Illinois 2027 Rankings: Names to Know
December 21, 2023
With the summer and fall well behind us and the spring season looming, we released our 2027 rankings on Monday, December 18th. Our initial rankings release included the prospects that our staff believes to be the top-20 in the state at this time. We’re aware that each player in the class will continue to develop and mature throughout their prep careers, thus impacting the rankings, and we expect to see shifts happen within this list over the next four years, per usual.
You can find our story highlighting the top-5 prospects by clicking the link, HERE.
For a look at the entire 2027 rankings update, CLICK HERE.
Names to Know
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Cullen Schwigen RHP / OF / Rockridge, IL / 2027From 8/8/23: “...is an incoming freshman that has shown to be one of the top pitchers in his class. Previously shining at the PBR Junior Future Games, Schwigen carried that momentum into the Illinois State Games. Broad shouldered 6-foot-2, 165-pound lean frame. Short, over the top arm action that plays loose and whippy. Advanced arsenal for his age, playing against much older competition. Fastball played in the 82-84 range, topping 85 mph. Fastball showed carry through the zone (2323 RPM), with a max IVB of 17.5 inches. Also played with occasional run (17.7 HM). Deceptive breaking-ball that was thrown at the same arm speed and slot as the fastball. Flashed 12/6 shape with gradual break, will continue to develop more break with added strength. Athletic arm with long-levers that will continue to get better throughout his prep career.”
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Jacsen Tucker SS / 2B / Oswego East, IL / 2027From 9/29/23: “...is a two-time PBR Junior Future Games participant that seemingly gets better upon each look. An ultra-projectable 6-foot-2, 165-pounds with long levers, Tucker was all over the barrel from the right side this weekend. On Sunday morning, Tucker hit an inside-the-park home run and got around the bases in a blazing 15.93 seconds. Tucker has also ran a 7.02 60-yard dash in the past for our staff. Building upon the offense and his hit tool, Tucker’s athleticism shows up defensively in numerous spots. We saw Tucker make plays up the middle in the infield and out in Centerfield, showcasing plenty of range.”
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Kaden Wasniewski 3B / RHP / McHenry, IL / 2027
Rankings StateRank: 9 / POS: 2
From 8/8/23: “...held his own against a talented and older crop of competition. The 6-foot, 155-pound right-hander pitched in the low-80s with his fastball (T2327 RPM) from a long, clean, and loose arm draw. Off that, Wasniewski spun a tight 70-72 mph slider for strikes and mixed in a changeup at 71-75 mph, too.”
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Kash VanHouten SS / RHP / Canton, IL / 2027
Rankings StateRank: 10 / POS: 4
From 7/28/23: “...was the spark plug the team needed to start a big two-out rally for Team Illinois. VanHouten reached base in both of his at-bats, reaching on a walk in his first and delivering an RBI single in his second. He ignited the dugout when he stole third base on a throw back to the pitcher, eventually scoring on a single from RHP/INF Brady Cunningham (Brother Rice, 2027). VanHouten followed Cunningham, who started the game on the mound, with a short relief appearance that shutdown the California offense. Lighting up the radar gun, he touched 85 mph multiple times, and mostly sat in the low-80s. He consistently stayed in and around the zone throughout his brief outing.”
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Cy Craft RHP / SS / Du Quoin, IL / 2027
Rankings StateRank: 12 / POS: 3
From 10/4/23: “5-foot-11, 150-pounds. Played up two age levels for GBA, drew the start in their afternoon game on Saturday. Athletic mover downhill, strides in line with intent out front. Long continuous arm action with arm speed from a high ¾ slot. Fastball touched 84 mph early, played in the low-80s, comes out clean. Spun a low-70s breaking ball to pair with confidence and fastball intent, spotted it for strikes at times. A presently polished arm that also holds a noticeable ceiling on the mound, and is a name-to-know prospect in the Illinois’ 2027 group.”
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Andrew Talbert OF / SS / Byron , IL / 2027
Rankings StateRank: 13 / POS: 3
From 6/11/23: “Talbert was one of the top two way players at the tournament this past weekend. Defensively, Talbert plays with a high motor and started off his weekend by making impressive plays from the left side of the infield. With the bat Talbert had a knack for making hard contact over the course of the weekend which only stood out more from swinging wood bats. His weekend on offense was capped off by a 1-for-3 performance with a home run. Through two appearances on the mound Talbert worked in the low 80’s with his fastball and tossed 3.2 innings not allowing a single hit while striking out seven batters.”
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Brady Cunningham RHP / 3B / Brother Rice, IL / 2027
Rankings StateRank: 15 / POS: 4
From 9/29/23: “...stood out as a two-way prospect this weekend. A recent PBR Junior Future Games participant, Cunningham has been a standout at seemingly every tournament we’ve seen him at this summer and this weekend was no different. Cunningham stands in at a physical 6-foot-1, 195-pounds with strength throughout. Starting on the mound Sunday morning, Cunningham navigated a two-pitch mix to get himself through three scoreless innings, scattering three hits and two walks, while also punching out five in the outing. Cunningham’s fastball worked 78-79 mph, T80 with mostly 4-seam action. He paired the fastball with an 11/5-shaped breaking ball that seemed to be thrown with more conviction than previously seen this summer. Cunningham can also swing it at the dish. A right-handed hitter, Cunningham has a very simple setup and swing at the plate that manufactures easy power to both gaps. Cunningham collected two hits on Sunday morning, including a pull-side triple.”
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Omar Avalos OF / LHP / Father McGivney , IL / 2027
Rankings StateRank: 16 / POS: 4
From 10/4/23: “Athletic and strong 5-foot-7, 150-pound frame. The LHH swings a dynamic barrel that is able to adjust to pitches all around the zone and send line drives all across the field. Batting leadoff, Avalos ripped a first-pitch triple on Saturday and followed it up with a single that he turned into a double with some savvy and smart base running. He kept hitting on Sunday, barreling a triple to straightaway center field, and gliding around the bases effortlessly as a result. In the outfield, Avalos covered a lot of ground and made a number of tough plays look easy throughout the weekend.”
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