The PBR Illinois staff hosted over 30 showcases in 2020 – from invite-only events for select prospects, events for incoming freshmen, unsigned seniors, the list goes on. As we flip the calendar to the new year, we’re going to count down the remainder of 2020 by highlighting the top showcase performances of this last year, continuing today with the top average bat speed marks measured, separated by class, provided with the help of our partners at Blast Motion.

To make your mark at a PBR showcase in 2021, check out the recently released PBR Illinois winter showcase schedule.

Continue on below for a look at the Illinois prospects who unleashed the highest average bat speed generated by Illinois prospects in 2020. A quick note: We first began implementing Blast devices into our showcases at the start of the summer circuit, so the list below spans from June through October events.

Looking to learn a little bit more about Blast Motion metrics? The Blast team has a helpful crash course on its website, the "Training Center." For the following leaderboards, we've compiled the highest average bat speeds. Blast defines bat speed as "... the observed speed of the sweet spot of the bat at impact. The sweet spot of the bat is measured six inches from the tip of the bat." Their findings indicate speeds measured in the 60-70 mph range are ideal at the high school varsity level, any higher is substantial.

Check out the Illinois leaderboards after utilizing this new tool for the first time this summer.

HIGHEST AVERAGE BAT SPEED

CLASS OF 2021

RANK	NAME	BAT SPEED (AVG)	SCHOOL	POS
1	Maxwell Thompson	79.94 mph	Warren Township	1B
2	Andrew Jimenez	79.02 mph	St. Charles North	3B
3	Benji Ries	78.31 mph	Stevenson	C
4	Giacomo Fanizza	77.48 mph	Lake Park	3B
5	Ty Batusich	75.97 mph	Joliet West	C
6	Marco Torres	75.72 mph	St. Charles North	C
7	Max McCallum	75.47 mph	St. Francis	OF
8	Kaydon Norkus	75.14 mph	Neuqua Valley	RHP
9	Noah Zaccanti	74.82 mph	Geneva Community	C
10	Mason Telford	74.47 mph	Streator	INF/RHP

CLASS OF 2022

RANK	NAME	BAT SPEED (AVG)	SCHOOL	POS
1	Evan Jones	80.60 mph	Normal University	OF
2	Ryan Henschel	79.29 mph	Glenbrook North	OF
3	Jermaine Young Jr	77.46 mph	St. Patrick	OF
4	Mac Eccher	77.25 mph	Marmion Academy	C
5	Ryan Bibb	76.91 mph	Mascoutah	RHP/INF
6	Daniel Pacella	76.83 mph	Mundelein	1B/OF
7	Ethan Patera	76.56 mph	Downers Grove South	RHP
8	Jorgie Vazquez	76.35 mph	Mount Carmel	INF
9	Patrick Jewell	76.14 mph	Carmel Catholic	1B
10	Aiden Rowe	75.42 mph	Hinsdale Central	C

CLASS OF 2023

RANK	NAME	BAT SPEED (AVG)	SCHOOL	POS
1	Gavin Parkerson	77.14 mph	Armstrong	RHP/INF
2	Logan Nelson	76.10 mph	Marquette Academy	SS
3	Finn O'Meara	75.46 mph	Nazareth Academy	3B
4	Adison Worthman	74.97 mph	Bloomington	OF
5	Josh Kirkwood	74.54 mph	Marshall	C
6	Colin Barczi	74.17 mph	Naperville Central	C
7	Luke Stulga	73.99 mph	St. Laurence	OF
8	Ryan Bakes	73.83 mph	Huntley	C
9	Cal Sefcik	73.58 mph	Marist	SS/3B
10	Nick Mardis	73.50 mph	Bloomington Central Catholic	C

CLASS OF 2024

RANK	NAME	BAT SPEED (AVG)	SCHOOL	POS
1	Randall Nauden	74.74 mph	Marian Catholic	C
2	Paul Svanascini	73.32 mph	Northridge Prep	RHP
3	CJ Regillio	72.86 mph	Crystal Lake South	1B
4	David Cox	71.89 mph	Nazareth Academy	SS
5	Charlie Vercruysse	71.37 mph	Normal University	SS
6	Ambrose (AJ) Zweeres	70.73 mph	Morris	SS
7	Zachary Pyles	70.47 mph	Warren Township	C
8	Ryan Sloan	69.45 mph	York	RHP
9	Cash Campbell	69.11 mph	Montini Catholic	3B
10	Jonathan Fleaka	69.05 mph	Lake Zurich	INF

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