Underclass Trials - South: Quick Hits

On Wednesday, June 23, the PBR Illinois staff hosted the Underclass Trials - South Showcase at Ozinga Field in Crestwood. This event was open to players in the classes of 2023, 2024 and 2025. It serves as an identifier to select, invite events like Underclass Games and All-State Games.  The event featured around 25 prospects spanning on grad classes.

Today we take a look at some of the top performers from the day. 

QUICK HITS

+ INF Niko Bilgi (Homewood-Flossmoor, 2023) was one of the top performers on the day.  Defensively he showed well by displaying clean, quick footwork and a strong accurate arm on the infield.  He showed a good feel by taking proper angles to the ball and fields everything out in front.   Offensively, the left-handed hitter showed a loose, compact, repeatable swing. He stays direct with his barrel and uses a gap to gap approach to hit line drives to all areas of the yard. Bilgi also registered an exit velocity of 85 mph off the bat during BP.

+ One of the more intriguing arms on the day was incoming sophomore, RHP Jaden Harmon (St. Charles North, 2024). The 5-foot-11, 150-pound, right-hander has a loose, easy, athletic arm and ran his fastball up to 80 mph. Harmon also showed the makings of an above-average three-pitch mix with advanced feel for his changeup with sink and fade down in the zone at 71-72 mph. 

+ INF Sebastian Wagner (Nazareth, 2024) was another top performer on the day.  Defensively he plays with above-average rhythm and timing for his age. He has quick, active feet, soft hands and gets rid of it in a hurry, when needed. His arm plays short from a high ¾ slot. and throws flashed carry. The 5-foot-9, 150-pound, right-handed hitter, has a repeatable, loose, short, direct swing.  He uses a gap to gap approach and backspun several line drives. He registered an exit velocity of 85 mph.

+ INF/RHP Brayden Mobley (Fremd, 2023) tied for the top infield velocity (83 mph) and top fastball of the event, 81 mph.  Mobley also showed well at the plate thanks to a compact, repeatable right-handed swing.  Mobley barreled balls to the pull side, creating backspin and carry off the barrel.  Defensively he showed feel for the infield with fluid footwork and clean release.

+ Alexander Clark (New Trier, 2024) is a 5-foot-10, 150-pound, loose-bodied, left/left outfielder. Clark showed fluid actions in the outfield and played through the ball well.  Offensively he has a loose swing that produces topspin line drives.

+ 6-foot, 170-pound, Luke Landrus  (Charleston, 2024), recorded the top catcher throwing velocity and pop time; 75 mph from the crouch and pop times ranging 1.95-2.13. On top of a strong arm, Landrus also swings a potent right-handed bat. He has a loose, level, athletic swing and utilizes his levers throughout. Landrus showed off a line drive, gap to gap approach while flashing jump off the barrel to the pull-side.  

+ INF Christian Jackson (Warren, 2023) recorded the top exit velocity for the day at 94mph. The 6-foot, 168-pound, right-handed hitter has a long, level swing with strength to the pull-side of the diamond.

Stay tuned over the coming weeks for more analysis from the event.

CLICK HERE for the entire roster from the event.

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