With the winter season behind us and the high school season in full gear, it's time for an update of the Illinois 2027 rankings. Taking into account performances from the winter, and the beginning of the spring, we gave the class of 2027 an update and small expansion.

There are sure to be plenty more high-level prospects surfacing over the next few years that will warrant updates moving forward, but for now, the updated Top-25 features the top prospects we have seen in the freshman class and feel most confident about, to-date.

For now, let's review some of the notable prospects in the updated Top-25.

THE TOP-10

OF Sebastian Wilson (Lane Tech; Tennessee commit) remains the top prospect in the class. Wilson has a 5-foot-11, 185-pound, advanced frame and high-level tools across the board. Here is what we recently had on his performance at the Preseason All-State: Underclass.

2/24/24 Quick Hits: OF Sebastian Wilson (Lane Tech, 2027; Tennessee commit) wields one of the loudest left-handed bats in the 2027 class and it was on full display this past weekend. Currently the No. 1 ranked player in Illinois, No. 18 nationally, Wilson averaged 89.3 for his EV throughout his round with a max of 97.7 mph, delivering his furthest ball at 332’. He creates impressive hand-speed, averaging 22.8 mph (T23.4 mph) according to BLAST. He displayed his usual strong arm from the outfield as well, reaching up to 88 mph from a crow hop. He continues to trim down his 60-time, running a 6.76 this time around.

OF Josh Morgan (Fenwick), SS Colin Campbell (Brother Rice; Louisville), INF/RHP Gavin Stanislawski (Brother Rice) remain locked at No. 2 - No. 4.

OF/INF Andrew Talbert (Byron) is the biggest riser inside the top-10, climbing eight spots up to No. 5 in the state. Talbert opened eyes this winter showing off high-level tools to go along with a high-motor, gamer approach on the field.

2/24/24 Quick Hits: OF Andrew Talbert (Byron, 2027) continues to look the part as one of the top prospects in the state, currently slotted at No. 13 in Illinois. The right-handed hitter has a repeatable and strong swing, staying on-plane through the zone while consistently putting the ball on a line back up the middle throughout his round of BP, reaching up to 90.4 mph for his max EV. Impressive athlete, cruising to a 6.94 in the 60. Easy, athletic defender in the outfield, arm is well above-average, topping out at 95 mph from a crow hop. High-follow prospect in the state.

RHP’s Kaden Wasniewski (McHenry; No. 7) and Brady Buenik (Libertyville; No. 8) are two arms who climbed inside the top-10 in the recent update. Wasniewski is a 6-foot, 164-pound, polished right-hander who has seen plenty of varsity innings already in his freshman season. Wasniewski was up to 90.1 mph this winter, sitting 87.1-90.1.

2/24/24 Quick Hits: Wasniewski has some notable upside on the mound, listed at 6-foot, 161-pounds and equipped with obvious arm-strength, the right-hander cruised with his fastball in the 87-89 mph range, topping out at 89.8 mph with carry and heavy run to his arm-side. He showed some feel for his slider at 77-79 mph, playing with tight shape and 9/3 action, kept at the bottom of the zone. His final offering was a changeup that displayed heavy arm-side run, tumbling towards the bottom of the zone at 80-82 mph.

Buenik is listed at a strong, wide-shouldered, 6-foot-3, 185-pounds and moves down the mound with fluidity and balance. He threw one of the top ‘pens this wintr at the Preseasion All-State and continued to put himself on the map as a high-follow freshman.

2/24/24 Quick Hits: RHP Brady Buenik (Libertyville, 2027) left Saturday’s event one of the biggest winners after showing an impressive bullpen with advanced polish for his age. His fastball sat 87-89 mph, topping out at 90.8 mph with heavy run to the arm-side and easy effort. His changeup, which sat 77-79 mph, had late sink and fade, with an average of 17.3 inches of horizontal movement and swing-and-miss characteristics. To round out his arsenal, Buenik threw a low-70s slider with sweeping tendencies, and he showed the ability to land the pitch for strikes at times. An impressive 6-foot-3, 185-pound frame, Buenik established himself as one of the top arms in the freshman class.

NEWCOMERS OUTSIDE OF THE TOP 10

A couple of names entered the rankings for the first time, with RHP Trevor McClure (Mount Vernon) leading the way, coming in at No. 11. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound, upside right-hander has been throwing quality innings for Mount Vernon this spring and we were able to get our eyes on him at the Kickoff Classic to open up the IHSA season.

3/13/24 SCOUT BLOG: 6-foot-1, 170-pound long limbed multi-sport (basketball) athlete that started on the mound for the Rams against Mascoutah and popped as a high-follow, name-to-know arm in the state’s freshmen class. Simple, low-effort stretch-only delivery, upright posture throughout. Lead leg swings to an open-toed landing at front footstrike, drifts towards the first base side at finish. Arm plays with some length on the backside, loose and free shoulder, high ¾ finish. Fastball plays clean out the hand and touched 89 mph early, sitting at 85-88 mph throughout his start. Confident in his curveball, comfortable throwing it in any count to both handed hitters. Flashed sharp late action at 74-76 mph, developing feel and consistency but does have out-pitch potential. A high-ceiling arm that’s nowhere close to what he’ll ultimately be on the mound and is a must-follow prospect in the Illinois’ 2027 class.

INF Carson Trivellini (Crystal Lake South) and LHP Chase Reinhart (Normal West) also deserve a mention, coming in at No. 20 and No. 21, respectively. Trivellini is a multi-sport varsity starter as a freshman and has been hititng at the top of the order and starting at second base for the Gators so far this spring. Reinhart is an upside left-handed arm that has been throwing meaningful innings already this spring, sits in the low-80s and features an above-average currveball with much more to come down the road.

CLICK HERE for the full look at the updated 2027 Illinois rankings.

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