I.D.

Similar to our new O’Hare event, this will be our first time running the Joliet I.D., set to take place at Shorewood’s Rhino Baseball Academy. The brand new facility just opened its doors for the first time in September. Join us for this first annual preseason Joliet-area event, just southwest of Chicago.

Click here to register for the Joliet Preseason I.D.

*COMPLETE PBR ILLINOIS 2021 WINTER SCHEDULE*

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