The third annual Top Prospect Games - St. Louis, took place Tuesday, June 4th. The invite-only event brought together some of the top uncommitted 2020s from Missouri and Illinois to SIU-Edwardsville. The event consisted of a showcase in the morning and games in the afternoon with 30+ colleges in attendance.

A number of the players in attendance helped elevate their stock heading into the summer months and 12 players have made commitments since the event. Today we take a look at all of the Illinois pitchers who were in attendance. 

A few Illinois arms made strong impressions on the day but arguably the biggest winner of the entire event was RHP Keaton Hopwood (Wilmington). Hopwood, who recently committed to Coastal Carolina, made the Top Prospect-St. Louis his coming out party and did not slow down after the event. Hopwood, continued to see his stock rise throughout the summer and after receiving a host of offers, decided on Coastal Carolina. At the event, Hopwood showcased an athletic, quick arm with a lively fastball and feel for a three-pitch mix. His curveball showed promise of a legitimate put-away pitch. Hopwood now sits in the Top-30 of the Illinois’ 2020 class. 

A couple physical right-handed arms who put themselves on the map at the event were Sergio Marchizza (Glenwood) and Blake Donnan (Taylorville). Marchizza, listed at 6-foot-3, 220-pounds, has a clean arm and ran his fastball up to 86 mph. Donnan, a 6-foot-5, 215-pound, physically advanced, right-hander also ran his fastball up to 86 mph and flashed feel for a three-pitch mix.

Below is a look at all of the Illinois pitchers from the event. 

ILLINOIS PITCHERS (Listed Alphabetically)

Parker Bradford, RHP, East Peoria, 2020
6-foot-3, 210-pound, strong, wide-shouldered, mature-build, right-handed pitcher. Methodical, calm delivery, short stride, lands front-toe slightly closed and finishes upright. Short arm action, works from a high ¾ slot with some effort. Fastball sat 81-83 mph, topping at 84 mph. Played straight and up in the zone. Curveball at 70-72 mph mostly 11/5 shape, occasionally worked 12/6. Changeup at 70-73 mph with arm side run.

Daniel Dombrowski, RHP, Providence Catholic, 2020
6-foot-1, 180-pound, athletically-built, right-handed pitcher. Delivery works with rhythm, stays on-line and lands front-toe slightly closed. Long, quick arm action, works out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball, hard, late arm-side-run at times, sat 79-80 mph, touched 81. Curveball, maintains arm speed, sharp action, 11/5 shape, 69-72 mph. Changeup, thrown aggressively, arm-side-run, sat 70-74 mph. 

Blake Donnan, RHP, Taylorville, 2020
6-foot-5, 215-pound, extra-large, physical, right-handed pitcher. Uptempo delivery, slightly crunched at balance point, drop and drive delivery. Long arm action, works from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, played with arm side run, sat 82-84 mph, topped at 86 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, depth, tight spin at times, potential out-pitch, 70-75 mph. Changeup, arm-side-run and sink at 71-73 mph. Showed ability to throw all three pitches for strikes. 

Aidan Goggins, RHP, Providence Catholic, 2020
Lincoln Land CC commit. 6-foot-3, 240-pound, imposing, strong, physical, right-handed pitcher. Stretch-only delivery, works on-line, lands front toe closed with minimal effort throughout. Long arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball played straight, showed control, sat 80-84 mph, touched 85. Curveball, sat 66-70 mph, 12/6 shape, average feel. Changeup maintained arm speed at times, 77-79 mph. 

Keaton Hopwood, RHP, Wilmington, 2020
Coastal Carolina commit. 6-foot-2, 180-pound, athletically-built, right-handed pitcher. One of the biggest 2020 risers in Illinois over the summer. Smooth, controlled delivery, tucked at balance point, works in line, lands square and finishes athletically. Compact arm action, works loose and extremely quick from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, jumps out of the hands, four-seam ride and finish through the zone, sat 87-89, touched 91 mph. Curveball, thrown aggressively, tight spin, late 11/5 action, potential swing and miss pitch, 73-76 mph. Flashed a changeup at 71 mph. High-level arm in the 2020 class.

Max Jones, INF/RHP, Pekin, 2020
Illinois Central JC commit. 6-foot, 190-pound, right handed hitting/throwing two-way player, athletic frame with strength. At the plate, balanced setup, leg kick stride, maintained balance throughout contact. Strong hands, path worked quick, short and uphill to the ball, gap-to-gap approach, feel for the barrel. Exit velocity topped 88 mph. Defensively, fluid footwork, soft hands, clean exchange to release, plays through the ball athletically. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, showed carry across, throws topped 80 mph across. 4.72 runner, home-to-first. On the bump, side rocker step, tall balance point, drop and drive delivery, works in-line to home, controlled finish. Arm plays with plunge on back side, loose out front, high ¾ slot. Fastball played straight, sat 81-83 mph, topped 84 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, with fastball arm speed, ranged 65-71 mph.

Lukas Kim, RHP, Conant, 2020
5-foot-11, 155-pound, well-proportioned, right-handed pitcher. Side rocker step, compact balance point, works in line, lands closed, head leaves early. Long arm action, works from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, heavy fastball when located down in the zone, sat 78-84 mph, topped at 85 mph. Curveball at 61-63 mph, 11/5 shape with sweeping action. Changeup at 70-71 mph with slight sinking movement. 

Sergio Marchizza, INF/RHP, Glenwood, 2020
6-foot-3, 220-pound, strong, physical, two-way prospect. At the plate, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, short stride. Quick bat speed, uphill path, has present bat strength, power potential. Exit velocity of 93 mph. In the field, reliable hands, clean transfer, long arm action, throws from a high ¾ slot. 72 mph position velocity. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, repeatable delivery, tall balance point, works in line, lands slightly closed. Long and loose arm action, works from a high ¾ slot. Fastball worked, 82-84 mph, topped at 86 mph. Curveball at 68-71 mph, 11/5 shape. 

Jack Owens, INF/RHP Mascoutah, 2020
Truman State commit. 6-foot-2, 205-pound, right-handed hitting two-way player, high-waisted frame with strength. At the plate, rocks at pre-pitch, wide setup, hands load back, minimal stride. Strong hands, path worked uphill with some length, present bat speed, showed ability to lift with power potential in swing. Exit velocity topped 97 mph. Defensively, quick and active footwork, reliable hands, athletic fielding position. Long draw from glove, high ¾ slot, throws topped 77 mph across. 4.54 runner, home-to-first. On the mound, side rocker step into a sturdy balance, tall and fall delivery, works in-line, toe lands closed, upright at finish. Two-part arm action, looseness out front, high ¾ slot. Fastball had run with occasional sink, sat 80-82 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, gradual break, sat 71-72 mph. Changeup played at 76 mph, near fastball arm speed. 

RELATED CONTENT