Prep Baseball Report

Unsigned Senior Showcase: Preview


By Andy Sroka
Illinois and Wisconsin Assistant Director

This Sunday, Feb. 21, the PBR Illinois team is hosting its annual Unsigned Senior Showcase at The MAX in McCook, Ill. This is an open event for any high school seniors still seeking an opportunity to play at the next level. For a closer look at the showcase details and the technologies we'll have on-site to assist our in-person evaluation for all in attendance, click here. For a complete look at those registered to attend this event, view the most up-to-date version of the roster by clicking here.

EVENT HISTORY

Each fall and winter – prior to and at the conclusion of the offseason – our staff hosts this event designed to collect the area’s top uncommitted senior talent in order to relay our findings to the college recruiters seeking to fill out their incoming recruiting class. At both versions of this event in 2020, 57 players on the rosters combined have since committed to continue playing at the next level.

In the fall, players at that Unsigned Senior Showcase landed opportunities at competitive JUCO programs in the region, as well as talented Division-II and -III programs in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Missouri.

We’re eager to publish the statistics and scouting reports from Sunday’s event and pass it along to our database of college coaches, so be sure to join us if you’re a senior still seeking a place to play this coming fall.

2021 ROSTER

Headed to The MAX on Sunday are a couple of the state’s top-ranked uncommitted seniors: 3B/2B Jayden Gonzalez (De La Salle) and RHP Meade Johnson (Mattoon). Gonzalez is an athletic, strong infielder who generates notable bat and hand speed from the right-handed batter’s box, who we’ve seen perform well both in the showcase setting and in live game action. He’s a reliable third baseman defensively, too, with the versatility to occupy second base as well.

Jayden Gonzalez (10/11/20)

As for Johnson, he’s ranked just outside the state’s top-100, and he debuted there in the late summer following a stand-out PBR event debut at the Chicagoland Open in August. There, Johnson sat in the 84 mph range, touching an 84.9 high, with arm-side action that flashed late and he showed that he could locate it. The separator for the Mattoon righty both his size – listed at 6-foot-2, 180 pounds – and his offspeed feel. He’s demonstrated the feel to spin a curveball and slider, and his changeup projects to round out a sound mix.

Meade Johnson (8/23/20)

Oswego East right-hander Christian Jensik is another physical type of arm with a mid-80s fastball coupled with a breaking ball that’s flashed sharp 12/6 action. Also registered is sturdy/strong 6-foot-4, 220-pound RHP Connor Lutes (Libertyville). Lutes has reached an 87 mph in front of our staff with big extension down mound and carry traits that project for swing-and-miss abilities on the four-seamer alone.

Lane Tech’s Ryan Wong is another right-handed pitcher with a projectable fastball. He’s a lean 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, and his low- to mid-80s fastball features prominent spin, measured at 2,336 rpm on average. Wong’s breaking ball has swing-and-miss characteristics, too, so we’re looking forward to an updated look at the Chicago-area prospect.

There will also be several players making the trip down from Wisconsin, including INF Ryan Kendziorski (Whitnall), who made a strong recent impression to colleagues back in October. He’s an athletic 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, and he’s able to produce bat speed, too.

NEW CHECK-IN PROCESS

Because of the high number of prospects set to attend Sunday's event, it is imperative that you read our adjusted showcase itinerary below, which will allow our staff to swiftly and efficiently educate and evaluate the players set to attend.

Additionally, in an effort to continue and develop contactless check-in strategies, upon arrival, players will scan a QR Code with their smart phone camera that will lead them to a Google Form. On that Form, players will enter their name (matching the spelling on their PBR profile) and hit submit. Upon submission, players will be prompted to click a link that will direct them to their jersey color and number, located next to their registered name.

ITINERARY

Due to state guidelines, and the facility's requirements, there will be a limit to the number of people inside the facility at one time. This showcase will operate in segmented groups, by position, under the format as follows:

POSITION GROUPS

CHECK-IN TIMES:

+ All Position Players: 8:30 to 8:45 a.m.

+ Pitchers-only: 11:30 to 11:45 a.m.

MORE EVENT DETAILS

Click here to learn more about our tech partners that have enhanced our players showcase experience. Partners like TrackMan and Blast Motion have helped both our in-event evaluation process, as well the compilation of our post-event scouting reports – and they're also a tool for our players to learn more about their measured and collected data, that can be applied to improve upon their game.

Finally, masks are mandatory during non-baseball activity. We will facilitate a contact-less check-in. Staff will wear masks throughout the event. Hand sanitizer stations will be accessible. Wear baseball clothes; assigned and numbered PBR jerseys will be provided.

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