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Chicago Preseason ID: Takeaways

February 26, 2025
Illinois Scouting Staff

On Saturday, February 22nd, the Prep Baseball Illinois staff taveled to the Pullman Center in Chicago, IL for the Chicago Preseason ID. With roughly 90 players in attendance, the event was the biggest it has been since its inception. The larger pool of players certainly helped add even more talent, and we will be highlighting a number of the standouts in this takeaways story.

Continue reading for scouting reports and videos on some of the day's biggest winners. 

Position Players 

INF Brady Cunningham (Brother Rice, 2027) has added some lean strength to his already physical 6-foot-2, 222-pound frame, and it was quite apparent during his round of BP that his gains have paid off. Currently slotted at No. 9 in Illinois, the right-handed hitter worked on the barrel with an easy, rhythmic operation, repeating a simple yet strong swing with loud contact, averaging 93.7 mph for his EV while peaking at 105 mph, lifting his farthest ball 372’. He moves quite well for his size, recording a 6.76 in the 60, and he showed soft/confident hands on the infield with a strong arm across (T89 mph). High-follow that is also one of the top arms in the state. 

INF Eric Acevedo (Lane Tech, 2027) appears to be an athletic infield prospect with some twitch that we need to follow. He has a compact, wiry 5-foot-7, 142-pound frame, and looks to have some room to add strength as he matures. The right-handed hitter has an athletic operation at the plate with a handsy swing, working to stay on top of the baseball with balance through impact. He appears to be an above-average defender on the infield, boasting confident hands with fluid footwork, pairing with natural actions and a comfortable look throughout his round. His arm is also plenty strong, reaching up to 86 mph with the ability to play on the move and from multiple angles. 

INF Mikey Watson (Brother Rice, 2027) is yet another athletic infielder to note from the day. He looks to have added some strength, as he now stands in an athletic 6-foot-1, 175-pound frame, still looking to have room to fill out in the future. He got things going with a 6.68 in the 60 yard dash, also reaching as high as 21 mph for his peak running speed. At the plate, the right-handed hitter has a compact, athletic swing that was on the barrel throughout his round, staying mostly up the middle and to his pull-side with a max EV of 95.5 mph, averaging 88 mph with a 339’ max distance. He’s a steady defender on the infield with clean and fluid footwork, translating his athleticism with easy range to both sides of his glove. He has an easy arm action that can play from multiple slots, topping at 80 mph across. 

UTIL Hayven Gamboa (Mount Carmel, 2028) is a young, versatile prospect to note from the day.  Behind the plate, Gamboa showed a clean transfer while working in-line from the chute, delivering accurate throws while not being afraid to play the hop and use the turf, 2.11 pop-time (T70 mph). On the infield, he showed soft hands with a two-hand gather that worked out front, featuring loose and natural actions with some timing. He showed similar loose actions in the outfield, and his arm played with ease and fluidity from each position. At the plate, he once again showed fluid movement patterns with feel for the barrel throughout his round, working to hit the ball back up the middle of the field and to the gaps. 

OF Matt Young (Lane Tech, 2026) looks to be an athletic outfielder to keep tabs on from the event, boasting an intriguing L/L profile and some clear athleticism with his 6.87 in the 60. The left-handed hitter has a clean swing that showed a line-drive approach and feel for the barrel, delivering a simple and repeatable swing throughout his round with a max EV of 90 mph. In the outfield, Young plays through the baseball with intent and a one-hand gather, showing fluid footwork that breaks down before the ball when needed. 

C Nick Dreves-Hunt (Lyons Township, 2027) looked to have one of the more impressive days from a defensive standpoint. The young backstop got the ball out quickly with a clean transfer, putting throws consistently on the bag in the 1.93-2.08 range, reaching up to 77 mph from the chute. At the plate, the right-handed hitter used a pull-side approach with some leverage, creating extension through impact. 

OF Jordan Terrell (Lindblom, 2028) looks to be a young left-handed hitter with some notable upside. Standing in at 6-foot, 160-pounds, Terrell has a lean, athletic build that still holds room to fill out. At the plate, he showed a flatter and balanced swing with some feel for the gaps, and you can project more strength in the swing as he matures. He’s a steady defender in the outfield with patient actions and a one-hand gather that plays through the baseball. 

INF Christian Derosena (Glenbrook South, 2026) had an overall strong showing over the weekend. He has some present strength throughout his 6-foot-1, 175-pound frame, particularly in the lower-half, and he still has room for gains in the future. He looks to be a steady defender on the infield with quality hands and some range to his glove-side, also showing the ability to make plays on the move and change arm angles. He has a simple right-handed swing that works to stay through the zone with a flatter path, reaching up to 90 mph for his EV. 

OF Arnie Rosenband (Whitney Young, 2026) put up some strong numbers across the board on Saturday. He had a top-10 60-time with a 7.06, and his 85 mph outfield velocity was tied for the event best. He showed patient and deliberate actions in the outfield with sure-handed actions, playing through the baseball with a one-hand gather before moving into an athletic crow hop. At the plate, the right-handed hitter showed feel for the barrel with an uphill path, keeping the ball mostly on a line to the middle of the field with a peak EV of 91 mph. 

INF Tyee Mason (Morgan Park, 2027) will be a name to follow in the coming years. He has a wiry but projectable build, standing in at 5-foot-9, 128-pounds, and he showed to have some upside in his operation at the plate. It’s a simple swing that he’s able to repeat and consistently find the barrel with, working mostly to the middle and pull-side but also showing the ability to stay through it the other way. He’s an athletic defender on the infield with active and fluid footwork, pairing with soft hands that appear natural. 

One of the more impressive frames walking around belonged to C Zolan Wyatt (Lane Tech, 2026). Standing in at a long-levered 6-foot-3, 193-pound frame, Wyatt has some present strength throughout with broad shoulders and a trim build, but he also still holds all sorts of room for added strength in the coming years. At the plate, the right-handed hitter displayed strong hands with the ability to leverage the baseball and stay through the zone with strength, reaching up to 103 mph for his peak EV while averaging 89 mph (T388’). He showed a clean catch/throw operation, as well as a clean glove-to-hand to pair with a strong arm, reaching as low as 1.88 for his pop-time (T83 mph), placing throws consistently on the bag. 

INF Kelly West (Brooks, 2026) showed some of the better actions on the infield throughout the day, showing easy range to both sides with fluid/natural actions and soft hands, also showing a quick/intentful release with the ability to change angles, T82 mph. At the plate, the right-handed hitter has a simple swing with quick hands, working direct to the baseball with extension through impact, reaching up to 90 mph for his EV. 

INF Brent Nevils (Brother Rice, 2026) appears to be a physical right-handed bat to monitor this spring. He has been clearly putting in some work in the weight room, standing in at 6-foot, 195-pounds with a developed lower-half and round shoulders. There’s some present strength in his right-handed bat as well, reaching up to 97 mph for his peak EV with a 90 mph average (T355’). He has a simple and handsy swing that stays compact throughout, looking to stay mostly to his pull-side throughout the round. He showed soft hands on the infield with a clean transfer, staying through the baseball before delivering accurate strikes from a ¾ release, T83 mph. 

INF Samuel Calderon (Leyden, 2026) has added some notable strength to his now 5-foot-10, 171-pound frame. His strength showed in his round of BP, as he was consistently on the barrel with leverage, creating some jump off the bat with a peak EV of 92 mph, averaging 87 mph and reaching up to 355’ for his max distance. 

INF/OF Bryce Gilmore (Homewood-Flossmoor, 2027) is a young, high-waisted right-handed hitter to follow from the day. Listed at 5-foot-8,143-pounds, Gilmore has a fluid, athletic swing that works through the zone with some whip in the barrel and a balanced finish, staying mostly up the middle and to his pull-side throughout. 

INF Gary Edwards Jr. (Richards, 2028) looks to be yet another young prospect that took a noteworthy round of BP. He has a fluid, controlled operation, working with easy effort and balance throughout, staying through the zone with a flatter path and relaxed hands, flashing line-drive feel at times to the gaps. 

A strong uncommitted catcher to note is C Christian Clark (Mount Carmel, 2026). He has a durable, strong frame with broad shoulders and some strength in his lower-half, listed at 5-foot-10, 206-pounds. The right-handed hitter showed a simple swing throughout his round with a flat path, working through the baseball with extension and some feel to elevate at times with a 95 mph peak EV and 342’ max distance. He has a clean glove-to-hand while working in-line and gaining ground to second, reaching as low as 2.12 for his pop-time. 

A young prospect to keep an eye out for in the coming years is OF Aden Gutierrez (St. Rita, 2028), showing an athletic right-handed swing with some rawness and twitch. He also moves well in the outfield with natural actions and soft hands, pairing with a clean arm and ¾ release, T81 mph. 

C John Bazula (Prospect, 2026) and OF Luke Tingley (Lincoln-Way Central, 2026) are a couple juniors to know with an impressive power/speed combination - with Bazula cruising to a 6.87 with a 100 mph max EV, and Tingley recording a 6.85 in the 60 and 98 mph peak EV. 

Some names that put up impressive exit velocities on the day are CIF Sean Ryan (Lincoln-Way West, 2025) and OF Jazarris MackMore Jr. (Marian Catholic, 2027) - with Ryan reaching up to 100 mph for his EV, and Mackmore getting up to 96 mph. 

Two-Ways 

UTIL Gavin Jones (Bishop McNamara, 2028) was one of the days’ biggest winners on both sides of the ball. He has a trim, athletic build at 5-foot-11, 172-pounds, holding room for continued development and added strength. At the plate, the left-handed hitter worked on the barrel throughout his round, staying direct to the baseball with a whole field approach, also showing the ability to lift the baseball at times with a 90 mph peak EV. He’s an athletic defender on the infield with some bounce in his step and fluid footwork, showing easy range and actions to both sides of his glove and soft hands, also showing the ability to deliver accurate throws on the move and from multiple slots. His athleticism transferred to the outfield as well with similar actions and a strong arm (T85 mph). He gave just as good, if not a better look on the mound with a fastball around the 80 mph mark. He also showed an innate ability to spin his breaking balls, with a curveball in the 66-68 mph range spinning over 2,600 rpm, and his slider playing with more lateral shape and depth at 70-71 mph with over 2,500 rpm. 

One of the day’s biggest takeaways was RHP/1B Brock Hamilton (Homewood-Flossmoor, 2028), who looks to have made some significant strides since the last time we saw him a year ago. He has an imposing presence, standing in at 6-foot-4, 210-pounds, and there still appears to be room to add strength as he matures throughout the coming years. Despite being one of the youngest in attendance, the big right-hander delivered the second hardest fastball of the day at 86 mph, working with an easy, long-levered delivery that is able to create some angle through the zone. His curveball is still developing at 74-78 mph with short action, but he should be able to get outs with just his fastball right now. At the plate, he showed easy juice from the right side with a peak exit velocity of 91.5 mph, also averaging 22 mph for his hand-speed. 

1B/LHP Ameer Rule (Brooks, 2026) had a strong showing on both sides of the ball. On the mound, the southpaw showed a clean arm and high ¾ release while working in the 80-82 mph range, topping at 83 mph with carry traits through the zone. To pair off the fastball he went to a curveball and a changeup, both playing around 67-72 mph with some feel to land the CH for strikes. He showed some strength in his bat throughout his round of BP, working up the middle of the field with leverage and strong hands, delivering his hardest hit ball at 94 mph. 

INF/RHP Xavier Martin (Oak Park-River Forest, 2027) is a toolsy name to know from the day. There’s some present strength in his 5-foot-10, 185-pound frame, boasting round shoulders with a developed lower-half. He turned in one of the better 60-times on the day, cruising to a 6.92. He has clear strength at the plate from the right side, showing quick hands with a direct path and intent to lift the baseball, averaging 93 mph for his EV with a max of 101 mph, also delivering his farthest hit ball at 369’. His BLAST numbers were also extremely impressive, averaging 23.9 mph for his hand-speed, 76.9 mph for his bat-speed and 23.5 Gs for his rotational acceleration. On the mound, Martin showed a mostly straight fastball around the 82-85 mph mark, topping at 86 mph on his best bullet. He also featured a curveball and changeup, though still developing the feel for each offering. 

1B/RHP Colin Sims (St. Ignatius, 2027) stands out with his broad-shouldered 6-foot-2, 197-pound frame, and he backs it up with intrigue on both sides of the ball. The right-handed hitter took a loud round of BP, working with a flat path that creates length and extension through the zone, reaching up to 95 mph for his EV with more power to come. He’s an above-average defender at first base, working with a two-hand gather out front with fluid footwork and feel around the bag. On the mound, he’s a loose mover with a controlled tempo, working into a high leg-kick with a long stride. He has a longer arm swing out of the glove, coming through from a ¾ window. His fastball showed arm-side life through the zone, sitting 81-82 mph with up to 16” of run at times. The slider flashed feel for the zone with 10/4 shape, playing around 73-75 mph with over 2,200 rpm, missing arm-side at times. His changeup takes a similar profile to his fastball, showing natural running action to his arm-side in the 75-76 mph range. Intriguing prospect with upside on both sides of the ball. 

INF/RHP Alex Zeigler (Lane Tech, 2026) is a toolsy prospect that has some upside to multiple aspects of his game. He has an athletic build, standing in at 5-foot-11, 168-pounds with a trim, lean look. He got his day going with a 7.06 in the 60, and he also showed a strong arm (T88 mph) paired with deliberate, steady actions on the infield. At the plate, he showed some present bat-speed while averaging 72.5 mph and maxing out at just under 77 mph, reaching up to 97 mph for his peak EV with a pull-side approach. His aforementioned arm-strength had no trouble shifting over to the mound, sitting right around 82-83 mph and topping at 84 mph with over 2,400 rpm on average, showing carry traits and life through the zone. He showed some feel for his curveball, sitting 65-67 mph with depth and up to 15” of horizontal break. His final offering was a splitter that he killed spin on with developing feel, 69-73 mph. 

RHP/OF Marcus Wolfe Jr. (University of Chicago Laboratory, 2025) is an uncommitted senior to note from the day. He took one of the loudest rounds of BP in the event, averaging 90 mph for his EV with a max of 99 mph, showing jump off the barrel with a loose and fluid swing, staying mostly pull-side throughout his round. He took a quality round of defense in the outfield, showcasing a one-hand gather to the side with fluid movements, playing through the baseball with intent into a crow hop, reaching up to 83 mph. He showed well on the mound as well with some pitchability, starting with a fastball around the 80-82 mph mark that he could also sink with over 18” of run. His best off-speed in this look was a changeup he could land around the zone with hard fading action, 67-70 mph. 

Pitchers 

RHP Jack Gianikos (Maine South, 2026) was no doubt one of the best arms in attendance, and he’s an uncommitted junior on top of that. There’s a lot to like about the slender right-hander, starting with his highly projectable and high-waisted 6-foot-4, 174-pound frame. He’s a loose, flexible mover on the mound, working with a high leg-lift into a drop/drive lower-half, creating extension down the mound with some pace. His arm action is loose throughout a medium circle, and he creates quality layback in his shoulder into footplant before moving into a ¾ release. His fastball played with life out of the hand and through the zone, sitting 86-87 mph with some carry traits. He showed some feel to spin both his breaking balls, with the curveball showing big over the top depth at 64-66 mph, and the slider playing a bit more lateral at 67-70 mph. To fill out his arsenal he went to a changeup at 70-72 mph, occasionally getting under it but effectively killing spin. High-ceiling arm with more velocity to come. 

LHP Carlos Gonzalez (Taft, 2027) impressed with a polished and clean ‘pen on Saturday. The southpaw worked exclusively out of the stretch, moving with a controlled delivery into a medium balance point before dropping into his back leg and riding it in-line down the mound, repeating his mechanics consistently. His arm works with a longer reach in the back, creating some deception by hiding it well before moving through from a ¾ window. His fastball played in the 80-81 mph range, coming out clean with life and finish through the zone, also showing the ability to sink it on command. He went to a curveball at 64-65 mph, showing downer 1/7 shape with depth and bite. His last offering was a changeup that he kept around the zone at 75-76 mph, thrown with fastball intent while killing spin, mostly straight action. 

RHP Bernabe Astorga III (Eisenhower, 2025) is another uncommitted senior that deserves some love from the event. He has a controlled leg-lift into balance point before exploding and driving down the mound with intent. His arm has a longer swing in the back, transitioning into a ¾ window. The fastball showed some life out of the hand with late finish through the zone at times, 80-83 mph. He maintains quality arm-speed on his slider to create tight 10/4 shape, 71-74 mph. His final offering was a knuckleball that he could land around the zone, killing spin and playing with unpredictable action at times, 70-73 mph. 

A trio of young arms to keep tabs on are RHP Charlie Dobry (Maine South, 2028), LHP Andre Gordon (St. Rita, 2028) and RHP Marcus Jackson (Rich Township, 2028) - all of which showed upside and loose arms. 

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