On Sunday, Oct. 2, the PBR Illinois staff will head back to The MAX in McCook, Ill., to host the annual Unsigned Senior Showcase. This event is open to all uncommitted prospects in the state’s 2023 class that are still looking for a place to call home at the collegiate level.

You can find all the information for this event, as well as how to register, by clicking HERE. For a look at the complete roster of players set to make the trip to The MAX this Sunday, click HERE.

Event History

This is the 21st edition of the Unsigned Senior Showcase in PBR Illinois history, as this event has dated all the way back to 2012 with multiple different iterations of it, held in both the fall and winter. There have been over 900 players to commit from this event in total, including 64 players from last year's fall and winter showcases alone.

There were a number of intriguing prospects at last fall's event, with LHP/1B Michael Pustelnik (Andrew; Lindenwood) and LHP Jack Taczy (Cary-Grove; Evansville) both committing to Division I programs. Other players such as C/RHP Jacob Filip (Lakes Community; John A. Logan JC), INF Tommy Cheney (Lincoln-Way East; North Central), LHP Ryan Gerdes (Plainfield North; North Central) and 1B Ryan Phillips (Schaumburg; Wisconsin-Whitewater) landed roster spots on well-respected programs. 

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.

roster preview 

This year's roster is already shaping up nicely, with a number of intriguing prospects on both sides of the ball.

We'll start by looking on the mound, with RHP Spencer Geake (Glenbrook North) appearing to be one of the better arms set to attend Sunday's event. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound right-hander has all sorts of upside within his projectable frame to pair with a fastball that can reach up to 88 mph. His delivery is fluid and easy, surely looking to have more velocity in the tank as he continues to develop.

Spencer Geake (7/14/21)

A recent Illinois State Games participant, RHP Connor Jendraszak (Lincoln-Way East) will be in attendance on Sunday, bringing a projectable 6-foot-2, 185-pound frame to the table with a high-spinning fastball up to 86 mph (T2,333 rpm) and a four-pitch mix. His curveball and slider both feature different looks to would-be hitters, while his changeup provides another change of pace to keep hitters off-balance.

Connor Jendraszak (8/9/22)

Here's a couple right-handers worth checking out on the mound: William Ho (Hinsdale Central) and Jacob McPherson (Reed-Custer). Ho stands at 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, and has plenty of present arm-strength, having been up to 88 mph over a year ago. His curveball and changeup both have potential, maintaining arm speed with both offerings to set up his fastball. McPherson also brings a strong build to the mound, standing at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds. The right-hander has been up to 85 mph in past looks with a spin rate on his fastball reaching over 2,400 rpm. 

Another arm that boasts well above-average spin on his pitches is RHP Nathan Ruzich (Lincoln-Way East). The 6-foot-1, 150-pound right-hander has plenty of room to add on additional strength, while already possessing some intriguing qualities to his game; running his fastball up to 81 mph with spin over 2,400 rpm and a sharp curveball that spins at slightly higher rates. 

An intriguing two-way prospect set to attend the event is INF/RHP Taylor Voorhees (St. Joseph-Ogden). Standing 6-foot, 175 pounds, Voorhees creates easy bat speed with loose hands and boasts above-average Blast Motion metrics that translates into exit speeds that have climbed to 92.7 mph. On the mound, the right-hander uses a clean operation to produce a fastball up to 81 mph with an average IVB of 20.2 inches, which is an intriguing trait inside of his arsenal. To pair off his fastball, Voorhees goes to a curveball and a slider, both playing with different shape and sharp action. He also features a fading changeup to fill out his four-pitch mix.

Taylor Voorhees (7/12/22)

Moving over to the other side of the ball, OF/INF Christian Seminaro (Mundelein) is a high-level athlete set to attend Sunday's showcase. A winner from the Illinois State Games, Seminaro recently made the transition to the outfield and has rapidly been making jumps to his game. He brought his 60-yard dash time down to 6.69 seconds from a 7.23 time in the summer of 2021, all while now boasting a 6-foot-1, 175-pound build. At the plate, the right-handed hitter uses a quick stroke that stays on-plane and finds the barrel consistently. Defensively, Seminaro covers ground with ease and his throws home can reach up to 86 mph from a crowhop. 

Christian Seminaro (8/9/22)

A couple bats to look out for on Sunday belong to 1B Dillon Putty (Huntley) and CIF John Connors (Lincoln-Way East). Putty, a 6-foot-1, 215-pound right-handed hitter has recorded exit speed  in the 96 mph range, creating natural lift throughout his swing with inherent bat strength that generates hard, elevated contact. Connors, on the other hand brings a similar approach from the left side of the plate, reaching 95 mph exit marks with an average launch angle of 31.5 degrees, working through the zone with loose arms and the intent to lift the baseball.

Keep an eye on this upside prospect set to attend on Sunday: C Kevin Geake (Glenbrook North). Geake brings some twitchiness to his game to create above-average hand speed in the batter's box that produces an efficient bat path through the point of contact, creating max exit speeds over 90 mph. He also possesses some arm strength, having run a fastball up to 85 mph in previous looks. 

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 

POSITION GROUPS

CHECK-IN TIMES:

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

+ Registered Pitchers-only: 12:00 p.m.

MORE EVENT DETAILS

Click here to learn more about our tech partners that have enhanced our players showcase experience. Partners like TrackMan, Blast Motion, Vizual Edge, and Swift Performance 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.

We will facilitate a contact-less check-in. Wear baseball clothes; assigned and numbered PBR jerseys will be provided.

Related Content