In its sixth year, PBR will be hosting the Underclass Games, exclusive to invited class of 2021 prospects, hosted at the pristine all-turf Curtis Granderson Stadium at the University of Illinois-Chicago on Monday, July 25. The PBR Underclass Games is an event used to feature the top Illinois and Wisconsin prospects in the 2021 class.

Already, from last year’s impressive class of attendees, four 2020 prospects have made Division-I commitments. SS Ed Howard IV (Mount Carmel, IL) and OF Marquis Jackson (Brother Rice, IL) are both committed to Oklahoma, still only headed into their junior high school seasons. And SS Michael Seegers (Home School, WI) and INF Anthony Mangano (Lake Zurich, IL) are the two other commits, both verbally agreeing to play at Iowa.

And, from 2016, the top prospects in the area participated in the showcase representing the 2019 class. Of that group, 27 prospects have committed to play at the D-I level with a full season of high school ball to go. Some of the most notable names on that year’s roster are RHP Quinn Priester (Cary-Grove, IL; Texas Christian), the current No. 1 player in Illinois, C Nathan Stevens (Waunakee, WI; Arkansas), and RHP Zachary Lee (Effingham, IL; Kentucky), the No. 3 ranked player in the state of Illinois.

The Underclass Games has morphed into one of the most esteemed events that signals the top future prospects from the Wisconsin and Illinois prep pools.

As for this year’s event, a few of the most heralded 2021 prospects to keep an eye out for from Illinois are RHP/INF Nick Demarco (St. Charles North), C Alex Calarco (New Trier), LHP/OF Adam Dowler (Oswego East), C Camden Janik (Wauconda) and a number of others. Demarco started on varsity this past spring for a 4A St. Charles North team that won 24 games. Calarco was also on varsity this past spring as a freshman and is a high-upside switch-hitting prospect. Janik is a strong armed backstop with a physical frame while Dowler is one of the more talented left-handed arms we have seen so far in the class.

Adam Dowler (2.18.18)

When looking at Wisconsin, they will have their fair share of talent in attendance as well. Blake Read (Muskego) is a high-ceiling left-handed arm who sits in the low 80’s and is ranked in the top 70 in the overall rankings. Read is the type of arm that is poised to make a big jump at any moment, and when he does he will be one of the hotter recruiting commodities in the Midwest.

Blake Read (2.25.18)

The Badger state looks like it will be particularly strong on the infield with the likes of Noah Miller (Ozaukee), Owen Washburn (Webster) and Liam Moreno (Sun Prairie). Washburn and Moreno were both varsity starters this spring as freshman for two of the top teams in the state. Washburn will also bring a live arm to the mound where he will draw comparisons to his older brother Jack (2019).  

Some others poised to break out at the event are LHH OF Q Phillips (Marquette) who has shown dynamic actions and feel for the game. While RHP Billy Howard (Menomonee Falls) may provide one of the stronger arms in attendance, already up to 83 mph and still climbing.

CLICK HERE for the current roster.

TEAMS

*Teams are subject to change*

ITINERARY

• 8:30 to 8:45 a.m. – Position Players Check-in
• 8:45 to 9 a.m. – Stretch/Intro
• 9 to 10 a.m. – Team Batting Practice
• 10 to 11 a.m. – Defensive Workouts
• Pitchers Check-in: POs will check-in one hour before their first schedule game time (approx. 10:15 a.m. or 12:15 p.m.).

GAMEPLAY

11:15 am - Team 1 vs. Team 2

1:15 pm - Team 3 vs. Team 4

*NOTE: Games are simulated to regulate pitch counts and innings played

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